VIMALAKIRTI BUDDHIST SUTRA: MORNING PHOTOSHOOT IN ZEN JAPANESE GARDEN, KYOTO GRAND HOTEL LOS ANGELES. BUDDHISM QUOTES & MEDITATIONS.

GIANT ROBOT LOS ANGE... GOTH SAILOR MOON! AK...

Posted by La Carmina on December 16, 2009

Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA, wet footprints on stone, red maple leaf, heavy metal hand sign, Buddhist fashion

What happens when heavy metal combines with Zen Buddhism? This!

rainbow in garden pond, boy meditating with legs crossed, Buddhist sitting posture, Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA, wet footprints on stone, red maple leaf, heavy metal hand sign

The Adventure Team holed up at the Kyoto Grand Hotel in Los Angeles. Six thumbs up. The renovated rooms were roomy and had plenty of hairdressing space, as you can see in this video. The hotel is right smack in Little Tokyo, which means you’re surrounded by Japanese food. Best of all, it has a beautiful Zen garden.

Karate kid fighting pose, standing on one leg balancing, Japan Buddhist temple stone garden pond, girl with ripped tights, women's leather jacket, Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA, fun poses model

Ementhy and I visited the garden barefoot and in pajamas. My tights are such a joke. A small rip got progressively worse as the previous night devolved…

Japan Buddhist temple stone garden pond, boy meditating with legs crossed, Buddhist sitting posture, Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA, taoist hand symbols

I lent the boys some of my Buddhist books. Did you know I studied Eastern religions/philosophies while at Columbia University, and even took a class with Robert Thurman (Uma’s dad)?

man made stone waterfall, Japan Buddhist temple stone garden pond, boy underneath waterfall, Buddhism meditation photos, Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA

The Vimalakirti Sutra remains one of my favorite texts. Vimalakirti is a businessman; he drinks, gambles, even has a harem of concubines. But despite all these heady distractions — which usually lead to attachment, the barrier to nirvana — he is able to maintain a pure mind. His wisdom, in fact, surpasses that of the most advanced monks.

Zen girl, ripped stockings woman, pretty Japanese gardens, Japan Buddhist temple stone garden pond, Buddhism meditation photos, Kyoto Grand hotel in Los Angeles, Zen water garden, meditation pond, Japanese park and gardens in LA

The sutra speaks to non-duality: no action or behavior is inherently good or bad. It’s possible to be a Buddha while also being out there in the world, living it up.

Cute Yummy Time by La Carmina book cover, Washington Post recommended cookbooks for holiday gifts, Japanese fun recipe books, best reviewed cookbooks for Asian food, Bonnie Benwick, baking books for gifts

I’m still reeling: The Washington Post listed my book Cute Yummy Time in their Holiday Gift Guide! Recommended “for globally minded cooks,” Bonnie Benwick describes my cookbook as “Japanese fun with food that is irresistibly charming.” (You can find more info on my book here.)

Got any Zen thoughts in your mind today?

Song of the Day #262: Apoptygma Berzerk – Until the end of the world (Can you tell I’m on a Goth-synth-industrial dance kick? If this doesn’t get you shaking, I don’t know what will.)

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64 Comments

http://DeadAmericanDream.blogspot.com AngryBroomstick

congrats on making the Wash Po! yesterday I ordered Wacky Crazy Theme Restuarants for my friend in prison for Christmas ^_^

I've never studied Buddhism, but I should. My family is from Bihar, the birthplace of Guatama Buddha. My sister and I are planning to visit Bodh Gaya, which isn't too far from my grandmother's village. I think it's one of the holiest Buddhist sites for pilgrims to visit.
http://DeadAmericanDream.blogspot.com AngryBroomstick

congrats on making the Wash Po! yesterday I ordered Wacky Crazy Theme Restuarants for my friend in prison for Christmas ^_^

I’ve never studied Buddhism, but I should. My family is from Bihar, the birthplace of Guatama Buddha. My sister and I are planning to visit Bodh Gaya, which isn’t too far from my grandmother’s village. I think it’s one of the holiest Buddhist sites for pilgrims to visit.
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  Fantastic, thank you!
  I’ve always wanted to visit Bodh Gaya… you’ll have to tell me about your experience.
Alte

worse …or better? I say more rips = better ^_^
Alte

I did not know that :]
my aunt was a friend of Uma's parents, and baby-sat little Uma back in the ..70's? small world!
Gili

That's awesome, congrats!
Moon Maiden 90

*haha* rockin out with nature huh?!
Andrea

Hunny you really need some new tights :/
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

Those went straight in the garbage… :)
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

No kidding!! He was a great teacher.
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

Fantastic, thank you!
I've always wanted to visit Bodh Gaya… you'll have to tell me about your experience.
Omnomnom

Loved the tights – loved the blog. Figured the tights were intentional until I read that they weren't
http://www.nakasnet.blogspot.com/ Naka

your last photo is my favourtie ^^
Clare

Hmmm, I never saw anyone with such ripped tights, but I can say that they suit you!! (…and I'm being honest) ^_^ oh, I also like your hair! I wish to do some nice colours in my hair, but unfortunately, due to work, I can't :(
Brian

I love Zen Gardens
Alte

worse …or better? I say more rips = better ^_^
Koithecat

I've always thought Buddhism is fantastic, but it seems kind of hard for a distracted and somewhat explosive teen like me to keep up with nwn”
Until the end of the world, I love that song! It's just so dancey prancey, makes me want to go out and disco!
And btw, the tight rip seems almost on purpose, looks cool
Alte

