Category: Dharma & Society
The False Comfort of the Familiar
Being with people like us feels comfortable and secure—and it’s a big reason why communities aren’t more diverse, says Zen teacher Jules Shuzen Harris.
Buddhists lend their signatures to Interfaith Climate Change Statement
The "Interfaith Climate Change Statement" was signed by a number of Buddhists, as well as five Catholic cardinals, the CEO of the world’s largest Islamic humanitarian NGO, and many others.
A Western Soto Zen Statement on the Climate Crisis issued
The statement was created "to spur a wider discussion in Zen centers and communities, as well as encouraging denominations and religious communities of all faith traditions to express themselves about the fate of the earth."
Sayadaw U Pandita, influential Burmese meditation master, dead at 94
Sayadaw U Pandita was a prolific Buddhist teacher who had an exceptional influence on American Buddhism.
Writing the Ruth Denison Story
Sandy Boucher gives a candid account of the tangles and revelations in chronicling the life of teacher Ruth Denison, who died in February 2015.
George Saunders shares the Buddhist influence that informed his now-famous meditation on kindness and regret
George Saunders's 2013 convocation address about kindness rang so universally true that it went viral, and then became a book.
Benedict Cumberbatch on how he found Buddhism
Find out how Benedict Cumberbatch found Buddhism and what it means to him today, in the new issue of Lion's Roar.
Meet Iron Fist, Marvel’s controversial “billionaire New York Buddhist monk martial arts superhero” (Updated)
How Buddhist is Marvel's next superhero reboot, Iron Fist?
Remembering jazz singer and Buddhist Ernestine Anderson
A personal remembrance of "Steen," by a fan-turned-close friend.
Jazz giants (and Buddhists) Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter urge artists toward compassion
The new, co-penned "open letter" seems to be informed by the two musicians' shared concerns as Buddhists.
Dharma Country: Sturgill Simpson’s “Metamodern Sounds”
Sturgill Simpson doesn’t claim to be a Buddhist. But, there are clear Buddhist references on "Metamodern Sounds."
How to watch “Inside Out” and start talking about emotions with your kids
Inside Out will delight children and help them appreciate their emotions. Melissa Myozen Blacker offers tips for watching it together.
At Tibet House, Bowie tributes from Iggy Pop, Sharon Jones, and the Patti Smith Group
The annual Tibet House benefit concert took place in New York last night, and a number of the great acts assembled there.
Happily Ever After
A gay couple’s decision to wed threw them into the heart of an American culture war.
Iggy Pop, Sharon Jones, FKA twigs, and more to join Philip Glass at this year’s Tibet House benefit concert
The annual concert to benefit Tibet House is nearly upon us, and the lineup is, as usual, impressive.
Ashes to ashes — David Bowie’s Buddhist death ceremony
In the time since the passing of the great David Bowie, we’ve seen the influence of Buddhism in his life and work, and shared words of appreciation from Bowie’s friend and onetime Buddhist teacher. Now, the Associated Press reports, the influence of Buddhism was seen one last time, in the musician and artist’s death ceremony. According…
Christiana Figueres cites Thich Nhat Hanh’s influence in Paris climate talks
Figueres is the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In this mic-dropping poetry slam, George Yamazawa out-logics slurs with Buddhism
In rhythmic verse, George Yamazawa talks about the power of words as insults and poetry, and the love that Buddhism inspires.
Waking Up to Patriarchy
Gloria Steinem and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo talk about personal challenges they’ve faced, progress they’ve seen, and why there’s still more to be done.
Garry Shandling tells the Dalai Lama a joke — and bombs
Shandling is hardly the first to bomb with a Buddhism joke told to the Dalai Lama.