The Rowdy Buddhist Podcast

I am sharing with everyone the miraculous tales of the Lotus Sutra from ancient Japan which is actually a commonly reference book in ancient commentary and teachings. I think that it is essential for us to understand these stories that many of our founders of the Buddhist traditions of Japan would have
read to understand better the context of their teachings.

This is a very useful meditation in order to use the experience of pain in a beneficial way towards our goal of enlightenment. Also this allows us to transform that which we may consider negative into a positive awareness in our life.

This is a narrated body scan meditation for you to become aware of the elements connected to your body, moving your awareness to points of tension, and relaxing them. This is a very basic practice that is used for one to become aware of one's body during meditation or chanting. That if we find a troublesome or difficult aspect we are able to change that point from frustration to gratitude.

This a lecture based on the life and teachings of Nisshin Shonin otherwise known as the Pot Wearing Saint.

In this episode we talk about following to the Buddha's feet and its meaning, history, and purpose. Two important concepts being, "holding the Buddha's feet in both of our hands" and making deep and sincere apologetic resolve for our past wrongdoings and misdeeds taking refuge in the Buddha.

This episode is the beginning of information on the lineage of the Enkoji Buddhist Network. We Begin of course with the founder of our tradition and some of the general history associated with him. I hope this allows us to understand the direction and energy of our particular style of Nichiren Buddhism.

In this episode we talk about this Noble truth about the end of suffering and it's meaning. Being that is usually overlooked or not deeply cultivated we realize the importance of this statement by the Buddha.

Here we examine the causes of suffering as the Buddha teaches is about craving and the root of ignorance.

This is a podcast on the 1st of the four noble truths of Buddhism. Many times this teaching is misunderstood in a very simplistic sense. I hope to provide context as well as understanding for the Mahayana practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.

This is a lecture about how we as Buddhists use the teachings and formula of the sutras to shape our path in life. It seems as if many modern people shape the path to their desires rather than towards the path of liberation.

You're probably heard this term many times and simply overlooked at us as a title of the Buddha. In this podcast I share with you how we as Buddhist should understand and study more deeply each of the meaning of these words in their original form. This will allow us to better define and follow the path of the Buddha in our daily lives.

Haven't you ever wondered why, since you practice the Lotus Sutra that you might encounter both outside and inside of your Sangha, those who wish to destroy both you and your practice. How does this make sense in reality, that we uphold the teachings of the Buddha to save others, but are in turn hated and persecuted? This is a lesson as to why and what it means...

In this episode we talk about the four foundations of mindfulness and I give a very brief explanation of working through each of them as we move forward towards our goal of Awakening proper insight into the reality of things "as it is"!

This section is a response to a typical question received by those who begin practicing Nichiren Buddhism. I wanted to just share some insight as to my own experience and what I have shared with others.

This lecture is based on information from the Nirvana Sutra. We talk about the classification of the aspects of a good character. They are based on the five moral precepts of not taking life, not taking what is not given, engaging in improper sexual activity, using false speech, and ingesting intoxicants. Then the additional aspects are refraining from slandering, using harsh speech, using intentionally affected speech, greed, anger, and holding right views.

This is a wonderful teaching that was shared to me from one of my Buddhist Brothers in understanding the difference between a practitioner of Buddhism and someone who uses Buddhism for their own means. This is demonstrated by what they accept in their life and what they challenge.

As we can see compassion is one of the major virtues of Buddhist practice. It is important to understand how we receive situations from others and what we give to others in each moment. This teaching allows us to understand the give and take of our lives and what is our ultimate goal of practice and study.

This episode is a discussion on some history and background of these two vehicles of Buddhism. Also we prepared to see how the Lotus Sutra and other sutures relate to each other, as a precedent for the five periods categorization of Grand Master Tien Tai.

In this segment we talk about the three poisons of Buddhism and their antidotes. We talk in depth as to the small and big concepts in our life that we can apply this teaching to and how I can lead us to deeper faith.

In this podcast we discussed the concept of filial piety of respecting one's parents and ancestors. It is my hope that we are able to delve into its origins both within Confucianism and Buddhism. This is an essential concept to change our karma and to influence positive change throughout the world by ending samsara.

