On a pilgrimage to India, Andrea Miller connects with the flesh-and-blood Buddha, who lived, reached enlightenment, and taught in these very places. His humanity, she finds, is more inspiring than any legend. It means awakening is possible for all of us. With photos by James Gritz. The National Museum in New Delhi doesn’t usually welcome visitors until 10 a.m., but on the [...]
What Are the Twelve Nidanas?
The 12 nidanas, which are pictured as the outer circle in the Wheel of Life, describe the chain of causation by which the cycle of death and rebirth known as samsara is created. They are also known as the 12 links of dependent origination. With basic ignorance as the first cause, each link in the chain is both the result of the previous nidana and the cause of the next. This [...]
Lion’s Roar Staff’s Favorite Buddhist Books of 2018
Lion’s Roar staff members look back at 2018 and choose their favorite Buddhist book of the year. Andrew Glencross Associate Art Director of Lion’s Roar The subtitle of Sallie Tisdale’s book, Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them (Touchstone), is A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying, and she really is not kidding about it being practical. Tisdale is a [...]
How to Cultivate Your Beginner’s Mind
Beginner’s mind is open, curious, and unbound by concepts and opinions — just like the mind of the buddhas. Ezra Bayda has some techniques you can use to cultivate the fresh mind of the beginner. Beginner’s mind (shoshin) is a term in Zen Buddhism that describes a mind that is eager, without preconceptions, and open to possibility. As the late Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki [...]
It Takes a Village Zendo: Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara’s Search for Connection
A lifelong outsider, Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara leads a warm and engaged Zen community in New York’s Greenwich Village. Lindsay Kyte profiles one of Buddhism’s leading teachers. From the January 2019 issue of Lion's Roar. As a young white girl growing up in Mexico, as a single parent in a Buddhist sangha, and as a gay woman teacher of Zen, Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara has always [...]
Editorial: What Does It Mean to Be Kind?
In the opening editorial of the January 2019 issue of Lion's Roar, editorial assistant Haleigh Atwood shares how she defines kindness. I have recently realized that I’ve lived most of my life without knowing the whole definition of kindness. I figured it had something to do with being friendly—perhaps with a pinch of generosity thrown in for good measure. When I thought [...]
Inside the January 2019 issue of Lion’s Roar magazine
The January 2019 issue of Lion's Roar magazine features Buddhist techniques for being kinder to yourself and everyone else. Inside, you’ll find teachings from Pema Khandro Rinpoche, Lama Rod Owens, and Mushim Patricia Ikeda; a deep relaxation practice from Sister Chan Khong; a profile of Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara; and much more. Kindness: Life’s Magic Elixir Editorial / Welcome [...]
