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…
Tag: zen
Lifestyles
Continue Reading
Forest Bathing: Modern Shinrin-yoku in the Digital Age
You’ve probably heard the term “Forest Bathing” being tossed around on TikTok or your social media platform of choice lately. But what you might not know is that it’s a relatively modern term that originated in Japan in the 1980s. It has since been rebranded, repackaged (you can almost say…
Film and TV
Continue Reading
Buddhism in the Matrix: Morpheus The Bodhisattva
The red pill or the blue pill? Enlightenment or the endless cycle of samsara? One is a trope invented by “The Matrix“, a 1999 science fiction film starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. The latter is an ancient Buddhist doctrine that states all beings are constantly experiencing an ongoing cycle…
literature
Continue Reading
Buddhism Made Simple: The Best Books for Curious Newcomers
Are you interested in learning about Buddhism but don’t know where to start? Have you tried reading about Buddhism in the past but were intimidated or confused by verbose and overly-wordy antiquated texts? Then this list is for you! The philosophy and beliefs of this 2,500 year old religion are…
literature
Continue Reading
Best Buddhist Print Magazines You Can Subscribe to Today
Picture this: It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon. You turn on the kettle to make yourself a little afternoon pick-me-up of your favorite coffee or tea. You sit down on the couch ready to enjoy a little rest and relaxation. Before you can stop yourself your monkey mind has you reach…
Home and Garden
Continue Reading
Dogen’s “Instructions To the Tenzo”: Buddhist Wisdom For Family Dinners
Parents today are more stressed, overworked and pushed to their limits than ever before. Feeling like finding time for a traditional sitting meditation practice is out of reach? You’re not alone. In today’s modern world there simply isn’t enough time in the day to sit in silence for busy parents….
Film and TV
Continue Reading
Netflix and Chan: The Best Buddhist Shows on Netflix
In today’s modern world there are an endless number of ways to absorb the Dharma. There are the classic ways: attending services at your local temple or reading sutras. Conversely, there are more contemporary ways, such as listening to a podcast while hitting the gym or kicking back on the…
Media
Continue Reading
The Best Buddhist Podcasts of 2025
The Buddha’s Dharma can be absorbed whether you’re walking your dog, exercising, doing house chores or simply going for a drive. In today’s busy world many lay practitioners and people looking to dip their toes into the reservoir of knowledge left behind by The Buddha simply don’t have time to…
Home and Garden
Continue Reading
Samu and Soil: Finding Mindfulness in Your Garden
In today’s modern world your meditation practice can take a backseat to the demands of everyday life. At times it can feel nearly impossible to find the time for a traditional sitting practice. Work, school, family and the tasks of everyday life are sometimes so overwhelming that carving out 15…
Sports
Continue Reading
The Zen of the Zamboni
A Cloudy Mind and Cloudy Ice One of the most common misconceptions about meditation is that the end goal is a completely clear mind devoid of all thought. To most people the vision of a Zamboni cleaning the ice and leaving behind a shiny pristine surface is the perfect metaphor…