Manitoba Buddhist Temple
a Mahayana Buddhist temple in the Jodo Shinshu tradition
Dharma
Talks
This is our online library of Sensei Ulrich's Dharma talks. Explore the many topics to learn more about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Click on the heading to read the full text. Enjoy these mindful readings and share with your friends. Your comments are always welcome.
This is our online library of Sensei Ulrich's Dharma talks. Explore the many topics to learn more about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Click on the heading to read the full text. Enjoy these mindful readings and share with your friends. Your comments are always welcome.
Faith
Faith marks the point at which the self is really and truly a solitary self, and really and truly becomes the self itself...
The Satori of Faith
Perhaps one-day shinjin, like satori, will also become a word we can find in the English dictionary...
Mature Member of the Human Family
According to Shakyamuni's teachings a mature member of the human family strives to develop at least 7 virtues...
Is there a God?
Shakyamuni was asked many questions which are being asked today: such as, Is there a God? Who created the world? Is there life after death? Where is heaven and hell? The classic answer given by the Buddha was silence...
The Mundane World
Have you ever thought about how much work goes on unseen, behind the scenes, to make our temple function...
Bodhi Christmas
So, once again I will erect my Buddhist Christmas tree, my Bodhi Tree. There will be dragons, elephants and fantastic birds. For the post Sept. 11 world, I will also include a symbol for other faiths...
Buddhist Citizenship
During Shakyamuni's lifetime his society was a tribal republic goverened by a council of elders. These were the ancient rules of town-hall democracy that still hold relevance today...
On Being a Member of a Civilized Society
Once ones mind has been rooted in the path to nirvana, this kind of behaviour proceeds naturally out of that state of mind. It transcends culture, ethnic identity, language, gender, and conditioning...
Spiritual Power of Shinjin-Transpersonal Faith
This is a key concept in Shin Buddhism. It refers to an awakening of a universal, self-free faith experience, a kind of satori of faith...
Social Virtues
Buddhist social ethics include the paramitas, literally 'the ultimate infinities'. They are sometimes called the 'Godly-virtues' or how to live like a God in a world of finite beings in the grip of the Three Poisons, Ignorance, Hatred and Greed...
Is There Purpose to Life?
In very broad terms I think that the purpose of life is found in living it. It needs no other purpose than that. It requires no further explanation. It is one of these dishes that is spicy enough and requires no further spices to enhance it...
Buddhist Meditation and Brainwaves
In the last few years there has been much research on the human brain and brain waves. The Dalai Lama was very involved in scientific experiments concerning the relationships between the brain, meditation and consciousness...
A Thousand Winds
I had a humorous experience recently. There was a touching poem listed in at least one source under “Native American, author unknown”. I was intending to use it for Obon. This poem is now a very popular song in Japan - Senno Kaze ni natte.
Ohigan
In September, we celebrate Ohigan. It is the autumnal equinox. Both night and day are equal the name means crossing over to the ‘other shore.’ because the two shores of light and dark are so close to one another the passage back and forth is easier.
A Special Time of the Year
Real religion requires real work in all senses of the word. That is to say we need to reflect on our selves as human beings then ask how we can best live out our lives with our fellow human beings on earth.
Buddha's Birthday
The story of Buddha’s birth is full of myth and magic, but woven into it is a sound teaching. Modern people are often amused at the old myths, but they should not be so jaded as to miss the foundation of the teachings that shimmer through the rich imagery. One such element of the story of Buddha’s birth is his seven steps.
Right Speech
Amida Buddha as our mother offers us a way to practice Right Speech in the form of reciting the Buddha’s name, the Nembutsu.
Faith marks the point at which the self is really and truly a solitary self, and really and truly becomes the self itself...
The Satori of Faith
Perhaps one-day shinjin, like satori, will also become a word we can find in the English dictionary...
Mature Member of the Human Family
According to Shakyamuni's teachings a mature member of the human family strives to develop at least 7 virtues...
Is there a God?
