The Five Cardinal Sins
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of God.[1] Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, shameful, harmful, or alienating might be…
Under the Moon
Don’t mind me, I’m out getting lost under the moon, watching bats wheel and vultures go to bed and listening to whippoorwills and starsong. Don’t seek me, I’m dancing with sunset, studying the shapes of clouds and leaves, serenading violets…
Ancestors
My ancestors lived in Europe. With their families and their foibles. In centuries past, they did unimaginable deeds. My ancestors were European. Some from the East, Some from the West. They held unusual beliefs, and refused to be free. They…
Every Person Is A Unique Treasure
Cherry, Plum, Peach, Damson Buddhism has long taught that each person is a treasure with something unique to contribute to the world. This is the message of the Buddhist principle, “cherry, plum, peach, damson.” Nichiren Daishonin uses the fruit’s flowers…
The Pink Lotus Flower
The [Pink] Lotus Flower, Nelumbo nucifera, also known as the “sacred lotus” or the “Indian lotus,” is often confused with true water lilies of the genus Nymphaea, in particular N. caerulea, the “blue lotus.” However, the lotus flower has historical, cultural and spiritual…
Ingrates and Bathtubs
The White Rose of Turkey The Turkish mystery series on Netflix, Shahmaran (2023), is based partly on the Persian myth of the same name. [1] “Shah” is a title used for Persian kings, and “mar” or “maran” means “snake(s).” The Netflix…
Education in the 21st Century
The dream of sin. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as of the academic year 2016-2017, there are a total of 4,360 higher education institutions in the U.S., including both colleges and universities. Of the…
Where Hope Still Lives
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season…
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent…
Happiness
It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor’s wealth but gains not even half a coin. – On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime [Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1 p. 3]…
