Gone, but here

Donna Quesada, author of The Buddha in the Classroom, reflects on birth, death, losses, and gains.

What Is Karma and Why Should it Matter to You?

Karma is essential to Buddhist psychology, says Toni Bernhard, because karma molds our character.

Two poems from Leza Lowitz’s “Yoga Heart”

Two poems from Yoga Heart: Lines on the Six Perfections, by Leza Lowitz.

The Face of Western Buddhism

Sociologist James Coleman looks at the emerging Buddhist population in America and who will shape the new public face of Buddhism.

The Challenges Ahead

Two hundred teachers gathered for a Buddhist Teachers Council to discuss the future of Buddhism in the West. A forum on the key issues.

A Sane Life

In this teaching, the late American Zen pioneer Charlotte Joko Beck reminds us that having a sane and satisfying life comes from having a sane and balanced practice.

In Memoriam: Joko Beck

Barry Magid remembers the great pioneer of American Zen, Charlotte Joko Beck, whose influence changed our thoughts on the nature of practice.

Buddhist protector Mahakala

Review: The Taming of the Demons: Violence and Liberation in Tibetan Buddhism

There once stood a buddha coated in spiders, scorpions, and snakes. He had nine vile heads, enormous wings, eighteen hands clasping fearsome instruments, and spat fire as he trampled the beings underneath him.

Book Briefs Fall 2011

Brief summaries of Buddhist books from the Fall 2011 issue of Buddhadharma.

Not Even Past: A Q&A with Lisa See

Andrea Miller interviews author Lisa See about her novel, Dreams of Joy, a historical fiction set in China during the Great Leap Forward.

Charlotte Joko Beck James Ford Zen

Zen as nothing special: Charlotte Joko Beck and the Ordinary Mind School of Zen

In this adaptation from his book, James Ishmael Ford concisely places the life and work of the late Charlotte Joko Beck into context.

Creature Comfort

Dogs comfort their human companions and parrots care for their injured mates. When we increase our understanding of animal compassion, says behavioral ecologist Joanna Burger, we understand more about ourselves.

The Mindful Way to Self-Compassion

A review of The Mindful Way Through Anxiety and True Belonging: Mindful Practices to Help You Overcome Loneliness

Review: US premiere of “My Reincarnation”

The US debut of My Reincarnation previewed to a full house at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City on May 18.

What Are Dharma Teachers For?

Given how difficult Buddhist teachers can be to locate, trust, understand, accept, admire, and follow, are they even necessary?

Let’s Be Realistic

Chan Master Sheng Yen reminds us not to be discouraged that we haven’t attained enlightenment. After all, we’re only human.

Inside the Shamatha Project

Adeline Van Waning takes us inside a groundbreaking study that explores the effects of meditation on the brain and one’s overall well-being.

Beyond All Attachment

Beyond All Attachment

It’s not enough to renounce attachment to this life, says the Sakya Trizin. To be liberated we must transcend the idea of reality altogether.

The Roshi and the Poet

Logan Beaudry muses about love, illusions, and Leonard Cohen during a sesshin with Sasaki Roshi—and ponders why Oliver Stone was there too.

Whose Book of the Dead?

A review of "The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography" by Donald S. Lopez Jr.