Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

The Five-Minute Buddhist Returns

The Five-Minute Buddhist Returns

Apply Buddhist Principles to Your Life

 

ISBN: 1507601573

ISBN-13: 978-1507601570

 

Buy now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords or Apple

A jargon-free, plain-language introduction to the foundational ideas of Buddhism and real-world tips for practicing Buddhism while balancing life in the real, modern world.

This follow-up to the immensely-popular “Five-Minute Buddhist” continues the tradition of easily-understood application of Buddhist principles and ideas to your everyday life.

After a brief “Buddhism Refresher,” this book presents approximately 150 short topics, mostly reader-submitted questions and answers. How do you use Buddhism in your life? Find out how we do it in short, five-minute chunks

Announcements, Daily Buddhism, Meditation

The Five-Minute Buddhist Meditates: Getting Started in Meditation the Simple Way

Hey guys, just q quick note to let you know the new book is out. If you enjoyed “The Five-Minute Buddhist,” then this one takes up right where the other left off. If you noted that the first book didn’t get into meditation too heavily, it’s because I thought the subject was a little too big for that one. 

It’s available for the Kindle immediately, with Nook and Paperback being available early next week.

 

The Five-Minute Buddhist Meditates: Getting Started in Meditation the Simple Way

By Brian Schell, October 2013

ISBN-13: 9781493571765
Publication date: 10/24/2013
Pages: 74

Amazon Link: http://t.co/PMGcU6T6PF

A jargon-free, plain language introduction to the basic concepts and styles of meditation and real-world applications. There’s no mystical mumbo-jumbo involved, just useful tips that will help you incorporate short, easy-to-follow meditation sessions into your daily life.

We’ll cover Buddhist-inspired meditation methods, such as Watching the Breath, Conceptual meditation, and Loving-Kindness meditations, as well as an overview of many other forms.

This book can be used as a companion book to the original Five-Minute Buddhist or read as a standalone book. No previous knowledge is required.

Chapter List:

1 Introduction/Foreword
2 Why Meditate?
3 Types of Mediation
4 First Steps
5 All That Buddhist Stuff
6 Next Steps
7 Involving Meditation in Your Life
8 Further Steps
9 Conclusion
10 Resources and Links

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

Saturday Status

Hello everyone!

Back in the old days, I’d post the weekly podcast on Saturdays, including any announcements or status reports that came up that week. Well, as you know, I’m not currently doing the podcasts anymore (although I’m reconsidering). Still, I’m going to do the occasional Saturday post of announcements or miscellaneous topics. That’s what this is.

The Site:

The Daily Buddhism has been back for three weeks, and everything is going well on this end. As I said back in my “Returning” post, I have quite the backlog of reader questions, but they’re starting to get thin. I need your requests and questions… What do you readers want to see here?

Podcasts:

I am considering bringing back the weekly podcasts, but I need something to work with… Let me know.

Book(s):

The Five-Minute Buddhist has been selling well, and has surprised me in its popularity. For a first book, it’s really taking off. You can find it in paperback format here or Kindle format here. I’m working on getting it listed though iBooks and a few other places as well. I have already started on the sequel, focusing entirely on the topic of meditation, and consisting of 100% new material. It should be available in the spring.

Mailing List/Updates

Up until my long break, I posted my daily posts on the blog and also sent them out to a long list of mailing list subscribers. You could get “A daily dose of Buddhist wisdom in your email box” After a few years of inactivity, I assumed it would be inappropriate to start sending out emails to such an old mailing list, so I deactivated it. The daily posts ARE still available by email, but you’ll need to sign up for them again on the blog. Look in the upper right-hand corner of the sight and sign up. It’s free and you’ll only get one message a day.

Another Site:

I’m also working on another site which may be of interest to you. Free Stuff Bulletin is a daily blog post/newsletter about free stuff. Really free stuff, I promise. No bait-and-switch, no catch, no strings. You may not be interested in every item every day, but there’s plenty of good stuff for everyone. We’ve had everything from free cookies to free pipe tobacco (on Monday), so watch the site. Here’s the contact info:

http://freestuffbulletin.com
https://twitter.com/Free_Stuff_Bltn


Daily Buddhism Contact:

Email: dailybuddhism@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DailyBuddhism

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

Book: The Five-Minute Buddhist by Brian Schell

Book:

The Five-Minute Buddhist
by Brian Schell

Buy for Kindle from Amazon

Buy Paperback from Amazon

The_Five-Minute_Budd_Cover_for_Kindle

A jargon-free, plain language introduction to the foundational ideas of Buddhism and real-world tips for practicing Buddhism while balancing life in the real, modern world. This book goes easy on the mystical mumbo-jumbo and simply introduces the ideas that will help you live in the present and feel different about the world and your place in it.

Geared towards people who were raised outside of Asia and people with a secular or Christian background who want to learn more of the philosophy that can change your life. This toolkit gives short lessons in what Buddhism is, and more importantly, how to apply it in situations with which you are already very familiar.

Section I: The Basics

What is Buddhism?
Who was Buddha?
What Buddhists Don’t Believe
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Five Precepts
Five Faultless Gifts
Three Poisons
Theravada & Mahayana
Pure Land
Tantric Buddhism / Vajrayana
Tibetan Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Buddhist Symbology
Lotus
Conch
Parasol
Golden Fish
Treasure Vase
Victory Banner
Endless Knot
Dharma Wheel
Buddha Jokes

Section II: Q&A And Special Topics

Vegetarianism
Beginner’s Advice
Global Suffering
Souls, Karma and Moving On
Disappointment
Buddhist Movies
Zen Enough?
The Three Jewels include the Sangha
Self-Help Buddhism
Koan: A Diamond In The Road
Suicide?
What are Stupas?
Yama & Naraka: Death and Hell
Mara The Tempter
Bodhisattvas
Book Review: The Universe in a Single Atom by the Dalai Lama
Koan: Is That So?
Creation and Evolution
The Other Precepts
Koan: Obedience
Mandalas
Namaste!
No-Self
Dependent Origination
So You Want To Be A Buddhist?
Buddhist Weddings
Dealing with the Family
Book Review: The Accidental Buddhist
Faith or Not?
The Pesky Fifth Precept
Koan: Great Waves
Do Christians Have Karma?
Buddhist Jargon and Terminology
Buddhist Pet Food
The Karma of Performance Reviews
Controlling Karma
Book Review: Buddhist Scriptures, by Edward Conze, Ed.
Buddhist Service Obligations?
Koan: A Buddha
Koan: The Muddy Road
Meditation
Breath Watching & Insight Meditation
Empty Mind Meditation
Walking Meditation and Kinhin
Mindfulness Meditation
Mantra Meditation
Conceptual Meditation
Other Forms of Meditation
The Forty Meditation Themes
Buddhist Rosary Beads
Book Review: Footprints in the Snow
Prayer in Buddhism
Fat Buddha, Skinny Buddha, Laughing Buddha
Zen Gardens
Maya
Pajapati / Mahapajapati
Kwan Yin
Koan: Not Far from Buddhahood
If You Meet the Buddha on The Road, Kill Him
Buddhism and Homosexuality
Book Review: The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination
To Meat or Not to Meat?
The Four Seals
The Four Immeasurables
Koan: The Strawberry
Koan: The Sound of One Hand
A Sensitive Topic: Masturbation
Buddhist Parenting and Discipline
I, Cannibal: Horror and Buddhism
Buddhist Temples
Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols?
Just Sitting or Just Goofing Off?
Rebirth, Death, Heaven and Nirvana
Am I Buddhist Enough?
War and Peace
Rebirth and Karma
Why Do Buddhists Fall In Love?
Koan: The Voice of Happiness
Hinduism and Buddhism
Does Nirvana Mean Death to Everything?
Compassion and Pity
How Can I Desire Enlightenment?
Stringing Us Along
Reincarnation, God, and Other Things You Don’t Believe
Creation and the Origin of the Universe
Closet Buddhism
Being In the Present
Koan: The Dead Man’s Answer
Learning Non-Materialism
Wishing Your Life Away
Attachment To Buddhism
Depression and Drugs
Koan: The Stingy Artist

 

Paperback Details

  • Paperback: 152 pages
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1481950975
  • ISBN-13: 978-1481950978
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

Kindle Product Details

      • File Size: 848 KB
      • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
      • Language: English
      • ASIN: B00B0G1QH4
      • Text-to-Speech: Enabled

 

 

 

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

Returning

3 Comments

A reader wrote (Back in 2010):

I listened to all 60 of your podcasts about a year ago and just recently started listening to the ones still available on itunes again. I feel I’ve learned more from your podcasts than any other website or book about buddhism. Is there any chance you would resume the dailybuddhism.com podcasts?

My response:

Yes and no.

It’s been four years since the site was really active, other than the occasional poster adding to the comment sections of many of the posts. As you may know, I revisited, re-read, and collected most of the old topics into my recent book, “The Five-Minute Buddhist” just recently. It really got me back in the mood and the mindset to return to things.

