Zen Dialogues

Reflections from Japan's Buddhist Traditions

How to become a monk who lives for others

Hello. My parents' house is a temple that has continued since the Edo period. I've been looking forward to taking over the house since I was little, and now I'm not hesitating about becoming a monk. I'm currently enjoying my college life, but I'm planning to take over the house after graduation....

6 responses

About the death of a parent

Please. My mom has been in the hospital since a week ago The state of unconsciousness continues. I'm an only child and I'm on good terms with my mother When I think about my mother if things happen to me My heart is about to burst. I can't sleep every day, and food doesn't go through my...

6 responses

I want to be comfortable

I'm tired of struggling with relationships. I don't want people to do things I don't like being done to me I don't intend to do it. But it hurts important people. Whether consciously or unconsciously. I was bullied the whole time in middle school and high school. I have close...

6 responses

The essence of Buddhism

What kind of teaching is the essence of Buddhism? Thank you ❗

6 responses

You can't get away with it.

I'm indebted to you. I've heard a lot of things since I lost my daughter, and I thought about how I could live my life facing forward. → when I'm sad, my daughter is sad too → no matter how sad she is → let's face forward and live for my daughter and the family left behind now → let's overcome...

6 responses

I want you to understand that when you die yourself, you don't want to make others regret it

I will write the question for the second time. I helped him at his parents' house during the Obon festival, and there were days 47 for him. In his greetings to the parishioners, he talked again about his relationship with me. That was the case at funerals, but they are already famous. It exists...

6 responses

Why do people become anxious

People get anxious, probably because they can't see the future. Even if you calm your mind by copying sutras, or even if you visit temples and shrines and ask God or the principal image for your will to fulfill, your anxiety won't go away. The time is right now. What should I do about this...

6 responses

I don't understand the meaning of living

Recently, I don't understand why I have to live this far. They were treated as less than livestock by their classmates due to bullying, and their existence was denied, and even when they became ill, they couldn't easily gain understanding from those around them, and they lived despite...

6 responses

I want to disappear

Nice to meet you. Excuse me for the question. It's been a long time, but please stay with me. please. When I was young, my parents divorced and I was taken in by my mother. My parents quarreled every day until they got divorced. I myself have also been beaten by my father. I couldn't...

6 responses

What is religion

What is religion? What does religion aim for? I don't really understand the purpose of religion. I have had the opportunity to come into contact with religious events at my grandparents' memorial services, etc., but I don't know what this means in my life. What is the purpose of...

6 responses

Isn't fishing good?

My hobby is fishing, and I go with my friends and family, but is this a bad act? I take what I catch and eat it as much as possible, but there are times when unedible fish can be caught inside, and even if I let it go, it just dies. It's also true that fishing brings joy to life. And I'm...

6 responses

What's the difference between enlightenment and giving up?

　Enlightenment is about giving up after all, isn't it? Due to the recent enlightenment boom, it is often said in various books that tolerating “here and now” and “who you are” is enlightenment, and Buddha also said, “Don't devour, know what is enough.” But isn't this a matter of giving up...

6 responses

The meaning of life

Please tell me. I've been suffering from anxiety for about 2 years now. I've tried something, but it hasn't gotten any better. And I think about a lot of things. Does life have meaning? Even if anxiety disorder gets better, they will suffer and die due to other illnesses, accidents,...

6 responses

Why can't children and parents choose each other?

What is in this world ① People who want children but just can't have them. ② People who give birth to many children even though they don't want children, and finally give up childcare. ③ A person who wants a child, is born, and can properly raise that child even if that child is a disabled...

6 responses

The ups and downs of feelings are intense, and there are times when you have deep self-loathing

Good evening. I'm a high school girl. Feelings change drastically, and you can clearly notice the days when you are completely depressed, angry, and in a good mood. Even throughout the day, I can't stop crying, feeling melancholy, and a quick burst of anger at the slightest word. Pride is...

6 responses

Can you be happy even if you live without acting?

I am currently living with my husband and 3 son (3 months). It's my first time raising a child, and I'm struggling every day with all the things I don't understand. My childhood memories at home were all painful. My father didn't have a regular job, drank alcohol at home, and he assaulted me...

6 responses

This is a temple bride. My husband is on an affair trip.

I am a temple bride who has been married for 14 years. A few months after getting married, I found an email promising a date with a girl. Playful emails and excuses with the kid at the bar. After 5 years of marriage, we frequently met and traveled, and had an affair. This one filed for...

6 responses

I can't build a good relationship with my daughter.

I have a daughter who entered junior college this year. I thought I had taken good care of her as an only daughter. Perhaps because of that, I can see their selfish attitude. They only insist on their own requests and don't help me at all. I think it's difficult every day with school and...

6 responses

What if he's not a monk?

Nice to meet you, I've been really interested in it for a long time, but there's no one to listen to it. To be honest, everyone is a monk right now, but I really wanted to try ○○! Is there something like that? You've been a monk from generation to generation, can't you think of anything other...

6 responses

There are no successors to the temple.

I'm worried about the temple's successor. My family consists of my parents and me. ・I go to a specialized nunnery → I need 2 years of training, and when I go down, I'll be 29 years old. What about marriage? What about childbirth? Can they endure ascetic practice in the first place? ・Have the...

6 responses

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