Category Archives: Uncategorized

A bit over 3 years or so ago, I first came upon the works of a number of Lay Ministers that were inducted into Buddhist ministry by the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. After some time, I connected with a then-local Lay Minister and participated in a Ti Sarana Confirmation, a Refuge ceremony, receivingContinue reading “Myriad of Suns, Myriad of Thoughts: A Brief Reflection”

This Dharma Glimpse was originally presented on April 11, 2021, as part of my participation in the Lay Ministry Program of the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. A few years ago, I was in a very challenging position. One day, an aunt who had been like a grandmother in the maternal side of myContinue reading “A Dharma Glimpse – Help”

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”