Tricycle | Awake in the World

Today we've posted another great talk by Tsokyni Rinpoche from this year's Tricycle | BuddhaFest Online Film Festival. Take a look at this preview of Rinpoche's talk where he tells a wonderfully illustrative talk of how he finds buddhanature in the modern speedy world. For those with a festival pass, the full talk can be viewed here. More »

It's not enough to simply resolve to speak only what is "truthful, helpful, kind and timely." After all, we scarcely know which of the hundreds of voices in our head is going to "grab the mic" next. Vajrayana teacher Ken McLeod suggests we begin with a pretty straightforward method in his discussion of verse 34 of the 37 Practices of the Bodhisattva. Here's how it works: When you speak, listen to the sound of your own voice as if you are listening to another person talk. When you do this you hear immediately when what you are saying or how you are saying it is out of sync with the situation. If you are angry but aren't unaware of it, you hear the edge in your voice...you also hear when there's fear...or when you are trying to sell someone an idea, or when  you are trying to seduce someone against their will.... There will be a little insistence or insincere charm in your voice. You may be surprised to hear your mother or father speaking..." More »

Since the 1950 Chinese invasion that ended with the forced integration of Tibet into the People’s Republic of China, Tibet has been simmering. It has boiled over more than once, most notably for the first time in 1959, when uprisings swept through the Tibetan plateau and the current Dalai Lama fled to exile in India, as well as in 2008, when the unrest spread to the Tibetan diaspora. More »

A unique aspect of Vajrayana Buddhism is how it actively works with darkness and negativity to transform them into luminous wisdom. My first experience with Tibetan Buddhism’s wrathful deities was in Bodhgaya, India in 1971. After completing two months of intensive meditation with S. N. Goenka, I climbed to a legendary charnel ground outside of town used for sky burial. The monks there welcomed me into a very small temple with a large statue of Maha Kala, The Fierce Dark One. More »

While Tricycle is a nonsectarian and independent publication, most of our content reflects a perspective of what might be called meditation-oriented Buddhism. Most of our readers and contributors know Buddhism primarily in terms of the meditation traditions of Zen, Vipassana, or Vajrayana as they have been presented to a Western audience. Indeed, it is probably not an exaggeration to say that, for many of our readers, approaches to Buddhism, such as Nichiren, that are not based on a practice of quiet, focused sitting meditation are, other than in name, scarcely recognizable as Buddhist at all. More »

Here's another preview of one of the talks at BuddhaFest this year. If you haven't already heard about about Congressman Tim Ryan's new book and personal advocacy for mindfulness in our nation, here's a chance to see him deliver his vision to the crowd at BuddhaFest this year. Already have a pass to this year's festival? Check out the rest of the congressman's talk here. Still haven't signed up? The online festival is continuing through Sunday, July 8th. Get your pass here. More »

We are happy to share the the first dharma talk from the Tricycle | BuddhaFest Online Film Festival. Watch a preview of Tara Brach discussing the power that a minfulness practice brings to freeing our hearts, and to bringing intimacy and transformation to our closest relationships. If you're keen on watching the rest of Tara Brach's talk (and more from Tim Ryan, Sharon Salzberg, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Ven. Pannavait Bhikkhuni, Rick Hanson & Krishna Das) be sure get your online festival pass. For those already taking part in the festival, the full video can be viewed here. More »

About a year ago, Tricycle interviewed Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. (Editor's Note: There are actually two claimants to the Karmapa's seat, read more about the controversy here.) This was long before we knew that he would be the subject of Bodhisattva, one of the films now playing at the Tricycle | BuddhaFest Online Film Festival. In the interview the Karmapa discussed his work as a poet and artists, spiritual bypassing, his environmental concerns, and his daily life in India. It's the perfect introduction to the star of Mark Elliot's Bodhisattva: The Journey of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. Watch the interview below and then BuddhaFest Pass holders can watch the film here. More »

BuddhaFest was a great success! It was capped by a guest appearance by Ram Dass, who attended via Skype, as you see here. The live event closed on a high note, but the online event continues for another three weeks! Like Ram Dass, you can participate without leaving home. If you haven't already, get your festival pass here.   More »