It’s been said that many practitioners obtain some sort of achievement within the three-month summer retreat. Longing for the same results, I carefully jotted down my summer goal of taming my own afflictions. Yet as time went by, the task proved to be a lot more challenging than I’d imagined. Truth to be told, I’ve been having trouble with another

2019. Building Dreams Buddhist Retreat, PEI.The air stood still as Teacher Zhen-Ru walked down the stage. Immediately, one of the Venerables recited, “Seeing a downhill road, may all beings be humble and develop an enlightened base of virtue.” As Teacher Zhen-Ru circled the Prajna tower in the corner of the gymnasium, another Venerable fluently recited, “Circumambulating the stupa, may all

During the months of the summer monsoon, many insects lose their lives under the steps of those passing by. Seeing this, Buddha said, “It’s hard to travel in the rain without stepping on them, but monastics still need a place to practice. From now on, we shall dwell in one place every monsoon. Let the locals know, should they offer

  Before tranquil dwelling was implemented during the summer months, monastics would wander about asking for alms in the sweltering heat, severe winter, and heavy rain. Such act brought about much criticism: “Even non-Buddhists wouldn’t go out in the rain in fear of stepping on insects. Why would monastics still choose to do this? Don’t they know that lives would

Every morning after breakfast, you’d almost always see a nun make her way around the devout prayer-makers as she continue her daily walk around the Prayer Hall with much familiarity. For a space where people come and go, some to prostrate and others to make offerings, it is almost natural for one wishing to take a walk to re-route their

The classroom floor groaned from time to time. “That’s him again.” said a nun, unamused. Winter was a glair-white silence, and right underneath our modular building was a perfect spot for a warm hibernation. Apparently, the inhabitant down under just turned himself. In the summertime, you could catch a glimpse of our neighbor passing by, while in winter, he is

One-Hundred Fifty Praises, written by Asvaghosa Bodhisattva, contains the essential connotations on the path to enlightenment. Through 150 beautifully written phrases, readers find themselves in utmost admiration for the Buddha. Thus, it has become one of the first treatises newcomers are required to memorize when they first enter Nalanda Temple. But for such an important piece of writing, why is

A few days ago, we had a class with Teacher Zhen-Ru. “It is said in the biography of the Bodhisattva Asvaghosa…” she began. Before Asvaghosa became a Buddhist practitioner, he challenged the practitioners at Nalanda Monastery. He was blessed by Maheśvara, the supreme king of all devas, and so he defeated many and turned many against the faith. If he