Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

I haven't gained strength since I lost my parents

I lost my parents one after another in the past 2 years There are times when I live far away, and in recent years I was helped by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of leaving my elderly parents alone, my daily life became unmanageable, and my mother collapsed At that timing, the father was...

4 responses

Effects of reciting the Heart Sutra

Thank you for asking a question the other day and for your kind advice. Now, as for the question, I've been told by my acquaintances for a long time that reciting the Heart Sutra has a positive effect not only on me, but also on those around me, my family, etc., so I recite it every day before...

4 responses

I don't understand customs such as Ohigan or Obon

My biological father passed away in December last year, and I think he will celebrate his first anniversary this year. The 49th was held in January. This year, it seems that my grandfather's 23rd anniversary (around April) will also be held, and I received a notification from the family temple...

4 responses

death

It's painful to have only unresolved problems. Since many years ago, I have been hurting my body and strangling myself because of my desire to die. What should I do if I want to die?

4 responses

About getting a driver's license (please support)

Currently in my 30s. I'm thinking of using childcare leave to get a driver's license, albeit late. My husband is currently in his 40s, but he got his license in his 30s, and he rent-a-car about once a month takes me around for various things. It is a place where people are encouraged to get a...

4 responses

what is a mother?

what is a mother? Raising children is hard. No matter what you say, it doesn't get through. Let's watch the situation for a while, and if you have a good sense of what you want to say, then you can do whatever you want. Late-night wandering, late arrival, skipping, smoking, etc. After...

4 responses

Sutra of the 13th anniversary

My father's 13th anniversary is in the middle of next month, and I received advice from an acquaintance that it is better to raise sutras. The denomination isn't clear, but the temple housed in the ossuary seems to be from the Shingon sect. Worst of all, it's better to just play that sutra on...

4 responses

confessions

I want you to accept everything about me. I have a weak self that I can't muster up my courage because I'm afraid of getting hurt.

4 responses

It's all over

I've been consulting for a while I'm talking about him with terminal cancer. Last time, be honest with your feelings Detect the feeling behind his words I received advice, I was on my way to the hospital after being pushed on my back. I went to visit him last weekend, He was in a daze...

4 responses

suicides

Is suicide by hanging the best method for euthanasia? There's nothing you can do about it anymore. I lost everything because it self-destructed. I also lost my mentality as a person. There is nothing but hopelessness. I can't find salvation in Buddhism. I'm almost bedridden in my personal...

4 responses

It's rewarding to be a monk

What do you find rewarding about working as a monk? Also, have you ever wanted to quit?

4 responses

Is it necessary to break free from reincarnation?

As I was learning about Buddhism, I suddenly felt doubtful. Buddhism itself is correct, but is liberation from reincarnation, which is the ultimate goal of Buddhism, really a good thing? I have no status, no honor, no money, and nothing, but I'm happy. Theoretically, I understand that there...

4 responses

Am I a bad person without volunteering experience

I'm currently job-hunting with the goal of becoming a city hall employee. The reason is that I wanted to create an area where it is easy for any person to live, even those with weak social and economic positions. However, in an interview the other day, I was asked if I had volunteered. To be...

4 responses

About effort

Thank you for your support. When it comes to morality, I think it's a sense that “hard work is always rewarded,” but is there a way of thinking about such situations in Buddhism? For example, when it comes to high school and university entrance exams and difficult qualification tests. In...

4 responses

I still haven't recited nembutsu to my husband who committed suicide...

I'm indebted to you. I have received several thankful and calming replies here, but I'm still in a situation where I can't put my hands on my husband who died by suicide, I can't sit in front of a Buddhist altar, and I'm not chanting nembutsu. I wonder if they were properly guided by the...

4 responses

I have nothing to do with Terra at my husband's parents' house.

My husband's parents' house is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Otani school and has about 50 followers. Currently, my husband, and my son are living happily in an apartment with 3 people if it's 10 minutes from my husband's parents' house, regardless of Terra. My husband's parents live next to the...

4 responses

subsist

Thank you for always taking the time to consult with us. Today, my 83-year-old father said, “I don't like this world anymore...” That's what I was told. My father is living with my mother, who needs nursing care 1, while having an illness. They often talk about Buddhism, and they say, “It's...

4 responses

Preparing for the worst?

I try to think about everything within the scope that can be anticipated, not limited to work, and take countermeasures and preparations. If you are confronted with an unexpected event, you will be upset and it will be difficult to make a calm decision, so if you anticipate even a little more,...

4 responses

Reasons why you can't succeed

I have a dream of becoming the most loved street performer in the world, and I work hard every day. However, it's not easy to become someone who gets a lot of comments from fans on blogs, Facebook, etc., like street performers I know. Maybe it's simply because the number of activities is...

4 responses

My wife told me she wanted a divorce.

We have been married for 5 years and are a family of 3 with a wife and child (2 years old). The child was finally born due to infertility treatment since my wife is in her 40s. The other day, my wife told me that we would talk about it after the kids had settled down at night, and I decided...

4 responses

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