TABLE OF CONTENTS

Here is a collection of new and older articles posted on this website. It will be updated regularly.
For more articles, books, photos, and news please look at the navbar and on the left and right columns.

I. BUDDHIST EXPLANATIONS OF THE WORLD
There is no supreme creator god in the Buddha Dharma
On the powerful pretas (hungry spirits) who wish to dominate other beings through religion
Some Buddhist explanations on the origin and existence of the universe
Two questions on Buddha-nature and Samsara
Mind precedes matter
Simple Teachings on Emptiness and Buddha nature
Belief in a creator god is an obstacle to shinjin (faith in Amida Buddha)
Samsara is suffering - description and contemplation of the suffering of the six realms of samsaric existence
Question and answer on samsaric realms and the Pure Land
Some elements of Buddhist Cosmology (some of the above articles in one paper)
Never say Amida Buddha is the same with the "god" of the monotheists or with any other divine figure outside the Buddha Dharma
The  six realms of samsaric existence and Amida Buddha's Pure Land according to Amida Dharma (Jodo Shinshu Buddhism) - video based on my books
Question on Buddhism and science

II. KARMA
The Buddhist teaching on man, rebirth, and karma
The influence of past karma and the impossibility of becoming a Buddha in this life
Don't say "Mother Nature" - say "Mother Karma"
Karma - the law of cause and effect (general explanations of karma and karma explained in relation with the salvation offered by Amida Buddha - the above two articles included and many more!)
Karmic evils do not create hindrance to birth in the Pure Land

