Donald S. Lopez Jr.

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

Magazine Teachings

Buddha Takes the Mound

Why the Buddha invented baseball

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

Summer 2020

Magazine History & Philosophy

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

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

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

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

Magazine History & Philosophy

The Life of the Lotus Sutra

An interview with Donald S. Lopez Jr. on the biography of one of Buddhism’s most influential texts

By Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Winter 2016

Trike Daily

Ghosts, Gods, and the Denizens of Hell

Of Buddhism’s six alternately wretched and blissful realms, only ours offers a shot at complete liberation.

By Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Jan 23, 2015

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Society & Environment

Hopelessness and the Continued Use of Deadly Force

Of Buddhism’s six alternately wretched and blissful realms, only ours offers a shot at complete liberation.

By Zenzele Isoke

Apr 19, 2021

Magazine

The Buddhist Review

Visiting Teacher: Guo Gu

Of Buddhism’s six alternately wretched and blissful realms, only ours offers a shot at complete liberation.

By The Editors

Spring 2021

Dharma Talks

Video teachings and discussions with contemporary Buddhist teachers

Engaging with the Truths of Suffering

Of Buddhism’s six alternately wretched and blissful realms, only ours offers a shot at complete liberation.

Rev. Keiryu Liên Shutt

Apr 2021

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