The Lion’s Roar Podcast

Two Zen monks ask how do we dance, sing, and enjoy life even as we experience unavoidable pain? Married couple and founders of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Senseis Koshin and Chodo, work every day with the dying, and caregivers of the dying. Rather than try to ignore or pass over intense emotions and pain, the couple share a dharma talk on how to really sit with sorrow and then, how to absorb joy.

There are Buddhists who don’t believe in God (or gods) and there are Buddhists who do. In this reading by editor in chief Melvin McLeod from an article he wrote called, “Are You Spiritual but Not Religious? Ten Reasons Why Buddhism Will Enrich Your Path,” we find out why Buddhism is well-suited to people who don’t necessarily like religion. Robert Thurman, Buddhist author and scholar, tells an old folk tale of the time that Brahma (the Hindu god) and Buddha, actually met.

Ray Buckner is a transgender activist, academic and contributing author at Lion’s Roar magazine and Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly, where they write about Buddhism, queer and trans embodiment, and social injustice. Buckner talks to Koun Franz about what it’s like to be different in a Buddhist sangha or community, and how we can get better at creating space for people who live in historically marginalized bodies. 

Lama Justin Von Bujdoss, the first-ever Buddhist chaplain at Rikers Island Prison, shares a visualization practice inspired by the traditional practice in Vajrayana Buddhism called chöd, where you find strength by opening your heart to the demons and ghosts that haunt you, and defeat them through compassion.   

The Buddhist teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center talks about what came out of The Gathering II, five days of dharma talks, meditation, workshops, and panel discussions by and for Black Americans on the Buddhist path, held at Spirit Rock in October.

"Bad Buddhist" Phil Rind is a singer in a metal band who's newest album Awakening is riddled with references to the eightfold path and the Buddha's teachings. Lion’s Roar Editor Rod Meade Sperry asked him about the unapologetically positive metal album.

With music from her debut album, composer and multi-instrumentalist Nina Keith shares her process of producing experimental classical music with found sounds and rented instruments from her bedroom in Philadelphia. An album that depicts her journey through the past to uncover childhood memories, and what she's learned from death meditation.

Cyndi Lee, Buddhist and teacher of movement and self-care, shares a brief practice to help you get grounded when life is overwhelming. Lion’s Roar Editor Rod Meade Sperry shares a quick guide to meditation for beginners.

Environmental activist, author and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy talks about “The Work that Reconnects” and how it encourages activism that doesn’t alienate or blame, but brings people together. The Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi gives a United Nations address about our need to confront climate change. Mark Ovland, longtime practicing Buddhist and activist with Extinction Rebellion, gave up training as a Buddhist teacher to join the environmental movement full time, at risk of assault and arrest. 

Zen priest and black queer feminist Rev. angel Kyodo williams on compassion, liberation and Radical Dharma.