Writings

Mind Blindness

A while back, I read an article about “plant blindness.” When shown a picture that shows a pair of elephants in a clearing and asked what they see, virtually everyone says, “Two elephants.” Even when the question is repeated, “What do you see?” people persist in saying “Elephants,” as if the questioner were stupid or blind. No…

The Sutra of Turning the Wheel of Dharma
Shakyamuni Buddha with his hands in the gesture of turning the wheel of dharma. Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, Drala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.

For a long time I have wanted a chant for the first turning of the wheel of dharma.
I started with the translation of the Pali 
Dhammachakkappavattana-sutta 
(Samyutta-nikaya 56:11). That was a good start, but somehow the language didn’t touch my heart. Then I read Thich Nhat Hahn’s version in Old Path White Clouds. That inspired me to play with the language. I created and refined a version over two years. Now it feels like I can share it with others. Please feel free to download and use it!