New to Buddhism?

Get a short overview and practical advice.
Essentials
What Is Mind?
Dr. Alexander Berzin, Matt Lindén
A short introduction to the mind and mental activity in Buddhism.
10 Basic Buddhist Beliefs
Dr. Alexander Berzin
The main points of the Buddhist teachings.
What Is Refuge?
Matt Lindén
Refuge provides us with a path to follow, so that we’re always heading in a good direction. No matter what happens around us, this will give us strength and meaning in life.

Seeking a Deeper Understanding?

Learn more about Tibetan Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism
The Heart Sutra
This short text on prajnaparamita (the perfection of wisdom) presents the essence of the far-reaching discriminating awareness of voidness (emptiness). It is recited and meditated upon throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world.
Refuge: A Safe and Meaningful Direction in Life
Dr. Alexander Berzin
Working on ourselves to overcome our shortcomings and realize all our potentials is the safest and most meaningful direction we can put in our lives.
Self-Transformation through Mind Training
Dr. Alexander Berzin
Mind training is a method for transforming negative circumstances into positive ones through improving our attitudes toward them.

Want to Go Further?

Explore more Buddhist topics in greater detail.
Advanced Studies
Explanation of Selected Bodhisattva and Tantric Vows
Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche
Clarification on some of the bodhisattva and tantric root and secondary vows expressed in terms of the downfalls and faulty actions that one should avoid.
Tantra: Uncovering the Essence
Dr. Alexander Berzin
Tantra practice transforms Buddha-nature factors by employing Buddha-figures as infographics to integrate complex realizations along the path.
Relationships with Objects
Dr. Alexander Berzin
An outline of the main points of the relationships with objects in the context of the cognition theory found in the Sautrantika system according to the Gelug presentation.

Interviews

Read interviews with some of the world’s most esteemed Buddhist spiritual teachers and with scholars from various related disciplines.

Interview with Dr. Alan Wallace

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Interview with Mingyur Rinpoche
Matt Lindén
Mingyur Rinpoche talks about overcoming his struggle with panic attacks, the utmost importance of awareness, and how to use appreciation and gratitude to live a joyful life.
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Interview with Telo Rinpoche
Matt Lindén
Telo Tulku Rinpoche explores what it means to be a Buddhist, his work in reviving Buddhism in Kalmykia, and how to have effective interfaith dialogue.

Latest Content

Keep up to date with our most recent additions.
Read more
From Violence to Transformation in Buddhism and Islam
Dr. Mohamed Ashath (Ashath Siraas)
Buddhism and Islam both teach that even the most violent people are able to transform if they repent their past actions and change their ways.
Reflecting on the Suffering in the Worse States of Samsaric Rebirth
Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey
In Buddhism the reflection on suffering is essential because it reveals the full extent of samsara and motivates a sincere wish for liberation.
Facing Death Realistically
Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey
The lam-rim textual tradition emphasizes the importance of reflection on death at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the spiritual path.
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