Welcome to our June 2025 newsletter.
This month we feature: articles by Ramsey Margolis, Mike Slott, and Brian Victoria; Ted Meissner's interview with Evan Thompson about his book, Why I Am Not a Buddhist; the newly elected Board of Directors of SBN; a 15% sale on all Tuwhiri books in June; and the Buddhist Coalition for Democracy's legal support for Mahmoud Khalil, who was illegally detained and imprisoned by the U.S. government.
Why do some people follow dharma teachers who demand obedience?
Ramsey Margolis asks why some of the people who follow teachers in ancestral Buddhist communities, and their ‘traditional’ teachings, loathe secular Buddhism and secular Buddhists, at times with a palpable feeling of distaste that clearly is not rational.
Zen Terror in 1930s Japan
Brian Victoria's book, Zen Terror in Prewar Japan, explores how some Zen Buddhists in Japan in the 1930s interpreted the Buddha's teachings to justify political assassinations.
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 Evan Thompson on his book, Why I Am Not a Buddhist, originally aired on February 23, 2020.
Evan Thompson is Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and an Associate Member of the Department of Asian Studies and the Department of Psychology (Cognitive Science Group). He is the author of Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy, among other books.
Buddhist Coalition for Democracy Joins Amicus Brief in Support of Mahmoud Khalil
The Buddhist Coalition for Democracy has joined together with 35 other religious organizations as a party to an amicus curiae brief in the case of Mahmoud Khalil's unlawful detention by the federal government.
Meet SBN's New Board of Directors
The merger of the Secular Buddhist Association and the Secular Buddhist Network has been finalized. A new slate of officers and members of the SBN Board of Directors has been elected.
15% Off Tuwhiri Books This Month
The secular Buddhist publishing imprint Tuwhiri is offering an automatic 15% discount on everything in their online store during June 2025 – no code needed.
Go to https://tuwhiri.org.
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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