March 2025, Issue 99

Editorial

Sangha: Nurturing Community

In a world often defined by isolation, Sangha offers a powerful antidote—a community that nurtures both the individual and the collective. Rooted in ancient India, Sangha traditionally refers to a group united by a shared purpose, especially in spiritual practice. In Buddhism, it denotes a community of practitioners committed to mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom, and extends beyond religion as a universal model for meaningful connection.

At its heart, Sangha recognises that individual well-being is intertwined with the community’s well-being. It fosters an environment where people thrive not through competition but by uplifting each other. In today’s fragmented society, Sangha provides a supportive space for individuals to feel seen and valued.

By promoting mutual responsibility, kindness, and generosity, Sangha challenges individualism. It nurtures collaboration, inclusion, and collective growth, showing that our greatest potential is realised through deep, meaningful connections.

Ekai Korematsu

Editor

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December 2024, Issue 98

Editorial

Prajna and Socratic Wisdom: A Convergence of Insight.

The wisdom of Buddhism and Socratic philosophy converge in their pursuit of truth and self-awareness. Prajna, often translated as ‘wisdom’, transcends mere knowledge, inviting practitioners to recognise the interdependence of all phenomena and the impermanence of self.

Socrates, through relentless questioning, encourages us to examine our beliefs. His dictum, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living’, echoes the Buddhist call for introspection, emphasising the importance of understanding our own minds.

Prajna fosters deeper awareness that leads to compassion and liberation from suffering, while Socratic wisdom urges us to confront our ignorance, promoting humility and growth.

Both Prajna and Socratic wisdom highlight the significance of critical inquiry in spiritual practice. As the Buddha urged us to ‘be a lamp unto yourselves’, Socrates implores us to seek truth through questioning, guiding us toward a mindful and authentic life enriched by awareness and compassion.

Ekai Korematsu

Editor

Read this Myoju (file on Google Drive)

September 2024, Issue 97

Editorial

Pursuit of the Truth: Right understanding

In Zen Buddhism, understanding transcends mere intellectual comprehension; it embodies

a direct, experiential realisation of truth.

Rooted in mindfulness and meditation, Zen teaches that true understanding arises from deep within, beyond words and concepts. It emphasises direct experience over theoretical knowledge, guiding practitioners to perceive reality as it is, unclouded by personal biases.

This journey toward understanding is marked by koans—paradoxical questions meant to provoke insight into truth—and rigorous practice through Zazen meditation under the guidance of a master.

Ultimately, Zen’s approach fosters clarity, compassion, and a profound sense of interconnectedness with all existence—an invaluable perspective in our complex and often turbulent world.

Ekai Korematsu

Editor

Read this Myoju (file on Google Drive)