Category: Dharma & Society
Watch: “The Heart-Mind is a Wonderful Thing to Gain” offers compassion teachings by Black Buddhist teachers
This free series offers helpful compassion teachings from Pamela Ayo Yetunde, Jan Willis, Christian Howard, and Cheryl A. Giles.
Buddhist Sangha as Refuge for LGBTQ+ People
Pamela Ayo Yetunde reflects on the recent shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, sharing how Buddhists can work to create a community of refuge for LGBTQ+ people.
Psychedelic Insight
Psychedelics and spirituality—including more than a few Buddhist concepts and practices—are reuniting with science after decades of estrangement. Jennifer Keishin Armstrong on this new frontier in the study of mind.
The Power of Silence
Silence can be noble or ignoble, liberating or oppressive. Bhante Sumano on knowing when, why, and how to be silent—but not silenced.
Love Everyone: A Guide for Spiritual Activists
Sharon Salzberg and Rev. angel Kyodo williams discuss how we can bring spirituality and politics together to build a more just and compassionate society.
Beginning a Buddhist Pedagogy for the Privileged Oppressed
Pamela Ayo Yetunde explores how Buddhist pedagogy is an essential framework for Buddhist teachers to educate themselves and their communities about our criminal justice systems.
Right Conduct: How Breonna Taylor is Waking Up American Justice
Dexter Cohen Bohn examines how the police killing of Breonna Taylor awoke the beginnings of a repatterining of justice in the American judicial system, and the work still to come.
Tree of Wisdom
Oak and maple, palm and pine—trees are our closest neighbors and most patient teachers. Henry Shukman on the common roots of people and trees.
Ultimately the Same
The historical Christ and Buddha lived and taught thousands of years ago, but their ultimate nature is always present. Renowned theologian Matthew Fox looks at buddhanature and the Cosmic Christ and how we can find them within us.
Help When Your Heart Breaks
Caring for people who are suffering is a loving, even heroic calling, but it takes a toll. Roshi Joan Halifax teaches this five-step program to care for yourself while caring for others.
How Meditation Inspired Jazz Great John Coltrane
Zen teacher Sean Murphy looks back jazz icon John Coltrane and how meditation practice informed his monumental late-period work.
The Art & Activism of Mayumi Oda
With her empowered imagery, she’s connected many to the divine feminine. Andrea Miller profiles the Japanese American visionary Mayumi Oda.
Another Birthday on Death Row
Rebecca Solnit celebrated his 56th birthday with Jarvis Jay Masters, who has spent some 30 years on death row, as he seeks freedom through meditation.
Richard Gere on Tibet’s Gift of Love
Actor and activist Richard Gere talks about his teacher the Dalai Lama, the warm heart of the Tibetan people, and how humanity can benefit from the values of Tibetan culture.
Stop Woke: The War Against Awakening and Belonging
Ann Gleig offers commentary on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act,” reminding us that “the path to awakening is not an easy one.”
Right Hope
Economist and ecodharma activist Clair Brown calls on Buddhists to join the fight against climate change. What helps when the future looks bleak is the right kind of hope.
Awakening with “A Love Supreme”
Rev. Dr. John Lee reflects on John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and how he learned to view the album as an example of awakening.
The Ethics of Abortion: A Black Mama’s Wise Contemplation
Zenzele Isoke offers her commentary on the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and why we must collectively establish a new set of political ethics that are peaceful, compassionate, wise, and loving.
Right Remembering: An Antidote to Scapegoating’s Erasure
Lion's Roar associate editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde discusses "right remembering" and how it impacts our collective memory for George Floyd.
Women Receive Full Ordination in Bhutan For First Time in Modern History
Damcho Diana Finnegan and Dr. Carola Roloff report on Thursday's historic ceremony that saw the full ordination of 144 female monastics in Bhutan.