POSTS:
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.
The emergence of Navayana Buddhism
Dennis SengTing Oliver argues that despite the wide variety of Buddhisms practised in the west, there are certain common trends within western Buddhism that may be the basis for a new 'yana' or vehicle for practitioners: Navayana Buddhism.
SBN’s Exploring aging from a secular Buddhist perspective
Based on conversations at the Secular Buddhist Network’s monthly online discussion group, several of the group’s members have formed a new interest group to explore the aging process as a spiritual practice, within a secular Buddhist frame.
What is eudaimonic enlightenment?
Seth Zuihō Segall proposes a model of eudaimonic enlightenment that he believes integrates the best of the Buddhist and Aristotelian approaches. It is based on a version of Buddhism that is pragmatic and naturalistic, and that has the enhancement of individual and collective flourishing both within a single lifetime and over the course of long-term social development as its ultimate goals.
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.
How Buddhist insights and values can help sustain political activism
Mike Slott explores the ways in which Buddhist insights and values can enable political activists to sustain their activity in various movements and to make a positive contribution to the organizations in which they participate.
A conversation about the present and future of secular dharma
On 9 February 2022 leaders and facilitators of secular Buddhist groups and sanghas from nine countries - the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Japan, Australia, and the USA - met on Zoom to discuss their current projects, future goals, and how to strengthen collaboration.
Secular Buddhism at the beginning: a study course in 2007
In October and November 2007, Ramsey Margolis and Jonathan Wood facilitated a study course in Wellington, New Zealand called ‘Creating a path: towards a secular Buddhism', based on dharma talks given by Stephen Batchelor. It was one of the first educational programs to explore the new trend of secular Buddhism.
Resolving the secular versus religious dichotomy: a new approach for secular Buddhism
Stefano Bettera offers an interpretation of a secular approach to the dharma which he believes is a third way, inclusive and conciliatory, which avoids the dichotomy between the 'religious' and the 'secular'. This approach is based in the primary experience of the ethical dimension of awakening, called nirvana.
The core life tasks and beliefs for a radically engaged Buddhist
Mike Slott, Katya de Kadt, and Karsten Struhl offer an account of the core tasks and beliefs for radically engaged Buddhists who seek not just individual transformation but the dismantling of social, economic, and political systems which cause harm and suffering to all beings.
Rethinking the Dharma / Reimagining Community #29 February 2022
Welcome to our February 2022 newsletter. This month we feature a new article on the core tasks of a radically engaged Buddhist by Mike Slott, Katya de Kadt, and Karsten Struhl, as well as Winton Higgins's response to the article. We also highlight new articles by Bernat Font-Clos, Stefano Bettera, and Robert M. Ellis. Finally, we announce the formation of a new reading group sponsored by the Secular Buddhist Network.
A response to ‘The core life tasks and beliefs for a radically engaged Buddhist’
In response to the article by Slott, de Kadt, and Struhl on 'The core life tasks and beliefs for a radically engaged Buddhist,' Winton Higgins expresses his agreement with the authors' perspective, but points to a missing piece in the article: the lack of any discussion over a pathway or transition from our present morass to a socially just, future society.
What kind of Buddhist are you?
Mike Slott offers a 'map' of contemporary Buddhism to represent the multiplicity of approaches available to practitioners. The map can used by practitioners to understand how their own interests, values, and attitudes connect with the dharma.
Tirylan House: A new retreat centre for integrative practice
Robert M. Ellis and his partner, Viryanaya, have opened a new retreat centre in Wales: Tirylan House. Beginning in March 2022, they will host a variety of retreats, some with the ‘Buddhist’ and others with the ‘Middle Way’ labels, but what binds them together is the commitment to bringing a range of integrative practices together.
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