Articles on some of the major teachings of the various branches of Buddhism. Note that basics shared by most of the branches are in the Basics category.

2014 - Year of the Horse
In 2014, Chinese New Year and Tibetan New Year (Losar) fall a month apart, on January 31st and March 2nd. In both traditions, 2014 is the Year of the Horse. Learn more about these festivals and predictions for this year.

2015 Buddhist Holidays
Find out the major Buddhist holidays in various traditions and countries, how they are celebrated, and their dates for 2015.

Anger, Greed, Ignorance – The Three Poisons
Anger, greed, and ignorance are often referred to as the 'three poisons' in Buddhist teachings, and uprooting them from our mind is an important part of Buddhist practice. Learn their associated states, and methods for working to release them.

Branches of Buddhism
Buddhism has many different branches, schools, and lineages. Learn what they are, what countries each are practiced in, and how they differ.

Buddha and Jesus
As Buddhism's popularity in the West has grown, many scholars and religious leaders have drawn parallels between the lives and teachings of Buddha and Jesus. This article covers a few, including similar sayings.

Buddhist Personality Types and Meditation
Fifth-century Buddhist scholar Buddhaghosa taught there were six types of people, corresponding to three mental tendencies. Come learn which one you are, and the best corresponding meditation technique.

Buddhist Perspectives on Gratitude
The Buddha often spoke of gratitude and the importance of giving thanks in our lives. In this article learn several different Buddhist perspectives on gratitude and gratitude practice.

Dzogchen - Tibetan Teachings On Our Natural State
Dzogchen teachings within Tibetan Buddhism posit that our natural condition is one of undifferentiated, pure awareness, and that we can come to know ourselves as this directly. Sometimes referred to as a 'nondual' tradition, Dzogchen transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind to the Dharma
The four thoughts that turn the mind to the dharma are foundation understandings any spiritual seeker can strive to cultivate as a foundation for spiritual practice.

Is Buddhism an Atheist Religion?
The term 'atheist religion' might seem like an oxymoron, but to many it applies to Buddhism, as it does not posit a supreme being or creator, and yet on the outside it may appear to have many of the 'trappings' of a religion. Learn more about the various views on this in this article.

Japanese Buddhism
As Buddhism spread outward from India, many new branches developed, often integrating existing traditions. Four main forms of Buddhism are practiced in Japan today - Pure Land, Nichiren, Shingon, and Zen. Learn the basics of these four distinct schools in this article.

Lunar New Year - 2010 Year of the Tiger
In addition to being Valentine’s Day in the west, Feb. 14th 2010 is the start of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Losar (Tibet and Bhutan.) Learn how this holiday has merged with Buddhist culture in some countries, and what predictions are for the Year of the Metal Tiger.

Prajna and Upaya - Wisdom and Skillful Means
Prajna and upaya, or wisdom and skillful means, are two entwined central concepts on the pathway to enlightenment within Mahayana Buddhism, which includes both Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Learn how these two aspects interrelate, and how they correspond to the feminine and masculine within us.

Reincarnation - What Does Buddhism Really Teach?
Many people associate reincarnation with Buddhism, but in fact the Buddha taught about rebirth, not reincarnation. What is the difference, and what do the different schools of Buddhism teach about it? What is its relevance to Buddhist meditation and practice?

The Five Buddha Families
The conceptual framework known as the 'five Buddha families' is a way of understanding the energies at work in our own minds and personalities, as well as in the world at large. Come find out what 'family' you belong to.

The Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism
While Tibetan Buddhism has grown in popularity in the West, many people are not aware that there are actually four distinct schools within it, each with unique teachings and practices. Learn a bit about each in this article, as well as which one the Dalai Lama belongs to.

The Kali Yuga, Or Current Time, in Buddhism
Some branches of Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, adhere to the idea that we are currently in a cycle of time called the Kali Yuga, often compared to Christian end-days or '2012'. Learn more about the Kali Yuga and what Buddhism teaches regarding it in this article.

The Law of Attraction and Buddhism
'We are what we think.' This first line of the Dhammapada, one of the foremost records of the Buddha’s teachings, is often quoted by supporters of the Law of Attraction. But are contemporary teachings on the Law of Attraction compatible with Buddhism?

The Six Bardos of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism delineates six 'bardos', or states of consciousness, that we experience, including three states that occur at death and between births. This article describes each, and briefly explains the teachings commonly referred to as the 'Tibetan Book of the Dead'.

The Six Realms of Existence in Buddhism
Buddhism defines six realms of existence that a sentient being may be born into based on karma, ranging from a god-realm to a hell realm. Learn what these realms are, why a human birth is considered the most auspicious, and how we can understand the relevance of these realms to our daily life.

The Trikaya In Tibetan Buddhism
In Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, three 'bodies' or 'kayas' are used to explain the nature of Buddhahood and reality - a 'truth body', 'bliss body', and a body in space and time. Learn a bit about this fascinating teaching.

Upaya - Skillful Means
Upaya, or 'skillful means', is a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism, of which both Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are a part. Find out what upaya means for both individual seekers and teachers, as well as the Buddha's story about upaya, 'the white lie', as told in the Lotus Sutra.

Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism
Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism, found in both Tibetan and Japanese schools, is an esoteric form of Buddhism emphasizing direct transmission of teachings and the possibility of enlightenment in this lifetime.

Vesak and Saga Dawa
Vesak, celebrating the Buddha's birth, death, and enlightenment, is the most holy day of the year within most Buddhist traditions, and falls on May 24th/25th in 2013. It corresponds to the month of Saga Dawa in Tibetan Buddhism, and all are celebrated as times to reaffirm our commitment.

Vesak or Saga Dawa - Celebrating the Buddha
Vesak or 'Buddha day' is celebrated in the Spring on various days within different Buddhist traditions, the first being April 8th in Japan. It is a time for celebrating the Buddha's birth and teachings, and for renewing one's own commitment to the path.

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