8. How To Live the Dharma Today, On Refuge, Relationships, Crisis, and Non-Killing (#78)

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind. This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations:  https://www.zaltho.org/books/ To support, donate. If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps: 2:15 – Do you take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha? If so, how do you practice this? 5:59 – How is the current weather where you are? 7:40 – If you were speaking to a group of kindergartners, how would you explain the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha? 9:15 – What gives you hope? 13:07 – I am concerned about honoring someone who may not have wanted me to do the Ceremony for the Dead for them. What would you advise? 17:03 – Is there still space in the pet cemetery, and do you offer or recommend cremation? 18:32 – In cases of injustice, do you believe reparations are appropriate? 22:57 – Do you have any recommended readings? 26:50 – Do you think crises in families, partnerships, countries, or the world are necessary for growth or development? 35:40 – Do insights gained through meditation have lasting consequences? 37:28 – Could you speak about the precept of non-killing in relation to the euthanizing of animals?