Dharma & Society

Pamela Ayo Yetunde reflects on why Buddhists of all backgrounds should celebrate Juneteenth, a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

AI, writes Rev. Mauricio Hondaku, is not a threat to the dharma, but "a new surface on which the dharma can write itself, provided we bring to its design the same care, depth, and intentionality that the tradition has always demanded of its vessels."

Michael Pollan, whose new book tackles the mystery of consciousness, sits down with Andrea Miller to explore why our usual assumptions about the mind fall short and how new research is reshaping the way we understand awareness itself.

Ben Connelly recounts how faith leaders and neighbors in Minneapolis practice presence, care, and nonviolent action. Their example illuminates the heart of Buddhist practice in a time of crisis.

Rod Meade Sperry introduces the May 2026 issue of Lion's Roar.

Roshi Joan Halifax reflects on the lasting impacts of war, the hidden wounds it leaves behind, and how we can face the violence in today's world with compassion and equanimity.

Roshi Joan Halifax of Upaya Zen Center looks at the notion of bodhisattva-based, socially engaged, participatory community — and how it could make a real difference in our world today.