The monk asked, “Does a dog have buddhanature?” Zhaozhou responded, “Wu [No]!” It’s a puzzling exchange. All beings have buddhanature, so why did Zhaozhou say no?

The Compassion Shift Global Launch, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, will consist of free talks, panels and workshops highlighting the work and reach of Emory’s Compassion Center. Speakers include Daniel Goleman; Samdhong Rinpoche (virtually), and more.

“Each of these six keys is easily worth a lifetime of practice; they invite us to grow in our professional lives as well as in the whole of our lives.”

"...from the Buddhist point of view, we have a choice: to direct our story of living and dying now, or to wait, closing our eyes to the message of impermanence, until death itself opens them. Since we value happy endings, why choose to gamble with the Lord of Death?"

Sit in on the Q&A session with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi at the end of the second sesshin ever at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. An excerpt from David Chadwick’s new book, Tassajara Stories. www.lionsroar.com/negation-aft...

Diana Mukpo, known as Lady Diana to the Shambhala International Buddhist community for whom she was considered a leader, died at her home in Florida on September 10 at the age of 71.

"There is no real death that exists inherently, from its own side. It is merely a convenient label, ultimately unreal. ... The real death that we so fear — that real independent death — is merely labeled by the mind."

"Explore. Investigate. By investigating you are actually getting to notice the way it is, the Dhamma. You come to recognize that there is actually no person who is being aware. Nevertheless, awareness will include what seems personal."

"If the mind keeps its balance, stopping to watch and know itself, it realizes these things for what they are. When it does that, it lets them go automatically without being attached. This is the knowledge that comes with true mindfulness and discernment."

"Is enlightenment a total negation, like the exhaustion of a fire or the evaporation of moisture? Is it something like that? No, we’re talking about something that is a result of elimination."

"One might argue that these are just Buddha’s skillful actions, and even if they seem queer, that doesn’t make Buddha queer. But what makes a person queer, if not their thoughts, choices, actions??"

Since becoming editor of the then-Vajradhatu Sun in 1992, Melvin has guided us from a small community publication to the largest English-language Buddhist media voice, publishing across traditions for the benefit of all.

"When we are able to manifest this practice, which is not different from studying the Buddha Way, we have forgotten the self. A forgotten self is the self that no longer perceives itself as the center of the universe but rather as one of the many elements of the universe."

"Leadership is about the humility of knowing that my practice must continue. I’m never set; I’ve never arrived; I’m always empty." A reflection from the late Dr. Larry Ward, from the Buddhadharma archives.

Dr. Ward was co-author with his wife Peggy Rowe-Ward, of Love’s Garden: A Guide To Mindful Relationships, and the author of America’s Racial Karma. Dr. Ward also held a PhD in Religious Studies, specializing in Buddhism and the neuroscience of meditation.

"Studying the teachings of Shinran, it’s clear that the persecution, displacement, and poverty he experienced led him to feel solidarity with the neglected, the abused, and the refugee."

"For Uchiyama Roshi, leading a truly rich spiritual life meant leading a life grounded in zazen and following a lifestyle of material minimalism. He saw how the very abundance that people seek confuses them and becomes the cause of so much suffering."

"Witnessing how a Buddhist master mourns can shed some light on how we can navigate our own grief and demystify any fantasies we might have about a peace that negates sadness."

"We 'attain' the Pure Land each moment subjectivity is transcended. And yet, the great paradox is that we ultimately transcend nothing. This is because we are released here and now, as we are, no longer grasped by duality."

The new Buddhadharma email newsletter goes out early next week. Sign up now if you haven't: mailchi.mp/lionsroar/bu...

Happy Birthday to Roshi Joan Halifax!

“The practice in Vajrayana isn’t about creating something new, but about removing all the mental and emotional habits that keep us from experiencing our buddhanature.”

