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This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on 3/7/2021 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. Recently, while scrolling Facebook, I came across a quote that was (to my understanding –falsely)attributed to Thomas Merton. The quote read :“If the you of five years ago doesn’tContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse: Changes”

This Dharma Glimpse was initially presented on 12/6/2020 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. There is a common saying “never say never”. It’s application varies situation by situation but basically it’s another way of saying “nothing is impossible”. This week, I received aContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse: Never Say Never”

This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on 1/1/2020 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. As a young child, I had a lot of issues processing and expressing “negative” emotions. While some of this could certainly be identified as a product of not havingContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse: Taking Care of our Emotions”

This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on 9/27/2020 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. Just prior to my beginning to write this Dharma Glimpse, I submitted my final assignment as required for my Bachelor of Arts in Religion. This Sunday (the day onContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse – Two Roads, One Life”

Dear Readers, As far as posts go, today marks one year of Jeweled Tree! Writing this blog has been a wonderful practice of journaling my thoughts. In the last year, I’ve pulled some Dharma from bits of experience, pop culture, current events, literature, and ancient texts. I’m grateful that Tommy joined me back in theContinue reading “A Little Change”

This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on 8/23/2020 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. Most of us are likely familiar with the timeless riddle that goes “If a tree falls in a forest but nobody is around, does it still make a sound?”.Continue reading “A Dharma Glimpse: Unheard Sounds”

People often think that renouncing the world means to turn away from the world as it is and live in personal bliss. However, renouncing the world has a different meaning to me, particularly in relation to the nembutsu. Though I accept the reality of the world, I renounce or reject the idea that it MUSTContinue reading “Renouncing The World: Nembutsu as Rebellion”

This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on 8/9/2020 as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. We live in dark times. It is indisputable that there is much new and unnecessary suffering in our nation and the global community as a whole. All we haveContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse – Light in Every Dark”

I miss the temple Sitting on the hill. The smell of incense. The sound of bells. The garden at the back. I miss looking Out across the valley Watching the land Roll in waves To meet the clouds. I miss my friends At the temple, Sitting on the hill, Where I find Buddha Everywhere IContinue reading “I Miss The Temple”

In a recent conversation with some Dharma friends, a question about other-power and training arose. Sometimes it seems that training is an act of discipline that someone carries out through sheer will. However, how does that work in the context of other-power, where one relies on the Buddha? During the discussion, I gave the exampleContinue reading “The Buddha in the Room: Training in the Context of Other-Power”