Category: Dharma in Daily Life
Memories of Thay
Today marks the third anniversary of the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh, the influential Vietnamese Buddhist teacher and founder of the Engaged Buddhism movement. Here, a selection of Buddhist teachers and thought leaders share their tributes and memories.
Building a Community of Love: bell hooks and Thich Nhat Hanh
In this conversation, bell hooks and Thich Nhat Hanh reflect on the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and discuss how we can build a community of love.
Lessons from a Wildfire
When his community’s beloved retreat center burned to the ground in 2016, Anam Thubten took it as a teaching on impermanence.
Breaking Free from Addiction
The dharma can help people wake up to the truth of their substance abuse and find a way to get—and stay—sober. We present four true stories of recovery.
Are You Ready for Death?
What we see as the worst crisis of our lives is actually a wonderful opportunity to discover enlightened mind, says The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.
Becoming Truly Alive
We live a kind of artificial life, says Thich Nhat Hanh, lost in worries and anger. Our practice is to wake up and live each moment fully.
7 Life and Death Questions
Michael Hebb, founder of Death Over Dinner, offers some important questions to guide your contemplation of mortality.
The Ultimate Gift
Mushim Patricia Ikeda’s parents gave her baby sister to an aunt living an ocean away. This act of generosity changed the way she thinks about giving.
Do Dishes, Rake Leaves: The Wisdom of the Ancient Homemakers
Karen Maezen Miller on how the domestic practice of ancient Zen masters can lead us to intimate encounters with our own lives.
Pema Chödrön’s Three Methods for Working with Chaos
Pema Chödrön describes three ways to use our problems as the path to awakening and joy.
Practice Is the Right Medicine
This, says Jan Chozen Bays, is the healing power of practice: we release our fear, transform our unskillfulness, and discover our kindest selves.
Must one be a monk to attain enlightenment?
The teachers are asked whether it is necessary to be a monk to attain enlightenment.
Four Reflections That Strengthen Your Intention to Practice
If you contemplate these traditional contemplations, the "four great reflections," you will strengthen your intention to practice.
In the Moments of Non-Awakening
Larry Yang takes an honest look at what it means to be a dharma teacher who hasn’t been, and doesn’t imagine ever being, enlightened.
The Way of Flowers
Joan Stamm on how the Japanese art of flower arranging taught her to appreciate her mother—and the seeds she planted in Stamm’s heart.
How to Set Better Boundaries
Guided by Buddhist teachings on the brahmaviharas, Elizabeth Hernandez-Stomp helps us learn when to say yes and how to say no.
The True Nature of a Flower
For Valerie Brown, her garden is a teacher of the dharma. In every bloom she sees impermanence, nonself, and nirvana.
How to Be a Friend Until the End
According to Frank Ostaseski, offering care to someone who’s dying is like meditation: there’s no one right way, but practice helps, and so do basic guidelines.
The Immeasurable Beauty of Queerness
Taryn Stickrath-Hutt shares her journey as a queer woman and Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, drawing inspiration from the infinite light of Amida Buddha.
Detox Your Mind: 5 Practices to Purify the 3 Poisons
Five Buddhist teachers share practices to clear away the poisons that cause suffering and obscure your natural enlightenment.