Archives: BD Articles
Is Our Practice Enough?
Clair Brown on how Buddhists’ vow to end suffering must go beyond the individual to a global understanding of how our suffering—and happiness—is connected to all living beings on our planet.
How Right Action and Loving-Kindness Work Together
Nikki Mirghafori on why the cultivation of good will can lead to wise action—and vice versa.
Moving Through the Three “Karma Doors”
Vanessa Zuisei Goddard on how understanding our gateways to the world — body, speech, and mind — is key in our practice of sila.
Blazing Inner Fire
Read an excerpt from From The Blazing Inner Fire of Bliss and Emptiness by Ngulchu Dharmabhadra, translated by David Gonsalez, courtesy of its publisher, Wisdom Publications.
What does it mean to understand Buddhism through the body?
Roxanne Dault, Meido Moore, and Lopön Charlotte Z. Rotterdam discuss what it means to understand Buddhism through the body — the heart of the Buddhist path.
Bringing Death Into Clear Light
Lama Karma Wall, Buddhist teacher and lead designer and facilitator of aNUma — a virtual reality experience joining Buddhist principles and technology — talks about how VR can help us relate to the unknown by bringing death into awareness.
Luminosity: The Heart of The Six Dharmas of Naropa
Across the major Buddhist traditions, the mind’s basic condition is described as luminous, naturally free from afflictions or karmic imprints, which are merely adventitious, like clouds covering the sky. The Buddha refers to this naturally luminous mind in the Nikayas, the Perfection of Wisdom sutras, and the tantras. Dzogchen and Mahamudra teachings also emphasize natural…
How does a meditator deal with major depression?
The teachers are asked how a meditator deals with episodes of depression.
The Swift Path to Buddhahood
Pema Khandro on the fascinating history, practice, and purpose of the Six Dharmas of Naropa.
The Lineage of the Six Dharmas
A look at the people and practices that contributed to the development of the Six Dharmas as we know them today.
Excerpt: Xuedou’s 100 Odes to Old Cases
Read a brief of Xuedou’s 100 Odes to Old Cases: A Translation with Commentary by Steven Heine and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Oxford University Press.
Noble Truths, Noble Path
Read a brief of the new book of the Buddha’s original teachings from Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Wisdom Publications.
A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment
Read a brief of Kadam: Stages of the Path, Mind Training, and Esoteric Practice: Part One by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye, translated by Artemus B. Engle and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
The Sound of Vultures’ Wings
Read a brief of The Sound of Vultures’ Wings: The Tibetan Buddhist Chöd Ritual Practice of the Female Buddha Machik Labdrön , by Jeffrey W. Cupchik. and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, SUNY Press.
The Six Yogas of the Kālachakra
Read a brief of Kālachakra Mandala: The Jonang Tradition by Edward Henning’s and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Wisdom Publications.
The Two Gates
Read a brief of Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China, by Thomas J. Mazanec and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Cornell University Press.
Chandrakirti’s Middle Way
Read a brief of Candrakīrti's Introduction to the Middle Way: A Guide by Jan Westerhoff and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Oxford University Press.
Looking Into the Future of Vajrayana Buddhism In the West
Lama Karma Yeshe Chödrön, Lama Justin von Bujdoss, and Lama Drupgyu Tenzin (Anthony Chapman) join Lion’s Roar/Buddhadharma editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod to discuss how, or if, the very advanced practices of Tantric Buddhism can be introduced and promulgated in modern Western society.
A Wake-Up Call
Andrew Holecek on bardo, one of the Six Dharmas of Naropa’s two practices for helping us find our way, when the time comes, through the death experience. It can help us in life, too.
Awakening Through Dream
What role do dreams have in our path to liberation? Charlie Morley on the history and benefits of the fourth of Naropa’s Dharmas, milam, or yoga of the dream state. Includes a short dream yoga practice for you to try tonight.