New York Zendo Shobo-ji (NYZ), one of the first Zen Buddhist temples established in the West, will mark its 50th anniversary with a three-day celebration this weekend, September 14 to 16. NYZ, located in Manhattan, was opened by the Zen Studies Society (ZSS) in 1968. ZSS, which also includes the Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji monastery in the Catskill mountains, was founded to [...]
Independent investigation confirms “physical, sexual, emotional abuse” by Sogyal Rinpoche
An independent investigation into allegations against the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Sogyal Lakar (known widely as Sogyal Rinpoche), founder of the Rigpa community, has found that he committed acts of “serious physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.” The report by law firm Lewis Silkin details multiple allegations of physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, as well [...]
Karmapa planning return to India after year-long stay in United States
In an interview with Radio Free Asia's (RFA) Tibet Service, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje said he plans to return to India following his year-long stay in the United States. In October of last year, canceled a trip home to India following a general health check-up in New York that revealed medical issues. He addressed his extended stay in the United States via a live [...]
Ohio Buddhist temple destroyed by fire
A Buddhist temple in Hancock County, Ohio was destroyed by fire on Friday night, reports The Courier. The fire was reported by a passing motorist shortly after 11 p.m. A Buddhist monk who lives on the property unlocked the temple for firefighters, who reported that flames were shooting through the roof when they arrived. A total of 37 firefighters from four departments [...]
Philip Glass, Wayne Shorter to receive Kennedy Center Honors
“Right here in this group of five, you have the whole picture," said Glass of this year's group of honorees. Two artists influenced by Buddhism, composer Philip Glass and jazz legend Wayne Shorter, will receive the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, Rolling Stone reports. As the Kennedy Center's website reads, the honors recognize exceptional artists who have made enduring [...]
Buddhists to build monastery for 1400 nuns on Prince Edward Island
The Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) has received government approval to build a Buddhist monastery that will house 1,400 nuns in Brudenell, Prince Edward Island, Canada, reports CBC. The complex will cover 120 hectares and will include residences, classrooms, lecture halls, gardens, walking trails, and recreational facilities for the nuns. The first phase of [...]
Do You Believe in Magic?
Each Friday, we share three topical longreads in our Weekend Reader newsletter. This week, LionsRoar.com assistant editor Lilly Greenblatt looks at the supernatural and (seemingly) ordinary magic of Buddhism. Sign up here to receive the Weekend Reader in your inbox. In ancient Buddhist texts, you’ll find stories of magic and miracles. There are tales of demons, sorcerers, [...]
10,000 Buddhas and Counting
Inspired by ancient Buddhist artwork on cave walls, Amanda Giacomini set out on a mission to paint 10,000 Buddhas all over America. Lilly Greenblatt tells her story. Artist and yoga teacher Amanda Giacomini only saw the inspiration behind her social-media-famous art project, Ten Thousand Buddhas, for a matter of seconds, but those few seconds have kept her painting ever [...]
Celebrating the Dalai Lama
Each Friday, we share three topical longreads in our Weekend Reader newsletter. This week, we celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 83rd birthday. Sign up here to receive the Weekend Reader in your inbox. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet and one of the most beloved and recognized leaders of our time, turns 83 today. His Holiness is the fourteenth [...]
How Buddhists are responding to America’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy
In the past six weeks, approximately 2,300 children have been separated from their parents at the US–Mexico border. Though US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he would end the practice, CNN reports, "it's unclear whether those children will be reunited with their parents." Just one section of a very long line of people surrounding the ICE building at 4310 SW [...]
