Seek a deeper understanding of the fundamental and enduring questions that have been raised by thoughtful human beings in the rich traditions of the East.
Tricycle Blog |
Our daily diary of the global Buddhist movement | Subscribe to feed |
1 comment
Buddha Buzz: Buddhist News from Around the World, Week of November 26
Tibetan self-immolations are continuing at an alarming rate. Since the last Buddha Buzz post on November 16, 14 more Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest the Chinese rule. There's no denying that the self-immolations are occurring with greater frequency. Out of the 89 self-immolations since 2009, 27 of them—about 30%—have taken place this month, according to the International Campaign for Tibet. Two weeks ago, British monk Tonden (David Alain) became the first non-Tibetan to self-immolate, setting himself on fire in the garden of Nalanda monastery, in France, where the resident monks were in retreat.
More »
0 comments
Chopping Onions
Cleaning the bathroom or chopping the onions is no less important than sitting in deep meditation. Grasping this and acting on it is called waking up.
—Janet Jiryu Abels, “Participate Fully”
"Chop wood, carry water" is a Zen saying. In other words, just do what you are doing, nothing more, nothing less.
More »
0 comments
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: King Gesar of Ling
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 takes a look at artistic renderings of King Gesar of Ling, folk hero in Tibetan epic literature.
Himalayan Art 101: King Gesar of Ling
More »
7 comments
"Neuroscience: Under Attack" in the New York Times
If you get the Sunday Times you probably saw Alissa Quart's clever op-ed on the backlash against the perfunctory extrapolations and sweeping claims made by popular neuroscience. The danger of false positives in neuroimaging has been brought to the attention of the public eye over the last several years (remember those neuroscientists that imaged brain activity in a dead salmon?). Quart's piece, however, doesn't just lay blame on shoddy science and premature conclusions drawn by neuroscientists, it also examines the culture that allows neuroscientific explanations to supplant other viable interpretations of experience.
More »
0 comments
The Haiku Spirit: An Interview with Scholar-Artist Stephen Addiss
Stephen Addiss, PhD, is Professor of Art at the University of Richmond in Virginia. Author of The Art of Haiku, one of Tricycle’s picks for “Books in Brief” this issue, Addiss is a prolific scholar-artist who has been practicing Japanese calligraphy and ink painting for over 40 years. He is a true jack-of-all-trades—Addiss also studied music under the tutelage of John Cage and toured internationally for 16 years as part of the folk duo “Addiss & Crofut.” Tricycle’s Emma Varvaloucas spoke with him by phone last month about his recently published book and his thoughts on the “haiku spirit.”
More »
2 comments
Treasury of Lives: Bon Master Drenpa Namka
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.
Bon Master Drenpa Namka
More »
0 comments
Storms, Now in 3D - A Review of Life of Pi
As we are consistently told throughout the opening scenes of Fox 2000’s new release, The Life of Pi (adapted from the 2001 best-selling novel by Yann Matel), the story about to unfold “will make you believe in God.”
Though that is hardly the case, the spectacular visual landscapes, animated beasts, and terrifying storm sequences, imagined and rendered masterfully in 3D by director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) will certainly cause a stir in your stomach, if not in your faith.
The story follows Pi Patel (played well by acting newcomer Suraj Sharma), told in a series of increasingly extended flashbacks from an older Pi (Irrfan Khan) to a dumbfounded Canadian writer (Rafe Spall) who is inquiring into his legendary story of surviving 227 days at sea—with a Bengal tiger.
More »
1 comment
Tricycle pilgrims make it to the Tiger's Nest
Tricycle Pilgrims are troopers—most of us made the arduous hike to the Tiger's Nest, or the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, as the Bhutanese call it. Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan, is said to have meditated there in a cave for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. Built in 1692, the monastery was rebuilt after a fire in 1998. I should add that we not only made it up but also made it back down. Some sore muscles but nothing serious!
Image: Approaching the Tiger's Nest, Paro Valley, Buthan. © Risto Kuulasmaa.
More »
3 comments
The Zen Master Goes Black Friday Shopping
When the Zen master Black Friday shops, it is not hard to understand! When breathing, breathe! When Black Friday shopping, shop!
When finding "jingle socks" and "scarves for her," and "hostess gifts under $25," just find them. Go to aisles 7 and 14 and 15 and find them!
Do not rush, but neither shall you go slow like the snail climbing Mt. Fuji, and miss out on the Crock Pot Spectacular.
More »
1 comment
A Very Buddhist Thanksgiving: What Are You Thankful For?
Happy Thanksgiving from the Tricycle staff!
We hope that your Thanksgiving is a day of warmth and gratitude and of sharing your time with those you treasure most. If it turns out to be something more along the lines of what comedian Johhny Carson once said, though...
"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often."
...we offer our heartfelt empathy.