In this podcast, I will share the concept of defending the Dharma, from the Nirvana Sutra. Also we discuss the context of the modern phenomenon of the independent Buddhist movement and what the Buddha directs us to understand. These are two very important aspects, that I believe this podcast will give us some clarity on.

In this episode, I would like to share with you some Buddhist traditions and practices that we can incorporate into our daily life that will be able to support our practice and life in a more healthy direction. As one of the important aspects, that we must regulate in our lives, I would like to share with you some information concerning the basics of sleep practices that you can implement immediately.

This is a lecture concerning that in modern times, too much information can be just as bad as not enough information. I make this podcast to help my fellow practitioners on the path to realize this admonition. You may be accumulating too much information about Buddhism and missing the path completely as if you didn't have any direction.

This is simply an explanation about understanding the concept of how the "way of the correct law" is interacting with that of nature and as we see in many of Nichiren Shonin writings the cause of natural disasters. Here, I share the basic concept that was part of his culture, to help us better understand this.

In this podcast we go into the concept of this holiday, it's history, and how to observe it. In the practice of Buddhism we unite ourselves with the great nature. We become aware of how nature can also allow us to attain our goal of enlightenment. This holiday allows us to appreciate the light that we have received and how it is able to amplify that light in our lives.

During this segment we are talking about the concept of practicing Buddhism through thinking and emotional maturity. Many modern Buddhist practitioners simply get information and consider it Buddhist practice, but this is a great misunderstanding.

I made this segment because there is a large pitfall in modern interpretations of Buddhism. Actually, Buddhism in the west has been very heavily influenced by these Neo or Modern Buddhist teachings. It may be easy for modern people to believe, but it does not mean that it is providing us with the correct guidance of the Buddha. In this discussion, I share some examples and cautionary points to keep in mind, for our practice.

This episode is an explanation of the three stages of life. In this we can understand how we can be able to integrate our Buddha's practice and to be able to understand to accumulate the correct balance and equilibrium necessary for a study and practice. Through understanding these elements we can better understand our body and also be able to see what we need to accumulate and release at each aspect of our life so that we can have a correct meditation and practice. This is the way of ancient Buddhist culture.

In the section discuss the concept of 験 "gen" from shugen. Specifically this is the trial, verification, or testing of Buddhist practice through training and experimentation. This is the practical way for us, who have bought into the ideology of modern society as pain free, comfortable, and convenience civilization. Through this concept we can cultivate the teachings and generate the testimony of the ancestors.

This segment is a follow-up to the previous segment based on the three kinds of doubt. I wanted to add this segment separately so that one could understand the basic premise of the three kinds of doubt and then as Master Tien tai teaches the medicine or the remedy for these three types of doubt in our life.

In this podcast, I'm going to discuss the impediment of doubt within the practice of Buddhism. We are able to see that doubt obstructs are direct practice entertainment of concentration. Do you find yourself to doubt your body, your teacher, or the Dharma? In this segment we will talk about these aspects.

In this podcast I talk about how priorities and choices in life can be changed by ones Outlook and understanding of the Buddha Dharma. To change one's life, we must begin with the little things that we are yet not aware of, such as priority and choice. What it leads to and where we are going will be determined by these factors.

A wonderful teaching that further clarifies and awakens us to the great impact of causes and conditions around us. We are constantly being influenced by who we associate, what we eat, and what we think about. To have insight into this will support us on the path of the Buddha.

You may have heard me speak of Grandmaster tentai many times during my lectures. But you may also be asking, what did he create, what did he teach, why does he have such a great connection with Nichiren Buddhism? I hope through this recording that we are able to explain some of that information and give you the background of Grand Master Tien-Tai.

In this podcast, I wanted to share some insight about how we look at the spiritual elements through Western eyes. Through my practice, I have seen that there is another dimension of understanding these concepts.

This is something that we as Western modern Buddhists need to study and learn about. What did Nichiren Shonin mean by "Zen Devils" with mistaken views. Where did he get this idea? Here I offer some context for these statements.

Recently, I had to honor to hold a Tokudo ceremony for my student to enter the path of becoming a novice priest. I gave him a new Dharma name (HoMyo) to him. This episode, explains what that means

This is the most fundamental question that every practitioner should ask themselves everyday! Kihon or fundamentals are the foundation of our lives.

