Opera about Richard Wagner to be performed in Pali

The Welsh National Opera is set to perform Wagner Dream, an opera composed by the late Jonathan Harvey, partly in the ancient Indian language Pali.

Wagner Dream explores Richard Wagner’s interest in Buddhism, showing Wagner on his deathbed lamenting his unfinished Buddhist opera, and having a dream in which he’s visited by the Buddha and other Buddhist figures. Harvey, who died last year, wrote the opera in English, but this new production has Wagner and his contemporaries speaking in German, while the Buddhist characters in his dream speak Pali. Read More »

Posted on: May 12, 2013 – 2:16 pm

Support the Spirit Rock spring scholarship appeal

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is raising funds for its scholarship program. Over 1,000 people are expected to apply for scholarships to attend programs at Spirit Rock this year — people who would not be able to attend these programs without the scholarships. Last year, donors gave $104,000 to the scholarship fund, but demand exceeded $300,000. Read More »

Posted on: May 10, 2013 – 1:56 pm

Video: An intimate look at Tibetan thangka-making — and a modern master

We recently shared with you news about modern Tibetan thangka master Tashi Dhargyal, now working on a massive thanbochi – the first of its kind made outside of Tibet – in his new studio in California. Now, in this beautiful new video featuring his work and the school from which he learned his craft, you’ll learn more about thangkas — including how they’re made, and the unique way in which they convey Buddhist teachings.

Posted on: May 10, 2013 – 7:00 am

Report: Chinese authorities demolishing historic Lhasa temple

The Tibet Post reports that Chinese authorities have started demolishing historical buildings in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, including Jokhang Temple, considered to be the holiest Buddhist site in the city. A large new shopping mall, which includes underground parking, is being built in the old section of Lhasa. Jokhang Temple is an extension of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read More »

Posted on: May 9, 2013 – 11:48 am

Buddhist Colleen Hanabusa announces Senate run

Colleen Hanabusa, a member of the House of Representatives from Hawaii, announced last week that she plans to run in the state’s Democratic Senate primary next year.

She’ll be running against Brian Schatz, who was appointed to the Senate post by Governor Neil Abercrombie after longtime Senator Daniel K. Inouye died in December. Schatz’s appointment came as a surprise to many, because Inouye wrote to Abercrombie just before he died to tell him he wished for Hanabusa to replace him. Read more at the Washington Post.

Hanabusa is a practicing Buddhist; a campaign flyer from her 2010 congressional run said she “integrates her Buddhist values into American political leadership.” Read More »

Posted on: May 8, 2013 – 2:44 pm

Dalai Lama Environmental Summit to be broadcast live online

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talks and discussions from the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit at Maitripa College and the University of Oregon will be broadcast live on YouTube on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Click through for the full schedule with video links. Read More »

Posted on: May 8, 2013 – 1:51 pm

Dalai Lama speaks out against anti-Muslim violence in Burma

Speaking to an audience of 15,000 at the University of Maryland on Tuesday, the Dalai Lama spoke out against religiously motivated attacks against Muslims in Burma and Sri Lanka. Over the past year, violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims have killed hundreds and displaced over 100,000 people, with some Buddhist monks inciting and participating in the attacks. In Sri Lanka, Buddhists have recently attacked Muslim-owned businesses.

Killing in the name of religion, His Holiness said, is “really very sad, unthinkable.” He said he sometimes counsels Buddhists to think of the face of the Buddha when they feel any negative emotions toward Muslims. Read the full story in the Washington Post.

His Holiness is continuing his US tour throughout May, with stops scheduled in Oregon, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Kentucky. Click here for his full tour schedule.

Posted on: May 8, 2013 – 11:13 am

Buddhafest returns to DC, June 20–23

Tickets are on sale for Buddhafest, a four-day festival of films, talks, meditation, and music just outside Washington, DC. Inspired by the Buddhist practices of mindfulness, compassion, and meditation, this year’s Buddhafest runs from June 20 to 23 at the Artisphere in Rosslyn, Virginia. Speakers include Robert Thurman, Sharon Salzberg, Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni, Khen Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan, and many more. The film lineup features One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das, An Uncommon King, Digital Dharma and more — click here for a full list of speakers and films. Read More »

Posted on: May 7, 2013 – 11:37 am

Naropa University announces Chögyam Trungpa Scholarship Fund

Naropa University has announced a new scholarship fund in honor of the university’s founder, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Three scholarships will be available each year, for prospective students who show “exceptional academic promise.” $100,000 will fully endow the scholarship, but the university hopes to raise at least $1 million as a tribute to its founder, and to help students for years to come. Read More »

Posted on: May 6, 2013 – 12:21 pm

Dalai Lama touring US this month

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is touring the United States this month, starting with two events in College Park, Maryland, tomorrow, May 7 — a lecture on Peace Through Compassion and a dialogue on Buddhism and Sufism. He’ll then be headed to Oregon for the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit, hosted by Maitripa College (a graduate school devoted solely to Tibetan Buddhist studies) from May 9 to 11.

Later this month, the Dalai Lama will stop in Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Kentucky, and he’ll be traveling to Australia and New Zealand in June. Click here for His Holiness’ full schedule, with links to registration for each event. Though some of the events are sold out, many of them can be watched online.

Posted on: May 6, 2013 – 10:38 am

Buddhadharma Book Reviews: From the Editor’s Desk

In this installment of From the Editor’s Desk, our review editor looks at two pilgrimage travelogues — one modern and one ancient — and a new study of a Nyingma master’s work. Click here to read them.
Posted on: May 3, 2013 – 1:02 pm

Noting a passing in the extended SFZC community

Our condolences go out to the staff at Greens Restaurant and San Francisco Zen Center, after Greens head chef John Paul Ueber was killed in a car accident this week.

“He was a very multitalented person,” executive chef Annie Somerville said of Ueber. “A very accomplished person. Super energetic, always moving forward.”

Our sympathies go out to John Paul’s family, friends, and coworkers. Read the full story here.

Posted on: May 3, 2013 – 12:50 pm

Celebrate Pema Chödrön’s 77th birthday by “practicing peace” with an exclusive video teaching from her

Our friends at the Pema Chödrön Foundation invite you to join them in celebrating Pema’s 77th birthday by taking part in their second annual “birthday retreat.” Pema has filmed a teaching just for this occasion, offering advice, encouragement, and meditation instruction. All you need to do is register online and the Pema Chödrön Foundation will email you a link to the video on July 1. Once you have the link, you’ll be able to view the video whenever you want, and as often as you want.

It’ll be a great way to deepen your practice, to share practice with others, and to celebrate the life and work of a singular teacher. More details after the jump. Read More »

Posted on: May 2, 2013 – 4:40 pm