Dharma Calendar - Japanese Buddhism Practice Dates
Choose a calendar view by tradition by clicking buttons. Hover over any event in calendar for more detail. Click for full information. Next 3 Events in right column. Current lunar phase in footer.
Days of the Week
Time of Day
Venues
Month
Week
Day
SunSMonMTueTWedWThuTFriFSatS
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
All-day
24th Lunar: Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva Jizō Bosatsu Monthly Day
6
7
8
9
10
All-day
KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA's ANNUAL BIRTHDAY (30th Day of 7th Month) NOTE: in 2026, 7th month only has 29 days
11
All-day
KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA's ANNUAL BIRTHDAY (30th Day of 7th Month) NOTE: in 2026, 7th month only has 29 days
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
Lunar Current
Current Lunar Phase
Waning Gibbous
Calculated locally by Celestial Web Development for 2026-09-01. Times use America/Toronto. Dawn/Dusk are astronomical twilight. Results may vary from other services due to calculation and horizon assumptions.
Chan Buddhism – the “Flower Sermon” and the profound roots of Chan or Zen — the open hearted path
To understand the origins of Chan or Zen Buddhism, we have to go back to the “Flower Sermon.” This sermon, given by the Buddha himself, is at the heart of Chan — also known as Zen in Japan or Seon in Korea. In the Flower Sermon, the Buddha gathered his disciples together for a talk […]
Zazen is “good for nothing” — the journey to Enlightenment starts with “just sitting” — and it’s good for your health, stress or anxiety (studies)
Zazen is a type of meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism, and first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as an insight practice — and it’s good for nothing! Just sit. That is all. Don’t get us wrong, it’s good for you, for your mind, your health, your stress. But — the goal of Zazen is […]
Dogen, Satori, and the personal experience of enlightenment in Soto Zen: impermanence, emptiness, Zazen and “Being Time”
Soto Zen is virtually synonymous with Zazen and Mindfulness — especially uji (有時) translated as “Being Time.” [For more on “Uji” see section below.] Soto Zen is a far-reaching, profound, and ancient path — with a particular focus on “Time Being” (mindfulness) and Zazen. In Buddhism, there as are many traditions as there are human […]
Bodhidharma – The Life of the legendary Da Mo, founder of Shaolin: an epic journey from India to China
There is no debate that Bodhidharma is an inspiring and towering presence in Mahayana Buddhism and the mystery of Shaolin. The life of the legendary monk Bodhidharma does have many facets that are subject to debate; based on truth, perhaps, but not necessarily literally provable. Not on the list of “debatable” would be the fact […]
Buddhism has Nothing to do with Nihilism and everything to do with Experiencing; Why “Emptiness” and “Nothingness” are poor translations of Shunyata
Emptiness, Nothingness or Voidness, as English translations for Shunyata are unfortunate — and entirely misleading. To paraphrase the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: “Emptiness means empty of self — but in the fullness of everything else… it is because of emptiness everything is possible.” Rather than “Emptiness”, a better English translation might be […]
Visualization Activates the Mind; Mindfulness Stills the Mind — Which is Right for Your Buddhist Practice?
The great Lama Yeshe said: “Our problem is that inside us there is a mind going, ‘Impossible, impossible, impossible. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t’ … Human beings have great potential; they can do anything. The power of the mind is limitless.” To subdue this “I can’t” mind, many Buddhists — and non-Buddhists […]
Thich Nhat Hanh’s Literary Legacy Celebrated with Charitable Bundle of ebooks: No Mud, No Lotus excerpt
Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, teachings and books have been a comfort and refuge for many Buddhists around the world. The great teacher’s wisdom and compassion live on in his many books. Now, Parallax Press, a non-profit publisher founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1986, is celebrating his great legacy with an ebook bundle tribute to […]
The Great Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh passed away at age 95 — his message of peace shook the world.
The great teacher, Bodhisattva and scholar, Thich Nhat Hanh — who shook the world with his message of peace — has passed away at 95, “at his home in the Tu Hieu Temple in Hue, Vietnam”, announced by Plum Village. “The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism announces that our beloved teacher Thich Nhat […]
‘Outside Tradition and Scripture’ – Zen Buddhism: “If you meet the Buddha, kill him.”
Zen holds a special place in the heart and mind for many, perhaps because it is “seemingly” singular in its simplicity and elegance. From single-pointed zazen mindfulness — facing a blank wall — to mysterious cyphers called Koans — “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” — Zen pursues the same Bodhisattva goal as […]
The Foundation Practice of Prostrations: Humble Bow, a Method to Connect with Buddha Nature; the Psychology of Buddhist Prostrations
Psychologically, in modern times, we resist the concept of the bow or prostration. It is considered demeaning. Even the very idea of “bowing” causes our pride to flare up. This is, in fact, its main purpose, at least as a foundation practice in Buddhism. To humble our pride. To trample on our ego. This is […]
“Dharma in motion”: Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhist Tantra and Zen have as much in common with martial arts as religion?
Premise: Buddhism, Vajrayana Tantra and Zen have as much in common with martial arts as it does with religion. Second Premise: Martial arts skills are helpful to meditators and helps develop practice discipline.
Veneration Practice and Devotion According to the Ksitigarbha Sutra: Why Devotion is Not Superstition
Editor: In a special feature, author Eddie Sobenes explores The Sutra of the Fundamental Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, emphasizing the differences between the meritorious karma activity of “devotion” versus “superstition.” In the Chinese Buddhist Canon, there are three Ksitigarbha[1] Sutras. In this essay, I will discuss the one known as The Sutra of the Fundamental […]
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