To get us into the Thanksgiving spirit this year, we decided to go around the office and ask the traditional Thanksgiving 'round-the-table question: "What are you thankful for this year?" Here's what we had to say:
More »
0 comments
Thanksgiving Blessing
Tricycle pilgrim receives blessing from Khenpo Khatar Rinpoche at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, which the the group visited yesterday. A 40km drive from Kathmandu, the monastery sits atop the Himalayan foothills, offering stunning views. It was built at Namo Buddha, where, in a former life, the Buddha is said to have saved a starving Tigress and her cubs by offering himself as food. A stupa was built on the site and is considered one of the holiest places in Nepal.
We're all grateful to have made the visit. Happy Thanksgiving!
Image: Khatar Rinpoche offers Tricycle pilgrims blessings. © Risto Kuulasmaa.
More »
0 comments
A Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Teachings from Lama Shabkar
As you prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, please consider this teaching from Lama Shabkar, a Tibetan yogin known for his spontaneous songs. Though it was originally written from the perspective of a sheep, we've changed it around to reflect the coming holiday. For some Thanksgiving vegetarian recipe ideas, go to the next page.
More »
0 comments
Tricycle Pilgrimage: Today's Teaching from Kathmandu
From today's teaching at Shedrub Ling:
It's not enough to think you understand impermanence and then to forget about it. The real dharma practitioner is someone who contemplates impermanence many times throughout day. Only then do our fixations begin to loosen, our attachments begin to break. Only then do we finally begin to relax.
–Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Image: Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche at the White Gompa. © Risto Kuulasmaa.
More »
0 comments
Tricycle Pilgrimage: One Love
Tricycle pilgrimage co-leader Justin Kelley gave interfaith harmony a big boost earlier today with his newfound Hindu friends. Photographer and fellow pilgrim Risto Kuulasmaa dubbed the pic "One Love," appropriately enough. The new friendship was struck up along Kathmandu's Bagmati River, where the caves of Tilopa and Naropa are a stone's throw from the famed Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest site in Nepal and one of the Hindu world's most important temples built to Lord Shiva. The mix of Hindu and Buddhist traditions characterizes the region.
Image: Buddhist monk Justin Kelley with newfound friends. © Risto Kuulasmaa.
More »
1 comment
Treasury of Lives: Kagyu Founders Part 1, Mila and Marpa
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.
Kagyu Founders Part 1: Mila and Marpa
More »
2 comments
Tricycle's Pilgrimage to Nepal & Bhutan: Kathmandu
Tricycle began its first pilgrimage to Nepal & Bhutan on Sunday in Kathmandu, where 25 of us gathered at the Tibet International hotel, within viewing distance of the Great Stupa at Boudhanath. After settling in and getting to know one another, we spent part of the following day at Shedrub Ling monastery, where the Ven. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche offered teachings. Rinpoche sat before some 300 mostly Western students, some permanent residents, and others hearing teachings for perhaps the first time.
Throughout our journey, we'll be posting quotes from the teachers we visit, accompanied by photos taken by fellow pilgrim Risto Kuulasmaa, who has joined us from Helsinki. The following quote and the above picture were taken from yesterday's teaching:
More »
12 comments
The Huffington Post Addresses "Conflicts About Race Among Meditators"
In a Huffington Post article published yesterday, religion reporter Jaweed Kaleem offers an insightful look into POC sitting groups in the American dharma scene. The article, "Buddhist 'People Of Color Sanghas,' Diversity Efforts Address Conflicts About Race Among Meditators," examines the need for minority sanghas alongside the seemingly "un-Buddhist" intention to form exclusive communities and courses for people of color. Kaleem writes,
More »
1 comment
Do Not Waste Time - Week 3 of Caroline Yongue's Retreat
This week begins "Do Not Waste Time," the third week of Caroline Yongue's retreat on preparing for death. In this third installment, Caroline advises us on how to eliminate distractions from our daily routines, how to create new habits to live more meritoriously, and walks us through the Essential Phowa Practice and the Dissolution of the Elements instruction.
"When we are in the Bardo of Becoming, we are not guaranteed another human birth. Do not waste this precious human life. Live a meritorious life. This is our rare opportunity to practice the dharma."
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.
Check out the preview of this week's retreat below:
More »
1 comment
Real Buddha / Virtual Buddha: A Review of "Echoes of the Past: The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan"
Echoes of the Past: The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtanghsan, buddha sculptures and digital reconstructions, on New York’s Upper East Side.The great Buddhist reliquaries of the world—be they caves, mountainside monasteries, summit stupas, or ancient monuments—remain inaccessible to most due to their remoteness. Though great leaps in transportation technology have closed vast distances, both the pillaging of artifacts and the limiting of exposure in the interest of preservation continue to make visits to these far-flung sites difficult.
Two alternatives act as windows that provide virtual access to these otherwise inaccessible environs: the removal of objects of worship into private collections and museums, whereby they can be admired by the privileged elite and the general public, respectively, or the creation of immaterial or easily transportable renderings—primarily photography, but also painting and, more recently, digital modeling.
More »
