Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

About organizing your personal affairs before you die

I think I'm going to die. Please tell me about problems left behind by dead people. If I were told everything, that's all.

3 responses

Is it OK to work

There were mistakes in my past, and the details are described in My Worries. I was able to consult with you at Hasunoha during this self-restraint period, and I understood what I should do, I am supporting organizations that support those who have suffered damage, such as those who have been...

3 responses

About how to handle incense sticks

Each denomination has a different way of handling incense sticks, but why and how was that decided? There are things like folding and laying it down, standing up 3, folding both, etc., but what is the meaning of that?

3 responses

A new name

In recent years, there are signs of Buddhist altars and tombs that were rare in the past. Buddhist altars are probably “closed eyes memorial service,” “closed door memorial service,” etc., but how do you say graves? I can only think of something like “Closed Mausoleum Memorial Service.” Please...

3 responses

Can't anyone help me

I had a discussion about my son who had gone far away a long time ago. That made me mentally crazy. Every day is painful and it's like hell, hurting myself and crying... But I also have a younger daughter, and I'm barely doing work and housework due to the economy. However, it was so painful...

3 responses

Can the feelings of those who are alive be conveyed to those who have died

　Thank you very much for your answers the other day, Mr. Urakami Osho and Mr. Nakamura Osho. I appreciate your words, but I didn't think he would be so lonely without him. The two of them told me it was good for me to give the sutras, and I felt saved. However, the other day, when I told the...

3 responses

I just changed jobs, but I want to quit

I got a job in retail after college. After working for a year and a half, there were more days off on Saturdays and Sundays, and the number of days off increased, and I was inexperienced and changed to a technical job because I wanted to somehow acquire skills from now. (currently 3 months) But...

3 responses

Aren't there any sects or temples that aim for individual salvation?

I went to various denominations and temples (including the center), and each one tells me the methods and ascetic practices that this sect continues to do, such as nembutsu, zazen, and gomadan. However, I can't touch on my own salvation (personal healing before that) at all. No, it's a sermon...

3 responses

The “proselytism of magical power” was prohibited by Shakyamuni. ... by the way, what is magic power?

　I'm always indebted to you. First, let me give you an announcement. I went to a Buddhist altar shop right away yesterday. I thought about the grandeur of the Japanese table, Buddhist altar, triune statues, Buddhist altar fittings, etc. until around 7:00 p.m. It looks like it's going to be a...

3 responses

Which came first, a kamidana or a Buddhist altar, or an offering?

My husband is a Shinto, and when I am a Buddhist, my husband said, “In Japan, gods, Buddha, and gods come first, so the offering comes first.” Is that common sense? Also, isn't it punishable to offer an offering taken down from the kamidana to Kannon on the Buddhist altar?

3 responses

Live by worrying only about appearance and evaluations

I use this place as a base for my heart every time I have trouble, and I am always indebted to you. I'm 24 years old, female, and a civil servant (public security position). Two years ago, I was able to get a job in the hometown where I was born and raised, and my parents, grandfather, and...

3 responses

I'm not good at drinking parties

I would like to discuss drinking parties at work. I've always been really bad at talking to people, and I don't have many friends. I want to be good friends with other people at work, so I try to attend drinking parties as much as possible, but I don't speak well every time, and I can't get...

4 responses

Reading hasunoha's questions and answers, and I feel sad.

(From the Editorial Department. (Some details have been corrected) Nice to meet you. As always, thank you to all the monks who respond. When I have time, I read all the questions and answers together. It's a learning experience. Now that I've read the questions and answers, there's one...

3 responses

Would you be unhappy without your ancestors?

I didn't go back to my parent's family register when I got divorced. I thought I'd put my child in my family register from my ex-husband's family register, but someone I know advised me that I should definitely stop doing it. I say that since I created a new family register, I am separated from...

3 responses

Choosing a sect when studying Buddhism

　When I reviewed my innate personality and behavior using age 30 as a separator, I recognized my own weakness of heart, weakness, and greed. In particular, I'm really disgusted by the strong desire for approval and jealousy. When I thought that I would continue to walk through a life...

3 responses

I failed to give a gift

I failed with my gift and I'm depressed. I would appreciate your advice. In order to leave work, I prepared sweets for everyone on the floor, and among them, I also gave them a small one to the person who took over the work I should have done (it's the same bag when viewed from the...

3 responses

I weighed my money and pride and became miserable

I wrote it in a question quite a while ago, but from an objective point of view, I grew up in a pretty poor family environment, and I keep telling myself that even if I had a family, I couldn't (can't) be happy, and even if that were the case, I would die soon anyway, until now. There are only...

3 responses

Relationship shears

Currently, only women work in small workplaces. Recently, getting caught between manager A and colleague B is so troublesome that I can't help it. Manager A is the youngest in the workplace, has a high level of pride, and is a theorist, and can't stand up for it. Also, although colleague B...

3 responses

I can't quit smoking

I am suffering from not being able to quit smoking. I couldn't stand it, and I've been smoking almost every day for 17 years. Every day I know the fear of substance dependency and at the same time I know my own foolishness. I also went to a smoking cessation outpatient clinic, but it didn't go...

3 responses

I'm alone.

I finished working the night shift at a dementia care facility today. Recently, there is a female staff member who joined halfway, but they haven't greeted me. I said it to someone in a higher position than me, but they said hello back and forth. I'm also middle-aged, so there's no way I'll...

3 responses

page 1