The Buddha taught that there are three characteristics of everything we experience in our world - impermanence, suffering or dissatisfaction, and 'no-self'. Deeply contemplating the nature of these is the foundation for wisdom, which is itself a foundation for enlightenment.

The book Dakini Power profiles twelve fascinating, inspiring women teachers within Tibetan Buddhism, including bestselling author Pema Chodron, the most senior Western-born Tibetan Buddhist nun Tenzin Palmo, the first Tibetan women to immigrate to the U.S. Dagmola Kusho Sakya, and more!

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.

A Guide to Zen: Lessons from a Modern Master by Katsuki Sekida is a contemporary classic that lays out the foundation for zazen, Zen sitting meditation, as well as commentary on the artistic masterpiece and spiritual parable 'In Search of the Missing Ox.'

Buddhist mantras - sounds or words repeated aloud or silently - are an important part of meditation practice in some Buddhist schools. This article lists some common mantras and their meanings, and includes a sampling of monks chanting one.

This week marks the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation, which led to the Dalai Lama's escape. March 12th is a special day set aside by the Tibetan Women's Association to honor the Tibetan women that participated in this historic event.

The Jataka Tales are a set of morality fables or folktales in Buddhism that are said to be stories of the Buddha's past lives. Each one teaches the importance of a paramita or perfection such as generosity, compassion, kindness, discernment, or courage.

Tara is a popular female deity within both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. She is sometimes referred to as the 'first feminist' Buddha, due to her vow to work in the body of a woman to benefit all sentient beings.

In 2013, Chinese New Year and Tibetan New Year (known as Losar) correspond, falling on February 10th and 11th. Find out predictions for this Year of the Female Water Snake.

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'.