Welcome to our August 2024 newsletter.
This month we feature new articles by Ramsey Margolis and Mike Slott, a new book from the secular Buddhist imprint Tuwhiri, and new offerings from the Secular Buddhist Network.
When the Buddha Refused to Respond
Ramsey Margolis examines the refusal of Gotama, the historical Buddha, to discuss metaphysical questions. Instead, his focus was on the alleviation of suffering.practices.
Kickstarter Campaign Launched for Tuwhiri’s New Book – Mindful Solidarity
Tuwhiri will be publishing their next book Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue by Mike Slott in October 2024, and has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for the book.
In Mindful Solidarity, Mike Slott encourages political activists and Buddhist practitioners to connect with and learn from each other, suggesting that a secular form of Buddhism and democratic socialist politics complement each other well.
New Offerings from SBN: Online Course and Half Day Meditation Retreat
SBN's free online course, Exploring a Secular Dharma, will run from 16 September to 25 November 2024. The course explores the key ideas and practices of secular Buddhism, an important trend that has emerged in Buddhism in recent years. Click here to sign up for the course.
SBN will be offering a half-day, online retreat on 15 September, from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm US Eastern Time. It will consist of periods of silent meditation practice, followed by discussion and sharing between meditatiors. Click here to register for the retreat.
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.
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. When you join the listing, you'll have access to a private listing of individuals who are seeking sangha-mates.
SBN's monthly discussion group - Meets the third Thursday of each month on Zoom. It’s a great opportunity for secular Buddhists and those who are interested in learning more about a secular approach to the dharma to connect with each other and to discuss key issues.
Sunday meditation group - Meets every Sunday at 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. After brief meditation instructions, we meditate silently for 30 minutes, followed by a period of sharing our experiences with each other.
SBN reading group - Meets the first Thursday of each month on Zoom. The readings are chosen by the participants and focus on issues related to a secular Buddhism, including basic concepts of a secular approach, meditation, mindfulness, and the relationship between secular Buddhism and traditional Buddhist lineages and practices.
Exploring aging from a secular Buddhist perspective - Meets the second and last Monday of each month on Zoom. The group shares experiences of aging and how we can use our practice to respond skillfully to the process of aging.
Secular Dharma and Political Activism - Meets the first Friday of every month on Zoom. This discussion group is for those who wish to share their experiences of and discuss new possibilities for bringing secular Buddhist ideas, ethics, and practices to community groups and political movements.
Secular Buddhist Zen Pub - Meets every Saturday, 11 am US Eastern Time on Zoom. A weekly drop-in which will reward participants with dharma insights and practical applications (including friendships).
SBN online course on Exploring a secular dharma - 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.
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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