True Words: A Shingon Buddhist Podcast

This week’s topic is, Buddha Nature, in sanskrit: tathāgatagarbha (如来藏). All sentient beings are considered to be in possession of the Buddha Nature, the potential to attain enlightenment. In this episode we discuss a bit about how to understand this concept, and compare it to philosophical ideas of human nature, and its connection with morality.

Queen Srimala sutra: http://www.bdkamerica.org/book/sutra-queen-śrīmālā-lions-roar-and-vimalakīrti-sutra

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Śrīmālādevī_Siṃhanāda_Sūtra

In this week’s Podcast we look at Buddhism as practiced traditionally in Asia, as compared to forms popular in Western nations.  In our ongoing advocacy for traditional Buddhist practices, we make the case for maintaining the entirety of the Buddhist tradition, rather than selecting a small portion, one specific practice, or removing ideas or concepts that may initially seem outside what we’ve come to understand as Buddhism.  Maintaining the entirety of the Buddhist tradition offers us opportunities for future growth and understanding we may not initially know we need or are capable of.

In this episode we discuss “esoteric” Buddhism. There are many misconceptions regarding Shingon as a school of Buddhism, most often discussed in terms of “secrecy”. Often understood to be a completely secret school of practice, or generally withheld from public view. In this episode we discuss this misconception, and attempt to explain Shingon, that as like many schools of knowledge, require pre-requisuted to be understood and effectively practiced.

Any body of knowledge, whether scholastic, or a specific trade, requires certain foundational knowledge. Shingon is no different from this.  While there are a tremendous number of practices a person can walk into a temple and begin practicing, there are others that depend on knowledge of Buddhism, experience with meditation, and direct instruction from a teacher.  Shingon relies on the same foundation sutra’s and commentaries as other traditional Buddhist schools, while utilizing additional texts that explain practices and perspectives on practice and path toward, and about the nature of enlightenment.  Many practices are hinting at those texts and knowledge. Acquiring the proper foundational knowledge is important to avoid misunderstanding, unhelpful practices, and the practitioner becoming discouraged.

Is there a role for faith in Buddhism, and if so what is that role?  How is faith developed?  How did Faith, become the “f” word of Western Buddhism? In this episode we discuss the importance of faith, how it differs in Buddhism from some other traditions, and how it can be a powerful support for our practice, and benefit our lives.

Texts mentioned in the Podcast include:

The Awakening of Faith in Mahayana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakening_of_Faith_in_the_Mahayana

Kalam Sutta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalama_Sutta

 

In episode 18 we discuss Buddhist retreats.  Often presented as vacations, or spa-like experiences, the traditional Buddhist retreat or temple experience is generally geared at creating a highly structures environment that is at once transformative, as well as educational.

Sometimes compared to military or other highly structured programs, the monastic experience provides an atmosphere in which teaching and meditation is delivered, but also where the participant is presented with opportunities to confront assumptions, are areas of discomfort.  Rather than being an escape, the Buddhist retreat should provide an environment in which the participant confronts assumptions, ideas about themselves, their needs, and desires.

Episode 17 of True Words, a Shingon Buddhist podcast focusses on compassion, bodhicitta.  In this episode we cover, (1) Compassion, (2) both within Buddhism generally, (3) why this concept is important, actually a key component, and (4) specifically its place within Shingon practice.

This week I respond to a suggested topic from a listener: What is dharma, especially the buddha drama, vs ones own dharma, and how do we know if we are fulfilling our dharma.

Dharma is a term from Buddhism and Hinduism, which describes a body of teachings and a set of rules/laws about the nature of existence. In this episode we explore what can be classified buddha dharma, who our own dharma may be built upon, and the purpose of such “dharma’s” to our lives.

This week, in episode 15, we explore finding a teacher. Do you need a teacher?  Do you want a teacher?  What qualities to look for in a teacher.   How should you approach the student/teacher relationship?  Episode 15, released June 15, 2017.  June 15 is also Aoba Matsuri, the celebration of the birthday of Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.

 

 

 

This week we discuss what elements should be part of a well rounded holistic practice.  Especially important for those who may not have a teacher or formal group near them; what elements should you look for to add to your practice.  Because there are relatively few Shingon temples outside of Japan, and westerners interested in Buddhism are often not not exposed to traditional Asian Buddhist communities, what things can we learn or look for to add to our practice.

Episode 13 of True Words Podcast, The Good, Bad, and Ugly of practice…

In this episode we explore some of the pitfalls, errors, high points, bright spots, and cautions observed in Buddhist practice….when there isn’t a large established Buddhist community we may more easily go astray when pursing the Buddhist path, but don’t lose hope, we offer some suggestions for ensuring your practice is beneficial.