The Five-Minute Buddhist

The Five-Minute Buddhist Meditates

The Five-Minute Buddhist Meditates

Beginner’s Guide

The Five-Minute Buddhist Returns

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Koan: A Mother’s Advice

A Mother’s Advice

Jiun, a Shingon master, was a well-known Sanskrit scholar of the Tokugawa era. When he was young he used to deliver lectures to his brother students.

His mother heard about this and wrote him a letter:

“Son, I do not think you became a devotee of the Buddha because you desired to turn into a walking . . . → Read More: Koan: A Mother’s Advice

Koan: Shoun & His Mother

Koan: Shoun & His Mother

Shoun became a teacher of Soto Zen. When he was still a student his father passed away, leaving him to care for his old mother.

Whenever Shoun went to a meditation hall he always took his mother with him. Since she accompanied him, when he visited monasteries he could not live with the . . . → Read More: Koan: Shoun & His Mother

Women In Buddhism Part 1: Maya

Maya Dreams of the White Elephant

Women in Buddhism Part 1: Maya

Last week a reader posted a question on the blog beneath the ‚ÄúBuddha Boy‚Äù post. She asked whether or not it was possible for a Bodhisattva to be a woman. It was an innocent enough question, but ended up with me explaining how sexist . . . → Read More: Women In Buddhism Part 1: Maya

Women in Buddhism Part 2: Pajapati

Mahapajapati

Women in Buddhism Part 2: Pajapati / Mahapajapati

As mentioned yesterday, (Maha)Pajapati was Queen Maya’s sister, and also a wife to King Suddhodana. When Maya died, Mahapajapati raised young Prince Siddharta Gotama. She raised the boy as her own, but did have two children who became the step-brother and step-sister of Buddha, Nanda and Sundari . . . → Read More: Women in Buddhism Part 2: Pajapati