Archives: BD Articles
The Zen Priest’s Koan
Sojun Mel Weitsman once asked Suzuki Roshi, “What does it mean to be ordained as a Zen priest?” The answer—“I don’t know”—has been his koan ever since.
What is Khandha?
Khandha as defined by Ajahn Punnadhammo, an abbot of the Theravada tradition.
Mind Is Buddha
A simple three-word koan. Or just a one-word koan: buddhanature. So deceptively simple, yet it penetrates to the very heart of the matter.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in the Mahayana Tradition
In the Mahayana tradition, mindfulness is regarded as wisdom, transcendental knowledge, which is known in Sanskrit as prajna. There are several stages we progress through in our study and cultivation of prajna. These become the means for integrating our understanding into our experience, and progressively developing that experience into the full state of realization.
Spring Comes, the Grass Grows by Itself: Remembering Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927-2004)
Stanley Lombardo remembers Zen Master Seung Sahn, founder of the Kwan Um School of Zen, who died in November.
In Translation: Great Perfection in the Palm of Your Hand
Great Perfection in the palm of your hand. The seminal text Essential Advice for Solitary Meditation Practice, by the late Dudjom Rinpoche.
Peace Is More Than Not Fighting
Felix Holmgren talks with the "Sri Lankan Gandhi," Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, about his movement promoting peace, and the transformation of the Sri Lankan society
Forum Essays: the Efficacy of Practice
Buddhadharma readers share their experience of Buddhist practice in everyday life as it relates to the efficacy of their practice.
What is a Yidam?
A yidam as defined by Sarah Harding, a Tibetan translator and lama in the Kagyü school of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Why has my practice become less effective?
Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, Blanche Hartman, and Narayan Helen Liebenson are asked why someone’s practice has become less effective over a period of infrequent practice.
A Zen Demonstration
“Explanation-style teaching is not enough,” says Zen Master Seung Sahn. A commentary on Case 41 of "The Whole World is a Single Flower"
Forum: Translating the Dharma
A roundtable discussion with Bhikkhu Bodhi, Elizabeth Callahan, Francisca Cho and Larry Mermelstein on translating the Dharma.
In Translation: The View of the Conquerors
Vajra songs of the Dzogchen lineage, from Ani Jinba Palmo’s translation of The Great Image: The Life Story of Vairochana the Translator.
Deep in the Present Moment
John Malkin talks to Sister Chan Khong about peace, war, emptiness and working with Thich Nhat Hanh.
Awake at Work
What is “right livelihood”? What “spiritual values” should an employer support? Can I bring my spiritual priorities and insights to work?
Forum Essays: Work
Buddhadharma readers share their experience of Buddhist practice in everyday life as it relates to work and the workplace.
The Guru and the Great Vastness
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche looksat the role and the influence of the guru on learning in the vajrayana tradition.
Forum: Is Your Practice Working?
A roundtable discussion with Edward Brown, Josh Baran and Tsultrim Allione on the outcomes of Buddhist practice, moderated by Melvin McLeod.
A Pillar of Zen: Roshi Philip Kapleau 1912 – 2004
Roshi Philip Kapleau's longtime student Rafe Martin remembers a pioneer of American Zen.