Pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites led by experienced Dharma teachers. Includes daily teachings and group meditation sessions. A local English–speaking guide accompanies and assists.
Tricycle Blog |
Our daily diary of the global Buddhist movement | Subscribe to feed |
5 comments
Buddha Buzz: Buddhist News from Around the World, Week of November 12
If there's anything we American Buddhists love to talk about, it's the emerging face of American Buddhism—whatever that means. Despite all the chatter, in my humble opinion the average American Buddhist isn't all that informed about some very basic realities of American Buddhism: who its adherents are, where they are located, what kind of Buddhism they practice, etc. Cue the Huffington Post, who this week published a slideshow of "Most and Least Buddhist Cities in America," based off of 2010 data by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.
More »
0 comments
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Padmasambhava and the Copper-Colored Mountain
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition.
This week Jeff explains the common depiction of Padmasambhava set amid a copper-colored mountain.
Himalayan Art 101: Padmasambhava and the Copper-Colored Mountain
More »
0 comments
New York Insight Community Drop-in Hours
Good news for all you dharma bums in NYC! Our friends (and neighbors—they're just a couple blocks away from the Trike offices) over at NY Insight have opened their beautiful center for community use during the afternoon and evening on weekdays. Drop in to read, relax, or chat quietly with friends. The small room is open for those who want to meditate.
Community Hours:
Monday-Friday, 2-6pm.
Closed for community hours on the following days:
Thursday–Friday, November 22–23 Monday–Wednesday, December 24–26 Monday–Tuesday, December 31–January 1
Visit NY Insight's website here.
More »
0 comments
A Fractal Solution to the Universe: An Interview with "Neuro-Painter" Greg Dunn
If you’ve perused the current issue of Tricycle, you’ll have seen the beautiful and intricate artwork that illustrates our article about the convergence of Buddhism and neuroscience, “A Gray Matter,” by Columbia University professor of Japanese religion Bernard Faure. If these images seem hauntingly familiar, it’s for a reason. They’re of the neurons in our brains! The artist behind them, Greg Dunn, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a doctorate in neuroscience last year. Since then, he’s been focusing on painting in his easily identifiable style: a modern, science-based twist on the ancient East Asian brush painting technique of sumi-e.
More »
0 comments
Treasury of Lives: Patrul Rinpoche
Biography and autobiography in Tibet are important sources for both education and inspiration. Tibetans have kept such meticulous records of their teachers that thousands of names are known and discussed in a wide range of biographical material. All these names, all these lives—it can be a little overwhelming. The authors involved in the Treasury of Lives are currently mining the primary sources to provide English-language biographies of every known religious teacher from Tibet and the Himalaya, all of which are organized for easy searching and browsing. Every Tuesday on the Tricycle blog, we will highlight and reflect on important, interesting, eccentric, surprising and beautiful stories found within this rich literary tradition.
Patrul Rinpoche
More »
0 comments
Does Tricycle Own the First 3D-Printed Buddha?
Tricycle board president Werner Doyle dropped by the office today with what may very well be the world's first Shakyamuni Buddha created by a 3D printer. He's made from a corn-based material—and he's rockin' that Tricycle red!
We've found this video of a 3D printer making a Buddha head, but for now we're going to claim that Tricycle is in possession of the world's first 3D printer version of the Buddha's whole figure. (Of course, we're sure that it will be only a matter of time before our discerning readers prove us wrong.) Here's to history being made!
More »
1 comment
A Gray Matter: Another Look at the Convergence of Buddhism and Science
If you haven’t heard that Buddhist mindfulness meditation can change your brain for the better, you haven’t opened a magazine or newspaper lately. On the other hand, if you haven’t heard that research supporting such a claim is at best inconclusive, you can’t be blamed—it’s not a view you’re likely to come across as readily.
More »
0 comments
The Weatherman's Legacy: Documentary Screening and Talk at Trace Foundation
This Thursday acclaimed director Pema Tseden will be screening his documentary film The Weatherman's Legacy at Trace Foundation. Made for Discovery Channel Asia in 2004, the film was made in Pema Tseden's hometown, where it follows a Tibetan shaman who wants to pass down his hailstorm-stopping and rain-making skills to a son who would rather run a video-rental business in the village instead. Worried that his reputation in the village is slipping, the shaman's last hope lies with his grandson, who is beginning to learn the ancient incantations.
More »
0 comments
Conveying Our Wishes: Week 2 of Caroline Yongue's Retreat
This week begins "Conveying Our Wishes," the second week of Caroline Yongue's retreat on preparing for death. In this installment, Yongue enumerates a variety of options for near- and after-death care, and advises us to carefully consider these options. They include choices regarding hospice care, funerary preferences, and organ and tissue donation.
It is best to evaluate these choices now, with our loved ones in mind, and make a plan and act on it when we are still able. This is the best way to ensure that our loved ones will not be harmed or suffer unnecessary anguish when we pass.
If you are a Tricycle Supporting or Sustaining Member, you can watch this week's retreat here. If not, join or upgrade your membership here.
Here's a preview of this week's retreat:
More »
2 comments
Buddhist, Hindu Make History in New Congress
(RNS) Congress will become a shade more religiously diverse this January, after Tuesday's (Nov. 6) election of the first Hindu representative and first Buddhist senator.Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii, will become the first Hindu-American congresswoman, after defeating her Republican rival on Tuesday.Ami Bera, a California doctor who was raised Hindu but now identifies as a Unitarian Universalist, according to the Hindu American Foundation, narrowly leads the race for California's 7th congressional district.
