In preparation for receiving the precepts next week, I’ve been writing about what each precept means to me. This is the fourth post in series of six about the Five Grave Precepts. You might want to read the introductory post if you haven’t already. “I will be conscious and loving in my relationships, I will …
Precept 2: I Vow Not to Steal, But to Respect the Things of Others
In preparation for receiving the precepts next week, I’ve been writing about what each precept means to me. This is the third post in series of six about the Five Grave Precepts. You might want to read the introductory post if you haven’t already. “I will respect the property of others, I will not steal.” …
Precept 1: I Vow Not to Kill, But to Cherish All Life
In preparation for receiving the precepts next week, I’ve been writing about what each precept means to me. This is the second post in series of six about the Five Grave Precepts. You might want to read the introductory post if you haven’t already. “I will be mindful and reverential with all life, I will …
Writing About the Precepts
In about a week and a half, I’ll receive the Five Precepts from my teachers (I wrote about asking to take the precepts in an earlier post). The precepts are given as part of a formal ceremony in front of the whole sangha and are an essential part of Buddhist practice, for lay followers and …
Returning to Full-Time Employment
When I started freelancing over two years ago, I was very excited about my ability to do so. I looked forward to choosing my own work hours, working from wherever I wanted and for whomever I wanted. I envisioned that I’d enjoy the wide variety of tasks required for freelancing: business development, managing client relationships, …
On the Continuous Use of Contraceptives
I take contraception and have been doing so for several years now (since I was 18). I take contraception for two reasons: 1) I do not currently desire to become pregnant, so I do not wish to be actively fertile, and 2) I wish to suppress my menstrual cycle. In fact, I’ve been using oral …
Working with the Five Rememberances
Over the last several months, I’ve been dealing with persistent illness. What started as a bad cold in early March evolved into bronchitis and then a severe sinus infection. Finally, after two rounds of antibiotics along with a consistent regiment of medication to manage post-nasal drip, I’m starting to feel more like myself. I have …
Vegan is More than a Strange Diet: An Open Letter to My (Buddhist) Community and Beyond
I recently attended a fundraising dinner for the Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple, which will become my Buddhist community’s downtown center. We currently offer a program in Portland in a space we rent from another Zen group. We have grown sufficiently over the last couple of years such that it’s time to purchase a building …