Mrs. Hanamoku and I attended the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple's Obon Celebration for 2019 yesterday afternoon. It's one of the highlights of the year for us because we can eat a wonderful bento - as good was what we're used having grown up in Hawaii. OK, OK ... I confess. I had two of these in … Continue reading Obon at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple
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Magic Plant Season 2019
This morning Mrs. Hanamoku discovered that the first Magic Plant Flower of 2019 bloomed! We've had Magic Plant since March 2005. It has provided us with these incredible blooms every Spring. Mrs. Hanamoku and I found Magic Plant back in 2005 when we lived in Redwood City, CA. We found Magic Plant on a walk, … Continue reading Magic Plant Season 2019
When is the Lunar Bodhi Day for 2019?
Today is Chinese New Year! The Lunar New Year. So I thought I'd mention the date of the next Lunar Bodhi Day. The Lunar Bodhi day for 2019 is January 2, 2020. That is, the 8th day of the 12th New Moon of the lunar year that comprises most of 2019, which begins today, February … Continue reading When is the Lunar Bodhi Day for 2019?
Simple
Buddhism is simply about simplicity. Even though much of what is written about Buddhism can be frustratingly hard to digest, it's shear simplicity. It's hard only because our mind lives in the realm of competing things. The fewer things you seek, the freer you are - fewer gotchas, roadblocks, and engineering of convoluted compromises no … Continue reading Simple
Lunar Bodhi Season 2018!
Happy Bodhi 4715!!! Today begins the Lunar Bodhi Season for 2018! That is, it begins seven days of meditation that ends the morning of the eighth day, Sunday, January 13, 2019, Bodhi Day. But Isn't it 2019? It's the 12th New Moon starting from the Chinese New Year - a lunar calendar - back on … Continue reading Lunar Bodhi Season 2018!
Buddha Christmas Cookie 2018
Hello Everyone, Here is my Buddha Christmas cookie for 2018: The intricate triangular design towards the bottom of the Buddha above is my not-so-good attempt at a Fano Plane. It's a neat structure with seven points - very symbolic of the seven days of meditation. Just above the 2018 is Venus. I think I at … Continue reading Buddha Christmas Cookie 2018
Bodhi Day 2018!
Happy Bodhi Day, everyone!! First off, if you've only heard about Bodhi Day now - because today is Bodhi Day (December 8, 2018) - please see this blog that explains what is Bodhi Day. If Bodhi Day sounds interesting after reading that post, skip towards the end of this post to the Bodhi Day Mulligan … Continue reading Bodhi Day 2018!
Day 7: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Bodhi Day Eve
The living room of the cabin we're staying at for Bodhi Day faces right into where Venus rose this morning. It was a clear morning, and there She was. I sat on the couch at about 5am with my mala, reciting the Morning Star Mantra, once for each of the 112 beads: Nobo akyasha kyarabaya … Continue reading Day 7: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Bodhi Day Eve
Day 6: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Trip to Our Bodhi Day Place
We arrived at our Bodhi Day place mid-afternoon today. It's very wintry, cold, and there's much snow. But sunny weather is forecast for Friday and partly cloudy for Bodhi Day on Saturday. Our place has a wonderfully wide open Eastern view, so if it's not cloudy, we should have a great view of Venus in … Continue reading Day 6: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Trip to Our Bodhi Day Place
Day 5: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Traditions
Let's take a little breather from the depth of Bodhi Season Mindfulness with a little fluff piece. We'll take a little bit of time to think about prepping for the Bodhi Day Celebration in three days. Before continuing, if you have no idea what Bodhi Day is, please read this blog, Bodhi Day. Much of … Continue reading Day 5: Secular Bodhi Season 2018 – Traditions
Bodhi Day 