III. ARTICLES ABOUT AMIDA BUDDHA AND HIS PURE LAND
About Amida Buddha and His Pure Land
The Story of Amida Buddha as told by Shakyamuni Buddha
If Amida's Primal Vow is true...
The Infinite Life of Amida Buddha - explanation of the 13th Vow
The Infinite Light of Amida Buddha - explanation of the 12th Vow
The Three Bodies (Aspects) of Amida Buddha
Master T'an-luan on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land (the doctrine of the Two Buddha Bodies)
The Relation between the Doctrine of the "Two Buddha Bodies" and "Three Buddha Bodies" (Trikaya) of Amida Buddha
Is Amida Buddha a real person or symbol/metaphor?
The grave karmic consequence of denying the transcendent reality of Amida Buddha
Amida as the eternal Buddha and the Buddha described in the Larger Sutra
Amida is not an abstract concept but a living Buddha
Those who deny the existence of Amida don't have shinjin - some simple explanations
Amida is a real Buddha - video teaching by Paul Roberts
Honen Shonin on Amida Buddha
 The Safe Enlightened Realm of Amida Buddha
The Pure Land in the teaching of Jodo Shinshu
The benefits of being born in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha
Pure Land as a state of consciousness or a real place?
The manifestations of the Pure Land - short explanations of the 32nd Vow of Amida Buddha
The Pure Land of Amida reveals in its Light all the Buddha lands - explanation of the 31st Vow of Amida Buddha
The two aspects of the Pure Land
Trees of Enlightenment
The reason for the western location of the Pure Land and its wonderful description in the sutras
Does the Pure Land really exists?
What part of our mind goes to the Pure Land?
Five conditions for birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha
A collection of passages on the true meaning of birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha
Do not worry about inner or outer conditions when saying the Name of Amida Buddha
Our Path is simple
Rest in Nembutsu
No need for ritual empowerment or initiation to connect with Amida Buddha
The effect is similar to the cause - difference between the Path of self-power and the Pure Land Path
Don't do many things, just focus on the recquirements of the Primal Vow
Concentrate exclusively on Amida Buddha
A short question and answer on worshipping Maitreya and Amida Buddha
What is the meaning of faith (shinjin) and nembutsu
Five conditions for birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha
The benefits of being born in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha
Nembutsu of faith and gratitude
The Nembutsu of faith - the genuine saying of the Name of Amida Buddha
The dream world and the nembutsu of faith
Understanding shinjin - video teaching by Paul Roberts
The three pillars of Jodo Shinshu - video teaching by Paul Roberts
Shinjin - our part and Amida's part, video teaching by Paul Roberts
Unenlightened beings are not the same with Amida Buddha
A question on shinjin (faith) and Amida's attainment of Buddhahood
All Buddhas praise the Name of Amida Buddha - explanation of the 17th Vow
Three Vows of salvation - explanation of the 18th, 19th and 20th Vows of Amida Buddha
A detailed explanation of the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha
The meaning of "if when I attain Buddhahood" [...] may I not attain perfect Enlightenment" from the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha 
The meaning of "sentient beings of the ten quarters" from the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha
The meaning of "sincerely entrusting themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and say my Name, perhaps even ten times" from the Primal Vow
The so-called "exclusion" in the Primal Vow of Amida
Summary of the Primal Vow
Elements of genuine faith: 1)  To accept the actual, literal existence ofAmida Buddha and His Pure Land
Elements of genuine faith: 2) To accept the story of Amida  Buddha as told by Shakyamuni Buddha in the Larger Sutra
Elements of genuine faith: 3) To wish to be born in the Pure Land for the attainment of perfect Enlightenment/Buddhahood  
Elements of genuine faith: 4) To have the twofoldprofound conviction (nishu jinshin), which means to know that you are a personof deep karmic limitations, incapable to attain Buddhahood through your ownpower, and that  only Amida Buddha can save you through His Vow Power(Other Power), without asking anything from you.
Elements of genuine faith: 5) To accept the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha without any doubt and be sure of your birth in thePure Land
Elements of genuine faith: 6) To accept that birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha takes place after death
Elements of genuine faith: 7) To say the Name of Amida Buddha
Elements of genuine faith: 8) To not mix nembutsu and devotion towards Amida Buddha with other faiths and practices from inside or outside of the Buddha Dharma
On those who are not satisfied with Nembutsu only 
The One Vehicle of the Primal Vow - the ultimate teaching of Shakyamuni and all Buddhas
The true disciple of Amida and all Buddhas
Nembutsu vs mantras and dharanis related with Amida Buddha 
Birth in the borderland of the Pure Land 
No discrimination of women in the salvation of Amida Buddha - explanation of the 35th Vow
The peace and happiness of shinjin - explanation of the 33rd Vow
Beings who have faith in Amida dwell in the definitely assured state and immediately attain Nirvana after birth in the Pure Land - explanation of the 11th Vow of Amida Buddha
The certainty of attaining Enlightenment in the Pure Land
On the Buddhas who manifest as Bodhisattvas (article related with my explanations of the 22nd Vow of Amida Buddha)
Returning from the Pure Land - explanation of the 22nd Vow of Amida Buddha
Equal to Maitreya Buddha
The salvation offered by Amida Buddha is beyond conceptual understanding
Shinjin is not mind created
Question: How can one know that he received shinjin if he has no access to a temple and priest?
Just say the Name in faith
Nembutsu does not work because of us
Faith is simple, nothing special
Do not associate shinjin (faith) with any special feelings or states of mind
Depend on Amida, not on your feelings
Emotional instability does not mean absence of faith
Questions and answer on intelectual obstacles to shinjin (faith)
Shinjin: knowing, not experiencing
Do not rely on your spiritual evolution
A bad Buddhist who entrusts to Amida
Realizing our limitations in daily life
Don't play smart in Samsara
Jump in the arms of Amida
Do not worry about wandering thoughts
We can always say the Name of Amida Buddha
What should I do about my bad thoughts that don’t stop even after entrusting myself to Amida Buddha?
How can the ego become a Buddha?
The Ten Benefits in this life of a person who has faith in Amida Buddha (collection of articles)
1. The benefit of being protected and sustained by unseen powers and divine beings
2. The benefit of being possesed of supreme virtues
3. The benefit of our karmic evil being transformed into good
4. The benefit of being protected and cared for by all the Buddhas  
5. The benefit of being praised by all the Buddhas
6. The benefit of being protected constantly by the light of Amida’s heart 
7. The benefit of having great joy in our hearts
8. The benefit of being aware of Amida’s benevolence and of responding in gratitude to His virtues
9. The benefit of constantly practicing great compassion
10. The benefit of entering the stage of the trully settled (non-retrogression)
Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)
Don't be upset with samsara
Shinjin and Buddha-nature
Bodhi Mind in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism 
The merit transference from Amida Buddha to those who entrust to Him
Faith in Amida Buddha is not the creation of our mind
Again on the idea that faith in Amida comes from Amida - some simple explanations
The Name of Amida Buddha is the Great Practice 
Question: discrimination in the saving activity of Amida?
The alaya storehouse consciousness and faith in Amida Buddha
Repentance and the Nembutsu of Faith
"Good" for birth in the Pure Land
Those who deny the existence of Amida don't have shinjin (faith)
Enjoy the taste of nembutsu
Four misconceptions concerning the nembutsu
Self power as obstacle to nembutsu
Many recitations of nembutsu - a question
Saying nembutsu as many times as we like - a story
No meditation, just nembutsu
I don't miss meditation since I met the Primal Vow
A short Dharma dialogue on meditation in relation with Jodo Shinshu
We cannot mix nembutsu with zazen
My answer to a comment comparing Zen with Jodo Shinshu
No zazen here for this ignorant man
Nembutsu recitation (audio)
A simple Nembutsu service at Amidaji temple
Difference between Jodoshu and Jodo Shinshu
Complete peace of mind
Attitudes when doing ordinary offerings or Dharma offerings
Our attitudes towards those who try to harm us or lead us away from Amida Dharma

