Susthama's Page

As a bombu Buddhist, I have attained nothing that will get me closer to supreme awakening. How can I? I am an ordinary earthly being, proud of so many things and pathetic in so many other ways that compound karmic consequences exponentially. What does all this mean anyway? Where would I be now if I had entered the stream and had a modicum of spiritual accomplishment?

To appreciate and value others is what I've learned from other members of my sangha. Sometimes, it can be hard for bombus to feel… Continue

Reading Clark Strand's book together with listening to the recent lectures given in France has been an inspiring experience.

I've not finished reading all of the chapters yet, I find that I am taking delight in reading a chapter and spending time thinking about it while I do something else and then going back over one or two of the pages from an earlier chapter as questions and ideas form in my mind. I've also been very grateful to Strand himself for taking time to answer a couple of questions… Continue

(another song that I've not finished yet)

and when the time comes for me to die
will I be ready to say good-bye
to all my friends
and all my loves
that I have placed on high

For Amida waits for me
in the place where all is free
Amida Buddha
is the one I long to see

Let the world fall apart
Let the system be corrupt
Let the winner take it all
I'll still have Amida in my heart

A song for you
is a song for me
to dance to the beat of the thunder clap
roaring and drumming to Amida's beat

See the sun behind the cloud
watch the fires burn underground
Amida's light lingers all around
this self so stupid and so proud

A song for you
is a song for me
Oh to be a cat in the Buddha's lap
loving and purring to Amida's tune

Watch the thief in the night
hear the liar s… Continue

Last week, I was invited to be part of a panel of women to talk about our faith to a group of theology students at a multi-faith centre held at St.Philip's Church. I talked about Amida and the Quaker talked about the Light and the young Muslim talked about the project that she has started with a friend of hers.

She started by saying that she and her friend were starting to panic as they finished their studies and didn't know what to do after they graduated. They looked around and found many thi… Continue