Shakyamuni was asked many questions which are being asked today: such as, Is there a God? Who created the world? Is there life after death? Where is heaven and hell? The classic answer given by the Buddha was silence...
The Mundane World
Have you ever thought about how much work goes on unseen, behind the scenes, to make our temple function...
Bodhi Christmas
So, once again I will erect my Buddhist Christmas tree, my Bodhi Tree. There will be dragons, elephants and fantastic birds. For the post Sept. 11 world, I will also include a symbol for other faiths...
Buddhist Citizenship
During Shakyamuni's lifetime his society was a tribal republic goverened by a council of elders. These were the ancient rules of town-hall democracy that still hold relevance today...
On Being a Member of a Civilized Society
Once ones mind has been rooted in the path to nirvana, this kind of behaviour proceeds naturally out of that state of mind. It transcends culture, ethnic identity, language, gender, and conditioning...
Spiritual Power of Shinjin-Transpersonal Faith
This is a key concept in Shin Buddhism. It refers to an awakening of a universal, self-free faith experience, a kind of satori of faith...
Social Virtues
Buddhist social ethics include the paramitas, literally 'the ultimate infinities'. They are sometimes called the 'Godly-virtues' or how to live like a God in a world of finite beings in the grip of the Three Poisons, Ignorance, Hatred and Greed...
Is There Purpose to Life?
In very broad terms I think that the purpose of life is found in living it. It needs no other purpose than that. It requires no further explanation. It is one of these dishes that is spicy enough and requires no further spices to enhance it...
Buddhist Meditation and Brainwaves
In the last few years there has been much research on the human brain and brain waves. The Dalai Lama was very involved in scientific experiments concerning the relationships between the brain, meditation and consciousness...
A Thousand Winds
I had a humorous experience recently. There was a touching poem listed in at least one source under “Native American, author unknown”. I was intending to use it for Obon. This poem is now a very popular song in Japan - Senno Kaze ni natte.
Ohigan
In September, we celebrate Ohigan. It is the autumnal equinox. Both night and day are equal the name means crossing over to the ‘other shore.’ because the two shores of light and dark are so close to one another the passage back and forth is easier.
A Special Time of the Year
Real religion requires real work in all senses of the word. That is to say we need to reflect on our selves as human beings then ask how we can best live out our lives with our fellow human beings on earth.
Buddha's Birthday
The story of Buddha’s birth is full of myth and magic, but woven into it is a sound teaching. Modern people are often amused at the old myths, but they should not be so jaded as to miss the foundation of the teachings that shimmer through the rich imagery. One such element of the story of Buddha’s birth is his seven steps.
Right Speech
Amida Buddha as our mother offers us a way to practice Right Speech in the form of reciting the Buddha’s name, the Nembutsu.
Quotes to Ponder
What are the social implications of Shinran's Theology of Ignorance?
Looking behind and beyond Shinran’s Theology of Ignorance...
48 Vows of Amida Buddha
There are many versions of the Bodhisattva Vow. The following are the vows that Bodhisattva Dharmakara (Dharma-Totality) made and then fulfilled to become Amida Buddha...
Violence in Faith is Violence to Faith
So-called faiths have become a round about way of worshipping themselves—their ethnic identities, their clan or tribe, their organized religions, their power and money, their country...
The Future of Shin Buddhism
Buddhism a wonderful treasure, if we hide it in an ethnic container, it is a crime. It is the living water that can quench the thirst of all humanity. It can liberate all the people in the world...
The Nembutsu Life - Ondokusan
The Ondokusan that calls us both to a strong faith and to repay benefits with a life of simplicity, serenity and service...
Deconstructing Fundamentalism
Which form of the scripture is the valid one? Can religious tradition finally be reduced to nouns? Is this a form of noun addiction...
Holi-Daze
The word 'holiday' is derived from 'holy-day'. This is a fitting name for December because it really is a month of holy days...
Amida Sutra - 7 part series
The sutra constantly reminds us that all levels of human experience, even that of religious transcendence, are beholden to the law of karma. Ignoring this fact always bring tragedy in its wake...
Shin and Zen: Bitter Rivals
The chanting of the Heart Sutra is strictly forbidden in Jodoshinshu temples, as it the chanting of Pure Land material in Zen temples. Will it ever end...
Just Listen
We simply experience the opening of our being in the light of our listening. Won’t you listen with me...
How to Stop a War
When we become addicted to the negatives we miss the miracles. Shinran stated that even though the clouds of evil may overcast the landscape, the light of shinjin illuminates our lives. His teachings break the hold of the negative on our thinking...
Buddhist's Concerns Regarding Suicide
Suicide is considered a crime in most states. It is considered an immoral act by many societies and in the Christian religion. For Buddhists it is a neutral reality...
Thomas Merton
I would like to share with you the impressions of that great Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, at seeing the statues of the Buddha in Sri Lanka...
The End of the World
Have you ever wondered what is going to happen to the world? Of course the major religions have their own answers—the End of Times, the Last Judgment in which all non-believers suffer terrible pain and destruction, or maybe just a handful of the Chosen Ones will survive. All of these theories have their loyal followers. What do you think?
The Gift of Silence
The Gift of Silence: this is a phrase we encounter in our services at otera in Winnipeg. We normally read it at least twice on the printed program, both to open and to close the service.
Dharma Talks for Kids
Sensei Ulrich has posted Dharma talks for children. They include wonderful stories and prayers...
What are the social implications of Shinran's Theology of Ignorance?
Looking behind and beyond Shinran’s Theology of Ignorance...
48 Vows of Amida Buddha
There are many versions of the Bodhisattva Vow. The following are the vows that Bodhisattva Dharmakara (Dharma-Totality) made and then fulfilled to become Amida Buddha...
Violence in Faith is Violence to Faith
So-called faiths have become a round about way of worshipping themselves—their ethnic identities, their clan or tribe, their organized religions, their power and money, their country...
The Future of Shin Buddhism
Buddhism a wonderful treasure, if we hide it in an ethnic container, it is a crime. It is the living water that can quench the thirst of all humanity. It can liberate all the people in the world...
The Nembutsu Life - Ondokusan
The Ondokusan that calls us both to a strong faith and to repay benefits with a life of simplicity, serenity and service...
Deconstructing Fundamentalism
Which form of the scripture is the valid one? Can religious tradition finally be reduced to nouns? Is this a form of noun addiction...
Holi-Daze
The word 'holiday' is derived from 'holy-day'. This is a fitting name for December because it really is a month of holy days...
Amida Sutra - 7 part series
The sutra constantly reminds us that all levels of human experience, even that of religious transcendence, are beholden to the law of karma. Ignoring this fact always bring tragedy in its wake...
Shin and Zen: Bitter Rivals
The chanting of the Heart Sutra is strictly forbidden in Jodoshinshu temples, as it the chanting of Pure Land material in Zen temples. Will it ever end...
Just Listen
We simply experience the opening of our being in the light of our listening. Won’t you listen with me...
How to Stop a War
When we become addicted to the negatives we miss the miracles. Shinran stated that even though the clouds of evil may overcast the landscape, the light of shinjin illuminates our lives. His teachings break the hold of the negative on our thinking...
Buddhist's Concerns Regarding Suicide
Suicide is considered a crime in most states. It is considered an immoral act by many societies and in the Christian religion. For Buddhists it is a neutral reality...
Thomas Merton
I would like to share with you the impressions of that great Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, at seeing the statues of the Buddha in Sri Lanka...
The End of the World
Have you ever wondered what is going to happen to the world? Of course the major religions have their own answers—the End of Times, the Last Judgment in which all non-believers suffer terrible pain and destruction, or maybe just a handful of the Chosen Ones will survive. All of these theories have their loyal followers. What do you think?
The Gift of Silence
The Gift of Silence: this is a phrase we encounter in our services at otera in Winnipeg. We normally read it at least twice on the printed program, both to open and to close the service.
Dharma Talks for Kids
Sensei Ulrich has posted Dharma talks for children. They include wonderful stories and prayers...