Hello, my name is Mike and I am the author of the Prajna | Karuna site. Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are by me. I am retired, in my sixties, and live in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
I’ve identified as a Buddhist for over thirty-five years and in that time I’ve studied a fairly large collection of sutras and shastras translated into english. Over time my focus has narrowed to fundamental Mahayana Buddhism and early Ch’an. For me, Mahayana Buddhism sets the foundation and intent, and Ch’an is the vehicle or way.
I chose the site name, Prajna | Karuna, because prajna (wisdom) and karuna (compassion) share a symbiotic relationship that together, are foundational to Buddhism and represent the intertwined qualities that a bodhisattva must cultivate to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
The site is organized as follows:
- Posts – my thoughts on various topics on Buddhism
- Sutras – accessible “meditations” on various sutras
- Reference – resources on the internet
- Works – bibliography and downloadable PDFs
Why am I doing this? I think Santideva said it best:
“Nothing new will be said here, nor have I any skill in composition. Therefore, I do not imagine that I can benefit others.
crosby, skilton. The bodicaryavatara, windhorse, 2002.
I have done this to perfume my own mind.
While doing this, the surge of my inspiration to cultivate what is skillful increases.
Moreover, should another, of the very same humours as me, also look at this, then he too may benefit from it.
This opportune moment is extremely hard to meet. Once met, it yields the welfare of mankind.
If the advantage is neglected now, how will this meeting come again?”