Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

Why do we live when we die anyway?

I was asked a question like the one in the title by a man who volunteered to commit suicide, and I wasn't able to answer it. We lost touch with him, saying that he would die with her. Since then, the questions he asked remain in me. If you were a monk, what would you answer?

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Things I've been wondering since I was little

Originally, I don't have any inspiration If you ask for it at the temple Can you make spirits visible? To put it simply Because I didn't originally have inspiration It's like I want the power to see spirits play, joke, half funny I don't feel like that!

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happy

What kind of state is happiness? Thank you for your support.

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As you get older

When I was young, I had the strength and momentum to stick to my beliefs even when I was disliked by others, but as I got older, I became very concerned about evaluations from others. It's OK to be disliked; I don't want to do anything crooked! When I was young, I thought so, but before I knew...

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About the meaning of disaster

please. How should we view disasters? Surprisingly, I couldn't find a similar question, so please. There are many great earthquakes engraved in my memory, and the lives of good people and bad people in this world have lost their lives without distinction. If this were due to some kind of...

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Why did you all become monks??

I think this is a question I've been asked a lot why is that?? Because there are more temples than convenience stores I've heard that they even have two-legged straw sandals. Was there another job you wanted to do? Is there another job you would like to do now?

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What happens to the souls of people who commit suicide?

Recently, my father stopped hanging himself. I live alone away from my family, but when it comes to my family, it seems that the night before and the day were no different from usual. There is no suicide note or anything, and I don't know the cause of the suicide (not even...

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postmortem

Is there nothing after death? Is it so useless that you can't even understand nothing anymore?

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funeral

I came to Tokyo from a rural area and don't have a particular relationship with any temples, so I don't want to do my own funeral. I'm wondering if a dead body can be used as a specimen. Are there any denominations that have a doctrinal problem if they don't have a funeral? For...

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I began to think that the Rikudo exists in this world.

Nice to meet you, hello. Recently, I've come to think that the Rikudo is our current state of mind. Up until now, I've been a liar and a really sly person. It seems like I've only done things that my friends and family can't make up for. I now think my heart may have fallen on Gaki,...

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A woman who can't give birth to children

Nice to meet you. I got married when I was 30, but it wasn't easy to get married. After worrying, when I was examined, a gynecological disease was discovered, and surgery was immediate. As a result, my body made it difficult to get pregnant. After that, I also received infertility treatment,...

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The phrase “do your best”

I'm happy when people say “do your best,” and I think I'll do my best. However, depending on the person, they are doing their best when they say that, and I think there are also people who feel very burdened when they say that. Even if you feel like supporting the other person, there are times...

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Unsure about marriage

Thank you so much for reading. I decided to get married next month, but I married him As I did, my anxiety and hesitation grew, We have decided to consult with you. He is 38 years old, works for a major company, has considerable savings and income. On the occasion of this marriage,...

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Reasking about making offerings to photos from when you were alive

Making an offering for a photo from when you were alive The two chief priests answered Thank you so much. I'm very sorry for this difficult sentence to understand I'm asking your question again. This is the denomination you are asking about It's the Jodo sect. My late father's dead...

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Being an only child

Nice to meet you. I'm a mother with a 3-year-old only son. I would like to ask for opinions on leaving them an only child due to parents' circumstances. economic reasons, The fact that I don't have the confidence to raise more children due to my immaturity, I don't like making my son feel...

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Does Buddhism seek happiness after death?

Or are you looking for happiness when you're alive? Also, is it different depending on the denomination? Do memorial services for ancestors, try to erase the worries of living people, Sometimes I see both sides. There are also places that do fortune telling Is it quite different...

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Absolutely unforgivable

Right now, there are people I definitely can't forgive. I don't care about my life anymore, so I'm even directly thinking that someday I'll take revenge on my family. In Buddhism, what do you think about anger and things and people that are absolutely unforgivable?

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What was said by a monk

I'm indebted to you. I'm currently 6 months pregnant. It was my first pregnancy, and it would be a lie to say that I understood the gender, the progress was going well, and I had no worries, but I had a fun maternity life. The other day, I was contacted by a monk of the Tendai sect who was...

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How can I become more confident?

Hello. Let's get right to it, but here's the main subject. I don't have confidence in myself. I always compare myself to the people around me because I don't have confidence, I'm superior to Mr. A I'm winning against Mr. B with △△ I've unknowingly thought about it. Against someone you...

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Can't we go against fate?

I always read Q&A. I often think “I see,” and it's very helpful. By the way, does “destiny” exist? I use the word because it's “destiny,” and I feel that I blame it on “fate” quite a lot when I say it to myself. In life, there are causes, and there are consequences. Is cause and effect itself...

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