Welcome to our November 2025 newsletter.
This month we feature articles by Stephen Batchelor, Kathryn Koehl, and Karsten Struhl. We also highlight Ted Meissner's 2018 interview with Bhikkhu Bodhi on Buddhist Global Relief.
Compassion in Action: Buddhist Voices for Immigration Justice
The Buddhist Coalition for Democracy, in partnership with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, is hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Immigration Justice: Compassion in Action on November 20.
Click here to register for the event.
Stephen Batchelor on Secular Dharma
In a chapter from his new book, Buddha, Socrates, and Us, Stephen Batchelor presents the core elements of a secular approach to the dharma.
Stephen expresses the fundamental purpose of the secular dharmic path in these terms: "Yet what matters in the end is whether we have led a life of care, compassion and wisdom that has played a role, however slight, in inclining human life away from reactivity to creativity, from injustice to justice, from aridity to flourishing, from selfishness to love."
Ted Meissner's The Secular Buddhist Podcast
Over fifteen years and 337 episodes, Ted Meissner's Secular Buddhist podcast provided those interested in the secular dharma with fascinating and insightful interviews with meditation teachers and writers. This month we feature Ted's interview with Bhikkhu Bodhi on Buddhist Global Relief, originally aired on March 23, 2018.
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi is an American Buddhist monk and the founder and chair of Buddhist Global Relief, an organization which seeks to raise awareness among Buddhists about the extent of world hunger and to mobilize action that promotes social justice on food-related issues, including climate change, His extensive translations of the Pali canon have informed dharma practice in the English-speaking world for decades.
Stephen Batchelor’s Dharma Talk on Mindfulness of the Body, and a Few Reflections
Karsten Struhl discusses a recent dharma talk by Stephen Batchelor on mindfulness of the body at the Community Meditation Center in New York City.
Connect with the Secular Buddhist Network
Looking for a sangha? - To facilitate the development of local sanghas, SBN has established a listing for individuals looking to meet others in their geographical area. Click here.
SBN's Monthly Discussion Group - Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. Click here.
Sunday Morning Meditation Group - Meets every Sunday at 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. Click here.
Sunday Evening Practice Circle- A long-time offering of the Secular Buddhist Association, meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday every month, 8:00 p.m. Central Time (9:00 p.m. Eastern). Click here.
SBN Reading Groups- SBN sponsors two reading groups. Book, article, video and podcast selections for both groups focus on topics related to secular Buddhism. Click here.
Exploring Aging from a Secular Buddhist Perspective- Meets the second and last Monday of each month on Zoom. Click here.
Secular Dharma and Political Activism - Meets the first Friday of every month on Zoom. Click here.
Secular Buddhist Zen Pub - Meets every Saturday, 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. Click here.
SBN online course on Exploring a Secular Dharma- Click here to learn about the basic ideas and concepts of secular Buddhism through a free online course.
Upcoming Events, Workshops, and Retreats
SBN's Calendar of Meetings and Courses - A calendar of SBN sponsored discussion and meditation groups, as well as SBN's courses on secular Buddhism. Click here.
Upcoming courses and retreats - Click here for a listing of upcoming courses, programs, and retreats of interest for secular Buddhists and socially engaged Buddhists.
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