The ushnisha refers to the protuberance on the crown of the Buddha. It is one of the 32 special physical characteristics of a Buddha. In Chinese, it is called the 无见顶, which literally means ‘the top that cannot be seen’ – even by the gods and Bodhisattvas of the highest ground. I once heard an [...]

Someone asked if I was more left-brained or right brained. Not that I’m no-brained, but I couldn’t really say. Are we mostly left-brained, too logical, too methodical, too rigid? Should we be more right-brained, more intuitive, more ‘random’, more creative? I couldn’t really say, because I don’t know your specific inclination. But I do propose [...]

From the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra (http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln260/Vimalakirti.htm) are lesser known but some very surprising and illuminating teachings: ‘… Then the Licchavi Vimalakirti said to the patriarch Mahakasyapa, “Reverend Mahakasyapa, the Maras who play the devil in the innumerable universes of the ten directions are all bodhisattvas dwelling in the inconceivable liberation, who are playing the devil [...]

A Buddhist friend whom I did not know too well commented during a group chat that just as the universe has balanced energies of the Yin and the Yang, it is necessary for  individuals to have balanced positive and negative aspects too, in terms of character. I think he is one of those who clings [...]

Q: I have always thought that the Buddha’s Parinirvana was the end and that he would not be subjected to rebirth upon achieving it. I was surprising that you mentioned that the Buddha still exists. And that he and all other Buddhas are still working hard to guide beings to Nirvana A: Yes, you can [...]

Pic: Mug at Dharma Drum Mountain’s Bookshop at Jinshan OMG! Oh my God? Ohmigosh? OMB! Oh my Buddha! My own Buddha-nature… too. Next Taiwan Adventure: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/07/taiwan-adventure-7-heart-sutra-in-binary-code Previous Taiwan Adventure: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/06/taiwan-adventure-5-more-more

Symbol of the Triratna (: Sanskrit; Tiratana: Pali), as seen in the Sanchi stupa, 1st century BCE. 自皈依佛，当愿众生，绍隆佛种，发无上心 自皈依法，当愿众生，深入经藏，智慧如海 自皈依僧，当愿众生，统理大众，一切无碍 – 华严经 Taking refuge in the Buddha, may all beings succeed and glorify the Buddha seed, giving rise to the unsurpassable aspiration [for Buddhahood]. Taking refuge in the Dharma, may all beings deeply enter the [...]

Q: Does one who sacrifices his life for you have the greatest love of all? A: Being able to live a full life based on the Four Immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, rejoice, equanimity) perfected to help as many as possible is the greatest love. It is greater and truer love to live to help, than just [...]

Visited St. Patrick’s School again, a couple of days ago, to give a presentation on the Buddhist perspective of life and death. Instead of using the usual lecture theatre, the school hall was used instead – as there were 130 Catholic boys this time. Above is a picture of a powerpoint slide used, featuring a [...]

Something written for a magazine: Q: Why do Buddha images differ? What do different poses and expressions reflect? A: Buddha images in different countries evolved according to the cultural preferences of each. For instance, images in China came to resemble the Chinese. Chinese images of the Buddha are usually more plump or even slightly fat, [...]

Question: A temple is promoting beliefs that some Buddhas and Bodhisattvas protect people born in certain years. They have booklets in print and online on such ideas too. Are these beliefs Buddhist? Answer: The short answer is that these beliefs are not Buddhist. Here is an analysis of a sample booklet, using the one for [...]

A friend came across these phrases in a Buddhist website – ‘Who is Buddha?’ and ‘Buddha’s teachings’. He asked whether they ought to be ‘Who is the Buddha?’ and ‘The Buddha’s teachings’. He remarked that it’s ironical that such incorrect English is used very often in the West! I agree, because: 1. It’s wrong to [...]

From ‘The Color of Earth’ by Kim Dong Hwa, a young monk poignantly thinks to himself when he realises he has a crush on a girl. Night after night, I embrace Buddha and sleep. Morning after morning, I embrace Buddha and wake… Hour by minute by second I always believed I’d spend every moment with [...]

Some wordplay below on a string of words that stand for what might arise sequentially while one practises mindfulness of Buddha: …念佛念佛念佛念杂念杂念杂念佛念佛念佛念佛念佛… 念佛: Mindfulness of Buddha 念杂: Mindfulness of stray thoughts 杂念: Stray mindfulness 佛念: Buddha mindfulness