Welcome to our April 2025 newsletter.
This month we feature: articles by Johannes Cairns and Tiffany Caicco; Ted Meissner's interview with Pamela Weiss about her book, A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism; the formation of a new coalition of Buddhist groups to respond to the harms caused by the Trump administration; and an upcoming reading group sponsored by Tuwhiri, a secular Buddhist publishing imprint.
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.
Buddhism and the Climate Crisis
Johannes Cairns discusses how Buddhist perspectives and practices can support a wise and compassionate response to climate change, as well as aspects of Buddhism which hinder this effort.
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 Pamela Weiss on her book, A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism, originally aired on June 5, 2020.
Pamela Weiss is the first and only layperson in the Suzuki Roshi Soto Zen lineage to receive full Dharma Transmission. She also completed training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center to become an Insight meditation teacher.
Participants Needed: Research Study on Re-evaluating Self-Love Through a Buddhist Lens
Tiffany Caicco is recruiting participants for a research study to examine how mental health and wellness practitioners with knowledge of Buddhist concepts interpret and understand self-love.
Tuwhiri Reading Group on Mindful Solidarity
Tuwhiri, the secular Buddhist publishing imprint, is offering a reading group on Sundays from April 27 to June 22 on Mike Slott's book, Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue. There are still a few openings in the reading group.
Read the SBN Website in Different Languages - Lea el Sitio Web de SBN en Diferentes Idiomas
The SBN website now has a translation plug-in which will convert English text to the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Look on the lower left of the screen of your computer or mobile device for the translation function.
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 Ddiscussion 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.
Secular Dharma: A Practice of Care and Awakening for Our Times (Online, April 12 and April 19) - During two online sessions, Martine Batchelor and Bernat Font will explore questions relating to the delicate task of adapting the dharma to our circumstances. They will do this with a respectful attitude, and a pragmatic orientation that puts Buddhist teachings and values in service of leading a good and awakened life in this world, both personally and together as communities. For more information, click here.
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