A painting of a lotus flower with a flame in the center, in pink and purple

Cultivating the 5 Powers

Author, medical doctor, and Plum Village monastic Sister Dang Nghiem (a.k.a. "Sister D.") talks about how her teacher Thich Nhat Hanh taught the "five strengths" — faith, diligence, mindfulness, concentration, and insight — and how we can harness them to drive and deepen our dharma practice.

The Union of Energy and Wisdom

Jill Shepherd explores the relationship between the perfection of energy and wisdom, and how applying our energy and effort wisely leads to less harm to ourselves and others.

Is Buddhism a “Teaching of Images”?

Lama Hun Lye explores the power of images and how we can take inspiration from the different ways the awakened state has been represented across Buddhist traditions.

The Logic of Not-self

Thanissaro Bhikkhu, featured author in the Summer 2023 "Power & The Practitioner" issue of Buddhadharma, explores the Buddha’s teachings on how a sense of self is formed, how we use the five aggregates to define the self, and how to deconstruct the process.

Meet Sati-AI, a Non-Human Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

Sati-AI is an art project created to support meditators on their journey towards cultivating mindfulness and fostering personal growth. Ross Nervig speaks with its creator, Marlon Barrios Solano.

The Buddha’s Path to Awakening

The Buddha discovered a path to liberation, and more than two thousand years later people are still following in his footsteps. Heather Sanche unpacks his life, legacy, and essential teachings.

The Tathagata’s Ten Wisdom Powers

The "Avatamsaka," or "Flower Garland Sutra," details the path and practices of the bodhisattva, including ten powers that arise from the awakened human mind. Rev. Heng Sure on how teacher and student alike might realize them.

Buddhadharma on Books: Summer 2023

Joie Szu-Chiao Chen reviews eight new books for the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

The Buddha Amitābha in the Himitsu nenbutsu shō

An excerpt of chapter 7 of Aaron P. Proffitt’s new book, "Esoteric Pure Land Buddhism" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Read “Two Realities,” an excerpt from Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey Through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality

An excerpt of chapter 16 of Andy Karr's book, "Into the Mirror" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Read “Seventh Mind Training,” from Being Human and a Buddha Too: Longchenpa’s Sevenfold Mind Training for a Sunlit Sky

An excerpt from Anne Carolyn Klein's new book, "Being Human and a Buddha Too" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Read “Erroneous Imaginations,” an excerpt from The Zen Way of Recovery

An excerpt from chapter 14 of Laura Burges' new book, "The Zen Way of Recovery" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Read “Indian Epistemology,” an excerpt from Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics

An excerpt from "Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics, Vol. 4: Philosophical Topics" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Read an excerpt from “Dancing with the Dead: The Essential Red Pine Translations”

An excerpt from "Dancing With the Dead: The Essential Red Pine Translations" — reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue of Buddhadharma.

Man with curly hair sits in thought resting his chin in his hand.

Am I Supposed to Stop Thinking?

Three Buddhist teachers answer the question "Are we supposed to stop or transcend thinking altogether, or to find another, more enlightened way to think?"

Ceramic buddha cup with red flowers in background.

The Buddha’s Smile

Lion's Roar Editor Andrea Miller tells the story of the ceramic Buddha cup from her childhood and how it inspires her on the Buddhist path.

Yellow and red potatoes covered in dirt in a pot.

The Quickest Way to Clean Potatoes

When you stir dirty potatoes in a pot, they clean each other. Jane McLaughlin-Dobisz on the bumps and benefits of being with others.

Lion’s Roar July 2023 Book Reviews

Bonnie Nadzam surveys new books on crisis care, climate change, and deep dharma.

water pouring into pool with pink flower floating

Dogen’s Instructions to the Gardener

Karen Maezen Miller on cultivating the three minds—joyful mind, kind mind, and great mind.

The Eightfold Path: Right View

Koun Franz on seeing what’s in front of you, even the things you’d rather not see.