I had to give up writing for the site because of my job, and I’m still working, but I’ve been doing it long enough now that I think I can manage doing that and still find time to run a website or two, so I think it’s high time to get back to Daily Buddhism. I’m back!

That being said, there are a few things I’m going to do differently this time around.

First, I still get a request probably every week about bringing back the podcast. The podcast, to be honest, was one of the things that drove me away from the site before. I never much enjoyed making the recordings, audio editing, and all that stuff; I’m a writer, not a “radio personality.” So my answer is no, the podcast isn’t coming back. I won’t say never again, but I have no plans for it. All the old podcasts are still available on the site, and always will be.

I’m also not going to do the email list again, at least not right away. This one isn’t entirely my choice. I always liked getting the daily bits of Buddhism into people’s email boxes, but my mailing list is four years old. If I started sending stuff out now, I just know there’d be problems. Maybe I’ll start that from scratch sometime; let me know what you think.

Which leaves what? This website. I can still post articles and information here just like I always did, and the improvements in RSS technology over the past couple of years makes it easier for you to get the updates as I post them. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good place to restart.

Over the years since I stopped writing for the site, people have still been sending me emails with questions. I’ve answered most of them privately by email, but I’ve also saved them for eventual posting here. I’ve got material for close to a month, but after that, it’ll be up to you guys to submit new questions and topic requests. Wanna see me cover it? Let me know!

So get those questions coming in, and I’ll get on the answers.

as always, dailybuddhism@gmail.com

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

What Happens, Happens.

11 Comments

Question:

After having studied Buddhism for a while, I have come to some ideas about the philosophy and in particular its’ relation to morality. For westerners especially, Buddhism seems to be paradoxical and difficult to really categorize. I can accept that some things cannot be controlled, that man cannot directly choose his circumstances all the time. However, Buddhism, in particular Zen, which is influenced by Taoism has, throughout its’ teachings a kind of ‘whatever happens, happens’ kind of ideal. It seems to me that this could be fatalistic. If life is out of our control, then what about morality. If bad things just ‘ happen’ and chaos to order, order to chaos is inevitable, doesn’t that destroy our notion of choice? This can also create a kind of unclarity in one’s mind about what is right, what is wrong and can be used as an excuse for surrender to responsibility for one’s own life.

Answer:

My own chief complaint with Taoism is that it is seems passive in the extreme. Buddhism isn’t quite so passive, however. Yes, it teaches us to accept what comes by not grasping at expectations, but that’s not the same is being helpless to control ones own fate.

Bad things do sometimes just happen. So do good things. We need to learn to roll with the punches and deal with things as they happen. A great deal of suffering and unhappiness results from broken expectations and unpleasant surprises. Learn to see past all that.

This all relates to bad things that come from outside sources, not our own choice to do good or bad. If a truck runs off the road and drives through your house, is there anything you can do about that? No. Yet, if you continually hang around negative, discouraging, “toxic” people, is it likely that you will grow to take that point of view? Yes. You do have control over that sort of thing. You have control over who you call a friend. You have control over the food you eat. You have control over the words you speak and the choice of entertainment you enjoy. Most importantly, you have the choice and the control over your own actions, and this is where the Buddhist ideas of morality come into play. You do in fact have control over your thoughts and actions, and that’s really the only thing you do have control over.

We all need to learn the difference between the things you have control over and the things you do not, and focus your energies on changing the thngs we can. There’s an old prayer (not Buddhist) that goes like this:

“Lord, grant me patience to bear the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

A Heroic Resolution for the New Year

1 Comment

Once again, I wish each of you a Happy and Healthy New Year. I appreciate your readership over the past year, and this year, I hope to continue along the same path here at the Daily Buddhism. I don’t have any major changes planned; things should continue as they have been.

Yet, I want to do more.

I know my blogs, especially the Daily Buddhism, have been a real help to some people. Teaching the path of Buddhism relieves suffering for many of you, and it’s wonderful that I can help in that way. Still, I’d like to be doing something on a bigger scale, with people who really need help. How can I help reduce suffering in the world?

With my financial situation, anything involving money is out of the question, but one thing I do have is a large and growing number of readers and listeners. I want to use my blogging skills and listener/reader base to do some good for people who are doing good. I can ‚Äúgive‚Äù publicity to those who need it, and that’s exactly what I am going to do this year.

Take a look at http://www.herobulletin.com

There’s not much there yet, I only set up the site this past weekend. But as you can see, the plan is to feature individuals who are making a positive difference in the world. With any luck, as the site grows, some of those Heroes may gain new donors, or volunteers, or whatever it is they need.