VIII. DIVERGENCES FROM THE JODO SHINSHU BUDDHIST TEACHING
On why it is important to defend all aspects of the Dharma


IX. LISTENING THE TEACHING
A few verses on the right attitude of hearing the Amida Dharma
Rennyo Shonin on sangha - what can we learn from him
Listen deeply - video teaching by Paul Roberts
Some elements of listening deeply to Amida Dharma 
Dharma discussions versus debates
It is difficult...
Do not place your teacher on a pedestal
A test for your understanding of the Jodo Shinshu teaching

X. DEATH AND IMPERMANENCE
You are not your body
Impermanence and death
Contemplating the suffering of the intermediate state (bardo)
Shinjin is freedom from death
Immediate Buddhahood for ordinary people without passing through Bardo
State of mind in the moment of death
Why did Shinran say we should not wait for Amida's coming at the moment of death?
Question: what part of our mind goes to the Pure Land?
Because you are an ordinary person
On the "here and now" slogan
Again on the "here and now" slogan
Do NOT have patience
Time for practice
The meaning of Obon - festival of the dead
Death barrier
Brutal awareness
Intense awareness of impermanence
Disgusted with Samsara
On "White Ashes"
Solve the matter of death and after-death now
A short discussion on suicide by Pure Land followers

XI. ETHICS/PRECEPTS AND JODO SHINSHU
No self-improving programs for Jodo Shinshu followers
The meaning of "there are no precepts"
Words of Rennyo useful for meat eaters
Again on Jodo Shinshu ethics
My religion is Jodo Shinshu Amidaji lineage
Amidaji - work plan and progress until now
Articles, news and photos related with the construction of Amidaji temple
Invitation to become a patron (constant supporter) of Amidaji by little monthly donations
Some ideas about the temple altar - how is done in Japan and other places and how we'll do it at Amidaji
Don't bring worldly activities into the temple
Guard the gates of the temple
Beyond physical and ideological barriers
My Dharma activities go beyond any affiliation and institution
Amidaji is strictly a Jodo Shinshu temple - short discussion between me and Zuio Inagaki Sensei
The Three Refuges in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
Ceremonies for joining the Jodo Shinshu school
Sangha as spiritual friendship
Ryogemon - Jodo Shinshu Creed
Question: are gay and lesbians welcomed in the dojo or temple?
The nembutsu meetings in the Romanian Jodo Shinshu sangha
A simple Nembutsu service at Amidaji temple
Nembutsu recitation (audio)
Rules of the dojo/temple
Why do we need discipline in a dojo or temple?
Conditions to be accepted as a student at Amidaji temple
Traditional respect toward one's teacher

XV. BUDDHIST MARRIAGE
A question on the Buddhist marriage



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