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

Formation of Shambhala Monastic Order announced

Via Shambhala Times comes news of the formation of the Shambhala Monastic Order:

“This is the fruition of years of work by the Sakyong and Gampo Acharya Pema Chodron.

“The Shambhala Monastic Order will provide the umbrella organization over Gampo Abbey and any future monasteries within Shambhala.

“The Sakyong and Gampo Acharya Pema also wish to announce, within this new order, a pilot Shambhala monastic community to be formed in Halifax in 2014.”

Click here to read the full story at Shambhala Times.

Posted on: May 2, 2013 – 9:08 am

Help support Kulungile, a home for vulnerable children in South Africa

Thanissara with Sister Abegail

Thanissara and Kitissaro, founders of Dharmagiri Hermitage and Outreach in South Africa (profiled in “The Dharma of Ubuntu,” from the Buddhadharma archives), are raising funds to buy a home for Sister Abegail Ntleko and the 21 orphaned children and teenagers in her care. Sister Abe, as she’s known, has been taking care of AIDS orphans and other disadvantaged children for decades, and the house she’s living in now isn’t big enough for all of them.

Right now, the fundraiser is two-thirds of the way to their $50,000 goal, and they have until May 28 to raise another $20,000. Read More »

Posted on: May 1, 2013 – 4:44 pm

May 17 declared International Tibetan Solidarity Day

The Central Tibetan Administration has announced that May 17 is International Tibetan Solidarity Day, which “symbolizes international community’s solidarity with the aspirations of the Tibetan people who yearn for freedom and continue to stand strong in the face of great adversity.” It also marks the anniversary of the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, who went missing at the age of six in 1995. His whereabouts are still unknown. Read More »

Posted on: May 1, 2013 – 1:56 pm

Nalanda Institute launches first-ever Certificate Program in Contemplative Psychotherapy

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New York City based Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science announces that enrollment is now open for its inaugural Certificate Program in Contemplative Psychotherapy, to begin in Fall 2013.

The program offers therapists, health workers, coaches, educators, and other professionals in the healing arts an opportunity to immerse themselves in the inspiring new field of contemplative psychotherapy.
Read More »

Posted on: May 1, 2013 – 11:08 am

“Dunhuang: Buddhist Art at the Gateway of the Silk Road” at the China Institute

“Dunhuang: Buddhist Art at the Gateway of the Silk Road” is open at the China Institute in New York, featuring art works, high-relief clay figures, wooden sculptures, silk banners, and molded bricks from the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China. The exhibit also includes a replica of an 8th-century cave in a cliff in the Gobi Desert, where hundreds of caves were carved out of limestone and turned into Buddhist shrines. Read More »

Posted on: April 30, 2013 – 4:37 pm

Register to watch Pema Chödron’s Omega Institute program “The Marks of Our Existence” via livestream

Pema Chödrön’s May 17–19 weekend program at Omega Institute, “The Marks of Our Existence,” is sold out. But it’s not too late to reserve your seat to watch Pema’s exclusive weekend live from wherever you are via livestream. You’ll be able to watch the event in real time and access an on-demand video of the program for 60 days after the event. Tomorrow, April 30, is the last day for the early registration discount. Read More »

Posted on: April 29, 2013 – 3:26 pm

“Genuine Heart of Sadness”: Boston Marathon meditation this Wednesday

One Heart Zen is hosting 20 minutes of meditation on Wednesday, May 1, to commemorate the Boston Marathon bombings. Led by Kotatsu John Bailes from One Heart Zen and Ashley Goodwin from the Boston Shambhala Center, it’s happening at 6:30 p.m. in Copley Square. Bring something to sit on. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Posted on: April 29, 2013 – 2:01 pm