What Makes a Good Friend?

What Makes a Good Friend?

Thus spoke Shakyamuni Buddha in the Squirrels’ Feeding Ground Of the Bamboo grove at Rajaghriha (a translation from the Sigalovata Sutra)   These traits make a person a true friend: If that person is good hearted to you If that person treats you the same...
Basic Rites of Passage in Shin Buddhism

Basic Rites of Passage in Shin Buddhism

SHO SAN SHIKI (FIRST- VISIT- CEREMONY) This is a presentation to the temple of a new baby. If there are lots of new babies, it is held once a year. If there are fewer babies, the babies are brought to the temple when they are 33 or 100 days old. It is a joyous...
The Monks' Robes

The Monks' Robes

The Monks’ Robes came to be because of the wishes of those who were followers of the Buddha. As ascetics, they were nude or nearly nude. As monks, their clothing was more modest since they traveled and encountered many people. Also, they had decided that they...
What Is True Giving?

What Is True Giving?

According to the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, there are three types of givers and then there is the process, itself. I will begin with the process, itself, as it is the most remarkable: Giving as a Buddhist is to know that there is a giver, a gift, and a receiver of...