Jan 08
From the Beating-a-Dead-Horse Dept:
Not to compare religions out of context, but, regarding the following video:
The noun forgiveness has 2 senses:
1. forgiveness — (compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive)
2. forgiveness, pardon — (the act of excusing a mistake or offense)
Forgiveness in Christianity:
” ‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife [...]
Jan 03
Although this matter has been cleared up within the Thai press, it seems that the article in English has stirred up and agitated Western readers. This has been caused by some misrepresentations of the events of the press conference and the editorial language used in the article. Wat Nong Pah Pong feels that it is [...]
Dec 30
More fun with Buddhist Monasticism.
So I really did think a bit about the whole woman ordination thing while in the forests of Thailand… here’s some more thoughts:
It seems pretty clear in my mind that we (men monks) shouldn’t be eager to ordain women; it doesn’t say much of an ascetic that he turns around and [...]
Nov 20
I really don’t have enough time to do justice to this topic, and probably should have known better than to stick my nose into it so close to a trip abroad, but hopefully I can just close up here with a few points that I’ve come up with, maybe right, maybe wrong.
First, some points in [...]
Nov 17
An interesting discussion on the Second Life VR platform:
Let me tell you of the sad reality of Second Life. In case your not familiar with Second Life its a virtual world where über good looking people in tank tops and fishnet stockings run around having virtual sex, virtual lives and virtual Buddhism. In this virtual [...]
Nov 06
Here’s my opinion on the Bhikkhuni thing:
I think we should look at the options… breaking rules is not cool, ever. But there are ways of changing the rules I think, at least temporarily… the Buddha left the sangha in charge and, as I said, I don’t see any reason for not putting it to a [...]
Oct 30
On my ordination day, I thought, “I’m the perfect monk.” After about a month of messing up, I realized that I really had been mistaken, but now I was a really good monk, after one month. Then, a year later, I realized I’d really been naive. But now, one year into it, [...]
Jun 23
Before my last post garners any more response, I thought I’d clear it up a little…
My purpose in writing is not to whine, just to explain. Please don’t write to me offering constructive criticism on how to improve my relationship with cultural Buddhism. It’s a dysfunctional relationship that will never be repaired. [...]
Jun 23
I am not staying at a Wat Thai this rains retreat. ANY Wat Thai. And I’m not going to apologize for that. I’d like to take a little time to explain why I’ve come to this decision, as most people are unable to understand why I would come to such a strange [...]
Jun 19
Just got meself a skype number: +1 818 824 6654… not to be an unpaid advertisement for the sky people, but it costs my students $5 a month to get me a telephone number and unlimited calling to anywhere in North America. And now I have an excuse when people try to offer to [...]