Why am I telling you all this?

As Buddhists, it is our goal and our duty to relieve suffering in the world. This is my new project, but I would suggest each of you decide if there is something you can do to make the world a better place and help end suffering in some way, even if only in your own neighborhood or workplace. Meditation is nice, and an important part of Buddhism, but actions matter just as much.

If you know of someone who is already working hard to make a difference, nominate them to be featured on the new site. They deserve the recognition, and they’ll sure appreciate any support that flows their way. I can come up with a few starter Heroes to feature on the site, but I’m going to need names and suggestions fairly quickly.

Be a hero by nominating one today.

http://www.herobulletin.com

Sign up for the newsletter there if you would like to get updates by email. I don’t know the frequency of updates yet, but I doubt it will be more than one a day, certainly less in the beginning.

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

Being in the Present. Be Here Now.

Join us on our new Facebook Page! http://www.dailybuddhism.com/Facebook

Question:

I wonder if you can give me a pointer for following the path. My understanding is that we should be in the here and now as much as we can yet as a teacher I have to be aware of what I’ve taught so I can plan what I will teach next… this means I’m often not in the here and now… (I teach French and German at secondary school…)

Answer:

“Be here, now.” There is a lot to this simple phrase that goes way beyond planning for the future and remembering the past. There are two concepts important to this idea; time and place.

Time:

I don’t think ‚Äúbeing in the present‚Äù means you cannot think about the future or past. We all have to make plans and have certain expectations about the future, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Even monks, or abbots at least, have to make some kinds of plans, otherwise they couldn’t manage a monastery or organize any kind of dharma teachings. Actually, NOT planning for the future can cause no end to suffering; the current global economic crisis is proof of enough of that.

It’s fine to consider and plan for the future, just don’t get too attached to your plans. When situations change, be flexible, and adapt. Don’t get caught up in the plans, and don’t spend time worrying about them. As a teacher, you create lesson plans, possibly for weeks in advance. You also know that no matter how carefully you plan, things are going to come up that will derail your plan. You have to accept that in advance and take the surprises as they come. Don’t worry about changes and problems; expect them and deal with them as they arrive. Worry is a terrible distraction, and it’s unhealthy as well.
Place:

Place:

Are you present? Is your mind here, or is your mind elsewhere?

Whatever you are doing, be present and aware of it while you do the task. It’s more about your concentration than anything else. Being present means that you are focused on what you are doing. In your case, let’s say you are working on a lesson plan for next week. You’re thinking about next week, and that’s fine, you have to do that as part of the task. If, however, you are also thinking about the latest episode of American Idol, or what color to paint the house, or what you’re having for dinner, that’s not good. Your task at hand is making that lesson plan, and all the other ‚Äústuff‚Äù is a distraction.

Whatever you are doing in the present (time), be fully present (location), “Be here, Now.”

Basically it concerns focusing on the task at hand, thinking clearly and on one thing at a time without distracting thoughts. If you have twenty items that you are mentally dealing with at one time, you cannot be fully present. Clear your mind and whatever you do, pay attention to that and lose the distractions. Meditation is a big aid in mastering this, as you quickly learn to put aside distractions.

This idea also involves moving from moment to moment, taking each moment for what it is, not letting the past or future influence you in any way. This is another form of non-attachment.

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Announcements

Daily Buddhism’s Rebirth

Welcome to the Daily Buddhism.

The signup form is on the right-hand side of the page. Each day you will get some bit of Buddhist brilliance in your mailbox to start your morning (or afternoon).

Nothing fancy, nothing complex. Just some Eastern beauty to brighten your day and just maybe make you think.

Announcements, Daily Buddhism

Announcement

2 Comments

Announcement:

[Edited 8/5/08]

Effective as of today, I am removing the forums. There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of interest, but it is taking a great deal of time to moderate all the spam and “crank” messages being posted there. I may try another message forum at another time, but for now, just post comments and thoughts on the blog here.

Thanks for your support!

 

 

Due to many requests for more community and discussion, there is now a message forum for my various podcasts and email subscription lists.

http://www.thearcaneum.com

is now the “official” forum for the Daily Buddhism, Tao of the Day, Arcane Tales, and lots of other fun talk and discussion.

While I always answer emails directed at me, by posting a question or comment on the message board, anyone can answer or comment on it. This will allow for a wide variety of responses and ideas.

You will need to register for the message forum, but it’s free and fully automated, you can sign up and start posting immediately.