SBN Editor, Author at Secular Buddhist Network

POSTS:

SBN Editor

An interview with Stephen Batchelor on secular dharma

In a recent interview Stephen Batchelor discussed the historical antecedents and development of secular Buddhism, the divergent 'core logics' of traditional and secular Buddhism, and the need to create a new Mindfulness Based Human Flourishing program.

What are the core elements of a secular approach to the dharma?

At a recent online meeting of leaders and facilitators of secular Buddhist groups, organizations, and sanghas, various perspectives were offered on the best way to define or describe a secular approach to the dharma.

A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Katya

Katya grew up in a culturally Jewish, Leftist family in New York City and became involved with a Buddhist sangha in 2001. When her sangha refused to engage politically around issues of racism after the murder of George Floyd, she connected with the Secular Buddhist Network and has become an active participant.

Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #34 July 2022

Welcome to our July 2022 newsletter. This month we highlight a new article by Rick Heller, the opening of registrations for SBN's online course on secular Buddhism, and a practitioner's account of his journey to secular Buddhism. We also feature an online workshop on dependent arising that was offered 13 June by two Bodhi College faculty and a Bodhi College event to memorialize Gary Born, a Trustee of the college and participant in SBN's monthly discussion group, who recently passed away.

Understanding dependent arising

Bodhi College cofounders Christina Feldman and Akincano Weber discussed key aspects of dependent arising, a core notion of Buddhism, in a virtual workshop offered 13 June. The workshop was co-sponsored by Bodhi College and Tricycle magazine.

A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Tim

Tim grew up in a Christian household, but found a disconnect between his church's teachings and how church members lived their lives. He was introduced to Buddhism over 20 years ago and learned about secular Buddhism in the course of his explorations. Colette Descent edited the interview for SBN.

Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #33 June 2022

Welcome to our June 2022 newsletter. This month we highlight a dharma talk by Winton Higgins, articles by Brad Park and Mike Slott, and an interview with a practitioner on his journey to secular Buddhism.

Our diverse paths to secular Buddhism

Each month, we highlight the path that brought an individual to explore and then fully engage in a secular approach to the dharma.

A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Jeff

Jeff was deeply involved in orthodox Judaism for 15 years, but eventually moved away from this spiritual tradition to explore secular Buddhism: a non-dogmatic, ethical approach to life.

The core concept of secular Buddhism: the four tasks

The core teachings and insights of Gotama are not ‘truths’ to be believed but a ‘fourfold’ task to help us live our lives in a mindful and compassionate way.

Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #32 May 2022

Welcome to our May 2022 newsletter.This month we highlight two new articles by David Loy and John Danvers, an interview with Colette Descent on her journey to secular Buddhism, an update on the SBN website, and a special offer from Tuwhiri, the secular Buddhist publishing imprint, for SBN newsletter subscribers.

A practitioner’s journey to secular Buddhism: Colette

Colette Descent is an active participant in several SBN groups. She is a member of the monthly online discussion group, the weekly meditation group, and is participating in the Spring 2022 SBN course on secular Buddhism, Exploring a Secular Dharma. We asked Colette about her path to becoming a secular Buddhist and how it has impacted her life.

Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #31 April 2022

Welcome to our April 2022 newsletter. This month we highlight a recent talk by Stephen Batchelor on an ethics of uncertainty, Dennis SengTing Oliver's article on the emergence of Navayana Buddhism, and Seth Zuihō Segall's proposal for a new model of eudainomic enlightenment as the goal of our practice.

Stephen Batchelor on an ethics of uncertainty

On 9 March 2022 Stephen Batchelor gave an online talk on an ethics of uncertainty which was sponsored by Mind and Life Europe. Stephen argued that both Gotama and Socrates articulate a situational ethics that is grounded in compassion and unknowing rather than a priori moral convictions and metaphysical certainties.

Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #30 March 2022

Welcome to our March 2022 newsletter. This month we look at the past, present, and future of secular Buddhism. We also highlight new articles by Stefano Bettera and Mike Slott, as well as a revised version of The core life tasks and beliefs for a radically engaged Buddhist.