Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

My relationship with my real mother

I'm in trouble because I don't get along with my real mother. My family, including my mother, younger brother, and relatives, didn't get along well with me, and my mother in particular hit me when it came to something, and I was stressed. Until now, I've put up with it because it's bad to fight...

3 responses

Why can we make an effort when we might die tomorrow?

“I will live without regrets even if I die tomorrow” With that way of thinking “Work hard to reach your goals” I think that behavior would inevitably contradict each other. If I have a goal I can't achieve in 1 day, I think my regrets will remain if I die in the process, and I have a self...

3 responses

I want to calm my anger

Recently, when I get frustrated, I get really upset. Even if you think it's because you're tired, when you feel like you're being hit in eight with others, you feel sorry after getting angry. So sometimes I fall into self-loathing. What kind of way of thinking should I have in order to better...

3 responses

What should I do to have confidence in myself

I haven't had confidence in myself since I was little, and even when praised by people around me, I have doubts and can't take it honestly. Therefore, I often become timid at work or in love, and I feel that I am losing money in my life. If I had more confidence in myself, I would be able to...

3 responses

Thinking about the future is daunting

After 2 years of marriage, I got married from Shikoku to Tokai, and I got sick and ended up in the hospital. It's an intractable disease that cannot be completely cured, but luckily now I'm in good physical condition, my physical strength has recovered, and I'm thinking of going outside and...

3 responses

Being fat

I've had a chubby figure since I was young. I'm still fat now, but due to my personality, I've lived my life until now by smiling and pretending to be positive no matter how slandered my appearance was. But every time, in fact, my heart is really hurt. I'm just pretending to be fine. Recently,...

3 responses

What does it mean to decide which denomination you believe in

Nice to meet you. I'm worried because I can't decide which denomination I believe in. I've actually met and listened to wisdom bags and monks before, but I'm not really convinced. This is a copy of the wisdom bag, but I would appreciate it if you could guide me. I'm a high school student living...

3 responses

Why do people who are mean make them happier?

An elementary school classmate who hasn't interacted in 13 years said on LINE, “It's been a while! I received content saying “I want you to attend the wedding.” I was hesitant to go, but my mother asked me to go in order to maintain the appearance of my neighbors, so I participated. There...

3 responses

I let my pet die because of poverty.

I'm a single mother. My daughter is an only child, so I started keeping male rabbits two and a half years ago, and we have spent time as a family of 3 (feathers) with someone like a younger brother. Originally, it wasn't easy financially, but recently household finances have become increasingly...

3 responses

I'm wondering if I should quit my job and become a farmer.

Thirties, male, married, childless, office worker. I'm wondering if I should change jobs to my parents' farmhouse. I worked for the company for 13 years, but the department I was in was disbanded, and I had no choice but to change jobs. However, I am considering switching to agriculture in...

3 responses

I want to die

I've been asked questions in the past, but no matter how much advice you get, no matter how many stories you listen to, I want to die, and I can't go away.

3 responses

About graves

I'm thinking about graveyard damage about my father, but I've heard that souls don't dwell in the remains. My parents are divorced, and we haven't been together for a long time. My mother built a tomb with her in-laws, but she didn't even do an eye opening memorial service during the ossuary,...

3 responses

Can I masturbate

Is it true that masturbating will go to hell? I masturbate several times a day, Are you really going?

3 responses

I don't like my stupid honest self

Hello. I can't stand it because I don't like my stupid honest self. I'm a college student who graduated from an overseas university. I'm currently job hunting, and when I was asked when I would return to Japan in the final interview at a major company, they said they wanted to do it one...

3 responses

Attendance at the wake of a friend who took his own life

A friend I've been good friends with since elementary school took his own life. My friend and I are both suffering from depression, and I was lucky enough to meet a good teacher early, and although I was still calm with mild symptoms, my friend started going to the hospital late, and since I...

3 responses

It makes me feel uncomfortable

Right now, I'm having trouble with relationships at work. I myself think in my heart that I don't want to get involved when I see the other person's bad side, and even though we were able to talk normally until then, there are times when we can't get along as before. For example, they talk about...

3 responses

The kid...

I was given a life expectancy declaration last month. A cute girl who is only 8 years old. However, you can see that it is getting weaker day by day. I'm currently undergoing radiation therapy, and it makes me cry when I think this won't help. I know I'm going to do what I can for them now, but...

3 responses

Workplace relationships

I work at a supermarket, but I'm being harassed by a male colleague. This man originally changed his attitude depending on his partner, and he was quiet in front of the president, chasing his girlfriend who was doing the cash register all day long, even during work, and it is said that...

3 responses

I've lost my amulet to ward off evil...

This year was a big disaster, but after the new year started, I went to a shrine near my parents' house (Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture) and had my husband, and my parents exorcise the bad luck with my 5 grandparents. After being purified, I received cleansing alcohol and an amulet I had...

3 responses

Response to self-deprecating stories about the elderly

I think monks often interact with older people because of their work, so let me ask you a question. I work as a cleaning part at a paid nursing home, and once in a while, tenants talk to me. Most of them are greetings, and once in a while, people say thank you or that's helpful. I'm simple,...

3 responses

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