Kurt Cobain died at the ripe age of 27 in 1994. Despite his short run in the human realm, he’s left a lasting impression on American culture and music. Cobain was raised in a devout born-again catholic home but would later reject his faith and become a non-denominational agnostic. During…
Category: Music
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Jimmy Yu’s Path from Hardcore Punk to Hardcore Zen Master
Buddhism is the most “punk rock” religion there is. There, I said it. You might think that’s a controversial statement, but let’s break it down harder than an Acacia Strain song. Both Buddhism and Punk/Hardcore music are all about being true to yourself, seeing past the societal norms pushed on…
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The Best Buddhism-Inspired Songs: A Playlist of Modern Music
Some early Buddhist texts denounced music. Claiming it was nothing more than a sensory distraction pulling practitioners away from their meditation practice. Theravada Buddhist precepts prohibit monastics from singing, dancing or even listening to music. In spite of these ancient rules, there have been countless songs inspired by the ancient…
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Why Did Blink-182 Name Their First Demo Buddha?
Breathtaking images of various Buddhas throughout history are as ubiquitous as The Dharma itself. The immense Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan China, the stunning Great Buddha of Thailand, and… the four inch tall Buddha featured on the cover of Blink-182’s demo cassette “Buddha“? While not as awe-inspiring or magnificent as…
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Sure Shot to Shambhala: Adam Yauch’s Search for Enlightenment
The Beastie Boys are hailed as one of the most popular hip-hop groups of all time. Their debut album “License to Ill” was the first of its genre to top the Billboard 200 chart. Their follow up album “Paul’s Boutique” is widely regarded as a peak album of golden age…