Deep Dive

Living Buddhist Ethics

Looking primarily at the three sila aspects of the Buddha’s eightfold path—right action, right speech, and right livelihood—leading dharma figures explain how, as Buddhists in today’s world, we can live ethically, and in accord with what the dharma teaches.

Man in Zen robes with hands in gassho
ETHICS

Ethics, Meditation, and Wisdom 

Norman Fischer on how sila, samadhi, and prajna work together to give us stability on the Buddhist path to liberation.

Norman Fischer

A Buddhist monastic holds up their saffron-colored robe
Emotions

Understanding the Vinaya

Amy Paris Langenberg on the history, evolution, and modern manifestations of the training rules followed by Buddhist monastics.

Amy Paris Langenberg

A collage whose pieces comprise an abstract human face

Dukkha as a Doorway to Liberation

Scott Tusa on how Buddhist ethics transcend mere morality and help us to realize awakening.

Scott Tusa

All-Encompassing Compassion

Heidi Nevin remembers her teacher Chatral Rinpoche’s inspiring commitment to vegetarianism as part of the dharma path.

Heidi Nevin

A man is depicted leaning his head into a large sculpture of an ear and ear-horn

Discernment Guided by Compassion

Ryuei Michael McCormick on right speech: When should we use forceful words, or gentle ones? Or none at all?

Ryuei Michael McCormick

“The Buddhist precepts were not invented to deprive us of life’s delights;
they were designed to help us limit our negative actions
and efficiently traverse the path to awakening.”

—Heidi Nevin, “All-Encompassing Compassion”
A human figure is depicted wit its facial features obscured by high-exposure light

What Is Harmful? What Is Helpful?

Chan teacher Guo Gu on how, through practice, we awaken to the best in others and ourselves.

Guo Gu

Multicolored light is seen illuminating the palm of an opening hand

Opening to the Joy of Work

Making a living while living our values can be easier said than done, but Maia Duerr has discerned six keys for cultivating the qualities and conditions for doing abundant, cheerful, sustainable work.

Maia Duerr

More Deep Dives
Deep Dive

Buddhist Teachings of the Dalai Lama

Buddhadharma has been privileged to publish the world’s greatest dharma teachers — among them, of course, is His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Read a collection of some of his best pieces for committed Buddhist practitioners:

Human eye.

Discover Your Innermost Awareness

In his teaching on the essence of Dzogchen, the Dalai Lama describes the shock that naturally accompanies innermost awareness, the basis of all reality.

Beyond No-Self

While insight into the truth of no-self, is an important step, says the Dalai Lama, it doesn’t go far enough.

"Coq Au Vin," 2015. Illustration by Gary Taxali. Original Artwork Collection of Chef Thomas Keller.

Ethical Conduct Is the Essence of Dharma Practice

The Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron outline three levels of Buddhist ethical codes and how we can follow them.

Deep Dive

The Six Dharmas of Naropa

Considered a fast track to buddhahood, the Six Dharmas are advanced tantric practices including tummo (inner heat), yoga of the dream state, resting in luminosity, and more. Featuring an overview by Pema Khandro Rinpoche, plus in-depth teachings by specialists in each of the Six Dharmas.

The Swift Path to Buddhahood

Pema Khandro on the fascinating history, practice, and purpose of the Six Dharmas of Naropa.

The Practice of Fierce Inner Heat

Judith Simmer-Brown on tummo, one of the most famous esoteric practices of Tibetan Vajrayana and the Six Dharmas. What is it, what are its benefits, and what role does it play in our journey to enlightenment?

A Wake-Up Call

Andrew Holecek on bardo, one of the Six Dharmas of Naropa’s two practices for helping us find our way, when the time comes, through the death experience. It can help us in life, too.