What We’re Listening To
- ️The Editors
VIDEO
Doug’s Dharma by Doug Smith
As a Zen practitioner, scholar, author, podcast host, and founder of the Online Dharma Institute, Doug Smith has gathered a robust following through his popular YouTube channel. Covering a wide range of topics, Smith’s videos provide concise introductions to Buddhist history, teachings, and philosophy through a secular lens, drawing on the richness of all the traditions and his personal insights. Whether new to Buddhism or seasoned practitioners, viewers will find something useful in Smith’s ever-expanding offerings.
MUSIC
we will be wherever the fires are lit by Tashi Dorji
Growing up in Bhutan in the ’90s, guitarist Tashi Dorji was raised around music and the monastic sounds of Vajrayana Buddhism and started playing the guitar at a young age. Moving to North Carolina in the early aughts, he found his footing in a singular improvisational style. Since then, Dorji has built an impressive catalog, and his latest release, we will be wherever the fires are lit, channels apocalyptic visions and anarchist modalities through his faithful weapon of choice—prepared acoustic guitar.
MUSIC
Night Palace by Mount Eerie
Phil Elverum’s Night Palace—the latest album on his Mount Eerie moniker—is a genre-skating exploration of impermanence, aging, and interconnectedness. Steeped in the Zen philosophy that has informed his music for decades, Elverum has recently opened up about Buddhism’s influence on his musical output, including his previous life in The Microphones. Through his signature soundscapes, this auditory and poetic extravaganza invites us on a sonic retreat of life’s transience and beauty.
Visit tricycle.org for an interview with Phil Elverum.
VIDEO
Buddhism by Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery
Venerable Pothuhera Mahindasiri Thero has been giving dharma talks on the @BuddhismInEnglish YouTube channel for more than two years. Adorned with deeply appreciative comments, some videos have received over a million views. Delivered through a calm and lucid Theravada reading of the Buddha’s teachings, Thero tackles topics relatable to our complex, modern lives—anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, finding peace, dealing with loneliness, friendship, Buddhist thoughts on war, and much more.
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