How does one convert to Buddhism? Before we dive into the matter, let’s understand that Buddhism is not really a religion, per se; it is a Dharmic philosophy originally professed …
For many, Buddhism borders on mysticism with some mythology thrown in. It’s hard for the Western mind to think of a religion that does not preach the existence of a …
It seems for as long as I can remember, I have never had any trouble getting a parking space wherever I go. In fact, as an adult, it became a …
Thich simply means “teacher”. Nhat Hahn’s friends and students use the Vietnamese word Thay’ to honor the Thien Buddhist Master. Born in Vietnam in 1926 he has personally experienced the …
Staying in the moment is important for ‘peace of mind.’ I’ll explain by way of an example. My cousin’s wife suffers from paranoia: she’s always thinking that her husband is …
Karma is a way of trying to explain our connection with everything around us and the way everything around us is connected to us. We hear the word Karma used …
Many attempts have been made to define and understand qigong by English-speaking and Western people. This art has been studied in different disciplines such as exercise science, religion, political science, …
Buddhism entered the world 500 years before Christianity. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born in what is now Southern Nepal to Queen Mahamaya and King Suddhana. Queen Mahamaya had a …
The Flower Sermon A legend tells how Buddha, nearing the end of his life, took all of his disciples to a pond. There he stood, with his back to the …
The middle path in Buddhism is not often seen to be the same middle path as being depicted in more modernistic New Age religions. New Age religions usually say to …
Mindfulness Insight Meditation: Insight meditation or vipassana takes quite a different approach to that of calm or Samatha meditation. Whereas calm meditation is about concentrating the mind, insight meditation is …
From November 1963 to July 1965, the militant Buddhist movement was the most important foundation of political instability in South Vietnam. Although the Buddhist Militant movement was a representation of …
Moment. Be in the moment. Live in the moment. Be mindful of each moment. Just what is a moment? Anyone who studies Zen, Buddhist meditation techniques or spent time in …
(originally published as A NOTE ON THE DATING OF THE BUDDHA in the Middle Way, Journal of the Buddhist Society of the UK) Most books available on Buddhism place the …
Well, I imagine there are millions of people who could write an article under this title. Identifying the historical Buddha is hardly a difficult task after all his stories can …
Around the same time as Christianity began to spread across the Near East and the Occident, a new movement began to flourish within traditional Buddhism, which was called the Great …
Is the Universal Consciousness infinite or really only ever a oneness? Is man himself part of oneness, or is he oneness itself? And how can anything be a part of …
Understanding the Moral codes in Buddhism Moral codes in Buddhism are different depending on if you are a lay Buddhist or if you belong to the Buddhist clergy (Sangha). For …
In December 1999 the United Nations recognized Vesak as an internationally important day and twelve relics of the Buddha gathered from Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka were put on display …
There isn’t a guide or welcome pack on “How to Convert to Buddhism.” Sure, there are principles and guidelines to follow, but it’s really more about revealing the Buddhahood within …
Buddhists have been producing art for 2,500 years across two continents, so, rather than trying to introduce it all, I will share the most inspiring and exciting bits. Original, ancient …
The Significance of the bDud in Tibetan Buddhism The Indian subcontinent gave the world one of the most fascinating religions to mankind, Buddhism, and its continual study has allowed people …
Karma, The Law of Cause and Effect What karma means in our culture and it’s a concept in different religions. What does it really mean? Karma comes from the Vedic …
Buddhism is a practical way of living a noble life that helps in cultivating kindness, forgiveness, empathy and enlightening. The teachings in Buddhism will become mere knowledge fillers if it …
Case: Two monks argued about a temple flag waving in the breeze. One said, “It is the flag that moves.” The other said, “It is the breeze moving.” Just then, …
A man in a red and yellow robe stands before you. He looks no different than any other man, yet he overtakes you with his presence. He speaks of peace …
The Three Marks of Existence The Buddha taught that all things in life have three inescapable factors underlying them. To understand each of them at an experiential level is to …
The Foundation Toda Josei and Makaguchi Tsunesaburo co-founded Soka Gakkai in the early 1920s. The teachings and values of a 13th-century Buddhist monk, Nichiren was its foundation. It began as …
Death has a special meaning to Buddhists because it signals the transition from one cycle of existence to another. The solemnity, dignity, and grieving that is characteristic of other religions’ …
Is the glass half full or half empty for Burma? That’s an intriguing question for even the most mundane of circumstances. Certainly, the present state of Myanmar, also known as …
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra, which according to Shakyamuni Buddha is the heart of all Buddhist teachings. Nichiren Daishonin began the practice of chanting …
Shambhala Buddhism began with the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa. Shambhala Buddhism teaches that enlightenment has entered the world through numerous religious faiths, but all of them converge to create the …