Buddhadharma Book Briefs for Winter 2018

Rory Lindsay reviews "Spontaneous Creativity," by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, "In the Cool Shade of Compassion" by Kamala Tiyanavich, and more.

Everything Is Buddhanature

Original sin vs. original goodness: Mahayana Buddhism offers a more hopeful view of human nature. Zen teacher Melissa Myozen Blacker reveals how nondual practice frees us from our temporary obscurations and reveals our true, awakened nature.

Monks in orange robes walking on alms rounds in Los Angeles.

Buddhist groups increasingly taking root in Latinx communities

More and more Buddhist groups are offering programs in Spanish and doing outreach in Latinx communities. That means stronger community for everyone, reports Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil.

Aaron Lee.

Let’s Continue Aaron’s Work

Funie Hsu reflects on honoring the legacy of Aaron Lee, known to many as the "Angry Asian Buddhist."

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.

Tibetan Nuns Project educates female monastics

Rinchen Khando Choegyal fights the second-class status of female monastics in Tibetan Buddhism.

Inside the Winter 2018 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly

The Winter 2018 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly is available now. Preview the magazine contents and sample articles.

Gassho

What Is Gassho?

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

Mountain.

In Accord with All Time 

If you can know yourself as the unity of past, present, and future, says Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, then you see you’re right where you ought to be.

Buddha and candles.

Illness and the Buddha’s Prescription

The Buddha knew that illness is a natural part of human life. Toni Bernhard shares how the first noble truth has helped her gracefully accept being chronically ill.

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.

Mirror in tall grass reflecting the sky.

What is Satipatthana?

Satipatthana as defined by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, an abbot in the Thai Forest Tradition.

3D Buddha.

Buddhahood in Three Dimensions

In these teaching on chapters one and twenty of the Lotus Sutra, Thich Nhat Hanh discusses the three dimensions in which all beings and things reside.

Sayadaw U Pandita

Who Was Sayadaw U Pandita?

Burmese meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita had a defining influence on the Western Insight movement of Theravada Buddhism.

Silk painting of the bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta

Who Was Prajnatara?

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold tells the story of Prajnatara, the 27th "patriarch" of Indian Buddhism — who is believed to have been a woman.