If you’re visiting Japan, you’re probably going to visit a lot of temples, and not only might you be surprised to learn there are different sects of Buddhism, but even within Zen, there are distinct… Read More »What’s the difference between Soto Zen and Rinzai Zen?
If you’re in Japan and walk by a temple or shrine, or especially if you stroll through an ancient cemetery like Okunoin, on Koya-san (I highly recommend it), you’ll see many statues wearing red bibs… Read More »Why do statues in Japan wear red bibs?
Earlier this year, as part of the excellent work they’ve done to bring their meditation community online during the pandemic, Upaya Zen Centre hosted a series of talks on social and environmental justice. The speakers… Read More »Dharma talk on climate anxiety, trauma and justice
Huángbò Xīyùn (trad. Chinese: 黄檗希運 or Huang Po in older English-language works) was an influential Zen master in 8th and 9th century Tang Dynasty China and the teacher of Línjì, whose teachings we explored previously: Linji… Read More »Huangbo Travel Quotes
Linji (trad. Chinese: 臨濟義玄) lived in China during the 800s, was a student of Huangbo’s, and founded an eponymous school of Chan Buddhism (known as the Rinzai School in Japanese Zen Buddhism) which remains one… Read More »Linji Quotes for Travel
Dogen Zenji (Japanese: 道元禅師) founded the Soto Zen lineage of Buddhism in Japan during the 1200s. Dissatisfied with the politics and social posturing at the temple where he’d trained since childhood, Dogen traveled to China… Read More »Dogen Quotes for Travel