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…
Tag: zen
Video Games
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The Oregon Trail: Your Traumatic Introduction to the Middle Way
“First, I lost my father to dysentery. Then… my Mother. Next, both my brother and sister succumbed to dysentery. Finally, I felt the disease working its way through my digestive tract, and I knew I had dysentery as well. We never completed our journey.” No, this isn’t an excerpt from…
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…
Music
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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…
Lifestyles
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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…