Category: Dharma in Daily Life
Who Was Miaozong?
Miriam Levering on the life of Miaozong, a laywoman turned abbess who stood her ground in dharma battles with some of the great Chan masters of her day.
The Seeds of Peace
Richard Reoch, president of Shambhala International, says the same practices that bring peace within can help bring peace to the world.
My teacher wants to certify me as a dharma teacher, but I feel like a fraud.
The teachers are asked about how to balance anxiety in ones personal life with the potential of becoming a dharma teacher.
Sudden Awakening
Sudden awakening can come gradually, almost imperceptibly, or in a sudden, life-altering flash. When will it happen to you and what—donkey, broom, or morning star—will trigger it?
The Hidden Treasure of the Heart
The key to the treasure of unconditional compassion, says Aura Glaser, is the three-step practice of equanimity.
Training the Mind to Transform Adversity into Awakening
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche explains how obstacles can be brought to the spiritual path and become opportunities for awakening.
Feeding the Spiritually Hungry
For all their material success, says Pico Iyer, many Japanese feel alienated and spiritually starved. They responded hungrily to the Dalai Lama’s teachings on his recent tour of Japan.
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.
Opinion: Kobai Scott Whitney
The Upper Middle Way: Have North American Buddhists renounced renunciation?
Embracing Conflict in Sangha
More and more American sanghas are turning to new and creative approaches to address interpersonal conflicts in their communities.
The Kind of Guru I Had
The late Dzogchen master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche recalls the profound influence of his teacher, Samten Gyatso, and the early teachings he received from him.
Forum: The Lojong Mind Training Practices
Judy Lief, Ken McLeod, and B. Alan Wallace discuss the seven points of mind training and how they work in our daily lives.
Will Marriage Get in the Way of My Practice?
I’m worried about how marriage might conflict with my practice. How can you come to terms with attachment and ultimately renounce it, AND be married?
Forum Essays
Buddhadharma readers share their experience of Buddhist practice in everyday life as it relates to the generational divide and diversity within the sangha.
Suffering’s Not the Only Story
In the midst of great personal pain and confusion, says Sylvia Boorstein, we can be alive to the momentary gaps where our minds change course.
How American Women Are Changing Buddhism
The role of American Buddhist women is unprecedented and may change Buddhism forever.
Death Don’t Have No Mercy
Mariana Caplan's moving memoir of her mother's death, a rare account of death looked straight in the face and a powerful lesson in the pain of holding on.
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.
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.