The New Year, or Shōgatsu, is one of the most important holidays in Japan, filled with traditions that signify renewal, reflection, and hope for the future. Celebrated from January 1st to 3rd, the holiday season is marked by a variety of customs, including visiting shrines, enjoying festive foods like osechi ryōri, and exchanging greetings with… Read more »
Tag: Bodhidharma
Who is Bodhidharma?
In Buddhist lore, few figures loom as large and enigmatic as Bodhidharma, a man whose fierce scowl, framed by deep vermillion robes, is pervasive from East to West. Revered for transmitting the teachings of Chan Buddhism, the predecessor of Zen Buddhism, from India to China and becoming one of the patriarchs of Zen and Shaolin,… Read more »
The Sleepy Sit: Staying Awake While Meditating
Staying Awake While Meditating When we lived at the Mt Baldy Zen Center we began our day at 4 a.m. with a pucker-inducing dose of hot lemon tea, followed by almost an hour of chanting. Both tea and chanting helped keep everyone awake while meditating. Monks and nuns of all types get up before dawn… Read more »
Recent Comments