Noh and Zen
Joseph Houseal
12 September 2026
From Zen practice to ghosts and dreams, Joseph Houseal looks at how Buddhist ideas are embodied in Noh performance
The Attan
Joseph Houseal
10 May 2025
Joseph Houseal explores the ancient cultural ties that connect Pashtun attan with Buddhist cham.
Mystical Dances in the Kingdom of Bhutan, Part 1: A Black Magic Dance at the Core of Bhutan’s Founding
Joseph Houseal
14 September 2024
Joseph Houseal presents a three-part exploration of the manifestations of sacred ritual dance in Bhutan.
World Peace-ification
Joseph Houseal
10 August 2024
Joseph Houseal casts a critical eye on modern interpretations and improvements of ancient dance traditions
Buddhist Culture: Yangchenma Arts & Music to Host Four-Part Online Series on Himalayan Dance Traditions
Craig Lewis
21 February 2024
Yangchenma Arts & Music will host a four-part live-streamed series of talks on the ancient dance traditions of Himalayan cultures in March.
Writing Dance in Stone, Part One
Joseph Houseal
17 February 2024
BDG columnist Joseph Houseal explores the historical legacies and heritage of ritual dance traditions from the world of Buddhism and beyond
Tantric Bodies, Tantric Dance
Joseph Houseal
9 December 2023
Joseph Houseal examines some fundamental characteristics of Buddhist tantric dance
Carl Jung and the Golden Elixir
Joseph Houseal
15 April 2023
Consciousness and sacred dance—an overview of our modern understanding of, and relationship with, altered states of mind
Sagi Mai: Dance of the White Heron
Joseph Houseal
9 July 2022
Sagi Mai brings protection and blessings, just as the beautiful herons appear on the banks of the Kamo River in Kyoto
Nabji, Part Four: Guru Rinpoche Returns in 2022
Joseph Houseal
11 June 2022
Sustaining an ancient and sacred tantric dance lineage in Bhutan
Nabji, Part Three: Tercham, the Naked Dance
Joseph Houseal
14 May 2022
Exploring an ancient and rarely seen Buddhist naked dance ritual in remote Bhutan
Dance Survival
Joseph Houseal
12 February 2022
An examination of survival and continuity for endangered Buddhist dance traditions