Thanks again, everyone. It's looking great since it finally stopped peeling and scabbing. I can't wait to add the text. I've also been thinking about adding some soft fire effects, a lotus flower and maybe a dhamma wheel somewhere around it. We'll see what the artist can come up with next time I vis...

Thanks everyone. I'm very happy with it. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done peeling and scabbing. I want to get text added eventually - "Inquire Within" - to the neckline. I know it's not a specific Buddhist phrase, but it's short and fits the space.

My first tattoo. Got it this past Saturday, October 13, at Always Heavenly Bound tattoo shop in Helen, GA.

Greetings, If it was on Facebook, where people go for social networking, I would be satisfied with a comment that encouraged others to do good, and avoid evil... even if not 100% accurate. On somewhere like Dhamma Wheel or a Facebook group dedicated to the Dhamma, where people go specifically for t...

Yes, I think Kim has the right idea, and that's usually how I approach it. Most people are at least somewhat interested in getting it right, at least if they plan to use the quote multiple times (e.g. on the favorite quotes section of their profile). But others just continue misquoting, which is whe...

Hi Kourtney, I recently read a "Buddha" quote on one of my friend's facebook pages. It looked like someone gave the original quote the new age fairy dust treatment and consequently it had altered its meaning to the point of absurdity. Sometimes i try and point out where something's been misquoted. ...

A pet peeve of mine: when people attribute quotes to the Buddha that are no where to be found in the Theravada or Mahayana canons. And when I point this out to them, they get defensive. This is particularly common on the internet, especially facebook. I read a lot of suttas and teachings and I can h...

Yes, this is an excellent film. Unfortunately just after leaving the theatre, at the Pacific Cinematheque in Vancouver, in the mid-90s, just as I turned the corner from the theatre, a young man named Damien Costello (or Damian Costello) landed almost at my feet directly in front of me, from a heigh...

Thanks, Ben, I really appreciate that, and I think I will try the challenge. I hope it will be good motivation and get me back in a routine. I'm also hoping to request time off at work so I can attend a Goenka retreat in the spring. I wish I could attend earlier, but monthly drill weekends are getti...

Trying to get back to my 20 minutes in the morning and 30 at night. I've been lazy recently, but to be fair to myself I am working more and I'm on my feet the entire time I'm on the clock. Plus I walk to and from work. No excuses, though. Getting back to sitting is a must for me. I used to do at lea...

Daverupa: The article you linked is great, thank you. I've read it before but now I feel I have new perspective on it. David: Thanks so much for posting that success story, what a great motivator. Hopefully I can find more like it. It's nice to know Buddhist servicemen have had success. Santa100: Re...

I would love to ordain, but unfortunately I don't meet the requirements - debt and lack of parental permission.


Dhammakid

P.s. The hardest part is proving sincerity, and demonstrating that Buddhism and its nonviolent ethic is a prominent part of my life. Letters of support from loved ones will also help, which actually may be hard to get from most of my family, but easy from friends. Also, being able to pinpoint a spec...

Wow, a lot to respond to here. Please understand that since I have to use my phone for internet, it's difficult to keep up. My phone isn't very friendly to excessive typing, and my hand muscles start to ache very soon. Not to mention having to rely on cell phone service. Let's see... In the Guard as...

Wow, this is great information, folks. Thank you so much. These suttas will definitely help me. Chownah: you're probably right - I probably shouldn't copy/paste suttas into documents. I'll use the suttas as a demonstration that my faith is against participation in war, at least whenever the topic ar...