Reflection on Dawn at Swayambhu Stupa There are places that remain with us long after we have left them. For me, dawn at Swayambhu Stupa is one of those places. The sound of monks chanting, the steady rhythm of temple drums, the fragrance of incense and the first light spreading across the Kathmandu Valley combine Read More
Tag: pilgrimage
What Buddhist Tradition Do You Follow?
"Come and see."-The Buddha During my recent pilgrimage to Nepal, I found myself being asked a question that I had never really considered before. "What Buddhist tradition do you follow?" At first, I wasn’t sure how to answer. Over three weeks I spent fourteen days in Kathmandu and four days in Lumbini, the birthplace of Read More
Why Silence Feels Different in Temples
Does true silence ever really exist? Even during meditation there always seems to be something to hear:traffic outside,someone moving elsewhere in the house,the ticking of a clock,wind against the windows,rain falling,or the unmistakable dawn chorus of birdsong. During my own morning meditation, I almost always hear blackbirds singing somewhere nearby. And yet meditation remains possible. Read More
What is Sangha in Buddhism
In Buddhism there is a traditional commitment recited by devotees across many different traditions: "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha." These are known as the Three Jewels:the teacher,the teaching,and the community. The words "taking refuge" are deeply symbolic. Refuge means shelter, protection, or a safe place during difficulty and uncertainty. Read More