Archives: BD Articles
The World Between Breaths
Vanessa Zuisei Goddard on the famous Zen koan “Mu,” and how it helps us dive into buddhanature.
How can I move from understanding emptiness philosophically to experiencing it directly?
“I think I have some intellectual understanding of the Buddhist teachings on emptiness, but when I look at the world or at myself, I don’t see them as empty. How do I go from a philosophical understanding to a direct experience of emptiness?”
Read an excerpt from A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis
An excerpt from Susan Murphy's new book, A Fire Runs through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis — as reviewed in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Guide
Read “Masculinities Beyond the Buddha,” an excerpt from Buddhist Masculinities
An excerpt of Buddhist Masculinities edited by Megan Bryson and Kevin Buckelew— as reviewed in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Guide
Meditate with your children with Weather Any Storm author, Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
An excerpt Vanessa Zuisei Goddard's new book, Weather Any Storm — as reviewed in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Guide
Read “Gesar the Warrior” an excerpt from Gesar: Tantric Practices of the Tibetan Warrior King
An excerpt of Gesar: Tantric Practices of the Tibetan Warrior King— as reviewed in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Guide
Read “The Basics of Signless Concentration,” an excerpt from Bhikkhu Analayo’s The Signless and the Deathless: On the Realization of Nirvana
An excerpt from Bhikkhu Anālayo's new book, The Signless and the Deathless: On the Realization of Nirvana — as reviewed in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Guide
To Be or Not To Be? Be a Buddha!
Looking at the words of classical texts, Karl Brunnhölzl explores the notions of buddhanature and emptiness—how they may be understood as one and the same, and how they are not identical.
Glimpses of Buddhanature
Buddhist teacher-practitioners from across traditions share personal moments that gave them insight into the true nature of mind.
Elemental Dakinis As a Path to Awakening
In this excerpt from “Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World; The Heart of Cho Vol.II,” Choying Khandro explores how Dakini energy, expressed as the Five Dakinis, becomes the embodiment and expression of the Five Elements in an awakened form.
Pure Dharma, Barefoot Dharma
To practice the dharma purely, we have to walk barefoot before we can run–learning and practicing fundamentals before we go on to more advanced techniques.
Your Liberation Is on the Line
No one who has ever touched liberation could possibly want anything other than liberation for everyone, says Rev. angel Kyodo williams. She shares why we must each fully commit to our own path liberation, for the benefit of all.
Are the Dharma’s Healing Powers Just Placebo?
There are healing practices and rituals found across Buddhist traditions that reinforce the notion of the healing power of dharma. Dr. C. Pierce Salguero asks, what's behind the Buddhist approach to healing and medicine? Is the healing power of dharma simply placebo or something more?
Fun & Games: Psychic Powers in the Wilderness
Buddhist monk and scholar Thanissaro Bhikkhu reflects on encounters with his dharma teacher, who “could obviously read my mind and anticipate future events.”
Looking to the “Three Powers” for Patient Acceptance
Though deep in personal grief, Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick knows that, through continued dedicated practice, he can nurture seeds of positivity within himself.
The Power of Buddhist Tantra
Gaylon Ferguson on how tantric view and practice help us turn confusion into clarity and wisdom.
The Dharma of the Second Bell
Rev. Joan Amaral recalls “Operation Bring John Home” — an effort to break through the bureaucracy that kept a married couple apart — while living one’s values and remaining unbowed.
Cultivating the 5 Powers
Author, medical doctor, and Plum Village monastic Sister Dang Nghiem (a.k.a. "Sister D.") talks about how her teacher Thich Nhat Hanh taught the "five strengths" — faith, diligence, mindfulness, concentration, and insight — and how we can harness them to drive and deepen our dharma practice.
Understanding Self Power & Other Power
Mark Unno on how giving ourselves over to other power, an idea central to Asian Buddhist thought, can lead to awakening.
The Union of Energy and Wisdom
Jill Shepherd explores the relationship between the perfection of energy and wisdom, and how applying our energy and effort wisely leads to less harm to ourselves and others.