Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

I will commit suicide in 7 days

I can't get married, and I don't have children. It was my destiny that the people I liked wouldn't fall in love with me. I was lied to death. I knew my existence wasn't worth it. I've heard that suffering continues even after death, but suffering continues even when alive, so I decided to...

13 responses

I don't want them to have a funeral

I would like to ask you about matters after death. I like the idea of religion, the practices based on it, and the events themselves, but I would like to avoid belonging to any religion myself. This is because, as far as I know, the way of thinking of each religion rarely matches my...

14 responses

Why is it precious to be alive

I watch and hear news about children being killed by parents after abuse. Along with feeling sad and sad, there are always things I think about. “I think this kid was happy, even though his life was lost when he was young.” I am a survivor of child abuse. I grew up being hurt in shreds by...

5 responses

It makes my parents feel irritated.

I failed the university entrance exam, so I decided to become a ronin in spring. My parents were uncooperative with the entrance exam because they didn't care about the volume on the TV even when I was studying, they wouldn't listen to me even if I said I had to turn the volume down, and they...

3 responses

How to get a monk to name a child

I hear that the number of children with names that cannot be read normally due to glittering names or fashion is increasing. Also, there is no origin of the name, and I hear that there is an increase in the number of parents who cannot think of their future or children when they give a name only...

5 responses

How to have feelings

Every day since I changed jobs, getting scolded seems to break my heart. I was told about work that would cause trouble to other departments and companies if I make a mistake, but at the same time there are many work procedures, a sense of speed is required, and I do it while looking at memos,...

1 response

Please tell me about when to move a temple

My father suddenly passed away a year ago, and as recommended by the head family, I was taken care of at a temple (this is the Rinzai sect) where the head of the family and the chief priest have been friends since ancient times. Just the other day, I finished the first anniversary of my...

2 responses

Why do bad things happen to people later

Thank you for always being there. I have a question. There are a lot of people around me, but after spending a long time watching people, I noticed something like this. At work, for example. If you deliberately transfer someone you don't like to a remote location where it's hard to commute,...

2 responses

I hate myself for not being good at it.

It's painful to feel sad about not being able to behave well. Everyone in my family is kind and funny, and we are the best family. My siblings have a baby, and I go to other prefectures to see their faces, but since I work every day, I want to use it for myself on Saturdays and Sundays. I had...

1 response

My future self

My workplace, which was my only oasis, has changed. Friends who have stood by and supported each other even in difficult situations. I thought I was watching behind the scenes so that I didn't care about everything because my position changed and it was difficult, but at last I reached my...

1 response

Please tell me about how to dispose of amulets.

How to dispose of amulets Anyway, there are plenty of amulets. Everything is closed in the drawer, but since the inside of the drawer is cluttered, I feel like it's a punishment and I want to dispose of it, but I'm reluctant to throw it away as it is. Could you please tell me how to...

3 responses

How to deal with toxic parents

I wrote a letter showing my thoughts to my father, whom I had been on bad terms for three years due to something. I wrote that if there is no reply, I think there is no parent-child relationship, but there was no reply. However, I suddenly received a phone call from my mother and told that my...

2 responses

Can't get out of pet loss

About a year ago, my beloved cat, whom I loved so much, crossed the rainbow bridge. I was still young, but I had kidney disease. I was also taking subcutaneous infusions at home, but since recovery was not expected, I consulted with my attending physician and made a decision to stop the...

2 responses

About how to manage money

I haven't talked to you in a long time. After going through a previous relationship, I'm now happily dating a man I think is more important than my heart. However, the other day, we had a big fight over money. They made up, but he said he wanted me to manage his money because he wasn't good...

1 response

Can't you read the air?

When there was a work report within the workplace, I overheard what my boss and colleagues were talking about. It was a matter related to that content, and I remembered content that seemed necessary to be made known, and just when I made a statement, the atmosphere stopped. The content was...

1 response

I wish my mother wasn't the one who passed away

Ten months have passed since the death of my beloved mother. It's a day when I try to suppress my sad and helpless feelings by making an appeal on SNS or acting cheerfully as if people have changed at work, and it just feels kind of empty. It became even more painful when people told me that it...

1 response

I had my ribs broken off. divorce? Am I slow?

Thank you so much for your help. I would like to ask for your help this time as well. We've been married for less than 2 years. When we first started dating, he was kind. However, since I became pregnant, we have had constant fights. Get out of the house in the midst of a storm against my...

2 responses

I'm ashamed of my past immaturity

Often, actors and singers are too embarrassed to listen to their past performances and songs. I hear a story about not being able to watch. I think the fact that my past self looks bad is proof that my current self has grown, but after all, it's pretty tough to be able to show off my...

1 response

The meaning of my husband's death

My husband died due to a medical error. He was my one and only loved one. I haven't been blessed with a family since I was a child, and I lived in hiding, being chased by debt collectors like I really saw on TV due to my father's debts. I got divorced when I was 6 years old and separated from...

1 response

I'm crushed by a sense of guilt. In order to be even a little bit human...

What should I do to make amends... I'm such a terrible person, but I'd like some advice. While I was being consulted, I became fond of married people. Currently, I want to apologize to my wife, can't leave him alone again, and various thoughts go through my head about what would happen if...

1 response

← previous next →

page 6