Buddhist Rains-retreat (vassavasa): a courtesy of monasticism
BD Dipananda
4 October 2013
“When the rainy season has come and it is raining, many living beings are originated and many seed just spring up. … Knowing this one
Hemis Festival: the Masked Dance of Ladakh
Stella Peters
28 September 2013
Editor’s note: Stella Peters is a writer/photographer from Amsterdam who focuses on inequality and human interest stories. She is currently studying anthropology in an Advanced master’s programme
Message for Vesak 2013
Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh
20 May 2013
Editor’s note: The following Dharma talk was given by Thay in Hong Kong and shared with Buddhistdoor International to mark the annivesary of the Buddha’s life
The Festival of Pure Brightness is a chance to protect tradition
Ittoku
1 April 2013
This April will see the annual Chinese festival of Qingming: more commonly known in China as the occasion to tend to our ancestors’ graves and burial
The Story behind the Kaṭhina Robe
Ven. Dr. Beligalle Dhammajoti
1 October 2012
Ka?hina and Ka?hina kusala What is meant by Ka?hina? The Pali term ‘Ka?hina’ means: strong, strength, hard, solid, rigid, powerful, firm, inflexible, and stiff. Therefore, Ka?hina kusala means: ‘very strong
A Vesak Ritual – Bathing the Buddha
Raymond Lam
1 April 2012
Later this month in April and early May, people across the world will celebrate Vesak in many different ways, but they are bound together by a special
Silent Offerings
Cathy Ziengs
1 February 2012
What does Chinese New Year mean to me? First, it is the power hoses that one begins to notice… these are not your ordinary garden-variety
Change of Location
Frank
1 February 2012
Our first Chinese New Year in Vancouver after an absence of many years proved to be both educational and amusing. Educational because we had to
CNY from Small Town to Big City
Mun Yee
1 February 2012
I’ve spent my time growing up in the city, but when it comes to Chinese New Year holidays, it’s always back to my Dad’s small
Celebrating Chinese New Year the Buddhist Way
Weng Hon Wong
1 February 2012
Chinese New Year celebration in Chinese communities in all corners of the globe is characterized with heart-warming traditional greetings like “Jinyumangtang” – (May wealth fill
Vesak: That time of the year again for sentient beings
Raymond Lam
10 May 2011
I had a shock after reading this news piece. Not at the fact that the minister shaved his head (people shave their heads all the time,
Rebirth in a Holy Lotus
Raymond Lam
21 May 2010
This column is dedicated to Grandmaster Rong Ling of Guan Yin Temple and Ven. Dhammapala, director of Buddhistdoor.com. This article is a reflection on the