A moving new video for "Leaving the Table," from the late Leonard Cohen's last LP, "You Want It Darker," has been released. It begins with what one might read as a meditating Cohen -- he was a dedicated Zen student, after all -- atop an abstract mountaintop/cross hybrid, and then leaping into the air, flying into a version of the world packed with references his to his life [...]
About Rod Meade Sperry
In honor of “Character Day,” a Buddhist guide to character strengths
Wednesday, September 13, marks the fourth annual Global Character Day, which was launched by filmmaker and Webby Awards founder, Tiffany Shlain. The idea of the day is to get us all talking about "the importance of character building in today’s increasingly distracted and overly-connected world." Sounds to us at Lion's Roar like a very good thing to do. Perhaps the place to [...]
Sam Littlefair debuts as new LionsRoar.com Editor
Outgoing editor Rod Meade Sperry, who will remain with Lion's Roar focused on editorial across media, shares his excitement about the transition. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to serve as LionsRoar.com’s editor since we launched — and before that, as editor of our magazines’ previous sites. But all things, as they say, are impermanent, and I'm stepping away from the [...]
North American Buddhist Alliance issues response to racial violence
In a new statement shared with Lion's Roar, the North American Buddhist Alliance (NABA) responds to the current events and crises related to White Supremacy in the United States. NABA describes itself as “a new, idealistic, and organic organization modeled after Northwest Dharma Association. We are not a governing body nor are we interested in developing a hierarchy of any [...]
What are the Five Precepts?
How can Buddhists know if their life is an ethical one? By keeping the five precepts, a set of guidelines for those who wish to do no harm. Some Buddhists follow them as literally as they can and others take a more situational approach, guided by compassion and what creates the most benefit. There are many different sets of precepts, but common to all Buddhists are five [...]
Thich Nhat Hanh to receive Union Medal on September 6th in livestreamed ceremony
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (Union) has announced that it will award Buddhist teacher, author, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh with the Union Medal, "which was instituted in 1981 as a means of honoring individuals whose lives reflect the mission of the Seminary in the world, the Union Medal is the Seminary’s highest award. Previous medalists include [...]
SGI-USA issues “Statement on the Racial Unrest in Charlottesville, VA”
SGI-USA today issued a "Statement on the Racial Unrest in Charlottesville, VA" in which "the members of Soka Gakkai International-USA repudiate hatred and bigotry and appeal for equality and justice for all" and "[advocate] for the values of Buddhist humanism." The statement addresses the evils of racism, quoting from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from his 1967 speech, [...]
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche issues response to Sogyal Rinpoche controversy
Tibetan teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche -- also known for his films, made under the name Khyentse Norbu -- has issued a public response to the allegations made against Sogyal Rinpoche, which led to Sogyal resigning as spiritual director of the international organization, Rigpa. The letter is titled "Guru and Student in the Vajrayana" and has been posted in its [...]
Twin Peaks, in key new episode, nods to Buddhism again
Unpacking the Buddhist reference in episode 14 of Twin Peaks: The Return. Twin Peaks' eccentric, upstanding FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper may well have been on to something when, twenty-five years ago, he tried to employ “deductive technique, Tibetan method, instinct, and luck” in unraveling the mystery of Laura Palmer's murder. That was way back in the show's third episode, [...]
After allegations, Sogyal Rinpoche retires from Rigpa
Following discussion of allegations of abuse, Sogyal Rinpoche, Buddhist teacher and author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, "has decided, with immediate effect, to retire as spiritual director from all the organizations that bear the name of Rigpa in different countries around the world," according to a press release from the organization dated today. The [...]