Like all explorers, we are drawn to discover what’s out there without knowing yet if we have the courage to face it. -Pema Chödrön One of the most beloved of American Buddhist teachers, Pema Chödrön has devoted her life to inspiring people to awaken and has changed many lives in the process. She is the author of many influential books, such as When Things Fall Apart, Living [...]
10 Buddhist Books Everyone Should Read
10 Buddhist books everyone should read, as selected by the editors of Lion's Roar. After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield (Bantam, 2000) According to Jack Kornfield, enlightenment does exist and is even pretty common. The rub is that after achieving it, day-to-day tasks and troubles still await you. This is a guide to translating our spiritual [...]
The Best of bell hooks: Life, Writings, Quotes, and Books
When we drop fear, we can draw nearer to people, we can draw nearer to the earth, we can draw nearer to all the heavenly creatures that surround us. —bell hooks Writer, feminist theorist, and cultural critic bell hooks has played a vital role in twenty-first-century activism. Her expansive life's work of writing and lecturing has explored the historical function of race and [...]
Buddhism & Diversity: Profiles, Teachings, and Conversations
A collection of teachings, profiles, and discussions about diversity in Buddhism. Featuring angel Kyodo williams, Funie Hsu, Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara, Arunlikhati, Gina Sharpe, Greg Snyder, Justin Simien, George Takei, Alice Walker, Lama Rod Owens, and more. Diversity is increasingly discussed in Western Buddhism today, and with good reason. Supporting diversity serves three [...]
What Is Zen Buddhism and How Do You Practice It?
Zen teacher Norman Fischer takes you through the principles and practices of the major schools of Zen. Includes specially selected articles for further reading. What does “Zen” mean? The word “Zen” is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese “Ch’an,” which means “meditation.” Ch’an came to Japan and became “Zen” around the eighth century. Today, the word “Zen” is in more [...]
Your Guide to Going on a Buddhist Retreat
Are you considering going on your first weekend Buddhist meditation program, or week-long Zen sesshin, or even a much longer residential meditation retreat? Know what to expect so that your retreat experience may be minimally stressful -- and immersive and positive instead. Why is going on a Buddhist retreat helpful? Along with daily practice, Buddhism recommends taking [...]
The Best of Thich Nhat Hanh: Life, Teachings, Quotes, and Books
The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life. -Thich Nhat Hanh "We gauge the greatness of spiritual teachers by the depth, breadth, and impact of their teachings, and by the example their lives set for us. By all these measures, Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the leading spiritual masters [...]
Where Buddhism and Science Meet: Teachings, Commentary, and News
Now more than ever, Buddhists are using scientific tools and scientists are using Buddhist wisdom to uncover truths about the universe. Here, we present a collection of articles on the fruits of those collaborations. Featuring the Dalai Lama, Daniel Goleman, Karen Kissel Wegela, Vincent Horn, Judy Roitman, Jack Kornfield, Judy Lief, Sam Littlefair, and more. Buddhist [...]
10 Essential Books for Your Meditation Library
If you're looking for good reads to begin or deepen your relationship to Buddhist meditation, you can't go wrong with these ten essential picks. As published in the May 2017 Lion's Roar magazine's special section, "How to Meditate Like the Buddha." How to Meditate A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön (Sounds True) Bestselling author and [...]
Buddhism and Meditation for Beginners
New to Buddhism or meditation? Then you probably have a lot of questions -- and here you'll find helpful answers, by way of articles from Lion's Roar and Buddhadharma. Contents What do Buddhists believe? Is Buddhism a religion? Is it okay if I'm not religious? Is there an eternal soul in Buddhism? What is dharma? How do you become a Buddhist? How do I [...]