Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

Why do monk clothes look so hot

Monks, thank you for your hard work during the Obon festival. Even so, the fact that the monk's monk's uniform is layered even in the heat makes it hard to look at. As for the colors (depending on the denomination), they are all dark colors such as black or purple. I sincerely respect monks...

5 responses

What is a married couple?

I've had an affair twice in the past. The first time I was dating my husband, I still had feelings left, and we had a physical relationship once. After getting married for the second time, it was once with someone I met on SNS due to the stress of living with my husband and raising children....

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I want to learn Buddhism.

Hello. The other day, I was asked for a consultation about disease acceptance. From the day I received the answers, I also read other people's consultations, and I felt that the Buddhist teachings of living “here and now” and cutting off the delusions and worries created with my own head (this...

5 responses

Become a specimen (2)

Last time, in “Becoming a Specimen,” we talked about organ transplantation, and the answers were divided between supporters and opponents. After reading the book you recommended, I decided to take a while to share my opinions and intentions again... By the way, before that, could you tell me a...

5 responses

About male schoolers' sexual desires

Good evening. I'm a very average male high school student living in Tokyo. I've been going to a boys' school since middle school, and now I'm in 1st year of high school. This is my first post, but what I really want to listen to this time is about sex. I don't think so myself, probably because...

5 responses

Can I burn incense at night?

Thank you for always teaching me about Buddhism. I had a concern about memorial service manners, and I wanted to ask the monk. If you don't mind, please let me know when you have free time. When I returned home, I first raised incense sticks in front of the Buddhist altar and put my hands...

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About the “no ignorance, no ignorance...” part of the Heart Sutra

Hello. From the previous question, “no ignorance, no ignorance, no death, no age death” by the Heart Sutra I'm still curious about that part, so I'll ask you a question. It is said that this part mentions the twelve lucky signs, What is my own rough summary of the twelve lucky...

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Nembutsu

Does chanting nembutsu once guarantee paradise after death? Does just chanting mean you have attained enlightenment? It doesn't change anything when I chant it, but is it possible to say that I was saved by this?

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educations

Nice to meet you, A child was born the other day. How should we educate children to be good people?

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I was very hurt by the answers

My beloved cats passed away in quick succession before, and I hit Hasunoha with my heart. I received some heart-saving answers, but I also received answers that made my heart break. I don't know the meaning of mourning, so those kids end up like monster cats, Cats are bad animals and have...

5 responses

Why did you choose Buddhism?

In this world where there are various ideas other than Buddhism, why did the monks choose Buddhism? I'm guessing that there were triggers such as “because my parents' house happened to be a temple” or “I went to the Buddha with the intention of abandoning my mother,” but what is the reason why...

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What is the difference between being a carnivorous wife and being a monk

Why is a “carnivorous wife belt” permitted in Japanese Buddhism (excluding the Jodo Shinshu sect)? Aren't denominations other than the Jodo Shinshu created on the premise that “carnivorous wives” were prohibited? Regarding carnivorous eating, there are many people who say that the Buddha did...

5 responses

About creatures other than humans, such as insects

Please tell me your thoughts on valuing the lives of creatures other than humans (especially insects, etc.). When insects catch my eye, I usually kill them right away. Until now, I didn't think anything about that, but while I was studying by referring to past consultations here and there on...

5 responses

Differences in basic ideas between denominations

Good evening. I would be happy if you could answer in your spare time. Mine is not a discussion about an urgent problem; it is a question about something I wanted to know. In understanding the basic ideas of Buddhism, do the ways of thinking between different denominations change...

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I'm just tired. I want to die already.

I lost the cat I had been with for 17 years, and the next cat was also lost in a traffic accident 2 months after coming to my house. That child wasn't even 1 year old yet. Why did those kids have to die? Why do I keep losing? Little by little, I continue to lose everything except my sorrow...

5 responses

What is selflessness

I've been working hard in my own way to practice the thing called selfishness (it seems that if you lose interest in people and things, and your own feelings, you won't be frustrated), which was written in the self-enlightenment book I read to fix my short-tempered personality, a few years ago,...

5 responses

Does mercy mean empathy and an open heart?

Hello. I was thinking about Buddhist mercy, but I was at a loss. It would be helpful if you let me know in your spare time. For me at first, is mercy the same as love? I thought so. I was taught a long time ago by the deacon that if you find someone in trouble, you should treat your...

5 responses

What is the existence of gods and Buddhas?

Today, I want you to tell me the answer to my sudden thought. There are various religions and denominations in this world, but basically I think gods and Buddhas exist to lead people to happiness and as a base for the heart. However, there are also people who are involved in an incident or...

5 responses

If I were to compare the twelve causes (luck)...

On a daily basis, I scour the internet about religion and philosophy. Recently, I've been interested in Buddhism, especially what is called primitive Buddhism, but I can't imagine that the twelve causes (luck) have fallen to the government. Therefore, I wanted you to give specific examples...

5 responses

1 year and 5 months since my daughter's death

I'm indebted to you. The death of my only daughter is still not accepted, and it hurts my heart. I'm single, and I lost my daughter, whom I had raised until age 19, in an accident, and even now, 1 year later, I still can't stop crying every day. When you think you'll have to walk through a...

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