The Chinese government has enacted new policies that require Tibetan monastics to promote the Communist Party. The Communist Party of China has enacted new policies that require Tibetan monastics to undergo political training, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports. Under these policies, Tibetan monks and nuns must demonstrate “political reliability,” “moral integrity capable [...]
Thich Nhat Hanh to spend the rest of his life at Vietnamese temple where he was ordained
On October 26, Thich Nhat Hanh traveled back to his homeland to spend the remainder of his life at the pagoda where he was ordained. According to a letter to his students, Thich Nhat Hanh has decided to spend the remainder of his life at Tu Hieu Pagoda, a Buddhist temple in Vietnam, where he was ordained at age 16. BuddhistDoor reported that Nhat Hanh traveled to Vietnam on [...]
A Sanctuary of Hope
For more than 500 days, Rosa Sabido has sought sanctuary from deportation in a Methodist church in Colorado. In that time, she formed a friendship with Zen chaplain Joanie Trussel. The two talked with Lion’s Roar about what it’s like to live in sanctuary and how to find hope in dark times. In the one-stoplight town of Mancos, Colorado, Rosa Sabido has taken refuge in a tiny [...]
When Community Thrives
Each Friday, we share three topical longreads in our Weekend Reader newsletter. This week, Lion's Roar magazine's editorial assistant Haleigh Atwood explores the elements that make a community blossom. Sangha is a community that practices the dharma together. It’s one of the Three Jewels in which Buddhists take refuge, along with the buddha and the dharma. In these [...]
Two-Minute Meditations for Anytime, Anywhere
Life is busy. Here's a selection of quick meditations to work with emotional distress and foster mindfulness when time is scarce. Meditation is about relaxing with the truth. When we sit in that vulnerability, we can get in touch with our thoughts, emotions, and body. However, even the most experienced meditators can get uncomfortable or find themselves short on time. And [...]
Two claimants to “Karmapa” title release joint statement calling for unity
The two claimants to the title of "Karmapa" have released a joint statement seeking to heal a decades-long rift in their community. His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje and His Holiness Trinley Thaye Dorje spent the last few days together discussing how they can preserve and strengthen the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. On October 11, the Karmapas released a joint [...]
How former Pixar CFO Lawrence Levy found his middle way
With the release of Incredibles 2, Pixar's feature films have collectively brought in more than $13 billion at the worldwide box office. Before the animation studio was a household name, Lawrence Levy helped the company find its “middle way” between business and storytelling. Note: The October 3 Lion's Roar newsletter incorrectly linked to this story instead of Karen Maezen [...]
Canada revokes honorary citizenship of Myanmar’s civilian leader
The motion to revoke Aung San Suu Kyi’s citizenship was passed unanimously. Canada’s House of Commons passed a unanimous motion to revoke Aung San Suu Kyi’s honorary citizenship in light of her unwillingness to condemn Myanmar military officials for acts of genocide against the Rohingya. As the state counsellor of Myanmar, Suu Kyi has been criticized for not publicly [...]
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, leader of the International Dzogchen Community, dies at 79
Norbu was a Tibetan master of Dzogchen and taught extensively around the world. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, a respected Dzogchen master, Buddhist scholar, and leader of the International Dzogchen Community, died at Merigar West Buddhist Center in Arcidisso, Italy, at age 79. The founder of Merigar West, Norbu was recently honored by Italian President Sergio Mattarella for [...]
Soto Zen priests discuss diversity and privilege at biennial gathering
“The SZBA conference we just completed represents a deep and significant shift in North American Soto Zen Buddhism,” writes SZBA board president Tenku Ruff. Seventy members of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA) met in Ulster County, New York, for the organization’s eighth biennial conference. At the four-day gathering, members of the SZBA — which is a professional [...]