We look into the Wisdom of Nichiren Shonin's understanding of the power and purpose of the Odaimoku in the Age of the Declining Dharma.

This is going to be a shocker for many people who perhaps have a wrong view of what Buddhism will teach us. Only listen if you dare to challenge your idea of the purpose of Buddhist practice.

Join us for chanting the Odaimoku (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo).

In this episode, we finish our series with the eighth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path series, with a lecture on Right Concentration. In modern times this word concentration is everywhere, but what makes the Buddha's attainment so special?

In this episode we will cover "Right Mindfulness." The seventh of the Eightfold Path. With this word being thrown around everywhere, it is important as a Buddhist practitioner to understand its meaning as to your practice.

In this lecture, I will share the concept of Shu-Ha-Ri. These are the 3 phases in one learns anything and allows one to become innovative. It is important to understand this in anything that we wish to inculcate into our body...

This is the second part of "Right Effort." Where we examine more in-depth Unwholesome and Wholesome States of Mind through the "Five Impediments" and the "Seven Components of Awakening!"

This is the first part of the Noble Eightfold Path "Right Effort." Here we discuss the practical application through the "Four Mental States" that allow us to cultivate our "Right Effort."

A example of bringing experiential practice to our daily study and practice. Challenging preconceived and irrational concepts to bring a balanced nature that is conducive to tranquility.

This the the "Right Livelihood" of "Noble Eightfold Path." What type of job should we have as a student of the Buddha and Nichiren Shonin.

This is the concept of "Right Action" of the Noble Eightfold Path.

This is the third of the 8 Fold Noble Truth. In it I explain the 4 aspects and how to understand each one. This is a powerful aspect to influence and change one's direction in life.

In this podcast, I will be lecturing concerning the concept of Right Intention found in the noble Eightfold Path. With Gassho...

This is the beginning of a new series on the Eight-Fold Path. First we begin with the Right View. I hope that you will join us for this new series.

This lecture is to give you a little more insight into Master Tien Tai's concept of the three-fold Buddha nature and Nichiren Shonins understanding and implementation of this concept.

In this we discuss the "Three Aspects of Buddha-nature" as taught by Master Tien Tai and practice by Nichiren Shonin.

The true mind of the Lotus Sutra and the vow of the Eternal Buddha.

This is a lecture on a deeper understanding of the Six paramita in our lives.

This is a lecture of the importance of Self-Training stemming from true Gratitude...

This is the last section of the Six Paramitas. Sorry, at 11:28 my phone rang, just so that you are not startled.

This is the 5th Paramita of Mahayana Buddhism... True concentration and insight...

Today we lecture on the teaching of the 4th Paramita of "ceaseless effort" which includes energy, Vigor, endurance, diligence and enthusiasm.

Patience the practice if Jofukyo Bodhisattva.

In this segment, I discuss the second Paramita of Discipline.

In this episode, we share the concept of the Six Paramitas in continuation of the guide and student concept introduced in the last segment. In this particular segment we introduce Dana (generosity) the first of the six Perfections.

This is a follow-up to our last segment...

What is it and why? Is it necessary, can't I do it on my own.

In this episode I share the misunderstandings that have been promoted in the modern marketing of Buddhism. It may surprise you to know that emptiness is not the true goal or simply feeling positive and mellow.

At this time such a life challenge can bring about the correct mindset towards change from ego to heart. Don't waste the opportunity...

A new awakening to Buddhist practice. Come join me and change your life!

This is a short episode on False Speech.

This is the third precept of "Sexual Misconduct".

The first and second precepts in the building blocks of correct meditation.

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Preparatory practices for correct concentration and insight.

As in the previous lecture I spoke on the most important question that is needed to practice. Now, I speak on the inspiration that is needed to sustain a practice.

This is a lecture on the most important aspect needed to study a spiritual path.

The human concept of empathy and shame. With Gassho...

This is concerning the essence of Practice that is found in many of the different paths such as Tea Ceremony or the Martial Arts. This is known as experiencing "The Fragrance of the Lotus."