
The Snow Lion’s Attributes
Joseph Houseal introduces a profoundly significant new project to reconstruct formal documentation of the ritual dance heritage of the Drikung Kagyu tradition.
As a religious, philosophical, and ritual expression, dance has an important role in the practice of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and other Asian belief systems. Long unbroken transmissions of movement forms are reflected in religious artistic depictions, where performative iconography is mystical code as well as movement illustration.
In his column Ancient Dances, Joseph Houseal looks at the aspects of dance and spirituality to enhance practice and appreciation among readers, and to raise cultural awareness in our changing world. He uses dance as a lens to explore states of consciousness and symbolic representations.
Ancient Dances is published monthly.

Joseph Houseal introduces a profoundly significant new project to reconstruct formal documentation of the ritual dance heritage of the Drikung Kagyu tradition.

Joseph Houseal speaks with performer, scholar, theorist, and mask-maker Graham Shackell on Bhutan’s precious Buddhist heritage of masked rituals

Joseph Houseal explores expressions of impermanence in the classic Noh performance of Yuya.

Joseph Houseal offers an examination of Buddhist ritual dance and movement as historic and spiritual record.

Joseph Houseal explores spiritual dance in the “Shaker” community of Maine

Joseph Houseal shares his recollection of a serendipitous meeting of minds, of ancient and modern, and a shared love for the liminal mysteries of dance

Joseph Houseal explores the the role of emptiness as an expression of Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics in Japanese culture

Joseph Houseal delves into ancient links and parallels between calligraphic pictograms and ritual dance traditions

Joseph Houseal’s presentation for Buddhistdoor Global’s 30th Anniversary Symposium in Vancouver on 3–4 September 2025

The early explorers treated in this three-part article represent a wide range of expertise, from painting to linguistics, dance to cartography. The 15 explorers evoked

Joseph Houseal digs deeper into the history of cultural explorers and the West’s early encounters with Buddhism

Joseph Houseal explores the adventurer-scholars, mystic-wanderers, and artist-seekers behind the West’s early exposures to Buddhism