Nagarjuna Cultural Center

October 2026 Meditation Retreat in Chiang Mai Thailand

The Avalokiteshvara Mantra, also known as the Six-Syllable Mantra, embodies the boundless compassion of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

The Lion’s Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature New Course Launch.

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Master's Teachings (Los Angeles Time)

Fri Immeasurable Life Sutra Sat The Lion’s Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature

Senior Practitioners’ Teachings (Thailand Time)

Mon Eight Verses for Training the Mind Tue Treasury of Valid Cognition Wed Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way (Catuḥśataka) Thu The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra) Fri Ngöndro / Immeasurable Life (C)

May 2026 Chiang Mai Thailand

May 1–21, 2026: Three-week meditation retreat in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Chinese New Year 2026 San Diego USA

March Spring Festival Chan Retreat in Nagarjuna Cultural Center's San Diego Retreat Center.

October 2025 Chiang Mai Thailand

October 2025 Meditation retreat，the main venue in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wishing the Venerable Abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Saket a Happy Birthday!

Buddhist Worldview and Modern Life

To understand the world around us, we rely on our worldview - how we perceive and make sense of things.

Cognition and Expression Part One

Beyond logical arguments, Buddhists offer meditation as a powerful avenue for exploring the non-computational nature of cognition.

Cognition and Expression Part Two

One prominent distinction between Eastern and Western philosophy lies in the approach to cognition: while Western philosophy relies on the senses, Eastern philosophy emphasizes the cessation of the senses for transcendent cognition.

Cognition and Expression Part Three

Why discuss these differences? As Buddhist disciples, our practice aims to pursue consciousness cognition. We need to understand what consciousness cognition truly entails.

The Relationship Between the Aggregate of Consciousness and Afflictions (Part 2)

Therefore, the state of realization in Dzogchen is described as free from hope and fear—because upon realization, the sense of individuality is relinquished: “Just relax—have some tea, eat a bun.” In the eyes of a Dzogchen master, there is often a quiet smile, yet one emotion remains difficult to abandon—compassion (karuṇā), vast and profound.

How to Counter Restlessness and Drowsiness During Buddha-Recitation (Part II)

Drowsiness generally stems from two causes: a lack of physical energy and a lack of mental energy. Both constitute genuine obstacles to practice.

How to Counter Restlessness and Drowsiness During Buddha-Recitation (Part III)

The greatest difficulty in Buddha-recitation lies precisely in the initial stage—confronting restlessness, drowsiness, mental distraction, and the pull of habitual tendencies. Once you cross this threshold, the path ahead becomes remarkably smooth.

Three Essentials of Buddhist Study: Coherence, Richness, Focus 01

Hence, the third essential in Dharma study is to identify the core focus. Some describe it as "being down to earth," while others call it "being practical." Though both meanings are similar, "focus" is the more accurate description: the theories we study and contemplate must be ultimately integrated with actual spiritual practice.

The Manifestations of Genuine Bodhicitta

When bodhicitta is no longer merely a concept but has genuinely arisen within the mind, the heart naturally lets go of its entanglements, suffering, anxieties, and constant preoccupation with gain and loss. The qualities of a bodhisattva—gentleness, magnanimity, clarity, and wisdom—will gradually manifest within you.

The Practice of Bodhicitta On and Off the Cushion

Naturally, as your practice matures, the tears will eventually cease; profound, sustained conditioning transforms that initial emotion into an unwavering resolve. There is no longer any need for deliberate reflection—every action begins to spring directly from this source, rendering Bodhicitta the foundational orientation and underlying motivation for all that you do.

Methods for Not Being Attached to Pleasant Feeling (Part one)

How can we truly avoid attachment to pleasant feeling? The advanced approach is to directly recognize the nature of pleasure itself. If you can do this, then no matter how much pleasure you experience, it will never give rise to suffering.

The Relationship Between External Material Conditions and Afflictions

Therefore, external objects such as mountains, rivers, and the earth have no direct connection with afflictions. The key to the arising of affliction lies in the mind: it is when the mind makes judgments about external objects and develops attachment (upādāna) that suffering is produced.