Konchog Norbu

Konchog Norbu

Konchog Norbu became a Buddhist in 1990 and ordained as a monk in 1993. Since then, he has overseen communications and media relations for several dharma organizations, authored the widely-read blog Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa during a four-year stint in Mongolia, and filled his begging bowl on occasion with freelance writing and editing gigs.

Recent Articles

George Saunders

George Saunders shares the Buddhist influence that informed his now-famous meditation on kindness and regret

George Saunders's 2013 convocation address about kindness rang so universally true that it went viral, and then became a book.

George Takei to address “Being Gay, Being Buddhist” seminar

Update: Read "Being Gay, Being Buddhist," George Takei's keynote address at the seminar, on Lion's Roar.

ACLU warns of “religious coercion” in Tennessee bill; Buddhist man in Texas alleges he was fired for refusing to disseminate Bible verses

ACLU is objecting to a Tennessee bill that would allow students in that state to be subjected to unwanted proselytizing in school settings.

Global economics: what would Buddha do?

Can we imagine a Buddhist model for economic organization?

Dalai Lama to Larry King: Same sex marriage OK

The Dalai Lama has no problem with same sex marriage, saying such matters are more the business of government and consenting adults.

Hesse’s “Siddhartha” still inspires, in unexpected ways

Nearly 70 years after earning Herman Hesse the Pulitzer Prize for Literature, his novel Siddhartha continues to provide inspiration.

The Buddha and the swarm of minutiae: provocative new artwork by Gonkar Gyatso on display at the Met

The Buddha and the swarm of minutiae: provocative new artwork by Gonkar Gyatso on display at the Met.

Making the Buddhist practice of “life release” more environmentally sound: A birder’s view

Konchog Norbu looks into how Buddhists are making the Buddhist practice of "life release" more environmentally sound.

Buddhist sixth grader allegedly told to “change his religion” by Louisiana public school officials (updated)

Buddhist sixth grader allegedly told to "change his religion" by Louisiana public school officials.

Photos and letter emerge from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s ascetic retreat

The Tibetan Buddhist world was abuzz Friday with the sudden appearance on Facebook of images of (maybe) Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Korean classical innovator Jin Hi Kim to perform multi-media “Digital Buddha” at the Met (Video)

Jin Hi Kim has an upcoming performance of Digital Buddha January 31 at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Followup: Hopeful signs in reducing Chinese consumption of illegal ivory

Some welcome news has surfaced from China about measures to shut down ivory smuggling and change its citizens’ attitude toward ivory.

Father of Sandy Hook shooting victim asks Thich Nhat Hanh how to prevent such tragedies in the future

Father of Sandy Hook shooting victim asks Thich Nhat Hanh how to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Erica Chenoweth: This leading global thinker on peaceful resistance finds inner peace through Buddhist meditation

We might think that the only realistic way to upend intractable political oppression is through violent rebellion. Erica Chenoweth says no.

Demand for ivory by Buddhists a factor in unabated elephant poaching

The massacre of wild African elephants for the illegal ivory trade continues virtually unabated, according to a study released this week.

Ground-breaking TV documentary series depicts realities of dying

Konchog Norbu reports on the new Showtime documentary series, Time of Death, to see how it approaches a difficult topic. 

Open to openness: How Buddhism influenced the creative life of Philadelphia artist Doris Staffel

An obituary of Doris Staffel, one of the Philadelphia area’s most respected and beloved artists and teachers.

Folk legend Peter Yarrow uses Dalai Lama poem for new anti-bullying song

Japan has produced a song by folk legend Peter Yarrow, whose lyrics come from a unique source: a poem by the Dalai Lama.

New Yorker essay: Book printing a Buddhist invention

The West has a misconception that printing was invented in Europe. In fact, the origins of printing on paper comes from Chinese Buddhism.

A thoughtful, high-energy piece applying Buddhist tenets to a zombie-filled fantasy

A look into Saymoukda Vongsay’s “Kung Fu Zombies vs. Cannibals” a new, undead-infested, carefully choreographed chop-and-kick stage show.

Bluegrass Buddhist Peter Rowan’s Tibetan collaboration, new film

From the Marin Independent: “Peter Rowan is just a week or so away from his apotheosis as the world's foremost bluegrass Buddhist.”

Peter Matthiessen’s new novel draws on “Bearing Witness” meditation retreats at Auschwitz

The next book Zen teacher and social activist Peter Matthiessen draws from his experiences meditating and Bearing Witness at Auschwitz.

Death and hallucination color new work by Chinese artist Zhang Huan after life-altering Tibet trip

A look into Zhang Huan's new oil painting series, which explores Buddhism and death rituals.

The Dalai Lama and Aung Sang Suu Kyi meet together in Prague, praise Vaclav Havel at human rights conference

The Dalai Lama and Aung Sang Suu Kyi meet together in Prague, praise Vaclav Havel at human rights conference.

Be Beautiful be yourself calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh

Calligraphic Meditation: The Mindful Art of Thich Nhat Hanh is coming to New York this September; Take a look here

A look into the first-ever U.S. exhibit of Thich Nhat Hanh's meditative calligraphy.

Gyuto Monks of Tibet set to take the stage at Glastonbury, issue new recordings

The Gyuto Monks of Tibet, with their unique overtone chanting, are once again collaborating with some cutting-edge musicians and producers.