First Things First
One’s education must first of all be directed to a thorough knowledge of the classics and an understanding of the teachings of the sages. –—Yoshida Kenkō, Essays in Idleness, translated by Meredith McKinney, 80
Commitment
In all our studies, continues concentration and diligence are the hallmark of success. It is meaningless to begin the study of karate-do as if you were stopping by a roadside stand for refreshment on your…
Seize the Instant Already!
A man engaged in Buddhist practice will tell himself at night that there is always the morning, or in the morning will anticipate the night, always intending to make more effort later. And if such…
Bodhisattva Vows
Although sentient beings are limitless, we vow to save them.Although our evil desires are limitless, we vow to be rid of them. Although the teaching is limitless, we vow to learn it all.Although Buddhism is unattainable,…
Word of the Day
aware, Japanese —a feeling-tone in which responsiveness to the moving nature of the phenomenal world derives from a recognition of its transience. –Meredith McKinney, in her translation of Sei Shōnagon, The Pillow Book, xxvii.
Today’s One-Liner (#348)
In Aikido, a sincere practitioner continually strives to forge the body, discipline the mind, and polish the spirit. –John Stevens, The Shambhala Guide to Aikido, 27
Way beyond Books
[Sri Anandamayi Ma] never sees fit to read books and thus… testifies to the fact that wisdom is not dependent on book learning—a truth too shocking to be accepted by most academicians. –Alexander Lipski, in…
“I Can’t Be in the Same Room as a Zionist!”
A good deal of the friction in personal relationships stems from our inability to respect the ways and the opinions of others. –Eknath Easwaran, Formulas for Transformation: A Mantram Handbook, 108
Reframing Criticism
When [Dipa Ma] stood up against something she felt was wrong, sometimes others would blame and criticize her. But she was not bothered by this. She told me, “Why be upset? Even the Buddha had…
Dostoevsky’s Vision
Forty years before, Dostoevsky had predicted that socialism would cost Russia 100 million victims….if Dostoevsky erred, it was on the side of understatement: from 1917 to 1959, socialism cost the Soviet Union 110 million lives!…