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What does the Dharma offer the West?

Dharma Reflections / /

I spent 10 years engaged in exploration of the spiritual, religious and cultural traditions of the East, including six years as a Buddhist monk. The privilege of listening, reflecting and meditating upon a range of teachings served as the backbone for a transmission of teachings from East to West. …

What does the Dharma offer the West?Read More »

What does the Dharma offer the West? Read More »

Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself?

Articles, Dharma Reflections, Political / /

I have much  affection and respect for the Muslim communities. I had the opportunity in 1967 and after to travel to Muslim countries – Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sumatra/Java (Indonesia) plus numerous annual visits to Palestine between 1993 to 2019. I learnt to appreciate the virtues and not deny the vices of the Muslim world. I take much the same view of the West – much to appreciate and much to feel deep concern about.

As a founder of Prajna Vihar School in Bodh Gaya, India in 1992, we begun an inter-religious school to cultivate harmony and understanding between teachers and young people of different faiths and secular beliefs. Action speaks louder than words.

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Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself?Read More »

Is Islam a threat to Western civilisation or is the West the real threat to itself? Read More »

A Nose and a Hand-kerchief. Cultural Differences. Different Strokes for Different Folks

Articles / /
While teaching a residential course last week in the Pauenhof Buddhist Zentrum, in Germany, I heard a graphic example of differences in culture. I have expanded on it to make a point.
A person went to India and witnessed Indians blowing their nose with head pointing down to the ground – one finger on one nostril and then the other nostril.
The Westerner said to her travelling companion: “That’s disgusting.”
A little while later, a Westerner in India blew his nose into their handkerchief and then put their handkerchief back into their pocket.
An Indian turned to his companion and said: ” She put her handkerchief back into her pocket. That’s disgusting.”
To summarise: We easily jump to conclusions about the behaviour of another with no idea how our behaviour may appear to others.
From The Ballad of East and West by poet Rudyard Kiplin (1865-1936)
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth! |
Do you have an example of cultural differences?

A Nose and a Hand-kerchief. Cultural Differences. Different Strokes for Different Folks Read More »

Have you applied mindfulness to the extent necessary? You could consider next the exploration of non-violence

Articles / /

Buddha-Dharma offers a diversity of themes to explore the human experience. Currently, the primary exposure to the teachings in the West occurred through mindfulness/meditation retreats. Not surprisingly, mindfulness/meditation gained a self-existence somewhat detached from much of the rest of the body of the teachings. …

Have you applied mindfulness to the extent necessary? You could consider next the exploration of non-violenceRead More »

Have you applied mindfulness to the extent necessary? You could consider next the exploration of non-violence Read More »

The Buddha on Mindfulness of Breathing. 15 benefits. And why I am going to refer to myself as a Buddhist psychologist.

The Buddha, Spiritual / /

Not surprisingly, I regard the Buddha as the master meditation teacher. He offered much more than meditation for a fully awakened life – ethics, values, knowledge, understanding, fulfilling views, depth of wisdom on matters of the heart, mind and consciousness. …

The Buddha on Mindfulness of Breathing. 15 benefits. And why I am going to refer to myself as a Buddhist psychologist.Read More »

The Buddha on Mindfulness of Breathing. 15 benefits. And why I am going to refer to myself as a Buddhist psychologist. Read More »

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