Comments for Thoughts from a Celtic Buddhist monk

Comment on Passion and Buddhism by Sister Gryphon

Sister Gryphon — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:40:51 +0000

Hey Bill.
I need to put up some flyers in Bangor. I had hoped to already have that done, but yeah, winter is a busy time and I have too many pots on one burner. But I have the posters made and will put them up this week. I anticipate trying to have a get together at the end of the month. I will keep you abreast of things, and I cannot find your website. Can you please send it again? Thanks!!

Comment on Passion and Buddhism by Bill Lagerstrom

Bill Lagerstrom — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:07:52 +0000

I signed up at Meet Me as I was sent your request to form a Celtic Buddhist group in Bangor. Interestingly the info came from a friend at a Synagogue in Bangor. I would be interested in when you will start this group so I can know if I will have a free night – things are busy in my life. I also belong to a Samgha in Orono where once I get the information about your group I can spread the news there. The Website I sent is my Blog where I post my photos and spiritual meanderings.

Comment on The Gift of Sangha by Ramesh

Ramesh — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:28:38 +0000

Oh, how difficult it has been to fiidnng mindful speech! I was bullied as a shy, quiet child, and didn’t discover a voice or my own opinion until my 30s. I then became arrogant and prideful. Cultivating the middle way speaking up when needed (and invited) and knowing to remain quiet I have many regrets on both extremes.I have been on the receiving end of unsolicited and hurtful advice’ and I have given the same. I realize now that offering my opinions of others serves only my own ego; even if asked, speaking gently and kindly, as I would want to be spoken to, is my goal. When I fail, as I will, I examine myself for the ego influence and apologize. While pondering this topic, the words of Shantideva came to mind (Well, the like a log you must remain part, anyway. Which is the most important part for me to remember )When the urge arises in the mindTo feelings of desire or wrathful hate, Do not act! Be silent, do not speak!And like a log of wood be sure to stay.When the mind is wild with mockeryAnd filled with pride and haughty arrogance,And when you want to show the hidden faults of others,To bring up old dissensions or to act deceitfullyAnd when you want to fish for praise,Or criticize and spoil another’s name,Or use harsh language, sparring for a fight,It’s then that like a log you should remain .And when you want to do another downAnd cultivate advantage for yourself,And when the wish to gossip comes to you,It’s then that like a log you should remain.

Comment on The Gift of Sangha by Sister Gryphon

Sister Gryphon — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:35:49 +0000

Nicely said. Thank you, Marcelo.

Comment on Protests and Buddhism by Sister Gryphon

Sister Gryphon — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:19:50 +0000

Dear thug4lyfe,

What is the greatest teaching of Buddhism if not compassion?

Now, meditation is very important because it helps us to quiet our thoughts and connect with that part of us that is not separate from anything/anyone. Sometimes we can fool ourselves and disguise our selfish wants or our ego’s desire for recognition as “compassion” One teacher I studied with used to liken it to a boy scout dragging an old woman safely across the street. He gets a merit badge for helping her, but she’s upset because she didnt want to cross the street.
So, yes, meditation is very important. We agree on this. This is essential. And I say meditation, because the concept of purity, of purifying the mind is an illusion. The mind is already pure. Always was. Always will be.

I do not, in this article, encourage anyone to blame others for anything. I do encourage others to “stand in solidarity against injustice and against those forces and people that would remove democracy from our government and reduce us into slave labor, and we can do it with love, wanting no harm for those who would harm us”

How is this not the very heart of Buddhism?

When we blame others, we make someone the innocent victim and someone the evil doer. That, obviously, is not the Dharma and is, in fact, quite delusional. But, that does not change the fact that we live in a dualistic world. People get hurt. Animals get hurt. and when we can help them, if we have a heart that is soft because it hurts with them because it is them, then we must, as Buddhists, help them. The Buddha himself made 3 attempts to stop to stop King Virudhaka from destroying the Shakyas. The Buddha did not sit idly by because he was too busy “purifying his mind.”

Finally, there is no left wing and no right wing. These are political concepts, buzz labels, which do not allow us to see each other as people. I had a teacher who did not eat meat, but he never called himself a “vegetarian”. It took me years to understand why he would not allow that word. Today, I follow his example and do not even call myself democrat or republican or etc.. these are labels that are too “hot” and also quite meaningless.

What I support is that when we see a company, a person, any situation which is causing harm, we must do something to help. It is our imperative.
and I stand by that with no apologies.

Comment on Protests and Buddhism by thug4lyfe

thug4lyfe — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:21:53 +0000

Protests solves problems? Especially now in the 21st century, many of protests comes from wanting to “blame everything on others” without purifying one’s own mind. You, as a Buddhist monk really want to encourage that? Have you been learning Buddhism?

The Dharma Ending Age is the age of more fighting. You still attached to the old left wing crap even after practicing Buddhism?

Comment on The Gift of Sangha by Marcelo

Marcelo — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:17:37 +0000

I remember my reufge Lama always saying to me, you just never know who’s a Buddha or Bodhisattva . , as in be careful what you say or do to others. I wish I could always keep this in mind, and boy if I had, on certain occasions I would not be cleaning up half the messes I am cleaning up now in my life. It is so easy to jump with fear/anger when something threatens my comfort level. Why just the other day, I was practicing and getting some good juice from it, praying really hard to meet Guru Rinpoche face to face. It had just rained after I was done practicing and just by chance I looked out my front door, and a beautiful rainbow was glowing in the sky. I felt like he really heard me and so I went outside and sat on my front stoop and continued to make aspirations to become just like Yeshe Tsogyal and really hook up with Guru Rinpoche. Out of the corner of my eye, what appeared to be a drunken man was walking down my side of the street. I got frightened, and offended that how dare this man encroach on my prayer time, so I hopped up, went back inside and slammed my door shut, and about 5 seconds later I recalled my old Lama’s voice saying.. you never know who’s a Buddha or Bodhisattva , and I opened the door up hoping drunk guy had not passed yet, thinking, Oh No! That could have been Guru Rinpoche and I just blew it, was I not just praying to meet him,’ but he was already 3 houses down the sidewalk and I just watched him walk away . he did turn and looked back at me, and the funny thing was right after he turned back to look at me he began walking regular, not like a drunk guy. I don’t know, I hardly have Buddha recognition vision but boy did I feel like a chump after wards, apologizing up and down to Guru Rinpoche and doing tons of Vajrasattvas for once again praying to be close to Guru Rinpoche but really very scared of it too, if it really were to occur. I wonder how many times I have prayed to meet Guru Rinpoche in this life and past lives and yet have run away from him too. I mean, I did not actually verbalize anything, but boy did I say alot with my door slamming. One thing for sure, I went from super bliss mode to sucks-to-be-me mode all in the moment it takes to, well, . slam a door. It just feels like hell to possibly think you have just slammed the door on Guru Rinpoche, I don’t think one can feel any lower, so please, I implore you all, anyone could be a plain clothes Guru Rinpoche, please be careful.

Comment on Rightousness, Delusion, Humanity, and compassion. by Sister Gryphon

Sister Gryphon — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:54:59 +0000

and then click on
http://youtu.be/J36CRZzm9vg

Comment on Be Here Now. by Sister Gryphon

Sister Gryphon — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:41:15 +0000

That sounds like an interesting book. Never heard of it before…
I’ll check it out!

Comment on Be Here Now. by Charles Hays

Charles Hays — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:30:44 +0000

As the character of Tenzin Reb Hawkins says in Spider Robinson’s Stardance trilogy: “Don’t just do something, sit there!” Adding, of course, that sitting mindfully is often the most productive thing that can be done.