Dharma & Society

For over a thousand years, mostly monks performed the sacred cham dances of Vajrayana Buddhism. Then in 2014, the 17th Karmapa made a significant move by inviting nuns to learn and perform these dances before a crowd of over ten thousand. Karen Greenspan spent four years following these pioneering practitioners, revealing a story of tradition, transformation, and the ongoing movement toward gender equality in Tibetan Buddhism.

The exhibit will run from February 13 through June 7, featuring imagery of the Dalai Lama, whom Rima Fujita considers her principal teacher.

Buddhist scholar Cortland Dahl returns to his native Minneapolis, where he inspired to follow the example of the Tibetan people who have responded to the injustice they have suffered with compassion and wisdom.

Funie Hsu says it’s time we recognize Asian American Buddhists and address the racism that marginalizes their ongoing role in the dharma in the West.

In this important essay, the late bell hooks inspires us to make her vision of a culture of love come true.

From the philosophy of Gross National Happiness to the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan is reimagining its future through a Buddhist lens. Andrea Miller reports on the country’s evolving balance of tradition and innovation.

"Knowing that so many are engaged in resisting the current violences and attacks on democracy in our nation," writes Gregory Snyder, "my hope is that our Buddhist communities will continue to work to develop a place that encourages our political voices."

Dr. Tania Israel, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Associate Dean for DEI at the University of California, Santa Barbara, offers invaluable insights on bridging political divides with compassion.

Dr. Pierce Salguero speaks about a survey he conducted among Buddhist studies scholars, providing an insightful look into the changing landscape of Buddhist scholarship.

In this conversation, Lion’s Roar associate publisher Beth Wallace speaks with editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod about the Complete Path of Mindfulness, which presents mindfulness as a way of life that integrates meditation with insight, ethics, compassion, and community.

In this episode, Lion's Roar Assistant Editor Sandi Rankaduwa speaks with James Ishmael Ford, a Zen priest and Unitarian Universalist minister.

Tibetologist David Germano discusses his work on the Generative Contemplation Initiative, a suite of projects that explore in depth the research on contemplative practices.