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Adam Yauch: Check His Head

Originally published in the January 1995 Shambhala Sun magazine, this interview finds Yauch after the release of Ill Communication, candidly talking about about hip-hop, hardcore, helping people, and his relationship to Buddhism's Bodhisattva Vow.

Thupten Jinpa, Voice for Compassion

Thupten Jinpa is best known as the Dalai Lama’s translator, but he has many roles. Driving them all, is his mission to help us all be more compassionate.

Best Practices for Bodhisattvas

Traditional Buddhist vows can seem hardcore, but they’re just maps for a good human life. Josh Bartok translates them into values we can relate to.

Intention Is the Practice

On the Buddhist path, our intention deepens into commitment and then into vow. At that point, our intentions and our life become one.

Rachel Nuemann at the wedding alter with her husband and a priest.

Committing to Impermanence

It may not be forever, but for right now Rachel Neumann and her partner of 20 years celebrate their love.

Buddhist wedding.

How to Have a (More) Buddhist Wedding

It's your special day. Why not bring dharma to the proceedings? James Ishmael Ford shares tips on how to do it — without weirding anyone out.

Maezumi Roshi.

What Are We Ignoring About Breathing?

Like each breath, your life constantly appears and disappears. The late Taizan Maezumi Roshi teaches how to do the profound practice of breathing.

Dzogchen Explained

Roger Jackson reviews "Heart of the Great Perfection: Dudjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection," Vol. 1 by B. Alan Wallace.

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Forum: The Beauty of Renunciation

Renunciation is about more than just doing without things. It’s the beautiful realization that you already have everything you need. Forum participants: Ajahn Amaro, Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, and Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel. Introduction by Koun Franz.

Evil clouds.

The Problem of Evil

There may be no good or evil in absolute reality says Norman Fischer, but in the relative world there certainly is.

What Are the Four Negations?

Take any pair of opposites. Madhyamaka logic looks at four possibilities and refutes them in turn, creating four negations.

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Ocean of Dharma

Barry Boyce surveys Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's vast body of teachings and their lasting impact on how Buddhism is understood and practiced.

Book Reviews for May 2017

We review a graphic novel about the life of the Dalai Lama, titled "Man of Peace," "The Mind Illuminated" by Culadasa and Matthew Immergut, and more.

Forum: What Does Karma Mean in Buddhism?

Bhikkhu Bodhi, Jan Chozen Bays, and Jeffrey Hopkins discuss the Buddhist doctrine of karma and why it is essential.

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A Sudden Goodbye

When her teacher Kyogen Carlson died suddenly on September 18, 2014, Sallie Jiko Tisdale reeled from the shock of it. Then she quickly got down to work.

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Dead Like Me

He tries to picture himself eating his favorite food or snorkeling an unknown sea, but sometimes thoughts of death just keep on coming. Here, in thirteen ways, Ira Sukrungruang unpacks what it means to be dead.

Does No-Thought Mean No Thought?

Working with thoughts is a central practice in Buddhism. But what does that mean exactly? Are we truing to stop thoughts or not? A Chan Buddhist view.

A meditator sitting in nature, overlooking the water.

Use the Alexander Technique to Meditate More Comfortably

Alexander Technique was developed in the 1800s to help actors improve their posture and coordination. Now it's gaining popularity among meditators.

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What are “Conditioned Things” in Buddhism?

Reality may seem solid, says Bhikkhu Bodhi, but it is merely a reflection of unstable, conditioned processes, or sankharas, coming together with no one in charge.

The Inexhaustable, Inspiring Dhammapada

Selections from Gil Fronsdal’s translation of the Pali text that has inspired and guided countless practitioners on the Buddhist path.