Skip to content

Connections: Religion & Spirituality

Ming Zhen Shakya in her essay “Connections” touches on the difference between the lower rungs of religion and the ecstatic pitch of spirituality. A helpful distinction for those on the path. You’ll be surprised by what she shares with us.

Sangha News

Dear Friends of the Order,
Please read the announcement of the changes at ZATMA.
Thank you.

Mirror, Mirror: The Riddle of Self Reflection, The Seeker

What comes out of your mouth matters! Whether you lie or exaggerate, whether your words are venomous or sweet. How you speak and what you say is a reflection of your spiritual state. And it doesn’t matter what you’re talking about….your words show you where you are on the path.

On Being a Master: Sinking into the Mud

When discussing what a “master” is or can be in our tradition with Yao Xiang Shakya, in preparation before her Master Transmission, she said “I feel being a master is sinking further into the mud so the lotus may rise higher”. 

Heaven and Hell

Ming Zhen Shakya gave this Dharma talk on heaven and hell in 1996…..over 20 years ago. It stands the test of time.

Opowieść 31 – Człowiek, który zdołał pozostać.

Przypowieść o tym jak czasami można starać się „za bardzo” i przez to usztywnić się oraz zablokować swobodny przebieg sytuacji. Dowiemy się z niej jak – nieco się tylko rozluźniając i nabierając trochę pokory – możemy bez większego wysiłku odnaleźć harmonię i właściwy sens okoliczności.

Dharma Up Close: An Approach to Study

As a Dharma heir to Ming Zhen Shakya I feel it is imperative of me to share her work with others. Since she is no longer with us in body and mind making her unavailable to speak with you I thought it might be helpful to offer some comments on how to read and listen and sit under the golden waterfall of her offerings. This essay is a brief, very brief approach on one way to soak in Ming Zhen’s Dharma offering. May the Dharma bless you as it has me and many, many others.

The Good Fortune of the Contemplative Path

Many might well question, as some often do, the solitary life….a life that directs itself towards the heights of Nirvana….in a singular way….towards the emptiness of not needing anything in particular….