The hottest Buddhism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

A Buddhist Sun Miracle?

Astral Codex Ten • 10323 implied HN points • 27 Mar 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Large mass “sun miracle” events — like Fatima — involved huge crowds who reported the sun spinning, changing colors, and behaving oddly, and these accounts are often cited as strong empirical proof by believers.
  2. A very similar episode happened at Dhammakaya Temple in 1998, where thousands described the sun shifting colors, rotating, and even forming an image of a revered monk, showing the same phenomenon appeared in a non‑Catholic context.
  3. The pattern suggests a psychological or perceptual cause rather than supernatural intervention: focused light‑meditation practices (like kasina) and sungazing can produce comparable visual effects, though more primary reporting and research are needed to confirm this explanation.

The two kinds of desire, and one of the most important things I know

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 13443 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Buddhism
  1. There are two kinds of desire: tanha is grasping, scarcity-based, and draining, while chanda is a whole-body, pull-like desire that refreshes you when you follow it.
  2. Your real delights show up as repeating patterns when you’re truly happy, so look for those general shapes and arrange your work and relationships to give you those chanda experiences.
  3. Use tanha strategically when it sets you up for more chanda or helps others, but avoid filling your life with grasping wants; a life built mainly around chanda leads to more happiness, creativity, and ease.

Arthur Brooks: Suffer Like a Marine

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 537 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Pain is a natural signal and often important for growth, so trying to erase all pain is both impossible and undesirable. Suffering comes from how strongly you resist pain, so lowering resistance is a better goal than eliminating pain.
  2. Nonresistance means accepting pain without fear, anger, or self-pity, which lets you feel pain without multiplying your suffering. When you stop railing against pain, its power over you weakens.
  3. You can build nonresistance by deliberately facing hardship (like tough training) and by practices such as prayer or mental preparation that help you accept what comes. The real skill is applying these habits when pain is unwanted, not just when you choose it.

98 - Emotion Stories

Nick Burdick: Writing from California • 99 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
đź“– Philosophy Buddhism
  1. Emotions can be primal, like fear and craving, which we can't fully control right away. It's important to create safeguards to keep these emotions from guiding our decisions.
  2. Some emotions are based on stories we create, like anger or jealousy. Recognizing these as stories helps us react better and keep our thoughts clear.
  3. It's crucial to be mindful of what we feed our minds, like avoiding negative news and social media. Quality content gives us better reactions and lessens harmful habits.

The Asymmetry

Secretum Secretorum • 656 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Buddhism
  1. Goodness has depth and creativity, while evil is shallow and static. This means that being good allows for growth and new experiences, whereas evil lacks this potential.
  2. The Bodhisattva vow represents an endless commitment to caring for all beings, showing that true compassion grows when we focus on helping others instead of just ourselves.
  3. Evil requires constant effort to maintain, while goodness is naturally present when we release our struggles. Goodness is about simply being and letting go of negativity.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Find The Part of You That Never Dies

Deep Fix • 550 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Visualizing your higher self can help you unearth profound insights and engage in meaningful conversations.
  2. Exploring different perspectives, like primary dualism and samsara, can lead to unexpected insights and personal growth.
  3. Embracing change and finding the part of you that never dies can bring a sense of permanence and connection to the world around you.

No Self, No Politics

Everything Is Bullshit • 511 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. The author discusses how combining spirituality with evolutionary psychology can be beneficial for personal growth.
  2. The text highlights the idea that political beliefs are often shaped by alliances and power dynamics rather than truth or personal values.
  3. It suggests that it's okay to prioritize personal growth and non-political actions over being deeply involved in political discourse.

Gnosticism: Convergences

Secretum Secretorum • 606 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Gnosticism and Buddhism share ideas that material existence is less real and that ignorance is the root of suffering. Both traditions emphasize the importance of mystical knowledge for liberation.
  2. Both Gnosticism and Tantric practices in Buddhism involve a focus on transgressions and a move beyond traditional religious laws. This shows they both seek deeper truths through breaking societal taboos.
  3. Gnostic communities, like some Tantric traditions, allowed more freedom for women and looked beyond social status for spiritual attainment. This highlights a common theme of valuing inner character over external labels.

Me

Philosophy bear • 278 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Buddhism
  1. It's important to express ourselves beyond just labels like race or gender. Relying too much on these labels can limit our understanding of a person and their experiences.
  2. People often crave certainty and security about their self-image, but this can lead to feelings of despair. Instead of clinging to an idealized self, focusing on doing good in the present moment can be more fulfilling.
  3. Many of us share a desire to be truly known by others. This feeling can lead to frustration when we feel invisible or misunderstood, but seeking genuine connections can help us combat that isolation.

