Savaka Sangha ::: A Buddhist Community

We’ve talked here of “Dharma-Burgers,” which, as I’ve said, aren’t some new fast-food sandwich — though they can be every bit as dubious as a Mc-DLT and a super-sized “New Coke.” A “Dharma-Burger” is, actually, any example of Buddhist ideas or imagery employed in the marketing or production of (usually non-Buddhist) services and consumables. Sometimes [...]

Each year Tibet House’s annual NYC benefit concert gets more and more diverse in terms of performers, and 2012’s event is no exception. Featured acts will include Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Das Racist, Antony, James Blake, Lou Reed, Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, Rahzel, and Dechen Shak-Daysay. The show will take place one week [...]

Today His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa released the following statement via the Karmapa Office of Administration Press in Bodh Gaya: Reports have just emerged that three more Tibetans set themselves ablaze within a single day in eastern Tibet. This comes shortly after four Tibetans immolated themselves and others died in demonstrations in Tibet during the [...]

When the Iron Bird Flies: Tibetan Buddhism Arrives in the West is a documentary-in-progress, seeking to give the world a comprehensive look at the impact Tibetan Buddhism is having on Western culture. Many teachers and familiar faces — like Richie Davidson (who is featured in our current issue), Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Reggie Ray, and Tsokyni [...]

The Pema Chödrön Foundation has announced its 2012 Book Initiative, which aims to make the prominent Buddhist teacher’s books “available to underserved women and men, and the organizations that serve them, free of charge.” This program is for the benefit of individuals who cannot afford books, and to groups and not-for-profit organizations who serve people [...]

Photo by David Shankbone Don’t miss the New York Times today for a great piece all about how Rosanne Cash — daughter of the Man in Black, and no doubt a musical legend in her own right — has become a fixture at concerts at New York’s Rubin Museum of Art. And while she’s not [...]

As of today, our new magazine can be found on newsstands everywhere, featuring an in-depth look at the emerging field of contemplative science — and what it tells us about meditation — plus: Two pieces by the Dalai Lama; A new short story by Charles Johnson; A profile of Mingyur Rinpoche – and a teaching [...]

With his 1993 film Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis ended up not just making a classic comedy, but an underground Buddhist favorite. Perhaps that’s not such a surprise; as Buddhist author/teacher and comedian Wes Nisker says,“Harold Ramis should be considered a revered lineage holder in the crazy wisdom tradition of the Tibetans.” So, what’s the Buddhism/Ramis [...]

I’ve written about them before (like, here), but this not-unimportant post-punk turned full-on rock band is back (again) and referring to Buddhism in the press for the coming release of their new album, Choice of Weapon. As I say, this isn’t the first time; The Cult’s last album had some Buddhist themes, and singer Ian [...]

We’re always happy to talk about the work of Karuna-Shechen here; the organization, which focuses on humanitarian work in the Himalayan region, is truly an inspiration. And it turns out, it had a great 2011. By which we mean that its work – 120 projects by the count of main coordinator Matthieu Ricard (pictured, center, [...]