“The key question isn’t whether or when AI will become sentient or conscious, which are matters of great uncertainty and endless debate. The question is: what are we teaching it now?”

buddhistcoalitionfordemocracy.org will hold a virtual Mindful Town Hall on Wed, Aug 6, from 7:00-8:30 PM EDT. Attendees will be able to "speak mindfully and personally about how they’re experiencing and responding to this fraught political moment." Register for free at: lu.ma/m04j962h?tk=....

"We see things not as they are but as we are. If we cleanse the doors of perception, we can see what is otherwise hidden."

This new video interview offers a glimpse into the challenges and profound resilience of Buddhist communities emerging in new cultural landscapes.

Pamela Ayo Yetunde shares reflections on this year's gathering.

Happy Birthday to Myozen Joan Amaral!

Happy birthday to Jane McLaughlin Dobisz!

In honor of his 90th birthday today, a collection of the Dalai Lama's best pieces for committed Buddhist practitioners.

From @upaya.bsky.social comes this news about the great Joanna Macy.

To mark its twentieth anniversary, Buddhadharma is sharing an exclusive clip and reflection from the original Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet, which offers a rare glimpse into the powerful moments captured during this unforgettable journey.

Sanathavihari is a Mexican-American monastic in the Theravada tradition, while Carlo Carranza, born and raised in Mexico, is a dharma teacher in the Tibetan tradition. Together, they offer a meeting point between different Buddhist lineages and lived Latinx experience.

His Holiness' newest statement on the future of the Dalai Lama's has been released:

A free PDF from John Negru and Sumeru Books titled "Brightly Shining Jewel: How Sanghas Can Care for Their Chaplains," is now available directly from the publisher. Link in article.

The next edition of the Buddhadharma email newsletter (free) goes out Monday. If you're not signed up, please do. Thank you! mailchi.mp/lionsroar/bu...

On Sunday, Upaya Zen Center posted: “Roshi’s mitral valve is still not working properly. ….they need to re-operate on her valve before any more scarring happens.” That surgery has now taken place.

"The best way to dispose of a dharma book is to create the potential for it to become someone else’s dharma book."

"The breath itself is always new, replenishing, and endlessly restorative. It sorts out most problems on its own, with the right attitude of friendliness and respect."

"I had the privilege of talking with Raju Yonjon from Enlightenment Thangka, whose team has dedicated over two decades to preserving and promoting this sacred art form. We delved into the intricacies of thangka painting and its significance in contemporary Buddhist practice."

Inspired by His Holiness’s message of kindness, wisdom, and joy in our interconnected world, this free offering brings together meditation teachers, psychologists, physicians, scholars, and spiritual leaders to offer teachings and tools for living with greater intention, compassion, and hope.

The community, headed up by Soto Zen priest and former Buddhadharma editor Koun Franz — will be officially installing Franz as the abbot of its temple, Sensouji (pictured)

"Punya Sagara’s unique journey — rooted in lineage, refined through academic study, and continually shaped by her life as a devoted practitioner, mother, musician, and teacher — makes her a vital link in keeping this sacred form alive for future generations."

Some happy news.

Update from last evening: "Roshi’s surgery went really well. They were able to repair her mitral valve. We are just waiting for her to wake up from the anesthesia in the ICU. She is in very good hands here. Thank you for all your care and support."

Explore the nature of mind with the latest Buddhadharma Deep Dive, featuring wisdom from Judy Roitman, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Guo Gu, and more.

Roshi Joan Halifax underwent major heart surgery this morning, @upaya.bsky.social has announced. Please visit their post for more info, and join us in wishing Roshi Joan all the best for every moment in her healing and beyond.

"Scott and I explored the monastic and householder paths, having each lived as monastics and now bringing our practice into our parenting. We also talked about how to approach pilgrimage with intention and how to carry that view into daily life." —Mariana Restrepo

"Adherents of all Buddhist schools try to understand everything about themselves—their consciousness, the material world, sentient life, their karmic inheritance and its history, even rebirth or reincarnation—in terms of the middle view."

“Buddhism’s focus on this very life, as opposed to an afterlife, positions Buddhist spiritual care providers to offer a valuable counter-narrative to the samsaric memes and messages that constantly surround us.”