The hottest Zen Buddhism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Japanese Death Poems (part 3)

Secretum Secretorum • 606 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Zen Buddhism
  1. There is a long Japanese tradition of composing short death poems (jisei) at life’s end, often written in the poet’s final moments to express acceptance of death.
  2. Haiku poets use concise seasonal and natural images—snow, moon, cherry blossoms, plum scent—to capture impermanence and calm reflection.
  3. The poems mix solemn acceptance, wry humor, and personal circumstances like samurai honor or poverty, showing a cultural comfort with death and attention to ordinary details.

Japanese Death Poems (part 2)

Secretum Secretorum • 328 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Zen Buddhism
  1. Many Japanese poets compose brief "death poems" at the end of life as a calm, lyrical farewell.
  2. These poems rely heavily on nature and seasonal images—like cherry blossoms, autumn clouds, and rivers—to express impermanence and the passage to another state.
  3. The tone ranges from serene acceptance to wry humor and wordplay, often reflecting personal history or last-moment clarity.

Who is hearing?

Silentium • 179 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Zen Buddhism
  1. The post discusses the concept of silence and who is hearing.
  2. Zen Master Bassui had great faith in the Bodhisattva Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Silentium.

The Wisdom of Insecurity

peoplefirstengineering • 17 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Zen Buddhism
  1. Life is full of uncertainties, and it's important to accept that things will not always be stable. Embracing this uncertainty can lead to less anxiety.
  2. Our focus on the past and future often distracts us from enjoying the present moment. Learning to be aware of now can help reduce feelings of insecurity.
  3. Connecting with others and fostering community can help combat feelings of isolation and anxiety. Building strong relationships provides valuable support during tough times.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity: