Introduction: Dale's Dharma Blogging?
Let me start this article by saying I am a novice with a beginner’s mind and a heart to help others but also learn and practice the dharma as deeply as I can. That being said… be aware that anything I share in this or any blog article, the intent is learning for myself and also sharing with others, anything I do learn in the process. I will be sharing personal insights from my lived experience and knowledge, research and reading on the topics, and/or my understanding at the time of the writing. Over time my views, knowledge, and experiences will or could change as yours will over time with practice and study.
Will I always be right? Of course not. I am just a flawed individual in love with studying and practicing the dharma to the best of my ability. So this just means… please do not take my words as gospel or written in stone. Explore them. Research them. Fact check them. Everything is open for discussion and if you find something you disagree with, please share it in the comment section and let’s start a discussion. I know I can learn from a lot of you and everyone has insights they can share.
My background and life experience has been around blogging (about 16 years) and website building (nearly 30 years) and so of course when I learned about the dharma, started practicing the dharma, and then found out how healing it was, I wanted to share it with others and explore it deeper. This kind of led me here to what I just now am exploring – how this practice is actually deepening my Buddhist practice and understanding.
It may seem silly, but I will say that through this dharma blogging practice… I DO explore ideas and dharma from a different perspective than I do in my regular dharma practices. It has become a great additional way to study and learn.
I am no one special. No guru. No Dharma master by any means. BUT I do have the capability to explore and share in this way which if nothing else opens up a conversation around different Dharma topics self-study and potentially for community discussions. I hadn’t thought about it too much before this article, but what if THIS was one of the ways to grow on my path? What if this IS part of my Dharma walk?
What if this is a training ground for learning, growing, and potentially writing a dharma book in the future? Could that happen? Who knows but I do know my purpose in life is to challenge people to become innovative leaders so that we can change the world together. I am thinking maybe my blogging is one tool to do this. Here is an article I found on researching this topic – The Blogger’s Path to Enlightenment.
Now let’s dig in to exploring what dharma blogging is and if it is something you might be interested in on your dharma journey.
What is Dharma Blogging?
Dharma blogging is the practice of writing about Buddhist teachings, personal insights, and the path of practice—and sharing it with others, whether privately or publicly. It’s a modern form of writing as Dharma practice that blends mindfulness, reflection, and generosity.
At 3 Jewels Sangha website, I see Dharma blogging as both a journey for personal spiritual growth and an offering to the wider community. When I write with awareness and compassion, (I hope) my words will help others feel seen, inspired, and connected to the Dharma.
It is said… “The highest form of learning is to teach a topic to others.”
Why Engage in Dharma Blogging?
Many practitioners discover that blogging for spiritual growth has profound benefits:
Deepens Understanding
Explaining the Dharma in our own words forces us to examine what we truly understand… and what remains a question. Writing becomes a form of mindful study and inquiry.
Supports Mindfulness Practice
Writing as Dharma practice encourages presence. We become aware of our thoughts, speech, and motivations. Each sentence becomes a meditation on Right Speech and Right Intention.
Acts as Dana (Generosity)
Sharing your writing is an act of dāna… a gift of insight, encouragement, or comfort. Even a simple blog post can touch someone who is struggling, lonely, or seeking guidance.
Builds Sangha Connection
When we share our reflections, the sangha becomes more vibrant and real. We learn from one another’s perspectives and create a living record of our collective journey.
Blogging as a Writing Dharma Practice
Dharma blogging is not simply journaling or sharing opinions. It’s an opportunity to practice key aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path, including:
Right Speech: Are my words true, kind, and beneficial?
Right Mindfulness: Am I aware of my motivations and potential impact?
Right Concentration: Am I focused, present, and clear in my writing?
Each blog post can be a small act of spiritual cultivation. It transforms ordinary words into a tool for insight, compassion, and connection. Keep in mind again that this is a practice that gets better with time and “practice”. What I mean by this is my early sangha blog posts were (and maybe still are) very limited on deep dharma but over time they have/are getting better and more aligned.
