Author Archives: EricKVanHorn

Non-self

Posted on September 5, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

One of the most fascinating teachings of the Buddha is the one on anatta, non-self. Not surprisingly, it is enormously misunderstood. The Buddha was focused on one thing, and that is teaching us how to escape from dukkha (suffering/stress/unsatisfactoriness) and … Continue reading →

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What the Buddha Taught

Posted on September 1, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

I remember reading years ago that one problem that Buddhists have is easily explaining what they believe. If you are a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew, this is not so hard. But trying to put the Buddha’s vast … Continue reading →

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Joy Redux

Posted on August 24, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

I want to revisit a topic about which I have written previously, and that is the topic of joy. I have been listening recently to some of Ayya Khema’s Dharma talks. If you are not familiar with her, Ayya Khema … Continue reading →

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Jack Kornfield and the Coverup

Posted on July 23, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

Apropos of my last blog entry about Lama Surya Das and his acts of sexual misconduct, I ran across this entry from a forum on Surya Das’ sexual abuse at Against the Stream (ATS) Buddhist Society. Most of this entry … Continue reading →

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It’s Simple

Posted on July 20, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

I have a dear friend who was once a student of Lama Surya Das. I went to a short retreat with Surya Das at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies many years ago. I quite enjoyed it. I also really … Continue reading →

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One Moment

Posted on March 11, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

In Buddhism we often talk about the present moment. And in each life there are billions of present moments. Most of them are noise. But every so often we have a deeply profound moment. We need to cherish and remember … Continue reading →

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Endless School Shootings

Posted on February 16, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

Those of you who follow this blog know that I am working my way through the 547 Jātaka Tales, editing and illustrating them. One of the things that strikes me as I go through this exercise is that these stories … Continue reading →

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Joy and Happiness

Posted on January 13, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

Those of you who follow this blog may have noticed a new tab, the one labeled Jātaka Tales. I am taking the time to edit and illustrate the 547 stories from that collection. I hope that you will read through … Continue reading →

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Right Speech/Wrong Speech

Posted on October 28, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

I was talking to a friend of mine this past week, and he told me something quite astonishing. He said that Mahatma Gandhi was in favor of the caste system in India, and that he defended it. Further, he said, … Continue reading →

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Basic Kindness

Posted on September 18, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

When I first moved to New Mexico I attended a meditation group here. They have a people of color program there. This has become popular lately in some Buddhist organizations, to try and attract people of color and people from … Continue reading →

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