Category: Dharma & Society
A Lotus in Mormon Land
In Utah, Buddhist scholar Charles Prebish is surprised to discover a Buddhist community thriving alongside its Mormon neighbors.
Profile: The University of the West
A Profile on the University of the WEST (UWest), founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1991.
Wisdom of the Rebels
Tom Robbins on the Zen rebels, Sufi saints, and wild yogis who fight conventional mind with humor, outrageousness, and paradox.
Melody vs. Meditation
There are two sides to singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls: the “just sitting” meditator and the crazed composer.
Profile: Birken Forest Monastery
David Kirk profiles the Birken Forest Monastery in British Columbia.
The Art of Losing
Ruth L. Ozeki's touching memoir is also a profound meditation on love, stories, and the difference between losing and letting go.
Profile: Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
David Swick profiles the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in Massachusetts.
Writers and the War Against Nature
Zen practitioner Gary Snyder traces his lifelong commitment to the environment and calls on all creative people to rise in its defense.
The Ecology of Aging
Many people look at the aging population as a problem, but Theodore Roszak thinks it could result in a wiser and more caring society.
He Has Tried in His Way to Be Free
Leonard Cohen is succeeding. In 2007, Sarah Hampson had a rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with the famed singer and poet.
A Challenge to Buddhists
Bhikkhu Bodhi looks at how Buddhist practice can be applied to the modern world in a way that provides aid to various problems of the age.
Politics of a Still Mind
Perry Garfinkel offers an appreciation of the deep personal realization behind Thich Nhat Hanh's philosophy of Engaged Buddhism.
Suffering Too Insignificant for the Majority to See
Alice Walker describes the great toll, both personal and societal, of racism in America, and how Buddhism has helped her heal its wounds.
Profile: Karma Triyana Dharmachakra
Andrea Miller profiles Karma Triyana Dharmachakra near Woodstock, New York.
Profile: Inquiring Mind
Barry Boyce discusses the history of the first Buddhist journal in the West, the Inquiring Mind, having reached its 25 year anniversary.
Thanks for the Dance: Pico Iyer considers Leonard Cohen
Pico Iyer considers Leonard Cohen—the ladies’ man, the balladeer, the Zen poet, and the essence of cool with a new love giving voice to his songs of parting and old age.
Profile: Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship
Barry Boyce reports on the growing community of Unitarian Universalists adopting Buddhist practices.
Who Does God Vote For?
Seeking an Alternative to the Christian Right: Barry Boyce reports on the movement to develop a political platform that is both progressive and spiritual.
All in the Family
Katie Zdybel grew up on the music of James Taylor and Carly Simon. Their son Ben Taylor discusses how the love of music brings the generations together.