Image: Artist unknown

“Etymologically, the Sanskrit term [for meditation] connotes the notion of ‘cultivation,’ while its Tibetan equivalent gom carries the idea of developing ‘familiarity,’ together implying the idea of some kind of repetitive process of cultivating a familiarity, whether it is with respect to a habit, a way of seeing, or a way of being,” writes Thupten Jinpa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s chief English translator. “In its actual usage, however, the term gom is applied not only to the process of ‘cultivation’ or ‘development of familiarity,’ it is also applied to the resultant states achieved through such processes. So, in this sense, meditation can refer both to the practice of disciplined cultivation as well as the cultivated result of such a discipline…”

Read more …

From Mandala December 2006 – January 2007

Photo by Sarah Keen

“There was a sense of shock in the large living room looking out onto the native Australian bush outside the windows. Kangur Khensur Rinpoche had been giving an impromptu after-dinner teaching to three married couples, and myself (his attendant), and had just said words to the effect that all ordinary sexual activity is non-virtuous…”

Read more on one monk’s thoughts about the process of growing up as a sexual being …

From Mandala March-May 2002

Photo by Corey Leopold

Geshe Tashi Tsering, resident lama at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London, explains the significance of rituals when a person has died and begins “Transitions Part III: Funeral Ceremonies” the third installation of Mandala’s three-part series on life’s major transitions – birth, marriage, and death – in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The complete article features even more advice from Geshe Gelek Chodpa, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Geshe Lama Konchog.

From Mandala October-November 2004.

Stephen Batchelor

Stephen Batchelor shares his views with Nancy Patton, a former Mandala editor, on agnosticism, and whether one can have both faith and doubt about the Buddhist path.

From Mandala September-November 2002

Yumbulhakang, reputedly the castle of the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, ornaments the Yarlung Valley. Photo by Jirina Simajchiova/Tibet Images.

Glenn H. Mullin describes the outer, inner and secret perspectives that explain the power of sacred sites that make up the Tibetan landscape.

From Mandala December 2002 – February 2003. 

S.N. Goenka, popularizer of vipassana

Long-time FPMT student Adele Hulse describes her experience of vipassana at a Goenka course. 

FPMT’s Ven. Antonio Satta is known for specializing in vipassana from a Mahayana perspective. Check out his website for his schedule and audio recordings of some of his teachings.

Carina Rumrill: Carina is parent to three homeschooled children ages seventeen, fifteen and three; holds a master’s degree in Gender and Cultural Studies; and was the managing editor for Mandala Publications.

In August 2010, Maitripa College offered a panel discussion with four community parents, who also keep a spiritual practice, as part of a summer lecture series entitled, “The Enlightened Professional: Parenting as Spiritual Practice.”

From Mandala October-December 2010