Monthly Archives: January 2013

The least and all*

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‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ … ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’  — Matthew, 25:40, 45.

All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.  All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.  — Dhammapada, 10:129-130.

* Mahayana amendment.  We understand “the least of these brothers and sisters” to include all sentient beings — seen and unseen, known, unknown, and unknowable.

Hōkyōintō, Yasakaji Temple, Matsuyama, Japan. Jul 1, 2012. The Hōkyōin Darani Sutra gathers relics of "all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future."

Hōkyōintō, Yasakaji Temple, Matsuyama, Japan.     July 1, 2012. The Hōkyōin Darani Sutra gathers relics of “all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future.”

Fools

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A timely quotation every Dharma Fool will want to read

— shared from Ven. Tashi Nyima and The Great Middle Way

Iwamotoji, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Ceiling detail. February, 2012.

Ceiling, Iwamotoji, Kochi Prefecture, Japan.  February, 2012.

(The ceiling at Iwamotoji features 575 panels by local artists.                                          Click on image to view this section in greater detail.)

“Fools”

The foolish proclaim their qualifications;

the wise keep them secret within.

A straw floats on the surface of water,

but a precious gem sinks to the depths.

Those with little learning show great pride.

Grown wise, they are quiet.

Torrents always make much noise,

but the ocean seldom roars.

— Sakya Pandita, A Precious Treasury