With the introduction of firearms, the art of bow shooting was in danger of disappearing. However, this art was one of the principal disciplines of bushido, the Way of the Samurai. As a means of keeping this tradition alive, the annual Toshiya archery contest was instituted. The site of the contest was a temple in

Khenpo Shenga (1871–1927) There are thirteen classics of Indian Mahayana philosophy, still used in Tibetan centers of education throughout Asia and beyond, particularly the Nyngma tradition, with overlap with the others.  They cover the subjects of vinaya, abhidharma, Yogacara, Madhyamika, and the path of the Bodhisattva.  They are some of the most frequently quoted texts

A lot of pissed-off people wind up at our monastery. This place has a tractor beam like the Death Star's in Star Wars that pulls in anyone within a thousand-mile radius with a four-letter word on the tip of his or her tongue. Her marriage tanked; he's got an itch in his brain he just

The following is an excerpt from Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong By Norman Fischer It is quite counter-intuitive, quite upside down. What it is saying is: whatever happens, don't ever blame anyone or anything else, always blame only yourself. Eat the blame and it will make you strong. There's another

We join our palms and say goodbye to a teacher who had an immense impact on the world. S.N. Goenka was a pioneer in making Vipassana meditation widely available to a secular audience. Over 170 meditation centers have been established around the globe under his auspices. His legacy will resound indefinitely.   29 January 1924

The Superhuman Life of Gesar of Ling Translated by Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden This little volume may have been surpassed by Robin Kornman's monumental translation of the Gesar epic (which we also published), but it's still pretty handy. It serves as a synopsis of the great epic-think of it as the Cliff's Notes version.

The Awakened One: A Life of the Buddha by Sherab Chodzin Kohn It's one of the great archetypal stories-and in it is contained the seeds of liberation for all beings. This retelling is both readable and informed by an understanding of Buddhist history and teaching. This volume also includes a short history of Buddhism and

The Poetry of Zen Edited by Sam Hamill and J P Seaton This exquisite little book is a delight to hold and look at. It's even more delightful when you start to read the poetic articulations of enlightenment it contains. So, although it looks great in your hand, don't neglect opening it up! For more

Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar by Khenchen Thrangu In the summer of 1957, the revered Buddhist teacher and scholar Khenpo Gangshar foresaw the difficulties that would soon fall upon Tibet and began teaching in a startling new way that enabled all those who heard him to use the coming difficulties as the

A Jewish Mother in Shangri-la by Rosie Rosenzweig An old joke tells of a Jewish woman who treks to the Himalayas to seek an audience with a guru sitting in seclusion on a mountaintop. When at last she comes before him, she implores: "Sheldon, come home!" Rosie Rosenzweig was that Jewish mother-but in real life,