Inspired by a conversation amongst fans on our Facebook page, we take up the issue of vows in Buddhism. Obviously, we need to start with how vows are understood specifically in the Mahayana context, especially Bodhisattva vows. But these aren't the only types of vows in Buddhism, and we discuss different types of vows. Some… Continue reading Listener question: where is the Vow?
In the final episode of our first live broadcast, we tackle more audience questions. To get things started, we field a question about the BCA's official position on same-sex marriage (a big shout out to Rev. Briones' officiating at the wedding of George Takei and Brad Altman!). This bounces us around some questions regarding BCA's… Continue reading Live show part four: marriage and politics
In part of three of the live show series, our first question has to do with Shin Buddhism's stance on aborted fetuses. Scott cleverly ducks the question but Harry provides some interesting insight into the Japanese ritual of mizuko kuyo (water baby ceremony) and the efficacy of ritual in Shin Buddhist context. Our second question… Continue reading Live show part three: abortion and shinjin
In the second installment of our Live Show, we start off talking about the distinctiveness of Shin Buddhism and its difference and similarities to other types of Buddhism. This somehow sets us off on a series of rants against, among other things, The Golden Chain and universalistic Buddhism. (Our apologies to Golden Chain or One… Continue reading Live show part two: rants
On Friday October 2, we did our first recording before a live studio audience. Setting up in the Kodo of the Jodo Shinshu Center, Harry and I did a little live mixing of our theme music before launching into a regular podcast, this one inspired by a listener question. The question? What's the Pure Land?… Continue reading First live show: a certain reality
A listener writes in with an extremely interesting question: if Jodo Shinshu claims that when you go to the Pure Land you come back to this world as a bodhisattva, where are all these bodhisattvas?! This begs a lot of questions and raises a lot of issues about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism with the most obvious… Continue reading Listener question: where are all the bodhisattvas?
The DharmaRealm Podcast: Live! At the Jodo Shinshu Center Friday October 2, 2009 at 5 p.m. Harry and I are going to be recording the DharmaRealm podcast before a live "studio audience." If you're going to be in Berkeley on October 2, please join us at the Jodo Shinshu Center. The event will start with… Continue reading We’re doin’ it live!
Our first show of the fall season (recorded earlier this summer) was inspired by a bumper sticker of all things: if you want peace, work for justice. Harry and Scott take up the question of what is justice? And what does justice mean in a Buddhist context? Of course never ones to give you a… Continue reading Justice
Harry and I are taking a little summer break which, sorry to say, means there's no new episode this week. But don't worry. We'll be back the first Friday in September with more new episodes on Buddhism and the Dharma. We also wanted to make sure all of our listeners know about a special event… Continue reading summer break and news
Once again, we take our inspiration from you, our listeners! One of our Facebook fans asks about the Seven Pure Land Masters, so we take up the cause with what may be the beginning a seven-part series. In this episode, we talk about Nagarjuna, a seminal figure whose twin concepts, emptiness (shunyata) and the two… Continue reading Seven Masters (part one): Nagarjuna
