The Japanese Immigrant Influence on American Buddhism with Scott Mitchell
Release Date: 10/14/2023
Buddhist Wisdom for Working with Political Division with Tania Israel
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this episode of The Lion's Roar Podcast, Lion’s Roar’s Sandi Rankawduwa talks to Dr. Tania Israel, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Barbara. With 25 years of expertise in LGBTQ psychology and social justice, and as the author of Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation, Dr. Israel offers invaluable insights on bridging divides with compassion. In this conversation, she explores how to maintain connection amidst political differences, stay true to our...
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The Secret Lives of Buddhist Scholars with Pierce Salguero
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this interview, Buddhadharma deputy editor Mariana Restrepo speaks with Dr. Pierce Salguero about a survey he conducted among Buddhist studies scholars, providing an insightful look into the changing landscape of Buddhist scholarship. The survey highlights the growing intersection between academic research and Buddhist practice, challenging the traditional expectation that scholars maintain objectivity by distancing themselves from the religious traditions they study. Instead, the survey reveals that many Buddhist studies scholars are actively engaged in religious...
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The Complete Path of Mindfulness with Melvin McLeod
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
Today, we’re delighted to invite you to our new 5-week course, “” Led by renowned mindfulness teachers, the course includes live sessions, guided meditations, and practical exercises to help you apply mindfulness in your daily life. Sign up . In this conversation, Lion’s Roar associate publisher Beth Wallace speaks with editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod about taking mindfulness beyond the basics. Together, they explore the Complete Path of Mindfulness, which presents mindfulness as a way of life that integrates meditation with insight, ethics, compassion, and community. These five keys...
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A Zen Priest's Journey in Unitarian Universalism with James Ishmael Ford
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this episode, Lion's Roar Assistant Editor Sandi Rankaduwa talks to James Ishmael Ford, a Zen priest and Unitarian Universalist minister who describes himself as having a "Buddhist brain, a Christian heart, and a rationalist stomach." James shares what first drew him to Zen, how he balances it with his role as a Unitarian Universalist minister, and whether these two traditions complement each other. We also dive into the power of Zen koans, the roles of doubt and uncertainty in spiritual growth, and his advice for those seeking a spiritual guide. This episode is sponsored by Minding...
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Designing the Modern Contemplative’s Toolkit with David Germano
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this insightful discussion with the Buddhadharma editorial team, Tibetologist David Germano talks about his work on the Generative Contemplation Initiative, a suite of projects that explore in depth the research on contemplative practices and how such practices might be more widely, and/or pointedly, applied to be of utmost benefit. This episode is sponsored by Minding the Gap Coaching:
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The Role of a Death Doula with Rosamaria Segura
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
Mariana Restrepo, deputy editor of Buddhadharma, speaks with Rosamaría Segura. With a background in the Vipassana and Soto Zen traditions, Rosamaría’s work has focused on advocating for social justice, supporting disenfranchised communities, and serving as a death doula — a central topic of today’s discussion. The conversation delves into how her Buddhist practice shapes her approach to death and dying, how to support those going through this transition, and the profound insights she has gained from those approaching the end of life.
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How to Overcome Othering and the Root of Conflict with Tara Brach
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
Following her insightful and compassionate commentaries on the war in Gaza for , Buddhist teacher Tara Brach sits down with editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod to talk about the ultimate root of conflict, the destructive dehumanizing known as othering, and how we can overcome it in ourselves and society. Read Tara Brach’s pieces mentioned in the episode:
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The Power of Acceptance and Inclusivity with Rev. Melissa Opel
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this episode of the Lion's Roar Podcast, assistant editor Sandi Rankaduwa talks to Reverend Melissa Opel, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a minister at the — the oldest Jodo Shinshu, or Shin Buddhist, church in the mainland United States. Rev. Opel shares what drew her to Buddhism, what keeps her inspired as a minister, how acceptance and inclusivity are central to the Jodo Shinshu tradition, and how Buddhists and Buddhist institutions can offer meaningful support to the LGBTQ+ community. This episode is sponsored by Karuna Training. Find out more at
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Travel As a Spiritual Experience with Pico Iyer (Reshare)
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
Today, we’re re-sharing one of the most popular episodes of The Lion’s Roar Podcast featuring essayist and novelist Pico Iyer. For Iyer, travel is a spiritual experience that shakes up our usual certainties and connects us to a richer, vaster world. In this conversation, Iyer & Lion’s Roar’s editor-in-chief Melvin Mcleod, discuss Iyer’s book The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise and his eclectic contemplative practice. Read Pico Iyer's articles discussed in this episode at
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Celebrating Buddhist Women on Film with Sharon A. Suh and Gaetano Kazuo Maida
The Lion’s Roar Podcast
In this episode of The Lion’s Roar Podcast, we’re thrilled to invite you to participate in , an online festival presented by Lion’s Roar. This year, BuddhaFest is dedicated to celebrating women in Buddhism. In this conversation from BuddhaFest 2024, Gaetano Maida, executive director of the Buddhist Film Foundation, explores the intersection of film and Buddhism with Sharon Suh, president of the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, and author of Silver Screen Buddha. Together, they discuss the importance of telling women’s stories through film, the...
info_outlineDean of Students at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Scott Mitchell, talks about his book, The Making of American Buddhism and how Western scholarship has largely ignored the role of Japanese immigrants and their American descendants in the development of Buddhism in America.