Books and Articles Archives - Secular Buddhist Network

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Books and Articles

Rethinking not-self: a critical review of Jay Garfield’s ‘Losing Ourselves’

As part of a critical review of Jay Garfield's 2022 book, Losing Ourselves, Mike Slott offers a different perspective on not-self, one that shifts the discussion from an epistemological and ontological analysis to an ethically-informed exploration of the existential, psychological, and social causes of various forms of ‘selfing’.

Getting the ball rolling: a new translation of the title of the Buddha’s first teaching

Bhikkhu Santi contends that an alternative translation of the title of the Buddha's first teaching better conveys the need to take up and practice the Buddha's valuable insights, yet also to experiment with, modify, and improve them.

The five principles of the Middle Way

Robert M. Ellis offers five principles of the Middle Way as a useful model for practice and as a set of principles that focus on judgment as a process rather than on beliefs in ultimates or absolutes.

What’s the problem? Not ‘suffering’ but absolutization

Robert M. Ellis argues that absolutization, the assumption that we have the whole story, is the basis for our failure to respond optimally in problematic situations. By synthesizing Buddhist insights and other perspectives, we can avoid absolutization and live more skillfully.

A review of ‘Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition’

In her review of Rima Vesely-Flad's 'Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition,' Rhonda Magee argues that the book provides a cogent analysis of the connections between Black Buddhist thought and practice and the centuries-old Black liberation and Black feminist movements.

Interview with Winton Higgins on his new book, ‘Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism’

Winton Higgins, a meditation teacher, member of the Tuwhiri Project editorial board, and contributor to the Secular Buddhist Network website, was interviewed by Tricycle magazine editor James Shaheen on 18 November 2021 about his new book, 'Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism'.

A missed opportunity: a review of ‘Secularizing Buddhism’

A new collection of essays, 'Secularizing Buddhism: new perspectives on a dynamic tradition', unfortunately represents a missed opportunity to explore the emergence of secular Buddhism, to critically examine its assumptions, and to provide us with an accurate snapshot of the diverse views and practices of secular Buddhists.

A review of ‘Reimagining Zen in a Secular age: Charles Taylor and Zen Buddhism in the West’

Charles Taylor's discussion of secularity has provided secular Buddhists with important conceptual tools to avoid the false dichotomy between the 'secular' and 'religious' aspects of life. James M. Shields reviews a 2020 book by Andre van der Braak which explores the connection between Charles Taylor's notion of secularity and Zen Buddhism.

Books and articles on secular Buddhism

One indication of the growing interest in secular Buddhism is the large number of books and articles that have been recently written on the topic or which discuss issues related to secular Buddhism.

Book launches for Winton Higgins’s new book on secular Buddhism

Beginning 19 May 2021, four book launches were held to introduce Winton Higgins's new book, Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism. The book is published by Tuwhiri and consists of a collection of essays on various topics related to secular Buddhism.

A review of Winton Higgins’s ‘Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism’

Winton Higgins’s latest book, Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism, provides the best account of the history of secular Buddhism available today and identifies the core characteristics of this relatively new trend within Buddhism. While reflecting on its key perspectives and practices, Higgins also identifies the key challenges facing secular Buddhists.

‘Don’t Expect a Standing Ovation’: Richard Winter’s new book on 59 ‘Mind-Training’ slogans

Richard Winter presents the 59 slogans of the Tibetan teachings on 'Mind-Training' in a style that is familiar and accessible not just for ‘Buddhists’ but for any of us who, irrespective of systems of belief or cultural allegiances, are open to the appeal of Buddhist-inspired meditation practice, as a resource for trying to flourish in a difficult world.

A review of Lenorë Lambert’s The Buddha for modern minds: a non-religious guide to the Buddha and his teachings

Winton Higgins reviews Lenorë Lambert's new book, The Buddha for modern minds: a non-religious guide to the Buddha and his teachings. According to Winton, the book admirably achieves its purpose of preparing the newcomer for a promising ‘first date’ with the dharma and its practice. It does so in impeccably secular terms that are securely based in the early teachings.

What Bhikkhu Analayo got wrong: a review of ‘Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions’

While the overall purpose of Bhikkhu Analayo’s new book, Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions: A Historical Perspective , is well-intended, his treatment of superiority conceit in Buddhist traditions fails to identify the root cause of this problem in Buddhism. He also mischaracterizes the writings of Stephen Batchelor and ignores the ideas and practices of contemporary secular Buddhists.

Lenorë Lambert’s The Buddha for Modern Minds: A non-religious guide to the Buddha and his teachings

Lenorë Lambert's new book, The Buddha for Modern Minds: A non-religious guide to the Buddha and his teachings, provides newcomers and experienced practitioners with answers to key questions such as: Does the dharma teach passivity? Is the dharma anti-passion? Do I need to find a teacher to learn the dharma? The book also offers a deep dive into the Four Great Tasks (orthodox Four Noble Truths).