Culture

The Arts

Miyazaki’s worldview, his love for the natural world spills over into his work, making each gust of wind feel ordained.

Spirited Away

A Reflection on Human Excess

At a time when societies search big ideas to save the world, Adrian Mathews argues that the film 'Spirited Away' offers us a more local solution.

Images of Truth

Bust of Padmapani 'Holder of the Lotus'

Images of Truth

The immovable lotus on which the Buddha sits can restore peace to any situation.

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Book Reviews

The Selected Letters of Master Daie Soko

With commentary by Ven Myokyo-ni

Master Daie gives his lay students practical advise on how to apply Zen in ordinary life, in this invaluable collection of letters.

Master Daie Soko

Master Daie Sōkō (1089–1163)—also known as Dahui Zonggao—was a highly influential 12th-century Chinese Chan (Zen) master of the Linji (Rinzai)...

Yoka Daishi’s Realising the Way

This book is a companion and a guide. The poem itself is not so much an instruction manual, rather it’s a distillation of what and how it is to be a pupil of the Way.

Lucy Spear

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Extracts

Gentling the Bull | Chapter 7

A reading from a foundational text about Zen training.

The Zen Way

Life in a Japanese Zen Monastery by Irmgard Schloegl

This audio extract from Irmgard Schloegl’s book explores the daily routines of Zen monks and the entrance begging ordeal all aspiring monks must endure to.

Book Extracts

The Four Noble Truths | Part III

By Ajahn Sumedho

Ajahn Sumedho explains how to let go when suffering arises through the contemplation of the Four Noble Truths.

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Fiction

26. Sangha, Sutras & Skateboarders

THE BUDDHA BLOG

Michael Haggiag

Dylan is introduced to the Buddhist sutras for the first time, but they also come with a warning.

24. Happiness?

THE BUDDHA BLOG

Is Dylan feeling compassion or desire?

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Interviews

Randolph Whitfield - Remarkable translator of ancient Chinese texts

For many years, Randolph Whitfield has laboured to render a seminal Zen text into the English language.

The Most Important Thing is Vitality

Japanese calligrapher Michiko Imai explains how to apply 'The Way of Zen' to all your creative endeavors.

Hidden Zen

Meido Moore, Abbot of Korinji Zen Temple, discusses his book “Hidden Zen” on energetic practices in Rinzai Zen, covering martial arts, koans, and models of.

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Poetry

Easy by Nature

Lao Tsu

The virtues of being like water in spiritual training.

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Reflections

Is ChatGPT the name of the next Buddha?

Is this the beginning of an AI revolution that will free humanity or enclave it? Or could it be the next Buddha? Find out in this week’s Blog article.

Men, Masculinity and Mindfulness

Whether it’s toxic masculinity or the infantilisation of men, what masculinity should be remains a contentious issue within the cultural dialogue. Martin Goodson looks at whether the Buddha's teachings can offer any guidance on this issue.