Category: Buddhism

Exploring the philosophy (and practice) of Early and Later Buddhism.

BMA (UK): Taiwanese Buddhist Monk Turns-Up To His Own “Corruption Trial” Driving a Porsche! (5.11.2026)

Court Records show that a number of the “Zhang” family are involved in this widespread fraud). A properly ordained Buddhist monastic follows hundreds of rules – but they all boil down to not killing, not engaging in sexuality, not stealing, and not claiming false attainments. Any of these can lead to expulsion from the Ordained Sangha. In Japan, (which invaded and occupied Taiwan for around five-decades before WWII), Buddhist monks and nuns do not uphold the Vinaya Discipline, and can get married and have children whilst wearing robes, administrating temples, and practicing meditation. In the early 1950s, Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) rejected the Japanese approach as being decadent and corrupt, and suggested the government of China make it a legal requirement that monks and nuns have a “legal” obligation to uphold the Vinaya as long as they are a monastic. Breaking the Vinaya is raised to the level of breaking the law. In other words, in Mainland China, breaking the Vinaya is tantamount to committing a criminal act. It seems that the US colony of Taiwan permits the Japanese model of decadence to hold sway.

Continue reading

Ch'an Monastics Dig the Ground and Cultivate the Mind

UK: Ch’an Reading for the Zoo of Dogs! (2.11.2026)

I suppose we go round and round like a “Zoo of Dogs”! No one really knows what it means – as the use of language adopts a rule all of its own. Academic niceties appear to make way for non-academic “un-niceties” whatever they may be. Westerners collect their (dead) facts and line them-up – assuming status from the length of the line (they establish “king-aligners”). Nothing is proven or achieved – but they are happy with their contrived peaking-order. No self-respecting bird will have anything to do with this kind of superficial ordering. And who can blame them? If you want to genuinely lose your mind – then try to read the articles linked above. It is like looking at your reflection in a well – and forgetting not to topple in! Good luck.

Continue reading

Okinawan's in Beijing 2026

China: Respectful Okinawan People Return to Their Ancetral Shrines in Beijing! (28.10.2026)

As far as I am aware, the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa being largest) has been a distant Vassal State of China since as far back as the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE). In other words, in return for political recognition and an annual tribute – China would militarily protect Ryukyu – as well as establish trade, cultural, and political links. Indeed, many hundreds of Chinese people settled on the islands of Ryukyu over the centuries (bringing their culture, language, and philosophy) – with hundreds of Okinawans visiting China to learn things such as martial arts. What the Japanese now call “Karate” – is actually transplanted Chinese gongfu styles modified to suit the new environment. Of course, there are “indigenous” Ryukyu Islanders whose DNA is not related to “China” or “Japan” – with others being from Japan. Okinawans of Chinese ethnic and cultural origin should be permitted to exhibit their identity freely – without fear of persecution or censure. During WWII – the Imperial Japanese used the Okinawan people as human shields when the US invaded (the Japanese did this because they have no respect for Chinese people – and they view the Okinawans as “Chinese”). Indeed, the Americans glorified in the murdering of these people who were stuck between two lunatic powers – even “filming” the killing of unarmed Okinawan women and children.

Continue reading

Kate Stanforth said she wanted to deliver more in-person classes, but costs were prohibitive

UK: Kate Stanforth Academy of Arts – Funding for Popular Disabled Dance School Required! (25.10.2026)

She said she wanted to expand in-person opportunities, but accessible venues and the subsequent fees for travel and equipment are “incredibly expensive”.

Currently, she is trying to raise £20,000 to allow her to keep the academy running.

“We’re not struggling because there isn’t a need for what we do,” Stanforth said.

“We’re struggling because making dance genuinely accessible costs money, and those costs aren’t always recognised.”

While she is thrilled some of her dancers have moved onto professional opportunities, Stanforth said the classes were about more than that.

“We’ve also seen people find joy in movement again after believing that part of their life was over,” she said.

“I don’t want another generation of disabled dancers growing up believing their ambitions are unrealistic.”

Continue reading

Robo-Bhikkhu

BMA (UK) – Techno-Dhamma – Enlightenment Beyond the Body! (22.10.2026)

According to Buddhist theory, the content of the mind is imported a) from the material environment (via the six sense-organs interacting with six sense objects), and b) thought formations premised upon karmic traits laid-down (as “habit”) in previous existences. A previous existence does not have to have been “human” – but could involve any type of life-form – even on other planets situated in different universes and/or dimensions. As this type of existence is mysterious and not fully understood – existences may not unfold in a logical choreography. A past life might have happened in the future when compared to the present – or unfolded within a completely different time corridor not obviously related to the present (although there must be some kind of hidden karmic association). The mechanism of continuing thought-habit might be like one candle lighting another as the former burns-out and the latter blazes brightly. Of course, the Buddha asserts that rebirth (and karma) no longer exists in the enlightened state.

Continue reading

Shi Da Dao - Ch'an Caodong School

UK: On Why Genuine Buddhism is “Anti-Capitalist”! (22.10.2026)

For most people the reality of everyday life involved a mutually supporting communal-activity (a “Sangha”) with “bartering” reserved for the importing or exporting of goods and services. Every member of such communities was a) entitled to all the goods and services of that community, and b) was expected to contribute to the generating of those goods and services. Within the Vinaya Discipline, the Buddha states that the lay-community may participate in any form of “honest” (bloodless) commerce that may (or may not) involve the handling of money (coinage or otherwise). A lay-household must ethically budget to a) supporting itself, and b) the broader community (through charitable donations) – as well as “saving” money (or goods) for emergencies and hard-times. Part of this lay-budgeting involves the lay-household giving waste food and water to the bhikkhus (beggars) of the Buddha as they slowly (and consciously) “walked” through their neighbourhood on a daily basis. The reward is karmically-premised – as this action permits these monastics to pursue the Dhamma in the purest manner. The bhikkhus are “freed” from the requirement of their participating in the world of cyclic existence and this attracts an immeasurable measure of great and good karma. (The situation in China is slightly different – as although the laity is free to donate as little or as much as they like [thus generating good karma] – the monastics must grow their own vegetarian food – and not be a burden to any other community). As for the bhikkhus (and bhikkhunis) there is to be NO participation in the worldly activities associated with commerce. This is because all greed, hatred, and delusion must be uprooted during meditation practice from the mind and body.

Continue reading

1 2 3 … 116