IntenseDebate - Al Jigen Billings

13 years ago @ Shambhala SunSpace - The warmth of the Sun,... · 0 replies · +1 points

So you're giving all of the money that you'd spend on a tattoo to people or you just feel you can't justify spending the money on a tattoo because it *could* be given to people to feed the or the like?

How is this different than saying, "Well, I could buy this Buddhist book but I've read plenty of books and I could give that same money to the homeless shelter"?

13 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - A Guide to Buddhist Pa... · 1 reply · +2 points

Thanks for posting this. I appreciate the ideas as a parent.

I'm not sure if this is really directly related to Engaged Buddhism, as a philosophy, more than just the Dharma in general. (I say this as someone who is generally turned off by the political aspects of Engaged Buddhism.)

13 years ago @ Shambhala SunSpace - The warmth of the Sun,... · 0 replies · +1 points

I have refuge vows in Sanskrit on my arm.

Buddhaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi.
Dharmaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi.
Saṃghaṃ śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/albill/5007641236/

I recently had the blackwork done in August outlined in a red border:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/albill/5403350848/

13 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Disrobing Genpo. ~ Bra... · 0 replies · +1 points

Unfortunately, everything you say here is pretty true.

I've heard well known "Zen" teachers admit to never reading a sutra, which I find appalling.

13 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Disrobing Genpo. ~ Bra... · 0 replies · +1 points

The Japanese don't have Vinaya holding monks. Since the establishment of the Bodhisattva Vows-based ordination platform following Saicho's death more than 1,000 years ago, more and more monastics in Japan were ordained under that system until the Vinaya system died out. All the people you see in Japan are not Vinaya holders. You need to go to China, Korea (for one of the orders there), Vietnam, Thailand, etc in order to meet Vinaaya monastics.

In the West, when people speak of a Buddhist "priest," they generally mean someone who has received Bodhisattva Vow-based precepts but who is not a holder of Vinaya vows, is not required to be celibate, and may often be married. The reason to use "priest" instead of "monk" (the Japanese word used is soryo and it is used interchangeably there) is to avoid this confusion.

13 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Disrobing Genpo. ~ Bra... · 0 replies · +2 points

How is Big Mind a "dangerous spiritual practice?" Have you tried it, watched the videos about it or read their literature?

I've watched the videos but never tried it. That said, it seemed to be pretty straightforward psychotherapy (but not really Buddhist per se).

13 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Disrobing Genpo. ~ Bra... · 0 replies · 0 points

That's the kind of highbrow response I expect! Good job!

14 years ago @ The Wild Hunt - Quick Note: “Taoism ... · 7 replies · +6 points

There is a simpler solution, Cat. Just convince Jason to ban Robin and it becomes a much politer and more intelligent place. He's banned plenty of other places (which is, perhaps, why he is here after all).

14 years ago @ The Wild Hunt - Quick Note: “Taoism ... · 2 replies · +5 points

Besides yourself and pretending you're Michael Ford or Andrew Chumbley, what do you like, Robin?

14 years ago @ The Wild Hunt - Quick Note: “Taoism ... · 1 reply · +3 points

Because Islam is the enemy?

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