Category Archives: Buddhist practice

The Third Recollection

Posted on September 8, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

The Yaksa asked, “What is the most wonderful thing?” Yudhisthira Maharaj replied, “The most wonderful thing is that although everyday innumerable humans and their animals go to the abode of death, still a man thinks he is immortal.” – [Mahabharata, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Tagged | Comments Off on The Third Recollection

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 →

Posted in Buddha's Enlightenment, Buddhist ethics, Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Comments Off on What the Buddha Taught

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 →

Posted in Buddhist ethics, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Tagged | Comments Off on It’s Simple

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 →

Posted in Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | 2 Comments

Jātaka Tales

Posted on December 20, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

Stories of the Buddha’s Former Births Introduction Volume 1 1: Apaṇṇaka Jātaka, The True Dharma 2: Vaṇṇupatha Jātaka, The Sandy Road 3: Serivaṇija Jātaka, The Serivan, or The Gold Bowl 4: Cullaka-seṭṭi Jātaka, Chullaka the Treasurer 5: Taṇḍulanāli Jātaka, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhist history, Buddhist practice, India, Teachings of the Buddha | Tagged | Comments Off on

Jātaka Tales

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 →

Posted in Buddhist ethics, Buddhist practice, India, Teachings of the Buddha | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Buddhist ethics, Buddhist institutions, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Comments Off on Basic Kindness

Beacons in the Darkness

Posted on August 18, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

There continues to be a lot of angst about the current political situation, particularly after the events in Charlottesville last weekend. Charlottesville holds a special place in my heart because when I was in the fourth grade, my family took … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhist ethics, Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Comments Off on Beacons in the Darkness

Serenity, Insight, and Lovingkindness

Posted on August 13, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

Credit for this story goes to Ajahn Brahm. There are two people who decide to go for a hike up Meditation Mountain. One of them is named “Samatha” and the other one is named “Vipassana.” They take with them their … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice | Comments Off on Serenity, Insight, and Lovingkindness

The Way in to the Fortress

Posted on June 18, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

I have been working my way through all of the books that I have written, reviewing what I wrote, double checking everything with what the Buddha taught, making minor stylistic changes to make everything uniform, and making occasional content changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddha's Enlightenment, Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Comments Off on The Way in to the Fortress