Category: Teachings
The Great Way — A classic teaching by John Daido Loori
A classic commentary on this seminal Zen text by the American roshi, John Daido Loori, who died this morning at the age of 78.
On Enlightenment – An Interview with Shinzen Young
Shinzen Young leads meditation retreats in the mindfulness tradition throughout North America and has helped establish several centers.
Charting the Future of Buddhist Translation
The world’s leading Tibetan–English translators, Buddhist scholars, and lamas meet to plan for translating the Tibetan Buddhist canon.
Blowing Smoke
Logan Beaudry befriends a strange newcomer and fellow smoker during a weeklong Rinzai retreat and learns how not to respond to the question, Where are you from?
Fearless Simplicity
An excerpt from “Fearless Simplicity,” by Tsokyni Rinpoche, from In the Face of Fear: Buddhist Wisdom for Challenging Times.
About a Poem: Pico Iyer on a haiku by Kobayashi Issa
Pico Iyer on a haiku by Kobayashi Issa.
What is Pramana?
Pramana as defined by Andy Karr, a Buddhist teacher in the Vajrayana tradition.
Beyond No-Self
While insight into the truth of no-self, is an important step, says the Dalai Lama, it doesn’t go far enough.
A New Democracy
Part one of Joan Halifax's teaching, A New Democracy: The Koan of Servant Leadership, which she gave on January 21, 2009 at Upaya Zen Center.
True Stories About Sitting Meditation from Charlotte Joko Beck, Joseph Goldstein, Sylvia Boorstein, and Sharon Salzberg
Four well-known Buddhist meditation teachers talk about their own experiences of self-discovery through sitting meditation.
Just Say Hai!
The essence of Zen practice, says Eido Shimano Roshi, can be condensed into one word: Hai! (Yes!) The difficulty is learning to say Hai! without adding “But, but...”
The Magical Illusion of Self
For the meditator who sees things as they really are, explains the late Mahasi Sayadaw, there is no “I” or “being”—only mental and physical phenomena coming together in the present moment.
The Universal Meditation Technique of S.N. Goenka
Drawing from the Buddha's earliest teachings, S. N. Goenka teaches a simple yet powerful technique of close attention to every sensation.
Buddhist Military Sangha: Reconnect with the Three Treasures
Lieutenant Jeanette Shin is an American priest in the Jodo Shinshu tradition, and a Buddhist chaplain in the US military.
What is Sabba?
Sabba as defined by Glenn Wallis, a scholar in Buddhist studies from Harvard University.
Spotless from the Start
In order to overcome the five main obstacles facing a bodhisattva, says Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, we must realize that all beings are primordially pure. He presents the essential teachings on buddhanature from Maitreya’s Uttaratantra Shastra.
Zen Has No Gates
Nyogen Senzaki, one of the great Zen masters of the twentieth century, quietly dedicated his life to bringing the authentic practice of Zen to America. Now, on the 50th anniversary of his death, a new collection of his teachings, Eloquent Silence, presents his commentary on the classic koan collection, The Gateless Gate. Introduction by Roko Sherry Chayat.
Why do so many Buddhists eat meat and wear fur?
The teachers are asked why so many buddhists still eat meat and wear leather or fur.
Teachings from Meditation in Recovery: The Four Brahma Viharas
The following is from a series of essays on recovery as seen from the Buddhist perspective of the paramitas and the Brahma Viharas.