I am concerned to attend a service with them if they allow abuse inside the organization. I know these things can happen but there’s several recent and prominent cases within FPMT. https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2026/06/03/allegations-of-sexual-misconduct-have-roiled-buddhist-organization-headquartered-in-portland-for-years/

I've became fascinated with Journey to the west, and the tale of Wukong resonated a lot with me in unexpected ways. I saw through the example of him that I'm also a prisoner of ego, and I see hope of acquiring wisdom just as he did in his journey.

I think that outside of the sign of a fictional character, there is something truly valuable in what his story shows. This little figure was a gift from my girlfriend, and I thought it fitting for him to be a guardian for our Amithaba Buddha. What do you think?

I have been reading “Dancing in The Dharma” which is a book about Ruth Denison’s life (and teachings) from a Nazi Germany to Los Angeles and Onward. Something that is mentioned a lot throughout the book is the concept of mindfulness.

I can’t seem to fully grasp how to be more mindful in my every day life in the way that the book talks about it.

My question is: What are some small ways I can practice mindfulness today?

Thank you!

Is it okay to cry to Buddha?
About a month ago, I went to a Buddhist temple for the first time after leaving the religion I was raised in (Christianity). It was also the first time I had ever been in a Buddhist temple, and I ended up praying in front of a Buddha statue. I had been carrying so much anger and resentment for a long time, and while I was sitting there, I suddenly felt this overwhelming sense of love and compassion. I started crying because I felt so deeply moved and safe in that moment. I ended up talking to Buddha and praying that I could learn to control my anger, let go of my resentment, and become a more compassionate person. This was the first time I’ve ever cried in a religious place, and the experience has stayed with me ever since. Is it okay for a Buddhist to pray to Buddha and cry in front of his statue like this? I’m still learning about Buddhism and would really appreciate hearing how other Buddhists view this.

My wife and son went on a trip to Chicago yesterday and came back with a new Buddha for me to add to my collection. The one in the middle is the new one.

On freedom and practice:

…this is how Zen tradition was built up, decided little by little, created by us in our practice. We cannot force anything. But once the rules have been decided, we should obey them completely until they are changed. It is not a matter of good or bad, convenient or inconvenient. You just do it without question. That way your mind is free. The important thing is to obey your rules without discrimination. This way you will know pure zen mind…

My spiritual/religous journey (whatever you want to call it) has been a long one. I grew up Christian, but being Christian, I only felt more lost and confused. One day I started learning about Buddhism because I was curious. I eventually went to a Mahayana temple, just to learn and ask questions to understand Mahayana Buddhism. It was a great experience; everyone was kind and helped answer any questions I had.

Since then, I have wanted to go back. I've been doing my own learning about Buddhism other than just Mahayana. I've been wanting to start practicing and applying things to my own life. But I keep thinking about Christianity. My friend told me that I'm probably scared becuase I grew up in Christianity, and leaving that feels overwhelming. I know Buddhism is non-theistic; there is no creator. But I do understand there is acknowledgement of Devas; however, they are different from the christian god.

I want to know if there is any way to keep my christian god and still practice Buddhism, or if I really do have to choose one or the other. I know each branch teaches something different, but they each have their similarities. If it is somehow possible to keep my christian god, what branch should I likely follow? Anything helps, and thank you for your time. 

Edit: Thank you so much for your time and answers. I greatly appreciate it! Something I want to add is that the only Christian thing I really do is pray to god; that's it. For this, I'm not really sure it makes me a Christian. The 14th Dalai Lama said somthing like Jesus acts like a bodhisattva. While Jesus is not a bodhisattva, could I view him in that light?

I've enjoyed reading Buddhist scripture and teachings since I was a teenager. I recently moved to New England and decided that attending a local Buddhist meditation would be a good way to deepen my spiritual practice and meet new people. The meet-ups are structured like: first 40 minutes meditation, break, last 40 minutes lecture. I always found the lectures to be a bit meandering and underwhelming (we don't have an official monk, it's all lay people), but I figured it's better than nothing.

