Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery were both threatened by the wildfires, but now seem to be safe from major harm. Around 2 a.m. on Monday morning, 14 monks and 12 guests at the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery evacuated to escape the Redwood Valley fire—one of many uncontained wildfires raging through northern California. Amidst the sounds of air [...]
Zen-informed musician Tyshawn Sorey wins $625,000 “Genius Grant”
The 2017 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellows were announced on Oct. 10, and among the 24 individuals was 37-year-old musician and composer Tyshawn Sorey. The MacArthur fellowship — also known as the “genius grant”— is a $625,000 no-strings-attached award distributed over a five year period to those who show “exceptional creativity” based on significant past [...]
Meet the Buddhist Lawyer Who Took the UK to Court Over Pollution — and Won
"The earth is our client," says lawyer and Zen priest James Thornton. He talks with Haleigh Atwood about how Buddhism can help save the environment. In April, Buddhist lawyer James Thornton won an injunction ordering the UK government to publish a clean-air plan for British cities where pollution exceeds legal levels. Thornton is a lawyer and environmental activist whose [...]
Buddhist Recovery Summit to explore how dharma can help addiction sufferers
The Buddhist Recovery Summit 2017—a collaboration between the Northwest Dharma Association and the Buddhist Recovery Network—will run from October 20 to 22 at the Gwinwood Retreat Center in Lacey, Washington. Organizers say the Summit is open to all who are interested in Buddhist Recovery. According to the Buddhist Recovery Network, the movement uses Buddhist teachings and [...]
First international Chöd-Zhijé conference will explore traditional Buddhist chöd practice
The Historic First International Chöd-Zhijé Conference will run from July 12 to 16 at Tara Mandala Retreat Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The conference will explore the ancient practice of chöd, which is considered one of the Eight Chariots of Spiritual Accomplishment in the Tibetan tradition. The practice involves offering one’s body as food to demons in order to cut [...]
10th Global Conference on Buddhism to be mindful of mental health
The 10th Global Conference on Buddhism will take place on June 17 and 18 at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, Canada. The conference, its organizers say, will explore how mindfulness can improve not only our everyday well-being, but the well-being of society. Fifteen speakers --a mix of Buddhist philosophers, renowned scientists, and mental health professionals — will [...]