This is a really interesting realization, I didn't notice the rotated positioning of the swastikas we looked at in class compared to the nazi swastika. I would imagine that it did become more common after World War II to try and stray from the difficult history of the swastika.

This is an interesting question. Its interesting how early that women were incorporated in the monastic system, even though the most seasons nuns were subordinate to novice monks. I believe they were treated like that because it was really the first group to even incorporate women at all.

I'm curious of what you mean Zen Buddhism brought it in, were these not already present in the communities prior to Zen Buddhism?

I like that the people in this podcast were able to find a connection to Buddhism without really knowing it. I believe this quote ties into the noble truths, identifying that attachments are one of the roots to suffering.

I think this is a really cool connection to Buddhism. I've seen Batman begins and I don't think I would have ever made that connection on my own. I agree that it seems similar to the idea in Samsara in how he overcame his fear of bats.

Another anime that I think has a lot of Buddhist references/inspiration would be Demon Slayer. Gyomei, one of the Hashiras of the Demon Slayer Corps, is actually based on the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

I think this is very interesting too, I feel like a lot of religions don't have science that backs the things the religion teaches. So it is very interesting for me to learn that what the Buddha was teaching actually has some science behind it saying it works.

I really like this quote, I think its a very powerful encapsulation of what not only Zen is, but Buddhism as a whole. In a lot of our lectures, in one way or another, we end up talking about removing temptations on the path to becoming enlightened because 'to seek nothing is bliss.'

This is actually really cool to know that we have a Zen Buddhist meditation center. I am from State College born and raised, and I had no idea that we had any Buddhist meditation centers here.

Is someone born into the preliminary stage of being a monk, or do they have an experience that nudges them in this direction? I am also curious if this differs between types/locations of practice. Hopefully we talk more about this throughout the class.

Your pictures are really cool! I am really curious what led you to staying at an Ekoin Temple. This also make me more curious about the Vajrayana practices too, I am excited for later in the class when we will hopefully talk more about this and contrast it to some things we have already learned.