WHEN I READ Dr. Ames's able and stimulating article,"Zen and Pragmatism,"(1) I regretted that I had not made my points clear enough in my Zen articles, but at the same time I was thankful for having incited him to prepare such an illuminating paper. I realize that I make many inconsistent statements in my presentation of Zen, which unfortunately cause my readers some trouble in understanding Zen, In the following I will try to give--in brief-as much light as I can on my views so far made public. The one most-needed point in coming. around to the Zen way of viewing reality is that, negatively stated, Zen is where we cannot go any further in our ordinary way of reasoning, and that, positively, Zen is "pure subjectivity." "Pure subjectivity" requites a great deal of explanation, but I must be brief here.

In the fall of 1996 issue of the Buddhist magazine Tricycle, various teachers of Buddhist meditation practice commented on the value of psychedelic experiences, with opinions of them ranging from helpful to harmful. Here, the author hopes to explain these conflicting viewpoints by describing important aspects of employing psychedelics that must be taken into account for effective results. These embrace proper methodology, which includes set and setting, dose levels, appropriate substances, appropriate intervals, and proper integration of each experience.

Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh (known as Thay in his circles) made a rare visit to the Googleplex to lead a half-day Health@Google workshop in the fundamentals of mindfulness. The exercises and rituals of mindfulness lay the path to optimal health and happiness.Thay may be the second most famous Buddhist monk in the world, right after the Dalai Lama. He is certainly one of the best known and most respected Zen Masters in the world. Thay is a best-selling author, poet, and peace activist who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. He is a key pioneer in actively applying insights from meditation to solving real-world social, political and environmental problems. Thay most recently published Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life, with Harvard School of Public Health nutritionist Dr. Lilian Cheung. At 85, he's touring North America before retiring to his monastery in France.Life at Google is fast, furious and fun, yet it can take a toll on ourselves and our loved ones. Through Thay's specially crafted workshop, you'll learn how to reduce stress, eat for health, sleep better, find emotional stability, improve concentration and sustain optimal performance.--Chade-Meng Tan

This film investigates the variety of stories surrounding the New Testament account of the crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, by interviewing historians, theologians and historical researchers. This exploration of the latest theories about what really happened to Jesus 2000 years ago uncovers some surprising possibilities…

American interest in Zen Buddhism is growing. This response to an Oriental outlook must answer to a need. Some people seem to feel that here is the whole answer to what ails the West. There is no hiding the fact that Western civilization, and the United States in particular, confronts not only problems which its science can cope with but also troubles for which more than science is required. There is "more" in the traditional religion and philosophy of the West, but this heritage must be reinterpreted to be adequate now. Wisdom cannot be simply hoarded and inherited. It must ever be sought afresh, with new impetus. Today wise men of the East are stimulating the Western mind, apparently by infusing it with something foreign, but perhaps more by awakening it to resources of its own.

The fundamental ability of a common person cannot see into his/her previous or future lives. Only the upper-level meditation practitioners, who are able to go deep into their own inner mind, who have attained many meditative stages, or who have acquired the divine celestial eye (s. Divyacaksus) and the divine transcendental knowledge (s. Purvanivasanusmrti), can see into their numerous previous and future lives.

First of all, please let me express my deepest thanks to the organisers of the 2m World Buddhist Forum especially the Most Ven. Yi Cheng President of the Buddhist Association of China, the Most Ven. Hsing Yun President of the Buddha's Life International Association, the Most Ven. Kok Kwong President of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, H.E.Mr.Ye Xiaowen Chairman of the China Religious Culture Communication Association, who have allowed me to participate in this prestigious conference.

Ajahn Brahm: This talk revolves around the second and third factors of the Noble Eightfold Path, namely the Intentions of Renunciation, Goodwill and Harmlessness - as well as the practising of Right Speech. Always pragmatic and practical, the Dhamma taught by the Buddha 2500 years ago, correlates perfectly with contemporary concepts of psychology: deluded and and ego-intoxicated, humans project their own fears and weaknesses onto others, rather than face these within themselves. This creates endless conflict and suffering. Loving kindness, gentleness, humility and frugality are the Buddha's antidote... ...

This paper gives an account of some of the major aspects of Buddhist psychology. The survey is confined to the texts of Early, or Theravada, Buddhism--that is, the canonical texts and their early Pali commentaries and related expository texts. The importance of psychological concepts in the philosophy and practice of Buddhism is highlighted. The problems inherent in the study of Buddhist psychology are discussed, including the problem of translation and interpretation. The paper then describes and analyzes several key Early Buddhist psychological notions including: basic drives that motivate behavior, perception and cognition, consciousness, personal development and enlightenment, meditation, and behavior change.

The journey of Buddhism from Japan to America is one not easily told in eight minutes. It is a story of Buddhism in flux. Within Japan one hundred years ago, Buddhism was undergoing great changes in the face of declining state support and the onslaught of modern and western views on religion.