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Barbara O'Brien

Updated Articles and Resources

By Barbara O'Brien, About.com Guide

Updated Articles and Resources
  • Eihei Dogen Created: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, May 08, 2013
    A brief biography of Eihei Dogen and the founding of Soto Zen in Japan.
  • Huineng, Sixth Patriarch of Zen Created: Sunday, August 17, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, May 08, 2013
    The influence of the Chinese Ch'an master Huineng (638-713), the Sixth Patriarch of Ch'an (Zen), resonates through Ch'an and Zen Buddhism to this day. Some consider Huineng, not First Patriarch Bod...
  • The Life, Teachings and Art of Zen Master Hakuin Created: Saturday, March 28, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, May 08, 2013
    Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) is known for his bold drawing and calligraphy, his inspirational writing, and for reviving the Rinzai school of Zen. He also created the koan "the sound of one hand." Part ...
  • The Third Noble Truth Created: Monday, April 29, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, May 07, 2013
    The Third Noble Truth explains the cessation of things that bind us to suffering.
  • The Second Noble Truth Created: Monday, April 29, 2013 Updated: Thursday, May 02, 2013
    The Second Noble Truth explains why life is unsatisfactory.
  • The Fourth Noble Truth Created: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
    In the Fourth Noble Truth, the Buddha presented the path to enlightenment.
  • The First Noble Truth Created: Sunday, April 21, 2013 Updated: Sunday, April 21, 2013
    The First Noble Truth of Buddhism is the beginning of the Buddhist path. Often translated superficially as "Life is suffering," a closer look reveals more profound and subtle meaning.
  • Life Is Suffering? What Does That Mean? Created: Saturday, July 12, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 21, 2013
    The First Noble Truth of Buddhism usually is translated "life is suffering." But what the Buddha said is that "Life is dukkha." And "dukkha" doesn't translate well. What does it mean?
  • Dukkha Created: Sunday, February 24, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 21, 2013
    The Pali word "dukkha" most often is translated into English as "suffering." But its meaning to Buddhism is much broader than that.
  • The Four Noble Truths Created: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Updated: Sunday, April 21, 2013
    The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhism.
  • A List of Buddhas Created: Sunday, March 31, 2013 Updated: Sunday, March 31, 2013
    A list of Buddhas found in Buddhist art and scripture, with brief explanations of who they are.
  • Amitabha Created: Sunday, March 31, 2013 Updated: Sunday, March 31, 2013
    This article is a brief explanation of the iconic celestial Buddha Amitabha.
  • Big Buddhas: A Photo Gallery Created: Saturday, January 10, 2009 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
    A photo gallery of the world's biggest Buddha statues, including the Leshan giant of China, the Monywa reclining Buddha of Burma, and the Ushiku standing Buddha of Japan.
  • Big Buddhas: The Ushiku Amida Buddha Created: Saturday, January 10, 2009 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
    Ushiku Amida Buddha statue is located in Ushiku Arcadia in Ibaraki Prefecture, 50 km northeast of Tokyo. The staute is 100 meter tall, standing on a 10m lotus base and a 10m platform, a total 120 m...
  • Vairocana Created: Thursday, August 30, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
    Vairocana Buddha is a major iconic figure of Mahayana Buddhism. He represents absolute reality and wisdom
  • Maitreya Created: Thursday, March 28, 2013 Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2013
    Maitreya is a transcendent bodhisattva who will be the universal buddha in a future age.
  • Yogacara Created: Friday, July 18, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
    The central teaching of yogacara is that phenomena exist only as processes of knowing.
  • Tibet's Declaration of Independence Created: Thursday, February 28, 2013 Updated: Sunday, March 10, 2013
    In 1913, the 13th Dalai Lama issued a declaration of independence for Tibet.
  • A List of Buddhist Lists Created: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 09, 2013
    Buddhist doctrines often are presented in lists. Buddhism has a lot of lists. There are lists inside of lists. Here is a list of the most prominent Buddhist lists.
  • Life of the 13th Dalai Lama, Part 3 Created: Saturday, March 09, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 09, 2013
    This is the last article in a three-part biography of His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso (1876-1933)
  • The 13th Dalai Lama, Part 1 Created: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Updated: Friday, March 08, 2013
    Several events of the life of the 13th Dalai Lama are critical to the Tibet-China situation today.
  • The Succession of Dalai Lamas Created: Sunday, September 18, 2011 Updated: Saturday, March 02, 2013
    A list of the 14 Dalai Lamas, with brief biographies.
  • The 8th Dalai Lama and the Golden Urn Created: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Updated: Friday, March 01, 2013
    The government of China insists it has the authority to choose the high lamas of Tibetan Buddhism, because it possesses the golden urn. What golden urn?
  • The Panchen Lama Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Friday, March 01, 2013
    The Panchen Lama, second highest lama in Tibetan Buddhism, has become a pawn of Chinese politics. Here is a brief background and history of the Panchen Lama.
  • Brahma-vihara: The Four Divine States or Four Immeasurables Created: Friday, July 11, 2008 Updated: Thursday, February 28, 2013
    The Buddha taught his monks to cultivate four states of mind, called the "Brahma-vihara," "four divine states of dwelling" or "Four Immeasurables." These are loving kindness, compassion, sympatheti...
  • Mudita Created: Monday, February 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, February 25, 2013
    In Buddhism, mudita is joy for the good fortune of others. Opening our hearts to sympathetic joy is a prerequisite for enlightenment.
  • Working With the Five Hindrances Created: Monday, October 29, 2012 Updated: Monday, February 25, 2013
    The Five Hindrances are states of mind that block the realization of enlightenment. The key to resolving the hindrances is to work with them.
  • Upekkha Created: Thursday, July 17, 2008 Updated: Monday, February 25, 2013
    Upekkha is equanimity, an important virtue of Buddhism.
  • What Is Buddhism? An Introduction to Buddhism Created: Sunday, July 06, 2008 Updated: Monday, February 25, 2013
    There's more to Buddhism than shaving one's head and being blissful. Here is an introduction to Buddhism for beginners.
  • Loving Kindness Created: Saturday, February 23, 2013 Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013
    Loving kindness is the antidote to selfishness, anger, and fear.
  • Buddhism and Vegetarianism Created: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013
    The historical Buddha and his disciples were not vegetarians. Why then did vegetarianism come to be associated with Buddhism?
  • Right Intention Created: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013
    The second aspect of the Eightfold Path of Buddhism is Right Intention or Right Thought. Why are our thoughts or intentions so important?

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