The Haunted Dominion of Mind

The haunted dominion of the mind, says Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche, is self-clinging. We must cut through self-clinging by cultivating the view of emptiness.

Buddhadharma - Fall '12 Heart Sutra Karl Brunnhölzl Mahayana

The Heart Sutra Will Change You Forever

Penetrate the true meaning of the Heart Sutra, says Karl Brunnhölzl, and nothing will be the same again. The secret is making it personal.

Pema Chodron, Fail, Liza Matthews, Buddhadharma, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

The Fine Art of Failing

In her commencement speech at Naropa University, Pema Chödrön explains that if there’s one thing we all need to practice, it's how to fail well.

Becoming the Mountains and Rivers

When we know something intimately, taught Dogen, it ceases to exist and so do we. John Daido Loori Roshi examines this teaching.

How Am I Doing?

From time to time, says Anyen Rinpoche, it’s important to take an honest look at yourself and ask, how am I doing on the Buddhist path?

Retreat cabin.

On Retreat, Block All Exits

It takes courage to undertake a retreat, says Andrew Holecek. But in that container, we find freedom.

The Power of Unbearable Compassion

The Power of Unbearable Compassion

When we can no longer bear the suffering of sentient beings, says the Karmapa, we unleash our full potential to help others and ourselves.

Buddha sculpture under construction.

Waking Up to Whiteness

For our practice to have meaning in today's world, says Greg Snyder, it must include a thorough understanding of our racial identities and their impact.

We’re Just Getting Started

Buddhadharma editor Tynette Deveaux reflects on the last fifteen years of the magazine, and reveals the exciting changes to come.

Inside the Fall 2017, 15th-anniversary issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly

In this special anniversary issue, we celebrate with a selection of the best teachings and articles we’ve published over the last fifteen years.

Buddhism’s Call to Action

Jack Kornfield on the importance of contributing to activism with Buddhist practice and wisdom.

Training the Heart

Ajahn Chah says that if you want to transform the mind, you must to know and transform the heart.

Love Letters Sent by the Wind

“A single night of love is better than a hundred thousand years of sterile meditation,” he wrote. The life and poetry of Ikkyu, translated by John Stevens.

The True Dragon

If you are carving your own dragon, you will never see the real one. That’s why true zazen requires giving up your personal style of practice.

transgender identity man woman male female buddha anatta attachment buddhism sallie jiko tisdale andrew holocek narayan helen liebenson gender lion's roar ask the teachers advice buddha

Does my transgender identity conflict with Buddhism’s teachings on no-self?

I was born male, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m actually a transgender woman. As a Buddhist, I feel conflicted by the teachings on no-self.

Our Teachers Are Not Gods Confronting Abuse of Power Rob Preece

Our Teachers Are Not Gods

Longtime practitioner and psychotherapist Rob Preece says even though as students we may be devoted to our teachers, we can't afford to idealize them anymore.

An Olive Branch Be Proactive Abuse of Power Confronting Buddhism Sangha Teachers Misconduct Controversy

Confronting Abuse: Be Proactive

An Olive Branch presents an action plan for putting the necessary supports in place to protect sangha members from abuse

Buddhist prayer Mark Unno Buddhadharma Lion's Roar

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…

When we pray, says Mark Unno, it’s important not to get caught up in magical thinking or to become attached to specific outcomes. Just praying is enough.

Sculpture of a face.

What Is Dream Yoga and How Do You Do It?

If you indulge your fantasies, lucid dreaming becomes super-samsara. If you go deeper, lucid dreaming can develop into dream yoga—spiritual practice.

Meditator holding an iPhone.

15 Buddhist Apps to Help Recognize You Don’t Really Need a Buddhist iPhone App

Sam Littlefair learns why there are so few Buddhist apps and how — even if they're not totally necessary — they might help you on your spiritual journey.