Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

Why are there so many Buddhas in Buddhism?

There are various Buddha statues in Buddhism, such as Dainichi Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, and Kanzeon Bosatsu, but the beginning of Buddhism began when the Buddha attained enlightenment and taught it to others. Then why did they become polytheistic rather than monotheistic? If you believe in the...

4 responses

About right and wrong

When I'm sleeping, I don't have any anxiety or worry. In other words, it can be said that the sense of being me (self) that exists when I'm awake is anxiety and worry itself. Also, I feel that the ego only exists where problems occur, and problems only exist in the part that judges right and...

4 responses

Why did you decide to become a monk

Why did everyone decide to become a monk? Even if they were to take over, I think there will be many others. Please tell us about your events and thoughts.

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What does believing in people mean

I can't trust people At the top, I pretend to believe, but my heart always doubts people and can't believe them, and I'm disappointed and tired What kind of attitude should I take to be able to trust people

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Buddhism and Shinto

　Good evening. Thank you very much for your sincere answers to my questions the other day. I asked questions here, and I was able to learn a lot from the monks' answers as hints for future life. There are more questions I would like to ask today, so I know this may be bothersome, but I would...

4 responses

Are donations to temples compulsory?

Recently, at the temple where my father's tomb is located, I was immediately being asked for money. Even if you don't do memorial services, etc., you will be charged a fee, and a bank transfer form will be sent. “The bank transfer is △ yen by October x day. Please make sure to pay” It's like...

4 responses

What is the meaning of memorial services for ancestors?

When researching Buddhism, it is strange that funerals and subsequent memorial services are treated as the most important topics. Are memorial services for parents and ancestors that important? I wonder if blood relationships are that important? I wonder if memorial services for ancestors...

4 responses

To be loved by your ancestors and Buddhas...

This is my first time asking a question. I often say “Please ask my ancestors” and “Please ask the Buddha” in ancestral memorial services and prayers, etc., but my ancestors received my memorial service I wonder if the Buddha really listened to my request... That's because I wasn't on very...

4 responses

Response to the coronavirus

The novel coronavirus is spreading, and I feel outraged by the Japanese government's response. Prime Minister Abe has said that he will thoroughly implement border measures, but I think it's too late and it's just a matter of shape. Chinese people were also entering and leaving Taiwanese...

4 responses

I was told by people of emerging religions that they have deep karma

Good morning. I've heard the phrase “deep karma” for a long time, but there was a woman who insistently solicited me to an emerging religion before marriage. I was born with a chronic illness, but I was able to control it by taking medicine and living a normal life. One day, I suddenly met a...

4 responses

When children cry, they panic.

I can't get rid of the feeling of “I'm sorry I'm a mom.” I'm raising two boys, 2 years old and 4 months old. My husband is a doctor, and he is on assignment alone. When I gave birth for the second time, I had severe postpartum depression in addition to my chronic illness, and I often hit...

4 responses

Memorial service for Mizuko who had a miscarriage 6 years ago

6 years ago, I had an abortion during a reprimand. There was Mizuko Jizo at the temple where my grandparents' graves are located, so my husband and wife went to pray when they were feeling well. I didn't have a monk perform a memorial service. I went to pick up something I lost in the sky, so...

4 responses

I want to know recommended books for learning Buddhism

Thank you very much for your kind responses to my numerous inquiries so far. Recently, I'm interested in “accepting who I am now and living the way I am.” I think Buddhism also has teachings that are in line with it, and I would be happy if there were any books where I could learn such ways...

4 responses

I don't hate you and I appreciate you

In a book published by a monk belonging to a certain Buddhist sect in Japan For people who are unwell due to hatred, first imagine yourself prostrate in front of someone you don't like, “I don't hate you. I'm grateful to you.” It was written that if you chant the meaning three times or more...

4 responses

Criteria for receiving responses

Good morning Are you aware of the other monks' answers? Also, do you find it difficult to answer questions that have already been thanked? As for the second question, there used to be a monk who was concerned about being thankful, so I asked it Thank you for your support

4 responses

Do you think aliens believe in Buddhism?

I personally think there is no other religion as diverse and bright in the universe as Buddhism. So, it shouldn't be strange for aliens to believe in Buddhism. I want to hear the monk's free and interesting opinions.

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What are the “goals” of working adults

I am an office worker in my 5th year working in Tokyo. I'm also a member of society, and I'm so embarrassed to ask this kind of question, but how did you “think” and “decide” “what you want to do.” This is because as I live my daily life as a member of society, I have come to strongly think...

4 responses

I want my parents to understand that I'm leaving college.

I had skipped college without telling my parents, but I was finally able to tell my parents that I wanted to quit. But of course it seems like my parents don't want me to quit “If you can't do it, can you quit?” “You can graduate in a little while, so do your best” I'm not sure about...

4 responses

About my future life

Two years ago, on my way home from work, I suddenly lost consciousness on the train, collapsed, and was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and when I noticed it, I was receiving an infusion in the hospital. (My job was working in a freezer that handled food, and I only had 12 to 13 hours of...

4 responses

It makes me feel like money doesn't have a heart

I'm the farmer's wife. I like homemade things, and sometimes I make bread jam, pickled plums, tsukudani, etc., and give them to my friends. It's the feeling of “sharing.” There are things we can't eat at home, and there are times when handmade is rare in this day and age, so there are times...

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