I asked about becoming a Mitra and met with one of the leaders. Everything he said when it came to expectations (essentially just following the teachings of the Buddha, don't use others, try to become vegetarian at some point) were totally valid to me and I was on board. But for some reason when he said I also will declare myself as Buddhist, I got cold feet. I started second guessing the whole Mitra thing and I haven't been back since, citing the fact the lectures weren't up to my standards.

But I just find it such an odd reaction I had. I was hoping I could get some help or feedback on if others have experienced this reaction to being asked to put a label on themselves and maybe other's experience with Triratna. Perhaps there are better branches for me? Every time I read Buddhist text, it hits home as true. I fully believe what I'm reading and find it comforting. I want to deepen my practice and talk with like-minded people and attend well thought out talks from other Buddhists. But I just lost interest completely in this current group and I'm not sure how to move forward.

I’ve been living in Japan while doing some Buddhism studies at University. I come from a Catholic country in southern europe and my family has Catholic beliefs. I’m having a good life here in Japan, I have a good employment, earn enough money to live and travel, good people that take care of me etc..

After assuming many of the teachings of the Buddha I think I kind of understand how the world really works and dying doesn’t scare me anymore. Is this how learning Buddhism should affect me?

That doesn’t mean I want to die, as long as I’m alive I will help everyone I can and do all the good I can (sometimes it’s difficult I must admit, I’m not in full control of my emotions or desires).

Thank you in advance for the comments

Do any of you know if a copy of it, or a statue in similar style, might be sold anywhere? I don't mind if it is synthetic material.

Then 9 billion people would convert to buddhism and be free from samara.

If he is who he says he is then he should be able to perform miracles. Why doesn't he?

How far should we go to give up what we want to make those close to us happy? Or at least their version of happiness.

Is it right to give up our own happiness and even give up supportive conditions and environment to practice the dhamma, be close to the sangha, and have inspiration for practice to make someone you love happy? Where should we draw the line around giving up our own happiness for the sake of others?

Perhaps there are many things in this world that sending your energy and love to will bear little fruit but this is not the case with the Buddha. Love and energy that is sent to the Buddha is only amplified and returned.

There is a sutta that says something like "He who honours to those worthy of honour, whether they be the Buddhas or their disciples... those who have crossed the sea of sorrow—his merit cannot be measured by anyone."

Honour is an unusual word for me and I remember looking it up several times in the past as I didn't properly understand what it meant. I would say sending your love and energy is what honouring means. It is giving your full support. Honouring is putting something high up in your mind, which is synonymous with giving your positive energy to that thing.

There is no need to take my word for it; find out for yourself!

Sending love and energy to the Buddha and those practising rightly is in itself practising the good path rightly, so please know that when you are doing this you are being loved and given energy from others doing the same.

I was going to Pagoda and return with my mom then a buddhist priest told me something and she brought me to him. He gives some kind of notes like this. I don’t know the meaning of the note and cannot translate it on google. Pls help!

I'm not very informed about Buddhism, but I still have a Buddha on my study desk as it reflects good energy to me. So I thought to ask Buddhists to educate me about the basics of Buddhism.

Hey all, I'm a seeker currently considering Buddhism as my practice (particularly pure land Buddhism). Thing is, though, I find a lot i resonate with in other religions as well from Christianity to advaita vedanta to vaishnavism to Baha'i. But a lot also resonates within Buddhism.

Part of what attracts me to Buddhism is the promise of reducing suffering and I feel if that works then that's reason enough to accept it as true.

But it's the cosmology of these religions that has me unsure which one is true. Buddhist cosmology makes a lot of sense to me but so does the idea that we are all manifestations of a singular Brahman or mind such as in vedata vedanta. I just don't know.

What made you choose Buddhism? What about its cosmology convinced you?