Dharmata is a collection of essays, Dharma talks, textual studies, poetry and reflections on Buddhism and related traditions. This guide offers a thematic route into the archive. Some articles appear under more than one heading because they address overlapping subjects. Interpretations expressed are those of the author.

Looking for a particular discourse? Visit the Canonical Discourse Index for studies arranged by Dīgha Nikāya and Majjhima Nikāya number.

Suggested reading paths

• Begin with the Dharma: The Four Noble Truths → The Path of the Buddha → Taking Refuge → The Human Condition.
• Explore Buddhist philosophy: The Arhant and the Buddha → What Is the Self That Is Not a Self? → Buddha Nature → The Practice of Dzogchen.
• Understand Universal Buddhism: Principles of Universal Buddhism → Embracing the Living Dharma → The Dharma Transmission to the West → Toward Dharmic Socialism.

Start here: foundational ideas

• Principles of Universal Buddhism
• The Four Noble Truths
• The Path of the Buddha
• Gotama’s Quest: The Life of the Buddha
• The Arhant and the Buddha
• What Is the Self That Is Not a Self?
• Buddha Nature: What Awakens Was Never Lost
• Phenomenological Buddhism: An Inclusive Approach*
• Two Paths and Ten Principles of Dharma
• Taking Refuge

The Pali Canon: understanding the texts

• The Pali Canon Phenomenon
• Overview of the Vinaya
• Synopsis of the Vinaya
• Ethics in the Pali Canon
• Gender Fluidity in the Pāli Canon and Its Commentaries: A Comprehensive Analysis*
• The Early Buddhist Schools
• The Historical Emergence of Theravāda Buddhism
• The Origin, History and Claim of the Theravada*
• The Philosophy of the Buddha According to the Digha Nikaya: Part One – Metaphysics
• The Philosophy of the Buddha According to the Digha Nikaya – Ontology
• Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta (DN 26)

Dīgha Nikāya: selected discourse studies

• Brahmajala Sutta (DN 1)
• Samannaphala Sutta (DN 2)
• Ambattha Sutta (DN 3)
• Mahasihanada Sutta (DN 8)
• Potthapada Sutta (DN 9)
• Tevijja Sutta (DN 13)
• Mahanidana Sutta (DN 15)
• Mahaparinibbana Sutta (DN 16)
• Mahasatipatthana Sutta (DN 22)
• Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta (DN 26)
• Agganna Sutta (DN 27)
• Sangiti Sutta (DN 33) and Dasuttara Sutta (DN 34)

Majjhima Nikāya: selected discourse studies

• Sammaditthi Sutta (MN 9)
• Mahasihanada Sutta (MN 12)
• Alagaddupama Sutta (MN 22)
• Ariyapariyesana Sutta (MN 26)
• Upali Sutta (MN 56)
• Apannaka Sutta (MN 60)
• Mahasakuludayi Sutta (MN 77)
• Ratthapala Sutta (MN 82)

Fundamental View: the ten talks

• The Human Condition (FV 1)
• The Thus Gone One (FV 2)
• Towards the Dharma (FV 3)
• The Dharma of Community (FV 4)
• The Way of Karma (FV 5)
• The Problem of Samsara (FV 6)
• The Way of Transcendence (FV 7)
• The Art of Meditation (FV 8)
• The Cultivation of Wisdom (FV 9)
• The Phenomenology of the Path (FV 10)

Mahayana, Buddha-nature and the Lotus Sutra

• Buddha Nature: What Awakens Was Never Lost
• Sutra of Contemplation of the Dharma Practice of Universal Sage Bodhisattva (SAMANTABHADRA)
• Ananta Nirdeśa Sūtra
• Discourse on the True Teaching of the White Lotus Flower: Part 1
• Discourse on the True Teaching of the White Lotus Flower: Part 2
• Discourse on the True Teaching of the White Lotus Flower: Part 3
• Discourse on the True Teaching of the White Lotus Flower: Part 4
• On the Relationship Between the Mahayana Precepts and the Vinaya

Vajrayana, Dzogchen and contemplative practice

• Padmasambhava: The Early Texts
• The Life of Padmasambhava
• The Practice of Dzogchen
• Guru Yoga for Padmasambhava
• Deconstructing Tantra
• Liberation of the Heart Through Loving Kindness: An Introduction to Chenrezig Metta Practice
• Progressive Meditation on the Four Elements*
• Two Talks on Meditation
• Neither Slack nor Tense: The Yoga of Spiritual Energy
• Integral Buddhism: The Essence of Meditation

