Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

Is AI a Buddha

Automatic sentence generation AI, such as ChatGPT, is an AI that learns based on huge amounts of sentence data and automatically generates optimal sentences following the previous context. Since it itself is a program, it has no intention or life, but it derives optimal sentences based on much...

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What is enlightenment?

Please tell me about enlightenment. Is training your mind enlightenment? Is it about making the mind grow? Is it about accepting what happens to you and acting on it? Is it about self-controlling so that you don't understand the various emotions that spring up in your heart? What does that...

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Am I qualified to be a Jodo sect believer

I believe in the Jodo sect, but I came across shocking literature the other day. In the collection of the names of the nembutsu of the two ancestors, Seikofusa Bencho Shonin “Calling the last act of death is too much an important rule for the first term. I soon learned that people in the...

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Assuming there was simultaneous euthanasia gas all over the world

　This is a radical proposition, a thought experiment, and my desire. My desire is for all kinds of life to die out in an instant, and at the same time, without any suffering. I am truly disappointed in this world, and I strongly desire a break away from the substance called the body. I can't...

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Is this world really all suffering?

　I think there is a Buddhist teaching that everything is suffering, but I usually enjoy life. This pain seems to mean that things don't go the way you want, but for example, if you want to turn on the TV, you can turn it on. I don't think at all at this point. If everyone is in trouble in the...

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What is the driving force behind kindness?

Answer I would like to ask what motivates the kindness of the monks. I looked at Hasunoha in its entirety from the previous question, and I saw many examples where there was no thanks from the questioner even when the responding monk answered sincerely. Also, there were monks who wrote “I have...

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Temple heir

I'm the oldest son of the temple. Since ancient times, people have been told that they want them to be heirs of the temple, and I have lived my life. However, they didn't want to take over, and they worried about that and became truant in high school. I went to college at a place related to...

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I will commit suicide on New Year's.

This fall, I was diagnosed with depression, took a leave of absence for about 1 month, and now I have returned to work. However, it is a very, very uncomfortable state due to the current situation where careful work arrangements are causing trouble to those around them. (I don't really care...

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Recommended books for beginners studying Buddhism

Thank you for always taking the time to consult with us. I spend my days feeling convinced, impressed, and healed not only by the answers to my own consultations, but also by seeing the monk's answers to other people. Let me express my sincere appreciation and respect. I'm not going to go so...

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I made the monk angry

I made the monk angry. I sent an email to the monk about a certain problem. He has a troublesome personality, so he e-mailed me many times and gave me advice. The other day, I received an email from that person saying “even 1 yen is fine, so please pay” and “or stay friends from now...

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Memorial service for ancestors who are suffering in hell

If bad thoughts just before death go on endlessly in that world, and you have fallen into a child's path or hell, what kind of memorial service should you do? It is essential to offer meals in the morning and evening. In the end, they probably have no choice but to give up on their own...

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Temple Bride

It's a remarriage between divorced women. There were no children from my previous marriage. I met my current husband through a friend's introduction. My husband is the chief priest of the temple, and I am a member of the temple family. Since the beginning of our marriage, we have managed to...

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About the monks and chief priests

Good evening. I would like to ask you a question that is very difficult to say. I am interested in Buddhism (history, cultural properties, doctrine, etc.), and would like to talk with monks of the same generation. If I have a relationship, I would like to be in a relationship with that...

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Isn't Buddhism contradictory?

When I talked to a monk about my worries at a temple in the past, I was deeply hurt by being told heartless words. When I told them that I was hurt by my remarks, I was blamed for saying that it was because I was worried and because I thought I was absolutely right. That's you too, right? If I...

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I want to talk with monks of the same generation.

I'm indebted to you. I'm a single woman, but I'd like to talk about Buddhist studies (history, Buddhist scriptures, etc.) with monks of the same age. I'm also interested in history and cultural assets. I'm sorry for the inconvenience if you go directly to the temple and talk about that kind...

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I have a question about people who work at temples

I often see characters working at temples in games, books, and creations. I also write creative works, and some questions have arisen about temples, so I would appreciate it if you could answer them. 1. A story about monks being hereditary My parents are monks, so I'm going to become a...

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Is the feeling of enjoying good deeds bad?

As a club activity, I volunteer to pick up trash, and I was able to get along with my club mates and find fun when picking up trash. However, I was told something like this from within my peers Picking up trash and volunteering is charity The purpose is to save people and the environment in...

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Do you think aliens exist?

I'm sorry for asking such a strange question all of a sudden, Do monks believe in aliens? Whether it's from a Buddhist point of view or the sense of a monk, anything is fine, so I definitely want you to listen to it. Also, if aliens exist, is it possible for aliens to become...

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A religion without salvation

I don't know much about Buddhism at all. However, I was told this the other day by an acquaintance who had quit Buddhism. Everything is suffering, four hardships and eight hardships, all acts are impermanent... I understand that Buddhism is a religion that just takes things for granted, and...

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I don't want to work part-time

I'm a college student, and I don't want to work part-time because my hands are full of school. However, I want transportation expenses, companionship expenses, and money to do things I like and buy things. My family tells me to work part-time if they want money, but just thinking that I have to...

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