Tricycle | Awake in the World

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. More »

Our new May online retreat, "Recognizing the Self," with Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara, abbot of the Village Zendo in Manhattan, focuses on the importance of recognizing ourselves and maintaining that integrity in the often confusing cacophony of modern society. Organized into a study of Zen Master Dogen's three fundamental slogans—to study the enlightened way is to study the self; to study the self is to forget the self; and to forget the self is to be enlightened by the myriad things—Enkyo Roshi guides us to her own final conclusion: to be enlightened by the myriad things opens you to the bodhisattva path. Today's retreat teaching, "To Study the Self," tackles the first slogan. Enkyo Roshi emphasizes bringing our attention to and being intimate with ourselves, regardless of our recognitions or criticisms. By "turning the light inward," as Dogen says, we can become present in this moment and begin this very special consideration of who we really are. More »

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. Sacred Geometry, Part 1 More »

Over at Maclean's Anne Kingston surveys the world of corporate mindfulness and the Buddhist reaction. "What has gripped Western attention," writes Kingston, "is mindfulness's ability to improve performance—of Olympic athletes, parents, and even nations, as promised in U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan’s 2012 bestseller, Mindful Nation." Mindfulness: the panacea to all our personal and societal ills. Tech entrepreneurs, corporations (benevolent and evil), publishers (Buddhist and non-Buddhist), and life-coaches of all stripes have been quick to capitalize on the "mindful" vogue. More »

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. Iconometry, Proportions & Guidelines More »

We all want to change the world, but we can quickly run up against despair, and worse, come to harbor the idea we can't make any difference whatsoever. In his new book from School of Life, How to Change the World, author and journalist John-Paul Flintoff offers examples of people who have done just that, and how they were able to do so. The fact is, whether we acknowledge it or not, we are all making a difference all the time. Flintoff implores us to be more conscious of that impact so that we may produce the effects we desire. Tricycle caught up with Flintoff via email to ask a few questions about the new book and how to overcome self-imposed obstacles to meaningful social change.   More »

A Tibetan Buddhist monk meditates during a moment of silence near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.   Photo from Getty Images. More »

Happy Earth Day! Throughout the years, Tricycle has celebrated the relationship between the teachings of Buddhism and eco-consciousness. In 2009, we decided to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk: we were proud to obtain Forest Stewarship Council certification for our paper stock, which means that it comes from "responsibly managed forests." The entire chain of production for the paper we use, from the forests to the pulp providers, mills, merchants, and finally, our printer up in Vermont, have all received FSC certification.  For Earth Day 2013, we're revisiting the best of our "green" archives. Read, be inspired, and hug a tree (or save that for Arbor Day, on Friday).   More »

It's been a rough week for Buddhist monks. I'm afraid that, if you're still holding on to any bit of romanticism regarding Buddhist monks, young or old, this week's news will crush it. It's been a devastating week news-wise, and it looks like the Buddhist world is no exception. More »