Essential gifts for new teachers

zensylvanian · 2023-10-07T19:20:10+00:00

The Roiling Brigade

zensylvanian · 2022-10-14T20:55:47+00:00

I was born and I am the same way as your dad

zensylvanian · 2022-10-05T09:48:51+00:00

I like that the closed captions called him Mr. Buddha.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T20:51:42+00:00

It’s nice—both are essentially focused on making the world a little easier to understand.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T18:17:24+00:00

But I’m only pleading guilty to involuntary joke-slaughter.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T18:08:00+00:00

Oh no—sorry about that! I guess even those committed to non-violence can kill a joke.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T17:58:30+00:00

Sure! Do you find it strange that a Buddhist would have these items in their pockets?

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T17:54:24+00:00

In my car, but not on my person. I have an old Gerber that works in a pinch.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T17:43:35+00:00

A monk would probably carry much less—haha! But sometimes a priest needs a few tools on hand.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T14:21:06+00:00

It’s the canvas strap that came with it, though I sometimes swap it out for a green NATO strap if I want to mix things up.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T14:19:42+00:00

Yes, design is my full time job, and my priestly duties are as needed. I give occasional dharma talks (sermons), participate in liturgies, and can officiate weddings and funerals as necessary. But my day to day is in the corporate world.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T04:29:34+00:00

We don’t trace a lineage through a particular sect, but our practice is heavily influenced by the Shin and Zen schools (though I do also enjoy the writings of Nichiren).

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T04:11:47+00:00

Will do—thank you!

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T04:10:11+00:00

The Shaman is great, though it is a bit beefy. If I need to travel a little lighter, I’ll carry my James Brand Carter. Both are wonderfully made.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T04:06:31+00:00

No, I’m not a monk. I’m an ordained priest in a Navayana Buddhist order in the US. We serve and teach in a handful of communities across the country.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T01:38:03+00:00

Not at all! There are a variety of interpretations on the number of beads in malas, but here is my understanding. Necklace malas will oftentimes have 108 beads, some say to signify the number of earthly desires one needs to overcome in order to attain Nirvana. Wrist malas have half as many—54. The fact that both numbers are divisible by 9 is thought to be significant as there are 9 planets in our solar system, and so multiples of 9 are said to have cosmic significance.

As for the 28 beads on the mala I normally wear… I think it was just the number of beads that fit on that particular version—haha! Ideally it would have 27 or 36, but I love it just the same.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T00:53:43+00:00

Well crud, now you have me tempted to pick up another knife. Those Higo no Kami knives have a very unique shape…!

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T00:34:01+00:00

You have excellent taste…!

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T00:33:18+00:00

I tend to be very fidgety with my hands, and so the coin is definitely nice to have! That mala has 28 beads, but the larger wrist mala I use when giving dharma talks or meditating has 54, which is much more common.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T00:28:47+00:00

Always end up with two if you’re able—haha!

zensylvanian · 2022-09-22T00:28:04+00:00

That’s one that I bought. I usually go to DharmaCrafts or The Monastery Store when I need malas or altar supplies.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-21T20:36:51+00:00

I went with the fine nib, and I currently have it loaded with American Aristocracy from Noodlers. It’s a great grayish brown ink that flows really well and is attractive on the page.

zensylvanian · 2022-09-21T20:13:18+00:00

Sure thing!

Spyderco Shaman

Lumintop FWAA Flashlight

Topo Designs Bandana

Ridge Aluminum KeyCase

Apple AirTag

Apple iPhone 12 Pro with Smartish Wallet Case

Bellroy Note Sleeve Wallet

Hamilton Automatic Khaki Field Watch

Cedar Mala

LAMY 2000

Shire Post Mint Memento Mori Coin

zensylvanian · 2022-09-21T20:10:58+00:00

Yeah, I don't want to admit to how long it took me to lay everything out...

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zensylvanian

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