Archives: BD Articles
Dancing the Dakini Chöd Cham of Machig Labdrön
Dancer and journalist Karen Greenspan takes us on her journey to learn the traditional dance of the Tibetan Buddhist Chöd practice of Machig Labdrön. The practice empowers female practitioners in Bhutan, sustains the tradition in both the Himalayas and the West, and showcases how we can preserve cultural and spiritual traditions.
Attitudes are shifting about Buddhism and Psychedelics
Matteo Pistono reports from the 2025 “Psychedelic Buddhism” conference, held in person at NYC’s New School University and streamed online. The thinking has evolved and is no longer “fringe.”
Where Concentration and Insight Meet
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche guides us on a short meditation on the nature of breath. Also included is a helpful reflection on how we can use the breath to understand the nature of impermanence by Edwin Kelley.
The Roots of Goodness: Zen Master Dōgen’s Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Good Person
Read a review of The Roots of Goodness: Zen Master Dogen’s Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Good Person by y Eihei Dogen Zenji, commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, translated with an introduction by Daitsu Tom Wright, plus an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
Sacred Places, Sacred Teachings: Following the Footsteps of the Buddha
Read a review of Sacred Places, Sacred Teachings: Following the Footsteps of the Buddha by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen, plus an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Wisdom Publications.
Exploring AI and Buddhism: A Conversation with Khyentse Vision Project
Buddhadharma's Mariana Restrepo interviewed KVP's Dolma Gunther, Casey Forgues, and Zack Beer about AI's impact on Buddhism and its significance for translators and practitioners.
Readings of the Gateless Barrier
Read a review of Readings of The Gateless Barrier, the new book by of Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu), plus "What Is a Gong-an?", excerpted and shared courtesy of its publisher, Columbia University Press.
What A.I. Means for Buddhism
AI can articulate the sum total of human knowledge, but can it help us cultivate wisdom and compassion—or is it a danger on the spiritual path? Ross Nervig investigates.
Let Us Be Brave
Rev. Blayne Higa on how to bring more light and wisdom to a world where greed, anger, and ignorance threaten to compromise, or even consume, us all.
How Buddhist Mandala Offering Practice Works – And Why
Mandala offering, an integral part of the foundation, or ngöndro, practices of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, allows us to harness positive karmic forces through relentless generosity. Loppon Yudron Wangmo explains how these practices help create favorable conditions for spiritual growth and removes obstacles on the path to awakening.
Buddhism: A Journey Through History
Read a review of Donald S. Lopez, Jr.'s new book, Buddhism: A Journey Through History, plus an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Yale University Press.
From Eternity to Eternity: Memoirs of a Korean Buddhist Nun
Read Constance Kassor's review of Bulpil Sunim's From Eternity to Eternity: Memoirs of a Korean Buddhist Nun.
Nepal’s Shechen Monastery ends affiliation with Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi
The monastery announced the news via a statement released January 8.
The Sorrow of Life is Fuel for Our Awakening
Inspired by the life and poetry of Kamo no Chōmei (1155-1216), Zen Buddhist practitioner David Chang explores the value of cultivating inner stillness while also bearing witness in times of crisis and upheaval.
A Professor’s Dilemma
Jan Willis on teaching Buddhism in an academic classroom, and what kind of Buddhist understanding her students are receiving.
When we meditate, who or what is meditating?
The teachers are asked "If meditation is ultimately about mind seeing its own true nature, how are we to understand the mind that meditates?"
A Meditation to Identify Your Addiction Triggers
Chönyi Taylor presents a meditation to familiarize yourself with the triggers that set off addictive behaviors.
Not by Ourselves
Shikantaza demands our full self-expression, says Tenshin Reb Anderson, and this can only be realized when we meet intimately with others.
See Things Clear Through
Upasika Kee Nanayon, shows us how to combine concentration and clear-seeing to penetrate the "mass of deceit" that is the mind.
Gaining Perspective on Habitual Patterns
When you’re caught in your habitual patterns, says Joan Sutherland, try not to fixate on your reactions. Instead cultivate awareness of everything that is happening in the moment.