The Only Constant is Impermanence

Each Friday, we share three topical longreads in our Weekend Reader newsletter. This week, Lion's Roar magazine's Hal Atwood looks at the gifts of impermanence.

Form ritual Zen

Why Forms are Fundamental to Buddhist Practice

Embrace the ritual forms of Buddhist practice, says Zen teacher (and former Buddhadharma editor) Koun Franz — you can't escape them anyway.

Pagoda in the mist.

Koans for Troubled Times

How do we as Buddhists meet the challenges of our time? Joan Sutherland says an answer lies in the teachings of two great Chan masters.

Why Mindfulness Isn’t Enough

Scholar Sarah Shaw explains why mindfulness must work together with ethics, compassion, and wisdom — in Buddhism and in life.

Beyond Good and Evil

Jan Chozen Bays ponders the question of evil's origin, considering the Christian and the Buddhist perspectives on good and evil.

Can Wisdom Traditions Be Colonized?

To whom does the dharma belong? asks Vaishali Mamgain, Ph.D, as she explores the ways colonization and white supremacy have appropriated the dharma and other wisdom traditions.

Spirit in the House, Witch Under the Bridge

Karen Connelly on giving unseen beings their due.

The Inspiration of the Dalai Lama

I remember having an intimate conversation with His Holiness many years ago. At one point he touched the tip of his tongue and quietly said, “This tongue has never lied.” What a simple and astonishing statement. It cut right through me. It would be quite unthinkable to believe such a clear and dignified declaration from…

The Five Great Fears

As a prelude his five-part series, Zen teacher Lewis Richmond asks us to consider fear itself: what is fear? What are we so afraid of?

Voices and Visions

When the spirit moves into writing, shaping its direction, that is a moment of pure mystery.

Robert Thurman the Dalai Lama

The Meaning of the Dalai Lama for Today

When I have attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama giving Buddhist teachings to large assemblies, I have had an odd sensation lately...

The Buddha’s Journey

Scholar Andrew Olendzki on how the Buddha discovered a path to liberation that we can take too.

The Progressive Buddha

Karma Lekshe Tsomo on the Buddha as social reformer — for his time and ours.

Take Care of Yourself Too

Sharon Salzberg reflects on the selflessness of everyday caregivers, and encouraging a balance of compassion and equanimity.

What Does It Mean to Be Free?

Tracy Franz on some timely themes in new books and media.

Life Lessons from the Poker Table

Psychologist and mindfulness meditator Maria Konnikova talks about what she learned about life, luck, and paying attention on her journey from complete novice to poker professional.

"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.

How do Buddhist teachers work with doubt?

Sometimes when I teach I feel like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not because I see where I fail to live up to these precious teachings. I begin to doubt.

Inside the Fall 2020 Buddhadharma magazine

The Fall 2020 issue of Buddhadharma features in-depth teachings for cultivating your Buddhist practice and manifesting those teachings in everyday life.

Comparing Mahamudra and Dzogchen

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996) on the differences between Mahamudra and Dzogchen—and the relationship between them.