Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

Namu Amitabha Buddha or Namu Myōhō Lotus Sutra

The family temple is the Jodo sect. Namu Amida Buddha is sung at family temples, but which one should you chant when visiting temples of the Nichiren sect?

6 responses

Monks and Mental Illness

Nice to meet you. I know this is a delicate question that is difficult to answer, but I hope you read it. I have been going to the hospital for about 10 years due to a mental illness. Basically, it's stable, but sometimes there are days like today where I feel so depressed that I don't feel...

6 responses

I don't understand my wife

A child was born earlier this year. I am the representative of a company, and although it is a small company, I have made profits with my colleagues. My wife was one of those friends. I fell in love with the way they worked so hard and never stopped smiling, and my wife's pregnancy was...

6 responses

Is there a Buddha?

I've asked you a few questions before. I have a strong sense of faith, and I believe in the Buddha. But if you pray and get over your illness, everyone won't die I received an answer like that. I thought you were right, and I was asking for something in return I reflected on myself! And I'm...

6 responses

suicides

I want to die. I don't like myself, and I can't forgive him. That's why I want to kill myself.

6 responses

I have a question about Shoho Genzo's “Kaisei Koshan.”

There are points I don't understand, starting with “the bamboo tree becomes a leaf,...” where Dogen Zenji “explains the way of thinking about immortality and immortality in Buddhism” * in the “Gensei Kōban,” so let me ask you a question. ① What does “firewood lives in the law of firewood, and...

6 responses

I want to believe in something like God.

It doesn't have to be Buddhism, but I want to have some kind of faith, so I'm asking you a question. Recently, I went to Christian mass and visited a mosque to observe worship services, but I have no sense of faith. I left home at the same time as I graduated from school, and have had almost...

6 responses

I want to die

Right now, I just want to die. I can't think of anything ahead. They say there is no night without dawn, and there is no unstoppable rain, but my heart is always in the dark with downpours. My family says, “Your place is home,” but there's no place for me. Just looking at my younger sisters...

6 responses

What is a monk's affliction?

What is a monk's affliction? How do you deal with anxiety when it arises? I'm sorry for being so rude.

6 responses

About continuing with the temple and Yukoto

Nice to meet you. I'm a woman in her late 20s. It's hard to talk to people I know, so I posted it here. I definitely want words from people of various denominations and seniors in my life. My parents' house is a temple, but I'm personally suffering from succession candidates (my family too). I...

6 responses

Is Buddhism meant to make a profit?

My house is a parishioner of a certain temple, and the temple there takes something like an annual fee every year, so to speak. Of course, I think an annual fee is necessary, but the details are a bit questionable. Among those expenses, the monk's son's tuition is also included in the temple fee....

6 responses

What does living mean

Recently, I've been thinking about it. Why and for what are people born and live? Please tell me.

6 responses

When you attain enlightenment

Hello. My name is Shikai. Thank you for taking the time to look at my question. I recently learned about the appeal of Buddhism, looked up Buddhism using the internet, etc., and tried meditating etc. Then, all of a sudden, I was struck by a violent shock. I felt like I and my surroundings...

6 responses

Who is a violent chief priest.

On the news, I saw a story about a temple that takes a fee to take care of truant or withdrawn children called ascetic practices. I don't know the details, but even though it was called ascetic practice, it didn't mean that the chief priest himself dealt with them, and it seems that they were...

6 responses

About the color is the sky the sky is the color “sky”

They are ordinary people who are interested in Buddhism because they notice that there is a sense of discrimination within themselves, and they want to explore a view of the world called “self and others” when arguing about an intolerant society. I learned that “sky” and “Buddha nature” are...

6 responses

I want to deepen my learning. You should read this! Please tell me about the book called.

I've made up my mind to read a lot of books this year. Suddenly, I was wondering what kind of books people who follow the path of the Buddha are deepening their learning. It doesn't matter if it's a manga, a novel, a business, essay, or a book about life. We look forward to working with you.

6 responses

I'm in the same industry (companion)

I'm still a chief priest, and I can't talk to anyone, so I'm ashamed to be here and I would like to receive guidance from my seniors. Actually, a parishioner came to the temple today because he had something to discuss. According to that person, I would like to ask for a “burial during my...

6 responses

I want to die, but I want to live.

This year, I experienced 1 stillbirth and 3 miscarriages. I want to die. But I want to live. Why do my husband and I have to go through such a difficult experience? I just want to hold my baby.

6 responses

Paradise

An actor and psychic once said that after death, there will be paradise (heaven) in the other world, but does it really exist?

6 responses

It looks like it's no good

It's hard, it's hard I want to see you soon It seems like it's no good after all If I said something like this I'm sure he'll be sad too I want to meet I want to go to him soon It's hard being alone

6 responses

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