Power & Heart: Black and Buddhist in America

At the first-ever gathering of Buddhist teachers of black African descent held at New York’s Union Theological Seminary, two panels of leading Buddhist teachers took questions about what it means to be a black Buddhist in America today.

Endless Lifetimes, Endless Benefit

Bethany Saltman talks with Tenzin Palmo about rebirth, merit, and the bodhisattva vow.

You Are Already Dying

The most profound meditation, says Joan Halifax, is contemplating the certainty of your own death.

is buddhism a religion

Is Buddhism a Religion?

Is Buddhism a religion, psychology, or way of life? Our three experts, Charles Prebish, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and Joan Sutherland, join the debate.

Enlightenment Is a Male Fantasy

Gesshin Greenwood offers an alternative to the “male fantasy” of striving for enlightenment.

Zen Is Not A Perfume

When Jan Chozen Bays noticed purveyors of commercial products appropriating the word "Zen," she responded with an open letter published in the Fall 2002 Buddhadharma.

The Power of Buddhism

If you ignore power, you ignore powerful Buddhist teachings. Pema Khandro Rinpoche says that Buddhism teaches us how to be powerful and compassionate at the same time.

Ego Is the Real Culprit

No matter what the conflict appears to be about, says Zen teacher Norman Fischer, it always come down to defending our shaky sense of self.

Cat resting.

When, if ever, is it okay for a Buddhist to euthanize a pet?

James Ishmael Ford on the toughest call a pet lover will have to make.

One Day with Bernie

At the memorial service for Bernie Glassman, longtime student Michael O'Keefe reflects on his teacher's life and legacy.

Gassho

What Is Gassho?

Kobun Chino Roshi explains the meaning of gassho, a hand gesture that is often accompanied with a bow.

Who Is Avalokiteshvara?

Avalokiteshvara has undergone many transformations over the centuries, but their purpose remains the same — to help humanity with compassion and mercy.

Are there types of work that are incompatible with Buddhist practice?

Konda Mason, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, and José Shinzan Palma discuss the difficulty of aligning our work lives with our Buddhist values.

Pema Chödrön

Smile at Fear: Pema Chodron on Bravery, Open Heart & Basic Goodness

Pema Chödrön offers a talk on bravery, fearlessness, warriorship, and smiling.

Putting Death on the Table

It’s the ultimate reality we all share. Why not get together and talk about it over a cup of coffee? John DeMont on death cafés.

Who Was Queen Anula?

Bhikkhuni Sudhamma traces the origins of Buddhist ordination for women to Queen Anula, Sri Lanka’s first Buddhist nun.

A Path Beyond Death

People often think that Buddhism's view of death is that it doesn’t matter and we should just accept it, but that is a crucial misunderstanding.

Mirabai Bush and Ram Dass on Bringing Fear Close

As long as you think vulnerability is weakness, you’re going to be afraid. Mirabai Bush and Ram Dass on the kind of vulnerability that’s actually strength.

Screenshot from The Good Place.

The Good Place Is a Show About Why We’re Good

According to Zen priest Gesshin Greenwood, NBC's The Good Place shows us people are good because of their bond to each other — even in the afterlife.

A Woman of Zen

Melissa Myozen Blacker recounts how she, as a practitioner and a teacher, has navigated a male-dominated tradition.