The life story of the Buddha is lofty, elevated, and inspiring, providing us with a role model we can admire and respect. We marvel at Prince Siddhartha’s renunciation of worldly life, and we are in awe at his attainment of buddhahood. But does the story also provide...

‘Patience requires us to go beyond the choice between fleeing or fighting. It is the third and most difficult way. Affectionate awareness starts being a real central value in our lives.’ Corrado Pensa

When I was young, trees were my friends. I’d climb up among the branches of the ones beside our three-story apartment building until I was higher than the roof. Perched among clouds and birds, I found comfort and ease. The friendliest tree was the sycamore. It had...

‘Both samsara and nirvana, Neither of these two exists; The thorough understanding of cyclic existence — This is referred to as “nirvana.”’ Arya Nagarjuna

‘All processes are impermanent, Which are the dharma of birth and death. Having ended birth and death, Nirvana is delight!’ Sutra of Maitreya

If you are a self-identified Buddhist in the U.S. or Canada who’s employed, volunteering, or training as a chaplain — in healthcare, higher education, prisons, the military, or elsewhere—you’re invited to take part in an important new research project. The survey,...

The ten prohibitory precepts—not to kill, not to steal, and so forth—don’t seem like anything special, they are quite ordinary and familiar to almost everyone. It is also well-known that they are pretty difficult to observe! They are quite simple, but quite difficult...

‘How can a dependent origination have a first and a last?’ Arya Nagarjuna

Becoming a Buddhist priest was as much a surprise to me as it was for everyone who knew me. I grew up as a Shin Buddhist, taught elementary school, became a criminal defense lawyer, married a Catholic, and raised three sons attending a neighborhood Catholic church. My...