Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Donald S. Lopez Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan.

Featured Articles

The Scientific Buddha

Why do we ask that Buddhism be compatible with science?

By Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Winter 2012

Magazine Buddhism for Beginners

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism

Two Buddhist scholars expand on popular misconceptions about Buddhism.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Summer 2014

How to Read the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is one of the foremost Buddhist texts, but to the uninitiated reader, it can make little or no sense.

Interview with Jacqueline Stone and Donald S. Lopez Jr. by James Shaheen

Spring 2020

Latest Articles

Buddhism and the Real World

For most of its history, the dharma has had little to offer in the domain of social action. But that’s OK.

By Donald S. Lopez Jr. | Illustrations Jonathon Rosen

Summer 2021

Buddha Takes the Mound

Why the Buddha invented baseball

By Donald S. Lopez Jr., Illustration by Ryan Garcia

Summer 2020

monk in orange robes, text reading 10 misconceptions about Buddhism, four noble truths misconceptions

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Four Ennobling Truths

The four noble truths are not true for everyone.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Aug 21, 2018

image of a Buddhist monk in orange robes with text that reads "10 misconceptions about buddhism, #1 all buddhists meditate," misconception buddhism

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

The Biggest Misconception about Buddhism

Contrary to popular belief, most Buddhists throughout history have not meditated.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Nov 02, 2017

monk in orange robes. text reads 10 misconceptions about buddhism, zen monks reject conventional buddhism

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Only the Occasional Brothel

The “unconstrained conduct” of Zen is more literary trope than pervasive practice.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Oct 05, 2017

buddhist monk and type reading 10 misconceptions about buddhism, buddha god human

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Was Buddha God or Human?

While Buddhism has a place for gods, the Buddha wasn’t exactly one of them.

Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Sep 13, 2017

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Meet the Brooklyn Librarian Whose Tibetan-English Storytime Went Viral

Tenzin Kalsang’s pandemic-driven online storytime reached families as far as Australia and India

Tenzin Kalsang in conversation with Alison Spiegel

Aug 04, 2021

Magazine

The Buddhist Review

Stepping Back onto the Silk Road

An ambitious retrospective lets us view China’s ancient network of Buddhist caves at Dunhuang through the lenses of pioneering photographers James and Lucy Lo.

By Julia Hirsch

Fall 2021

Dharma Talks

Video teachings and discussions with contemporary Buddhist teachers

The Steadying Power of Patience

Patience, one of Buddhism’s ten paramis (perfections), is a steadying force that supports us during times of trial and stress. Insight Meditation teacher Dawn Scott explains how to cultivate this noble and essential attribute and how it can reveal a wealth of meaning in everyday experiences.

Dawn Scott

Jul 2021

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Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Featured Articles

Magazine History & Philosophy

The Scientific Buddha

Magazine Buddhism for Beginners

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism

Magazine History & Philosophy

How to Read the Lotus Sutra

Latest Articles

Magazine History & Philosophy

Buddhism and the Real World

Magazine Teachings

Buddha Takes the Mound

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Four Ennobling Truths

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

The Biggest Misconception about Buddhism

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Only the Occasional Brothel

Trike Daily Buddhism for Beginners

Was Buddha God or Human?