Category: Buddhadharma

Meditation on Emptiness

Read a review of Meditation on Emptiness, Second Revised Edition, by Jeffrey Hopkins, plus an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Wisdom Publications.

Post-Charismatic Buddhism and the Sangha Crisis Nobody Seems to Be Talking About

John Negru reflects on the current state of Buddhist communities and how they might best develop themselves, and their leaders, in the modern day.

Where the Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Will (and Won’t) Be Found

Matteo Pistono on Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China, the new book by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. The book, he writes, is the Dalai Lama’s response — not just to Beijing, but to history itself.

On Taking Refuge

Lama Hun Lye explores the importance of the Three Refuges to Buddhists, and what it really means to “take refuge.”

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.

How USAID Cuts Will Impact Buddhist Countries and Communities

Cuts to USAID will have far-reaching consequences worldwide. Here's how Buddhist nations, communities, and refugees might be affected.

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.

Gyalo Thondup, brother of Dalai Lama and major voice for Tibetan freedom, dies at 97

His Holiness the Dalai Lama remembered his influential brother and advisor as "a good man who did his best for the Tibetan cause."

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.

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.