five precepts

Stay in touch with the good

As human beings, we are psychologically porous. We're open to influences from outside ourselves, including others' words and actions. That's…

April 25, 2025

The puzzle of “skillful” and “unskillful” as ethical terms

One of the things that struck me as odd when I first encountered the Buddha’s teachings was the terms he…

December 8, 2023

The realm of giving and generosity

The specific meaning of “dana” is giving, which is related to the quality of “caga” (in Pali), or generosity. The…

March 6, 2015

Mentorship and meetings

It has been one year since the first edition of "Eight Step Recovery" was launched, and Eight Step Recovery meetings…

February 2, 2015

Becoming a vegan again: Day 1

I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years now, ever since I visited a slaughterhouse as part of my veterinary…

January 18, 2013

Karma confusion in Malaysia

Karma is one of the most misunderstood Buddhist teachings, even among Buddhists. For example, a number of medical students in…

October 8, 2012

Meditation or Drugs: The Downside of Cannabis

New research shows that teenage cannabis use causes lasting damage. As well as the physiological damage, Buddhism suggests that drugs…

August 31, 2012

The Fourth Truth: There is a path that leads us away from suffering

I used to be confused about why the third truth came before the fourth. And I realize now that if…

July 2, 2012

When murderers meditate…

I wonder what kind of "meditation" Anders Breivik -- who shot 69 people on an island in Norway last year,…

April 22, 2012

Waking up to the truth

A new monthly blog first Monday of the month by Vimalasara Aka Valerie Mason-John My Ego When I came to…

February 6, 2012