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Showing posts from April, 2025

-1, Imaginary Numbers, and Śūnyatā: Speaking of Vibration Before Existence

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 We often treat mathematics as a mere tool for calculation or numerical logic, but embedded within it is a profound philosophy of existence. Among mathematical ideas, the concept of the imaginary number "i" stands as one of the most mysterious. Though it appears to lack any physical reality, it is one of the most precise languages for describing the structure of the physical world. This essay seeks to explore how mathematical concepts like -1 and the imaginary unit i intersect with the Buddhist teaching of "form is emptiness, and emptiness is form (色即是空 空即是色)," unfolding a vision of reality, possibility, and vibrational being. 1. Does -1 Truly Exist? "Have you ever seen -1 apple?" This simple question provokes deep thought. Physically, -1 does not exist. How can something be taken away when there is nothing to begin with? And yet, in daily life, we frequently use the concept of -1—overdrafts, debt, and loss all hinge on it. We intuitively grasp natural num...

Offering: The Path of Gratitude and Practice in Buddhist Philosophy

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  1. Sustaining Existence – Life and the Beginning of Karma For humans and all living beings, the most fundamental condition of life is the intake of energy to sustain existence . To achieve this, we hunt, gather, and constantly engage in activity to stay alive. Our bodily structures, sensory organs, and even social systems and civilizations have evolved on top of this activity for the continuation of life . Life is not merely about existing; it is a constant process of sustaining and functioning , involving movement to obtain energy, reactions to the environment, and choices for survival. In Buddhism, the flow of these actions and intentional, repeated behaviors is called karma . Life never exists in isolation. All beings live through one another , and existence is always possible only in relationship . For one being to live means to draw on the vitality of another—proof that life and death coexist in a single cycle . All living things are intertwined, interdependent, and interact...

Truth Is Resonance: Walking the Path of the Heart Sutra and the Manifestation of Dharma

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  Part 1. Where Did the Heart Sutra Come From? — Its Origins and Formation Among all Buddhist scriptures, few are as short yet as profound as the Heart Sutra. Though the text consists of just over 260 Chinese characters, it encapsulates the very heart of Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy. But where did this scripture originate, and how can we trust its authenticity? The Heart Sutra is derived from the vast Prajñāpāramitā sūtras — a collection known as the “Great Perfection of Wisdom” scriptures, encompassing over 600 scrolls and more than 5.2 million characters. These texts represent the culmination of centuries of insight and spiritual refinement among Mahāyāna practitioners and scholars. The Heart Sutra distills the essence of their wisdom into an astonishingly concise form. Philosophically, it embodies the Middle Way (Madhyamaka), and practically, it summarizes the path of the Bodhisattva. Importantly, the Heart Sutra was not written by a single author, nor was it a direct sermon of ...

God and Dharma, Petition and Practice: Two Paths to Fulfilling Our Dreams

 At times in life, we find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of what to believe or where to turn. Religion often steps in to offer direction—some people turn to prayer, seeking divine intervention, while others look inward, pursuing personal transformation through spiritual practice. The way we seek to fulfill our desires differs widely depending on religious perspective. In Christianity, people often pray to God for guidance and blessings. In Buddhism, the emphasis lies in transforming oneself through disciplined practice. These two approaches are not just differences in religious practice—they reflect fundamentally different philosophical foundations. A comparison of the Christian concept of God, Plato's Idea (or Ideal Forms), and the Buddhist concept of Dharma reveals key similarities as well as significant distinctions. This essay explores how Christianity and Buddhism each understand the path to realizing our hopes and dreams, and what kind of approach might lead us toward a...