Tag: Buddhism

Sheldrake Lecture - 2004

UK: Should Cambridge University Investigate Rupert Sheldrake? (12.8.2026)

The Buddha does not contain ALL knowledge as if it were lying dormant in his mind at any given moment (therefore he is not “omniscient” in this sense) but he does say that an enlightened being can direct the mind in any direction he or she wishes (like a net enveloping and collecting all things) throughout the world, and in so doing bring any part of it into his enlightened conscious awareness.  This lasts for as long as concentration is held in that direction and then fails away – remember that the true nature of the mind is “empty” and spacious – so that all phenomena seems to arise and pass away within it.  In fact the Buddha states a long list of abilities and powers he possesses – including the ability for his mind’s awareness to travel to other worlds.  What happened over-time is that through various commentaries and translations, the fact that the Buddha could move his mind’s awareness in any direction (or none) became conflated with the idea that his mind’s awareness was already in every place and at every time.

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A Theravada Buddhist Monk in the Ruins of “Wat Phu (ວັດພູ)”!

Buddhist-Socialist Laos: “Wat Phu (ວັດພູ)” – An Example of a Khmer-Era Buddhist-Hindu Temple! (6.8.2026)

The stone walls are carved with mythological scenes such as (the Hindu) Hanuman monkey-god fighting demons and Gisna tearing apart the Dragon King. Inside the hall are numerous Buddha statues and a stone statue of King Phayakamata of Champasak. The site area preserves the foundations of two stone palaces, scattered stone figures and beasts, and a sacred lake measuring 300 metres by 200 metres. The lakeside pavilion in the centre connects with the ruins of the Western Hall. The temple is said to have been built in the 7th century, with most existing ruins dating back to the 10th-century – during the peak period of the Khmer Empire. Every year from late January to early February, the Wat Phu Festival is held, featuring various religious ceremonies and activities.

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PRC Buddhism is Socialist!

BMA-UK: Zhao Zhihao (赵志浩) – Promoting the Further Sinicization of Buddhism & Integration with Socialist Society! (3.8.2026)

As the Mahayana Sutras became more popular in China than the Pali Suttas – the idea of strict vegetarianism (which had spread from India via various Vinaya Discipline texts) took root (even though it was only meant initially for the monastic order). Buddhist vegetarianism was not invented in China (as the author of the below [translated] text seems to imply). It is true that at least two Emperors in China did ban meat-eating in their respective countries – and instigated an expansive vegetarianism amongst the general public (Buddhist and non-Buddhist). This meant that Buddhist monastic vegetarianism was spread throughout the Buddhist laity and beyond – and this was a transformation of Buddhist practice in general that has persisted into modern times. Much, if not all of the interfacing Chinese philosophy that at least gave structure to Chinese Ch’an (Dhyana) Buddhism arose from the “Change Classic”

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‘Buddha Boy’ Bomjan acquitted by court – Where did he go after release? https://english.nepalnews.com/s/nation/buddha-boy-bomjan-acquitted-by-court-where-did-he-go-after-release/

Nepal: The Curious Case of the “Buddha Boy” – His Paedophilic Conviction – Imprisonment – and High Court Acquittal! (18.7.2026)

What I do not understand is how one court can convict him premised upon the evidence pertaining to over a decade of complaints – and then a High Court “acquit” him of all charges. More to the point, nobody seems outraged by any of this. Either the “Buddha Boy” was set-up and falsely accused by an out of control Nepalese version of “metoo” – or he is a very dangerous sexual predator who has been “let-off” by an equally corrupt Nepalese justice system. So, which is it? Bear in mind that in countries outside of Europe – and not subject to religious indoctrination – the dichotomising Judeo-Christian sense of “good” and “evil” does not exist. Within Buddhist morality, there is the false path of following greed, hatred, and delusion – and the correct path of uprooting greed, hatred, and delusion. As there is no “god” concept punishing each of us for our actions – we are responsible for what we think, feel, and experience. As greed, hatred, and delusion are suffering inducing – it logically follows that non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion is the path that does not induce suffering. Of course, all this will be viewed in Nepal as being a product of “karma” – or a type of morally-enthused “cause and effect” pertaining to each individual. For us in the West, as debauched as we are, drunk on the fruits of hundreds of years of deluded imperialism, all this is something akin to a “fetish” form of gossip regarding the exotic “East” – and the strange behaviour of these odd little people!

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The Re-Arranged Family Shrine - 2026

UK: The Family Shrine Re-Arranged for the Passing of My Father! (18.6.2026)

Even if no member of a Chinese family has not trained in a formal spiritual order – incense will be regularly lit, and fresh flowers and fruit will be added every so many days. Of course, some shrines are kept-up at a greater degree than others – but this does not matter in the end. A family shrine is a door-way between one plane and another. It is a two-way structure that permits a solemn respect to traverse from the material realm into the immaterial realm – and allows a positive spiritual reality to emanate from the immaterial plane to the material realm. Today, I talked to my deceased father – and I did this via a photograph that my mother took and printed-out for me probably around 2010. The photograph was taken in the front garden of our old home at 2 Torbay Road, Torquay Road, Torquay, Devon (the shyster landlord took over a hundred thousand pounds in rent between 2002-2018 before applying a no-fault eviction because we requested a repair be made). As this was 16-years ago – my father would have been around 68-years old at the time. I suppose my father was at the peak of his power as an elderly person! Tomorrow we will collectively lit incense. It is the next stage of respectful mourning.

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80 000 Wooden Blocks of Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures

DPRK: Buddhist Sutras on Display! (17.6.2026)

On a slightly different note, there was an English man called “Stephen Bachelor” who travelled to South Korea and joined a Buddhist monastic order. Indeed, I believe he eventually met the woman who would become his wife – at the time a Buddhist “nun”. Upon returning to the UK he established a Buddhist College in Devon – but as the years went by he started to describe himself as an “atheist” who do not believe in any form of religion or mysticism. He even banned Buddha statues from his meditation rooms – and when my teacher – Richard Hunn – was invited to teach, he also banned all incense. Of course, Buddhism is not a religion with the Buddha being described as “non-theist” (he said gods only seem to exist until believers realise they are non-existent). Yes – monotheism was unknown in the Buddha’s time – so it is interesting to consider what exactly it was that Mr Bachelor was reacting to? Did he think Buddhism was a religion – and the Buddha a god? Is this what they were teaching in South Korea?

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