Buddhism

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Finding the Path; Beginning a Buddhist Practice

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The Beautiful Khema, Who Became One of the Wisest Buddhist Nuns
Queen Khema was a great beauty who became a nun and one of the chief women disciples of the Buddha.
Dhammadinna - Anandajoti / Photo Dharma / Flickr.com, Creative Commons License
The Story of Dhammadinna, a Nun Whose Wisdom Was Praised by the Buddha
Some of the early sutras of Buddhism are about enlightened women who teach men. In Dhammadinna's story, the man was the enlightened woman's ex-husband.
Buddhist Nun in Burma - © Buena Vista Images / Getty Images
Punnika, the Slave Who Enlightened a Brahmin
Punnika was a household slave who engaged in a famous dialogue with a Brahmin, or priest. Her words sent the Brahmin to learn from the Buddha.
Patacara - Anandajoti, Wikipedia Commons, Creative Commons License
Patacara's Story: From Unbearable Grief to Enlightenment
This well-known story from early Buddhism is about Patacara, a woman who overcame unimaginable grief to realize enlightenment.
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Sutras Say There Were Six Buddhas Before Buddha. Who Were They?
Here is a brief explanation of the six Buddhas said to have lived before our historical Buddha.
Paintings of Buddha - © Gavriel Jecan / Getty Images
Buddhism or Buddhisms? "Buddhisms" Versus the Dharma
Some western academics argue that there isn't one Buddhism, but many Buddhisms. What do they mean, and are they right?
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Who Gets to Define Buddhism? The Problem With "Buddhology"
What is Buddhism? How clergy and practitioners on one hand and academic scholars on the other disagree on the definition of Buddhism.
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If You Meet the Buddha, Kill Him -- What Does That Mean?
The Zen koan "If you meet the Buddha, kill him" has been interpreted to mean many wildly different things. This article explains what "killing the Buddha" means in Zen.
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The Dedication of Merit - a Unique Buddhist Practice
Dedication of merit is a traditional Buddhist practice that westerners sometimes overlook. What is dedication of merit, and why is it significant?
Hugging the Buddha - © Nancy Brown / Getty Images
Attachment to Buddhism, and Why That's a Problem
Buddhist are cautioned to avoid attachment. This includes attachment to Buddhism. How do we practice Buddhism without attachment?
Buddhist lama teaching - © Buena Vista Images / Getty Images
Proselytization and Buddhism - Why Most Buddhists Won't Proselytize
Most schools of Buddhism discourage aggressive proselytizing. It's bad form to accost strangers on the street and ask if they've found Buddha. But why is this true?
Two Tibetan Buddhist Nuns - © Matthew Wakem / Getty Images
Why Buddhist Monks and Nuns Shave Their Heads
Why do Buddhist monks and nuns shave their heads? And how did the historical Buddha wear his hair? Here are some answers from Buddhist scriptures.
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Reincarnation Without Souls? Understanding Buddhist Rebirth
A Buddhist answer to the question, if the human population of earth is growing, where do all the new souls come from?
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A Buddhist Guide to Using Incense
Offering incense is a standard Buddhist ritual. If you are new to incense and its uses, this article can help.
Buddhist monk with kitten - © Luisapuccini / Getty Images
Buddhism: Practicing a Religion of Kindness
The Dalai Lama said that kindness is his religion. Here is some reflection on what he might have meant.
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