Rebirth. This is a concept a lot of us struggle with sometimes as western Buddhists. The traditional teachings in Buddhism is that when you die some part of you is reborn based on your actions in this life. If you do good things that generate merit, you’re likely to be reborn in better circumstances. And if you do a lot of really bad things, you’ll be reborn somewhere less pleasant. Not only that, but also you’ve had many many lives... Read more
Generosity is one of the most important virtues in the Buddhist tradition. Generosity helps us cultivate harmony with the world around us and makes people like us. It’s hard to hate someone that’s giving things away all the time. It also helps us in another way. Generosity is one of our antidotes to selfishness. We want to learn to be generous instead of miserly and to be giving instead of covetous. Selfishness doesn’t serve us very well because we can... Read more
In his “Letter to a Friend” Nagarjuna references a teaching called “The Tenfold Virtuous Path.” This text, by the way, was written to a king that Nagarjuna was friendly with. Because it was written to a king, we can take these instructions ourselves as laypeople (a king is not a monk). This text represents an outline of the Mahayana Buddhist Path. Today we’re going to explore Nagarjuna’s teaching on these ten virtues and their opposites, the ten non-virtues. He... Read more
Nagarjuna lived in the first century. He’s sometimes called a Second Buddha because his impact was so significant. He’s considered a leading figure in multiple branches of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. He shared the Prajnaparamita Sutras and considered a foundational figure. He was an incredibly prolific teacher and writer. I’m writing about a text called “Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend.” It’s a letter he wrote to a king with whom he was friendly. Because it was written to a king... Read more
I was an atheist when I started exploring Buddhism 20 or so years ago. I was one of those annoying people who judged people of faith. I was also a pretty negative and unhappy person back then. That may be hard to believe and I understand that. Buddhism changed my life. Recently someone referred to me as a ‘faith leader’ and I’ve carried that around a little. Am I a faith leader now? I guess I am. Anyway, when I... Read more
From the Rime Center website: The Rime Buddhist Center wants to be a positive force in the community. A sacred place that is full of learning, reflection and joy. We want to be a spiritual home to a vibrant sangha – your spiritual home. We invite you to participate in a truly unique project – building the first Tibetan Buddhist Temple here in Kansas City. Support us as we open the doors of loving-kindness and achieving peace through compassion. The Rime Buddhist Center has... Read more
I’d like to explore a Sutra with you. This is a text called The Questions of Naga King Sagara. This text reminds me of the short version of the Heart Sutra, where we get an answer, but we don’t get to see the question asked. I’m using the translation from 84000.co, which I will link at the bottom. What’s a Naga King? That’s the hard part to talk about for me. Nagas are serpent people. That’s the easiest... Read more
This talk was recorded at the Rime Buddhist Center. Transforming Adversity – Using Creative Methods for Transformation Dharma talk given by Daniel Scharpenburg, March 5, 2023. Music by Barefoot Bran Music. Check out this episode! Read more
This is a talk I gave at the Rime Center on 8/20/23. Dharma talk given by Daniel Scharpenburg, August 20, 2023. Music by Barefoot Bran Music. Check out this episode! Read more
This is a talk I recorded at the Rime Buddhist Center. Relative Bodhicitta: The Awakened Heart Dharma talk given by Daniel Scharpenburg, February 12, 2023. Music by Barefoot Bran Music. Check out this episode! Read more
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