Archives: BD Articles
Profile: Inquiring Mind
Barry Boyce discusses the history of the first Buddhist journal in the West, the Inquiring Mind, having reached its 25 year anniversary.
The Eight Flashing Lances
In this commentary on a famed yogi’s spontaneous song of realization, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso explains why Mahamudra practice makes our view, meditation, and action free and unhindered, like a lance flashing free in the open sky.
The Integrity of Emptiness
The Mahayana view of emptiness, says Thanissaro Bhikkhu, is too abstract and philosophical to be of much help in our everyday lives. Instead he offers a Theravada path of emptiness that starts with taking an honest look at our day-to-day actions and leads ultimately to enlightenment.
Forum: Diversity and Divisions in American Buddhism
A forum on diversity and divisions in American Buddhism, with Socho Koshin Ogui, Rev. Ron Kobata, Wakoh Shannon Hickey, and Duncan Ryuken Williams. Introduction by Charles S. Prebish.
Searching for Bodhidharma
Andy Ferguson journeys through China with author and translator Red Pine in search of the historical Bodhidharma and evidence of his original teachings.
Profile: Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship
Barry Boyce reports on the growing community of Unitarian Universalists adopting Buddhist practices.
Caught in Indra’s Net
If you want to understand the full truth of “form is emptiness; emptiness is form,” says Robert Aitken Roshi, you must go beyond the Heart Sutra to philosophical texts like the Huayan Sutra, which unpack and elaborate this profound paradox.
The Phenomenal Universe of the Flower Ornament Sutra
The Huayan, or Flower Ornament Sutra, is not widely known in the West, yet it has had a profound and lasting impact on Zen and Chan Buddhism.
Crucial Instructions
The late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a great 20th century Buddhist teacher, offers four sets of pithy teachings on bringing the absolute nature into our path.
Forum: Practicing the Great Perfection
Forum with Marcia Schmidt, Ron Garry and Mingyur Rinpoche on the view, teachings, and challenges of Dzogchen.
In Translation: Nothing to be Discarded or Kept
Heart advice by Dzogchen masters, from the newly translated collection of teachings, Quintessential Dzogchen.
Buddhism and the American Character
We might pause to consider the American character as it relates to practice, focusing on those traits most likely to challenge us as practitioners.
What is Jukai?
Jukai as defined by Diane Eshin Rizzetto, an abbess of the bay Zen center in Oakland, California.
Reflecting on a Mother’s Love
Before he encountered the dharma, explains Ajahn Amaro, his mother was his main example of great kindness and generosity.
Into the Depths of Emptiness
Master Sheng Yen surveys the path to enlightenment, explaining how it progresses and where its pitfalls are. Our intellectual understanding, our temporary realizations, even the exalted state of oneness—all must be dropped to realize the deepest emptiness, the highest truth.
Forum: How Should I Help?
Forum with Paul Haller, Robina Courtin, and Bernie Glassman on the relationship between social engagement and Buddhist practice.
Opinion: Kobai Scott Whitney
The Upper Middle Way: Have North American Buddhists renounced renunciation?
Profile: Snow Lion Publications
To the surprise of the publishing world, the Dalai Lama and his translator Jeffrey Hopkins decided to give the project to Snow Lion Publications.
Profile: Death of a Pioneer
The famous Buddhist scholar Herbert Guenther passed away on March 11, in Saskatchewan, at the age of 88. "Engagement with what matters" was his motto.