The Historic First International Chöd-Zhijé Conference will run from July 12 to 16 at Tara Mandala Retreat Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The conference will explore the ancient practice of chöd, which is considered one of the Eight Chariots of Spiritual Accomplishment in the Tibetan tradition. The practice involves offering one’s body as food to demons in order to cut [...]
Buddhist Recovery Summit to explore how dharma can help addiction sufferers
The Buddhist Recovery Summit 2017—a collaboration between the Northwest Dharma Association and the Buddhist Recovery Network—will run from October 20 to 22 at the Gwinwood Retreat Center in Lacey, Washington. Organizers say the Summit is open to all who are interested in Buddhist Recovery. According to the Buddhist Recovery Network, the movement uses Buddhist teachings and [...]
Buddhist researchers seek to reveal link between heart, mind
Researchers at Hong Kong’s Center of Buddhist Studies have published findings that point to a connection between the heart and the mind. Buddhism has long asserted a connection between the heart and the mind. The Sanskrit word citta and the Japanese word kokoro each translate to English as both “heart” and “mind.” Now, Buddhist researchers are trying to identify that [...]
Int’l Buddhist Women’s conference begins June 22
The 15th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women will begin on June 22 at the University of Hong Kong, running until June 28. Its theme will be “Contemplation, Cultural Exchange, and Social Action.” From the event’s press release: The theme is meant to be broad enough to encompass many aspects of what Buddhism means to women and to embrace a range of [...]
Land purchased for “Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center” in Colorado wilderness
Today, a group of Buddhist teachers and practitioners purchased 180 acres of rural Colorado land to start "Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center." The land is a nature preserve that is home to deer, elk, moose, bear, and beaver, and borders Arapahoe National Forest. "It's exciting to me," says director and vice president David Loy. "We now have a center devoted to [...]
Commentary: A Decision Cruel and Callous
Bhikkhu Bodhi responds to US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Much has been written over the past couple of weeks about the political and economic repercussions of Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out from the Paris Climate Agreement. It’s been pointed out that the decision will diminish our standing in the world and cast us in [...]
Translators recognized as Santaraksita Awards are given at Tsadra Translation and Transmission conference
Gavin Kilty, a full-time translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics since 2001, won first place in the Shantarakshita Award for Excellence in Translation at this year's Tsadra Translation and Transmission conference, which took place in Boulder, Colorado, from May 31-June 3. The honor was given in recognition of Kilty's work on Tsonghkapa's A Lamp to Illuminate the Five [...]
10th Global Conference on Buddhism to be mindful of mental health
The 10th Global Conference on Buddhism will take place on June 17 and 18 at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, Canada. The conference, its organizers say, will explore how mindfulness can improve not only our everyday well-being, but the well-being of society. Fifteen speakers --a mix of Buddhist philosophers, renowned scientists, and mental health professionals — will [...]
Commentary: Why I’m Still Hopeful After the US’s Paris Exit
Buddhist teacher Judy Lief, who was present at 2015's Paris climate conference, takes a step back for some perspective. In December 2015, I witnessed firsthand an outpouring of inspiration at the Paris COP21 climate conference. Over one hundred countries sent representatives to talk about how to respond to the changing climate and its impact. In parallel to diplomatic [...]
Commentary: Responding to Trump’s Separation from the World
Buddhist economist Clair Brown shares inspiration -- and facts -- for the way forward after the US drops out of the Paris Climate Accord. Yesterday was a dark day for Americans, as we listened to our president withdraw from the Paris 2015 climate agreement. For me, deep sadness was followed by anger. I turned to others' wisdom about our duty to care for each other and [...]