I did not know that :]
my aunt was a friend of Uma’s parents, and baby-sat little Uma back in the ..70′s? small world!
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  No kidding!! He was a great teacher.
Gili

That’s awesome, congrats!
Moon Maiden 90

*haha* rockin out with nature huh?!
Andrea

Hunny you really need some new tights :/
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  Those went straight in the garbage… :)
Omnomnom

Loved the tights – loved the blog. Figured the tights were intentional until I read that they weren’t
Alexandra

How about awefully cute ?
☆風ぶしのかみ☆

:ove the Kyoto Grand – We did Obata Kaiso's Kanreiki there.
http://www.nakasnet.blogspot.com/ Naka

your last photo is my favourtie ^^
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  Thanks! I just did a photoshoot and am very excited by the results… will post tomorrow and the day after! Hope you’re enjoying the holidays. xoo
Clare

Hmmm, I never saw anyone with such ripped tights, but I can say that they suit you!! (…and I’m being honest) ^_^ oh, I also like your hair! I wish to do some nice colours in my hair, but unfortunately, due to work, I can’t :(
Brian

I love Zen Gardens
Anonymous

I’ve always thought Buddhism is fantastic, but it seems kind of hard for a distracted and somewhat explosive teen like me to keep up with nwn”
Until the end of the world, I love that song! It’s just so dancey prancey, makes me want to go out and disco!
And btw, the tight rip seems almost on purpose, looks cool
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  I don’t meditate or do Buddhist rituals, but I like to keep the philosophy in mind… it’s possible to do that while dancing around to A. Berzerk hahaa.
Alexandra

How about awefully cute ?
☆風ぶしのかみ☆

:ove the Kyoto Grand – We did Obata Kaiso’s Kanreiki there.
Nick

i think i have a boycrush on wes
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

Thanks! I just did a photoshoot and am very excited by the results… will post tomorrow and the day after! Hope you're enjoying the holidays. xoo
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

I don't meditate or do Buddhist rituals, but I like to keep the philosophy in mind… it's possible to do that while dancing around to A. Berzerk hahaa.
Vivian

Wow, long time no talk! I just saw that your book Cute Yummy Time made Bonnie Benwick's Cookbook List of 2009 in the Washington Post. Congratulations!

Anyways, wishing you a great holiday season!
Miss M

I love that hotel! Little Tokyo is a blast.

Congrats on the Wash Post mention, too :).
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

The mojitos at the Kyoto Grand are awesome hahah. And the Zen garden was the perfect spot to take photos. We even captured a rainbow! ^^
Kirill

I HATE the ripped tights
but I like tights in general
and a lot of other nice stuff you have on
Clare

Hmmm, I never saw anyone with such ripped tights, but I can say that they suit you!! (…and I'm being honest) ^_^ oh, I also like your hair! I wish to do some nice colours in my hair, but unfortunately, due to work, I can't :(
Brian

I love Zen Gardens
Koithecat

I've always thought Buddhism is fantastic, but it seems kind of hard for a distracted and somewhat explosive teen like me to keep up with nwn”
Until the end of the world, I love that song! It's just so dancey prancey, makes me want to go out and disco!
And btw, the tight rip seems almost on purpose, looks cool
Nick

i think i have a boycrush on wes
Alexandra

How about awefully cute ?
☆風ぶしのかみ☆

:ove the Kyoto Grand – We did Obata Kaiso's Kanreiki there.
Vivian

Wow, long time no talk! I just saw that your book Cute Yummy Time made Bonnie Benwick’s Cookbook List of 2009 in the Washington Post. Congratulations!

Anyways, wishing you a great holiday season!
Miss M

I love that hotel! Little Tokyo is a blast.

Congrats on the Wash Post mention, too :).
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  The mojitos at the Kyoto Grand are awesome hahah. And the Zen garden was the perfect spot to take photos. We even captured a rainbow! ^^
Kirill

I HATE the ripped tights
but I like tights in general
and a lot of other nice stuff you have on
Nick

i think i have a boycrush on wes
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

Thanks! I just did a photoshoot and am very excited by the results… will post tomorrow and the day after! Hope you're enjoying the holidays. xoo
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

I don't meditate or do Buddhist rituals, but I like to keep the philosophy in mind… it's possible to do that while dancing around to A. Berzerk hahaa.
Vivian

Wow, long time no talk! I just saw that your book Cute Yummy Time made Bonnie Benwick's Cookbook List of 2009 in the Washington Post. Congratulations!

Anyways, wishing you a great holiday season!
Miss M

I love that hotel! Little Tokyo is a blast.

Congrats on the Wash Post mention, too :).
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

The mojitos at the Kyoto Grand are awesome hahah. And the Zen garden was the perfect spot to take photos. We even captured a rainbow! ^^
Kirill

I HATE the ripped tights
but I like tights in general
and a lot of other nice stuff you have on
Kaguya

It seems to have come to Japan.^^
- http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina
  
  I am returning to Japan this spring — stay tuned for details!
Kaguya

It seems to have come to Japan.^^
http://www.lacarmina.com lacarmina

I am returning to Japan this spring — stay tuned for details!
http://allwomenstalk.com/ All Women Stalker

That Zen garden looks so beautiful and peaceful. And yes, I remember those tights that you’re wearing. Teehee. They look crazy.

-Denise
http://allwomenstalk.com/ All Women Stalker

That Zen garden looks so beautiful and peaceful. And yes, I remember those tights that you're wearing. Teehee. They look crazy.

-Denise