Dharma Reflections

In September, I had the privilege of three Buddhist monks staying with me for about four days at my home, here in Totnes, Devon, England. Venerable Phap Son (Brother Michael), an abbot in a monastery in France of the much beloved Thich Nhat Hanh, the 81 year old Vietnamese monk, teacher and prolific Buddhist author, came here with two monks, Venerable Phap Due and Venerable Duc Tang.

It was a sheer delight to be with them. All three exuded a depth of mindfulness and kindness that exemplifies the teachings of their teacher, known as Thay. …

Three Monks Come to StayRead More »

The other week, Radha, who teaches the Dharma Facilitators Programme in Oz, and I were talking on the phone about non-duality. She has a great love of the exploration and teaching of the non-dual. It is something we both share. I know she has given many years to this inquiry.

The Buddha, himself, never usd the term non-duality (advaita) in 5000 Pali suttas of his teachings.

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The Dharma of Non-DualityRead More »

I went into a shop the other day in Brighton, Sussex, England to buy myself a couple of pairs of underpants, or more precisely a couple of pairs of boxer shorts. Of course, I don’t expect you to find it a thrill a minute to read about my shopping habits. The store, Tri Max, sells clothes cheap, often much less than half price.

I though readers would enjoy the words written on the package of the pants I bought. Here it is exactly. …

Boxer Shorts – the Key to a Limitless LifeRead More »

Immediately after the Buddhafield Festival in Devon, UK, I hurried home, put my clothes in the washing machine, hung my tent out to dry, and then set off on the Monday morning for Le Moulin de Chaves (known as Tapovan in its last life). More than 200 of us in total, adults and kids, joined one week or two weeks of the annual French Dharma Yatra, one of the great annual events of the Sangha. Martin loves to remind people that I have walked every morning and afternoon of the seven yatras, and my only complaint is about the porridge. “Why import Scottish food on a French Yatra” has been my appeal.

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A Bag Full of EurosRead More »