Recent content by rdwillia

Perhaps those NKT practicioners who are obviously encountering some difficulties here should check out www.AwakenYourself.org. It is a new unofficial NKT site and forum by members for members. Perhaps we can come here for qustions about other traditions if we keep it secret that we're NKT so...

Hi Tojour, Sorry I missed this post before. I believe I know what you are talking about. It's a rice (although not always rice) mandala offering practice often referred to the 37 Point Mandala offering that consists of a kit made of a base plate, three or four rings, and a top jewel. It is...

That was great Vaj, thank you.

Thanks Vaj, Though, it's actually next weekend. I also have felt a close karmic bond with Manjushri. I didn't realize his book was the Prajnaparamita, 'tis my favorite sutra. I actually have to memorize that in the coming months for a class. I assumed his "book" was just a random...

Welcome to the next installment of "Who Is...?" OK, I must confess, I know who Manjushri is but I'm going for a Manjushri empowerment next weekend and thought I'd see if anyone had any bits of info or stories envolving Manjushri that they would like to relate prior to my going. Thanks!

Hey Vaj, Glad to "see" you again and glad you liked it. I hope I'm not coming across as "above" worldly speculation, the reason I have that quote because I've often found myself spending too much time contemplating unanswerable questions that only serve to strengthen my delusions and...

Ooh, post #99! Anyway, I like this and think it relates. I'm not sure exactly where it comes from. Enjoy! The Buddha’s penetrating insight attracted many intellectuals, one of whom, Malunkyaputra, grew more and more frustrated as the Buddha failed to settle certain basic metaphysical...

You're very welcome DT. I have to admit, I don't too much support a more naturalistic approach to Buddhist beliefs ultimately. But perhaps it would be beneficial to start westerners off with a more naturalistic aproach. I truly feel that everything I have come across in my study and...

Hello, It's been a while. I'm glad to see you're all still here and apparently well. I would highly, highly, super highly recommend seeing a documentary called "The Elegant Universe". It's the best route to go for the novice such as myself who doesn't have the drive or technical knowledge to...

It's been a while so I thought that I would take break from imputing myself as observer and impute my sense of "I" on this screen name for a minute. Following my own understanding; we generally have two forms of meditation a more crude form which is an analytical meditation where we...

Hello Devadatta, Gotcha'. I did misunderstand... Thank you for the clarification. See? Whenever I perceive some sort of confusion or problem, I can be certain it is the mud of my own my mind. "Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world."...

Hello again, Just throwing out what I intend to be some clarity. I don't believe there is a creaky hinge with Buddhism, generally speaking. I find that to be true the more I practice and the clearer my understanding becomes. I've gotten to the point now that when I perceive a problem with...

Hello Toujour, I would like to thank you for sharing the colorbar with us. I also don't think you should have to apologize for sharing it. I'm sure the creators intention was to promote loving kindness and acceptance. I should also mention that the only reason we perceive any sort of impurity...

Hello Suraj and welcome, Great topic, I think this is a pretty common misconception. I think I know where the confusion lies. Simply becuase you used the word "essentially" I would assume that the monestary probably advocates controlling, not suppressing emotions. Although on the surface...

Hi DT, No, you are absolutely correct. I was just trying to point out that it might not be a bad idea to investigate why many find the Mahayana to be of more benefit. If you are quite certain that you don't find the "religious, ritualistic, and mystical" to work for you, then yes, you would...