From the beginning, Norman Fischer never had much use for Zen teachers—and he still doesn’t. But after years of being one himself, he has a fuller appreciation of the role a teacher plays.
No Teacher of Zen
Just Do It
Photo by Layla Burford.Whether you’re learning to meditate or ride a bike, says Ajahn Jayasaro, it’s not about how good you are or how far you get. The point is simply to practice with a sincere and consistent effort.
What are “Conditioned Things” in Buddhism?
Reality may seem solid, says Bhikkhu Bodhi, but it is merely a reflection of unstable, conditioned processes, or sankharas, coming together with no one in charge.
Reflections on Chiyono’s “No Water, No Moon”
Chiyono's enlightenment poem reads as follows "With this and that I tried to keep the bucket together, and then the bottom fell out. Where water does not collect, the moon does not dwell." Photo by Haven't The Slightest.Merle Kodo Boyd responds to Chiyono’s “No Water, No Moon.”
The Eight Bardos
According to Tibetan Buddhism, all life and death take place in the gap, or bardo, between one state and another. While the most famous bardo is the one between death and rebirth, there are others that also shape our lives. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen presents a commentary on Milarepa’s song of realization “The Eight Bardos.”
Teachers Are People Too
We want our teachers to practice what they preach, but when we look closely, they can seem just as flawed as the rest of us. Sumi Loundon Kim discovers for herself what’s so special—and so ordinary—about being the teacher.
Chanting Names Once Forgotten: The Zen Women Ancestors Document
A quiet movement to reshape our understanding of Zen lineage and history is bringing attention to the forgotten names and voices of women in the tradition.
Enlightenment is Something We Do Together
There’s a romantic idea of enlightenment as a solitary and heroic act, but even if you’re off by yourself in a cave, you are still part of a culture, and it’s observable that some cultures are more friendly to discovery than others. Building a culture has been an ongoing and repeated task of Buddhism since the time of the Buddha.
Ask the Teachers: Is there an eternal soul in Buddhism?
The Teachers are asked if there is an eternal soul Buddhism.
Let’s Talk: Cybersanghas—Do They Work?
Dosho Port discusses the emerging trend of online sanghas, and whether the dharma can be practiced digitally.