Winter 2009 Issue

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Features

The Symbol and the Symbolized
A teaching on the deep meaning of art by the late John Daido Loori, Roshi, the pioneering American Zen teacher who died on October 9 at age 78.

Dharma Brother Daido
Bernie Glassman recalls his longtime friendship with John Daido Loori.

Till We Meet Again
Robert Thurman pays tribute to Daido Loori and his legacy in American Buddhism.

The Art of Awareness
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche says art can be a transformative practice when you get ego out of the way and allow the art to reflect a natural, uncontrived awareness.

Becoming Truly Alive
We live a kind of artificial life, says Thich Nhat Hanh, lost in plans, worries, and anger. Our practice is to wake up and live each moment fully, allowing this moment to be the most wonderful experience of our life.

Forum: Toughing It Out
Representatives from four major Buddhist centers—Spirit Rock, San Francisco Zen Center, Insight Meditation Society, and Shambhala Mountain Center—discuss the challenges of the current economy and the strategies they’re adopting to deal with it.

The Taste of Liberation
The jhanas, explains Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, are powerful mental states offering practitioners a window onto the experience of enlightenment.

Gautama vs the Buddha
If you’re looking for relief from suffering, argues Glenn Wallis, you won’t find it in some mythical figure called the Buddha but rather in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, an ordinary person like us, who became a great spiritual teacher.

Departments

Commentary - each issue features an editorial written by one of the main teachers in Western Buddhism. Charles Prebish: We’ve Come a Long Way.

Letters - Email letters to the Editor.

First Thoughts - a collection of short essays by teachers and writers

News & Culture

• Thich Nhat Hanh Denounces Attack on Vietnamese Monastery
• New Films Featuring Dalai Lama and Tibet
• New York Exhibits Celebrate Mandalas
• Bringing Mindfulness Practice to Troubled Youth

Ask the Teachers - Question: I can't seem to tolerate interruptions to my self-absorption. How can we engage emotional provocations and self-centeredness in ways that turn us toward dharma practice and life? Zenkei Blanche Hartman’s answer. Email your practice questions.

Inside Art with Denise Leidy

Reviews -

• Zen Women, by Grace Schireson. Reviewed by Joan Sutherland
• The Life of Nyanatiloka Thera, by Bhikkhu Nyanatusita and Hellmuth Hecker. Reviewed by Ajahn Punnadhammo

Centers and Programs - A section highlighting upcoming programs being offered at various centers.

Book Briefs - Alexander Gardner reviews 9 of the latest books on Buddhism

Network Listings - A directory of meditation and yoga centers throughout North America.

On Translation: Sangye Khandro

Lives Lived - Remembering Lisa Hilliard.

Journeys - Judith Roitman: The Mummy, the Marine, and Me

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