The Alabama Sutta

Weekly Wisdom • 119 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. The text draws parallels between a 90's country song and Buddhist philosophy by connecting the themes of restlessness and ignorance from the song lyrics to the Buddhist concept of fetters.
  2. The ten fetters in Buddhism represent psychological obstacles that must be overcome for spiritual liberation, similar to cognitive biases in psychology.
  3. Methods to break free from these fetters include inquiry, self-inquiry through writing or meditation, and becoming confident in the absence of the perceived obstacle.

Weekly Wisdom #11

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Wisdom can be explored through open-ended inquiries and examining its opposite, foolishness.
  2. Deep diving into spiritual practices like Buddhism's Ten Fetter model and Zen koans can offer valuable insights and resources.
  3. Resources on effective communication, such as writing as a Zen practice and analyzing popular TED Talks, can enhance communication skills.

Jhana, blissful ecstasy

Joshua's Notes • 19 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Jhana is a state of pure ecstasy attainable through dedicated meditation practice.
  2. Jhana is different from enlightenment and is described as a temporary experience.
  3. Achieving jhana involves intense focus on breathing, visualizing consciousness as light, and experiencing a profound sense of connection.

Relating as beneficent space

Meaningness • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. The post discusses a Vajrayana Buddhist approach to relationships, aimed at resolving stuck patterns in personal interactions.
  2. The writer mentions upcoming topics including software engineers, stage theory, and the future of stage theory as science.
  3. The writer is contemplating the value of producing a paperback/Kindle version of their AI book based on potential readership numbers.

Letter from A Higher Elevation

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 1 implied HN point • 04 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Buddhist ethical teachings like right speech, right mindfulness, and right action guide people to use language responsibly, avoid destructive public fights, and focus energy on meaningful work.
  2. Simple, nature-based retreats and practices — including sound baths, chanting, and writing intentions — can renew the body and mind, aid healing, and sharpen focus and connection.
  3. Astrological patterns and historical parallels suggest 2026 may be a fast, disruptive year of breakdown or rebuilding, so it's wise to hold a larger perspective and pick which battles to engage in.

Fully Automated Karmic Generation

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Compression is key in technology, from fitting mantras on prayer wheels to encoding them on DVDs and blockchains, enhancing karma generation.
  2. Intent and action are intertwined in karma generation, whether spinning a prayer wheel by hand or inscribing mantras on digital platforms like blockchains, emphasizing the importance of mindful engagement.
  3. Acknowledging responsibility and compassion in technological design can be a powerful driver for positive karmic outcomes, suggesting that critical engagement can transform destructive cycles into cycles of renewal.

Imagining Jonathan Smith: The Ontological Implications of 'Imagining Religion'

Hunter’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. The compatibility of religion and science has been a long-standing debate, with notable public intellectuals arguing that they are actually mutually compatible despite differing perceptions.
  2. Jonathan Z. Smith's approach to the study of religion emphasizes a secular viewpoint, challenging scholars to be self-conscious about religious biases in academic study.
  3. Smith's perspective on religion raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the challenges of categorizing and studying religion due to the subjective and non-isolatable aspects of religious beliefs and practices.

Fragments, Chapter 3, pp.59-63 - Reading Club posting 11

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Man doesn't have a permanent 'I,' but rather multiple small 'I's that can change constantly.
  2. People's decisions are often influenced by different 'I's within them, leading to internal conflicts and unfulfilled promises.
  3. Some Eastern teachings use allegorical stories to explain the concept of a fragmented self and the importance of inner unity for true liberation.

The History and Origins of Meditation

Aslan’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. Meditation has a rich history tracing back to ancient cultures and wisdom traditions.
  2. Indian spirituality gave rise to prominent meditation schools like Yoga and Vedanta, focusing on self-realization and union with the divine.
  3. Meditation transcends religious boundaries, gaining mainstream popularity for its mental and physical health benefits.

The big infodump chapter

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
đź“š Literature Buddhism
  1. The post discusses the big infodump chapter of a Tantric Buddhist vampire romance novel, where characters compare notes and pieces fall into place, setting the stage for what's to come.
  2. The narrative structure of the post is the final episode of Act II, establishing the relationship with the supernatural mentor.
  3. The author's spouse's guide to a foundational Dzogchen meditation approach, 'Opening Awareness,' is newly available in a Kindle edition, focusing on meditation that leads to vivid perception, interpersonal clarity, and responsible action.