POSTS:

Social & Political Engagement

The Two Tasks, Updated for the New Era
Tom Cummings discusses two key tasks in the current period: to stand courageously and nonviolently against the Trump administration's policies and to practice skillful speech in talking to Trump supporters.
The Buddhist Coalition for Democracy – A Call to Action & Statement of Principles
As Buddhists, we recognize our profound interconnectedness and the prime importance of universal compassion and loving-kindness. We affirm the need to listen to differing viewpoints with openness and equanimity and to respond with wise minds and caring hearts. We aspire towards a society that values all of its members and believe democratic values, institutions, and […]
The Buddhist Coalition for Democracy
SBN members are part of the Buddhist Coalition for Democracy, an alliance of Buddhist sanghas and individuals representing multiple traditions and lineages, which was formed in response to the harms caused by the Trump administration.
An Online Discussion of Mindful Solidarity
On January 30, at 7 pm US Eastern Time, Craig Murphy, Seth Zuihō Segall, and Karsten Struhl joined Mike Slott for a discussion around his book, Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue. The online discussion was sponsored by the Secular Buddhist Network and Tuwhiri, a secular Buddhist publishing imprint.
Compassionate Responses in Our Time: A Blessed Plurality of Inner Practice and Outer Action
Yanai Postelnik explains that the Buddha’s teachings call us to find our own path of heartful practice and engagement, while honouring the range and variety of different ways others may find to express what is authentic and true for them.
On the Prospect of Buddhist Complicity in Genocide
Brian Daizen Victoria examines the tensions with Buddhist chaplains' involvement in the US military, including the war in Iraq and support for the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Hozan Alan Senauke on Engaged Buddhism
The American Soto Zen priest, Hozan Alan Senauke, who recently passed way, was a vocal advocate for an engaged Buddhism and social change.
What should secular dharma practitioners do? Report on a second meeting on the U.S. election
SBN community members participated in a second online meeting on December 5 to discuss the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.
Post-election Meeting of SBN Community Members
On November 14, SBN community members participated in a Zoom meeting to discuss the U.S. election and how we, as secular dharma practitioners, can respond.
A conversation between Mike Slott and Winton Higgins on ‘Mindful Solidarity’
In a book launch event sponsored by the Secular Buddhist Network and Tuwhiri, a secular Buddhist publishing imprint, Mike Slott and Winton Higgins discussed Mike's new book, Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue.
Norma Wong’s new book: When No Thing Works
Norma Wong's new book, When No Things Work, provides spiritual lessons based on Zen and indigenous perspectives for embracing collective care and responsibly meeting uncertain futures.
Mindful Solidarity book launch event
Mike Slott will be in conversation with Winton Higgins, the Australian secular Buddhist and author of Revamp: writings on secular Buddhism, to launch Mike's book Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue
Eric Kolvig – teacher of engaged insight meditation
Ramsey Margolis expresses his appreciation for Eric Kolvig, a recently-deceased insight meditation teacher who stressed the need for social and political engagement, and for the four tasks he devised for coping with global tragedy
No Justice, No Peace (or Human Flourishing)
In response to Thanissaro Bhikhhu's claim that the end of suffering for each individual is more important than justice, Mike Slott argues that reducing suffering and the achievement of social justice are equally necessary and complementary processes.
Collective Trauma, Revenge, and Cycles of Violence: A Buddhist Approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Situation
Karsten Struhl addresses the intersection of the collective traumas of two peoples and considers how a Buddhist perspective can help us better understand the cycles of violence and how we might respond to them.