More »
3 comments
Buddha Buzz: Buddhist News from Around the World, Week of November 5
As we all know, President Barack Obama was re-elected for another four years on Tuesday. Our commander-in-chief may not have changed, but the Senate and the House of Representatives did get shuffled around, making way for a whole host of firsts:
The first openly gay senator, Tammy Baldwin, a democrat from Wisconsin.
The first Hindu congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, a democrat from Hawaii. (She'll be taking her oath over the Bhagavad Gita.)
More »
0 comments
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Noting Differences in Peaceful Appearance
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition.
This week Jeff teaches us how to differentiate between deities exhibiting peaceful appearances.
Himalayan Art 101: Differentiating Among Peaceful Appearances
More »
31 comments
Caption Contest: Win a Free One-Year Membership to Tricycle!
WIN A FREE MEMBERSHIP TO TRICYCLE!
To mark the release of the Winter 2012 edition of Tricycle, which hit newsstands yesterday, we're hosting a caption contest right here on the Tricycle blog! First prize winner gets a free one-year supporting membership on tricycle.com, the new issue of Tricycle mailed to their door, and a very special Rubin Museum Himalayan NYC guide, which offers exclusive discounts at Himalayan-affiliated restaurants, shops, yoga centers, and more in New York City. Runners-up will receive the Winter 2012 issue of Tricycle and a Himalayan NYC guide.
More »
0 comments
New Online Retreat: How a Buddhist Can Prepare for Death
We know, we know: death isn't all that much fun to think about. But since when has Buddhism ever shied away from sharing the bad news? So here at Tricycle, we won't either. The truth of the matter is, we're all going to die someday. And as our new retreat leader Caroline Yongue, a Soto Zen minister from North Carolina, puts it, why not prepare for death now, while you are still able to do so?
It's been said in some circles that the Buddha was the ultimate pragmatist. Our November retreat, "How a Buddhist Can Prepare for Death," is just about as practical as you can get about it. Over the next four weeks, Yongue will share with you her insights about planning for your own death, from phowa practice to preparing advance care directives.
More »
4 comments
Buddhists Aim to Bring Mindfulness to the Ballot Box
(RNS) The mindfulness movement has seeped into Silicon Valley, Capitol Hill, and even the United States Military Academy at West Point. Next stop: the voting booth.
A new California-based group wants the estimated 5 million Americans who practice mindfulness to move off their meditation cushions and into the polls on Tuesday (Nov. 6).
If meditation can calm hyperactive kids, ease the pain of drug addicts and tame the egos of Fortune 500 CEOs, it can surely help a stressed-out and polarized country choose a president, says the Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams.
More »
1 comment
Treasury of Lives: The Tongkhor Incarnation Line
Biography and autobiography in Tibet are important sources for both education and inspiration. Tibetans have kept such meticulous records of their teachers that thousands of names are known and discussed in a wide range of biographical material. All these names, all these lives—it can be a little overwhelming. The authors involved in the Treasury of Lives are currently mining the primary sources to provide English-language biographies of every known religious teacher from Tibet and the Himalaya, all of which are organized for easy searching and browsing. Every Tuesday on the Tricycle blog, we will highlight and reflect on important, interesting, eccentric, surprising and beautiful stories found within this rich literary tradition.
The Tongkhor Incarnation Line
More »
1 comment
Hurricane Sandy Relief: Where Can You Help?
It's been a week since Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast coast, and the region is still recoiling from the devastation. So many of us along the Eastern coast, including the Tricycle team, have been affected by the storm. Though power is back in Manhattan (and in our office) and its infrastructure is scraping along, most in the coastline regions, and many in the city—in Staten Island, the Rockaways, Red Hook, Coney Island and other areas—remain in dire conditions.
A number of organizations are providing aid to Sandy victims. Now's the time to be generous and giving—not merely as individual Buddhist practice, but as human beings within the larger community. With another storm expected to hit an already crippled, eroded coast on Wednesday evening, aid efforts are paramount now.
More »
0 comments
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Amitabha Buddha
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition.
This week Jeff explains the appearance and iconography of Amitabha Buddha in Himalayan Buddhist art.
Himalayan Art 101: Amitabha Buddha
More »
2 comments
Buddha Buzz: Buddhist News from Around the World, Week of October 22
Happy Halloween! Since it's almost time for the year's only holiday that encourages you to pretend to be someone else, it's the perfect opportunity to let you know that if you live in Thailand, your local monks might not be what they seem. In fact, the Global Post reports, they might be meth dealers. Several Thai monks have been busted recently for buying, using, and dealing speed pills. One even insisted that he was using the drug money to refurbish his temple. Maybe I've just been watching too much Breaking Bad, but for some sad reason this story didn't even surprise me. How's that for some legitimate 21st century cynicism?
More »
2 comments
Getting to Know the Tricycle Sangha: An Interview with Tricycle Community Member Mark Drew
A lot has been written in Tricycle over the years about the importance of sangha. Here on tricycle.com, we've endeavored to provide our members with not only a wealth of information about Buddhist practice and teachings but also with a sense of community. To that end, we also host a Tricycle community page, which you can visit at community.tricycle.com.
More »
