Category: Teachings
Buddhism’s Next 40 Years: Deepening Our Practice and Study
In the third issue in our 40th anniversary series, Melvin McLeod looks at how Western Buddhists can deepen their practice and study of Buddhism.
What is the Gohonzon?
In Nichiren Shu Buddhism, the gohonzon is a calligraphic scroll that can guide Buddhist practitioners toward enlightenment.
Beyond the Upper Middle Way
Convert Buddhism has a class problem: it appeals mostly to a narrow demographic of well-off college graduates. Buddhist scholar Ann Gleig offers some class consciousness to help Buddhism drop the barriers and benefit many more people.
Review: In Love with the World
Lion's Roar reviews "In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying."
Free at Last
Rima Vesely-Flad reports on Deep Time Liberation, a retreat that takes African American meditators into the heart of slavery’s past so they can free themselves from its legacy of trauma.
Buddha: Rebel With a Supremely Good Cause
To truly wake up, writes Kimberlyn David, we must expand our understanding of freedom like the Buddha did.
What do Americans know about Buddhism? “Not much,” say most.
One-fifth of survey respondents incorrectly said that Buddhists believe in an “immortal soul,” and most said they don't personally know a Buddhist.
You Already Have What You’re Looking For
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche shares what he feels is the most helpful message Buddhism can offer in the coming decades.
The Best of the Dalai Lama: Life, Quotes, Teachings, and Books
An introduction to the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama, teacher, educator, science enthusiast, and political leader.
The Paradox of Prayer
Prayer is alive and well in Western Zen, says Jan Chozen Bays, even as it challenges us to make sense of what we’re doing.
What a Wall Teaches
Lin Jensen recounts his experience with the ancient Zen practice of wall sitting: what is it about a wall that helps penetrate consciousness?
The Math Koan
The practice of koan study isn't so different from teaching math, says high school teacher Pat Higgiston.
How Buddhists Can Benefit from Western Philosophy
Take a second look at Western philosophy, advises William Edelglass — it might be more compatible with Buddhism than you think.
Buddha’s Original Wakefulness
Unless we can recognize and sustain the continuity of original wakefulness, deluded experience will not end, says Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. "It is the most important point of all."
In Search of the Real Buddha
Buddhist scholar Peter Harvey explores the facts, myths, and deeper truths of the Buddha’s life story.
The Moon Is Me, I Am the Moon
We are all one and the same. This is the experience of Zen. So teaches Shodo Harada Roshi in his book of original calligraphies.
Who Was Mahasi Sayadaw?
Burmese monk Mahasi Sayadaw helped revolutionize Buddhism. He was a respected scholar, teacher, and meditation master.
New Study Suggests Meditating on Emptiness Might Be Better than Mindfulness
In a recent study, meditating on emptiness led to a 24 percent decrease in negative emotions.
Visualizing a Pure and Perfect World
Heidi Köppl looks at how Vajrayana visualization practice, when applied correctly, helps us to acknowledge the emptiness of the present moment.
Endless Moments of Insight
Meditation master Mahasi Sayadaw presents his step-by-step instructions for the practice of insight meditation.