The Backyard Buddhist
“Darren (So Mushin) Simpson, a novice in the lineage of Matsuoka Roshi, returns to Zen after decades in Christian ministry. With roots at the Atlanta Soto Zen Center, he now trains under Elliston Roshi, embracing the Dharma name So Mushin.”
| Platform |  | Pricing | Freemium | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 155 | Founded | 8 months ago | Last Issue | 4 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
thebackyardbuddhist.substack.comLatest Issues
Kṣitigarbha: The Bodhisattva Who Refuses to Abandon the Lost
When we think of the great bodhisattvas of Mahāyāna Buddhism, certain figures immediately come to mind.
Avalokiteśvara embodies compassion.
Mañjuśrī embodies wisdom.
Samantabhadra embodies the vast activity of awakened practice.
And Kṣi...
The Ego That Never Was… Revisited
By The Backyard Buddhist
We spend so much of our lives trying to defend something fragile inside us.
A name.
A reputation.
An identity.
A sense of “me” that must be protected, explained, justified, and preserved at all costs.
And then...
When Forgiveness Means Goodbye
By The Backyard Buddhist
There are times when forgiveness means opening a door.
And there are times when forgiveness means closing one.
Closing it carefully.
Closing it quietly.
Closing it without slamming it, without cursing the perso...
Heaven Is This Moment. Hell Is Also This.
by The Backyard Buddhist
There are some phrases that don’t feel like something I invented so much as something that arrived while I was sitting quietly.
One of those is this:
“Heaven is this moment, this thought, this word, this act. H...
Salvation and Awakening (Revisited)
By The Backyard Buddhist
Today, I’d like to reflect on two words that come from very different religious worlds.
Salvation and awakening.
For many people raised in the Christian tradition, salvation is one of the most familiar ideas in r...
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for The Backyard Buddhist.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 79 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Explore More
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
The Backyard Buddhist offers accessible reflections on Zen practice, Buddhist philosophy, compassion, and everyday awakening—bringing ancient wisdom into modern life with clarity, kindness, and humor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for The Backyard Buddhist?
You can find recent issues that have been published by The Backyard Buddhist on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does The Backyard Buddhist have?
To see how many people subscribe to The Backyard Buddhist, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in The Backyard Buddhist?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch The Backyard Buddhist as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like The Backyard Buddhist?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact The Backyard Buddhist using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to The Backyard Buddhist?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like The Backyard Buddhist. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact The Backyard Buddhist?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.