Category Archives: Teachings of the Buddha

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

The Dance of Existence

Posted on July 30, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

I think one of the hardest things to wrap your mind around in the Buddha’s teaching is that everything is a process. There are no “things.” A “thing” is just a momentary manifestation of current conditions. In the physical world … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhist ethics, Teachings of the Buddha | Comments Off on The Dance of Existence

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

Scholarship and Practice

Posted on February 16, 2017 by EricKVanHorn

I have written about this before, but it has come up again, and I think some of the points bear repeating. It has to do with scholarship vs practice in the Buddhist world. I recently started to read an interview … Continue reading →

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

Love Trumps Hate

Posted on November 13, 2016 by EricKVanHorn

It never ceases to amaze me what a difficult and challenging path the Buddha’s way is. Our habits are so ingrained to look outward. But following the Buddha’s path is like being in a room full of mirrors. Even the … Continue reading →

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

More Books

Posted on October 24, 2016 by EricKVanHorn

Books 6 & 7 in the Little Books on Buddhism series are now available on the Books tab. Book 6 is on rebirth. It has four sections. One is on whether the Buddha taught rebirth, the second one is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddha's Enlightenment, Buddhist ethics, Buddhist meditation, Buddhist practice, Teachings of the Buddha | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on More Books