Buddhist history, scholarship and interpretation

• The Early Buddhist Schools
• The Historical Emergence of Theravāda Buddhism
• Is Theravada Buddhism Truly the Original Tradition?*
• Understanding Theravāda: The Dangers of Absolutism*
• Modern Theravādin Rationalism: An Illegitimate and Speculative Departure from Original Buddhism
• Buddhist Hermeneutics and the Problem of Tradition
• The Quest for the Buddhavacana
• Stanislaw Schayer (from Wikipedia)*
• The Life and Legacy of Mrs C.A.F. Rhys Davids
• Deconstructing Pali
• The Sublime Eightfold Path: A Philological and Hermeneutical Reappraisal
• The Status of Women in Ancient India and the Pali Tradition

Universal Buddhism and the Dharma in the West

• Principles of Universal Buddhism
• The Dharma Transmission to the West and the Aerial Dharma Wheel: A Manifesto for Universal Buddhism*
• Embracing the Living Dharma: The Need for an Ecumenical, Non-Sectarian Approach to the Dharma Transmission to the West*
• Balancing Preservation and Adaptation in Buddhism*
• The Dharma Transmission to the West Is the Emergence of Universal Buddhism
• Bringing the Sangha to the West
• Towards a pratimoksa for the West
• Toward a Global Dharma Society
• Toward Dharmic Socialism: A Buddhist Socialist Manifesto*
• A Western Buddhist View of Homosexuality and Gay Liberation

Cosmology, prophecy and anomalous phenomena

• Buddhism and the UFO Phenomenon
• What the Kālacakra says about Shambhala*
• Buddhist Prophetic Timeline: 2025-2425*
• Synopsis of Buddhist Prophecies
• Buddhist Prophecies of the 21st Century and Beyond
• The Buddhist Kosmos
• Near Earth Realms, Fallen Angels and Human Beings in Buddhist Cosmology
• Dating the Parinirvana and the Ursa Major Cycle
• Between Death and Rebirth: Is There an Interval?*
• Year of the Anomalous Dharma: A Course of Study*

Buddhism, other traditions and modern thought

• Unveiling the Dharma in the Occult: A Buddhist Reading of Blavatsky and Theosophy*
• Yēšūaʿ the Bodhisattva: The Gospel of Thomas in the Light of Dharma
• Secular Buddhism and the Denial of Rebirth: Is It Buddhist? Is It True?
• Buddhism and Science
• AI as the Mirror of Mind*
• Science Disproves Philosophical Materialism*
• Was the Buddha a Shaman?
• Before the Buddha

Practice, vows and divination

• Personal Bodhisattva Vow
• Guru Yoga for Padmasambhava
• Structural Analysis of the Tibetan MO Divination System
• Liberation of the Heart Through Loving Kindness: An Introduction to Chenrezig Metta Practice
• Progressive Meditation on the Four Elements*
• The Four Noble Truths
• Taking Refuge

Poetry and creative writing

• 32 Buddhist Poems of Seten Tomh*
• The Scripture of the Golden Eternity*
• The Sutra of the Selfless Radiance*
• The Loneliness of the Dalai Lama*
• Rigpa*
• Reply to Bodhidharma*
• The Diamond Song of the Cuckoo-Shaman*
• “Homage to Tara the Desirous” (Arya-Tara-stotra)*
• True Dharma*
• Hermeneutics*
• Dzogchen*

Book reviews

• Review of Bhikkhu Bodhi’s Review of Stephen Bachelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs in Investigating the Dhamma*
• Review of Investigating the Dhamma, by Bhikku Bodhi
• Review of Divine Revelation in Pali Buddhism, by Peter Masefield (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1986; rpt. Routledge, 2008)
• Review of Rebel Buddha: A Guide to a Revolution of Mind, by Dzogchen Ponlop (Boston: Shambhala, 2011)

Taoist writing

• The Wisdom of Laozi

Browse the complete archive

For all published posts, including those not individually listed above, explore these category archives:

• Pali Canon
• Dharma Notes
• Dharma Talks
• Fundamental View
• Poetry
• Practice
• Reviews
• Taoism

See also the Books page, the Contact page, and the Dharmata homepage.