Category: Teachings
Developing Our Spiritual Capacities
Informed by the teachings of Nichiren Shonin, founder of the Nichiren school of Buddhism, and Sot’aesan, the founder of Won Buddhism, Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick looks at our capacity for spiritual awakening and how it relates to our maturity.
Awakening Through Sound
Guo Gu, contributor to the “Glimpses of Buddhanature” feature in the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma, shares the practice of contemplation of hearing, a practice rooted in a method for awakening attributed to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Venturing Beyond Our Fear of Emptiness
Paul Condon, author of “Buddhanature Beyond Mere Concept” from the Fall 2023 issue of Buddhadharma, explores how cognitive science can help us to realize buddhanature, and gain more capacity to participate effectively in the world.
Undoing Toxic Masculinity in Buddhist Communities
Ann Gleig, Nadine Levy, and Bhante Sujato shine a light on the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and its surprising, disturbing rise within the Buddhist milieu.
Unlocking the Wisdom of the Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra is a pithy, powerful text. If you understand it, says Ven. Guan Cheng, you understand the Buddha's teachings.
Buddhanature Beyond Mere Concept
By letting go of the goal to realize buddhanature, says Paul Condon, we can embody it more freely.
Why Buddhanature Matters
Lopen Karma Phuntsho, writer-in-residence for Tsadra Foundation’s Buddha-Nature project, takes a look at the history and development of the Mahayana concept of buddhanature.
Nothing Is More Important Than Your Buddhanature
“What if,” asks Tsadra Foundation executive director Marcus Perman, “we were brought up with the knowledge that each one of us is by nature capable of complete freedom from suffering, and that we possess wisdom and compassion on a nearly unthinkable scale?”
A Short Guide to Key Buddhanature Texts
Gary Donnelly shares a selection of key buddhanature texts to add to your reading list.
How Insentient Beings Expound Dharma
Shohaku Okumura explains the connection between non-sentient beings and buddhanature.
Meditations on Buddhanature
Four Buddhist teachers share concise instructions for recognizing the luminous nature of mind.
The World Between Breaths
Vanessa Zuisei Goddard on the famous Zen koan “Mu,” and how it helps us dive into buddhanature.
To Be or Not To Be? Be a Buddha!
Looking at the words of classical texts, Karl Brunnhölzl explores the notions of buddhanature and emptiness—how they may be understood as one and the same, and how they are not identical.
Elemental Dakinis As a Path to Awakening
In this excerpt from “Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World; The Heart of Cho Vol.II,” Choying Khandro explores how Dakini energy, expressed as the Five Dakinis, becomes the embodiment and expression of the Five Elements in an awakened form.
Experience the Truth of No Self
When we see ourselves as separate, we’re limited, says Rebecca Bradshaw. In experiencing the truth of nonself, we free our hearts and minds.
Fun & Games: Psychic Powers in the Wilderness
Buddhist monk and scholar Thanissaro Bhikkhu reflects on encounters with his dharma teacher, who “could obviously read my mind and anticipate future events.”
Looking to the “Three Powers” for Patient Acceptance
Though deep in personal grief, Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick knows that, through continued dedicated practice, he can nurture seeds of positivity within himself.
The Power of Buddhist Tantra
Gaylon Ferguson on how tantric view and practice help us turn confusion into clarity and wisdom.
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.