By Brian Schell, on January 19th, 2009%
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
By Brian Schell, on November 18th, 2008%
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 Nanda.
After . . . → Read More: Women in Buddhism Part 2: Pajapati
By Brian Schell, on November 17th, 2008%
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 the . . . → Read More: Women In Buddhism Part 1: Maya
By Brian Schell, on October 31st, 2008%
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