Stillness Haiku | Dawn at Swayambhu Stupa

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

Can a Place Become Part of Our Meditation?

Meditation and Place I don’t often stop at this third seat. It is the closest to home, so I’m usually tempted to keep walking. But when I do sit here, I find myself looking at the water lilies growing in this particular lake. Or perhaps they are lotus flowers? Why does that matter? Partly because Read More

Manjushri and the Meaning of Wisdom in Buddhism

The word "wisdom" appears repeatedly throughout the Dhammapada, and for good reason. Within the Noble Eightfold Path, wisdom forms one of the three central areas of practice alongside moral discipline and mental discipline. The two elements associated with wisdom are Right View and Right Intention, which together encourage a clearer understanding of ourselves and the Read More