As with any dharma practice (or any practice) we only get better with time and “practice”. To be honest, anyone could do this and having a group from a sangha participating in content development would only enhance the group learning and round out what dharma is being shared, learned, and practiced within the community.
How to Start Dharma Blogging
Are you in a sangha, an individual wanting to practice dharma in a new way, or one of my dharma friends wanting to give dharma writing a try? Wanting to try blogging for spiritual growth? Here are some gentle steps:
1. Start with Reflection
Ask yourself:
What teachings have been alive for me recently?
What has challenged or inspired me on the path?
How has the Dharma shown up in my everyday life?
2. Write Simply and Honestly
You don’t need to be a scholar. Authentic, heartfelt writing often resonates the most. Be honest about doubts as well as insights.
3. Be Mindful of Right Speech
Before posting, pause and reflect:
Is this true and helpful?
Could it cause harm or confusion?
Am I writing with humility, as a learner?
4. Offer Your Writing as Dana
Remember, your words are a gift. Even if only one person reads your post, it can plant seeds of understanding and compassion. I have recently been exploring the Six Paramitas and been curious about Dana for a while – not just as donations in money, but the bigger idea of dana as giving in other ways. In my research and reflections on this article it struck me how much of a gift a good dharma article can be.
5. Connect to Sangha
Consider inviting dialogue:
Pose questions for others to reflect on.
Share links to Dharma talks or resources that inspired you.
Encourage others in the sangha to write and share as well.
For example, visit the 3 Jewels Sangha Blog to read some of my reflections and lived experiences. I welcome others to join and share their lives experiences as we can learn so much from one another.
What would it look like if you opened this up to the sangha? Often sangha website are pretty dead. They were put together to get found and to offer general information like physical address, contact info, and meeting times. They are set up to offer an overview of beliefs, practices, and maybe general guidance of who facilitates. There’s often info on how to get in touch to ask questions.
That is all wonderful and helpful info, but in the modern world for modern people… does it resonate? Are modern internet users now in need of much more?
My point is this… if a sangha website had a thriving blog that offered dharma discussion and exploration and welcomed readers to learn and/or connect and comment would that create a richer experience for the website visitor? Would it add more depth, experience, and growth in practice for the sangha members outside of weekly meetings? Would it be more attractive to potential new members seeking help an support?
AND… would it establish trust? I think it would/does.
Potential Dharma Blogging Topics
Not sure where to start? Here are ideas:
A teaching that recently touched your heart
A challenge in practice and how you worked with it
Reflections after a retreat or sangha gathering
Stories of applying mindfulness in daily life
Dharma-related books, talks, or poems that inspire you
Blogging as Dana?
Let me dig deeper here as this feels pretty important to reflect on how this could be giving back. Generosity (dāna) is one of the foundational Buddhist practices. When we share our reflections, questions, or insights, we offer something precious… our lived experiences and presence to the sangha and the world.
Your writing might:
Encourage someone struggling with the same issue
Clarify a teaching for someone new to the path
Spark dialogue and deeper collective understanding
Offer comfort, inspiration, or hope
We may never know how our words touch others. Yet small offerings can ripple outward in ways we can’t foresee.
Staying Mindful: A Few Guiding Questions
Before you hit publish, pause and ask:
✅ Why am I writing this?
✅ Is it true, kind, helpful, and timely?
✅ Could it cause confusion or harm?
✅ Am I writing as a learner, with humility?
✅ What seeds of goodness might this plant?
A simple intention you might recite:
“May these words be of benefit, rooted in truth and compassion, for the well-being of all beings.”
Join Us in Dharma Blogging!
At 3 Jewels Sangha, I warmly invite you to explore Dharma blogging. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, your reflections matter. Together, we can support one another’s blogging for spiritual growth, deepen our practice, and offer writing as Dharma practice to the world.
You can do this on your own blog, via your sangha’s website if they are open to trying this practice, or as a guest blogger here. Curious to contribute here? Reach out via our Contact page or come talk to me after our next virtual meeting. Let’s co-create or cross promote a living record of the Dharma unfolding in our lives. Better together as they say.
May our words become bridges of understanding, lanterns of compassion, and offerings of peace to all beings.