Professor Donald Lopez on how the understanding of buddhahood evolved and expanded in the centuries following the death of the historical Buddha. In Sanskrit, the word buddha can mean “awakened,” “expanded,” and “understood.” It was the title bestowed on an itinerant teacher about whom little is known, apart from the teachings that have been attributed […]
The Tao of Buddha
In “China Root,” David Hinton invites the reader to reexamine Zen through its roots in Taoist teachings. Here, he takes a Taoist lens to the idea of “Buddha” itself.
Francis Story and the Case for Rebirth
For the fiftieth anniversary of Francis Story’s death, Randy Rosenthal looks back at the life and work of the lesser-known Buddhist thinker
There Is No Hinayana
In his new book, “Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions,” Bhikkhu Analayo investigates some of the ways we as Buddhists have deluded ourselves about the “other.”
The Story Behind the Stupa
Patrick Dowd tells the tale at the heart of the legend of the Great Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu.
The Root of Zen: An Interview with David Hinton
Randy Rosenthal interviews the award-winning translator, whose new book, “China Root,” goes deep into the Taoist origins of Chan (Zen).
Koans for Troubled Times
How do we as Buddhists meet the challenges of our time? Joan Sutherland says an answer lies in the teachings of two great Chan masters.
The Buddha’s Journey
Scholar Andrew Olendzki on how the Buddha discovered a path to liberation that we can take too.
The Progressive Buddha
Karma Lekshe Tsomo on the Buddha as social reformer — for his time and ours.
Ask the Teachers: How do we determine what is true dharma?
Bhante Sujato, Gesshin Greenwood, Avikrita Vajra Sakya answer the question “How do we determine what is the true dharma?” Question: Buddhism was an oral tradition for hundreds of years, and many of the earliest writings were lost centuries ago. If we can’t have 100 percent certainty about what the Buddha actually taught—and it seems that […]