Category: Politics
Another Birthday on Death Row
Rebecca Solnit celebrated his 56th birthday with Jarvis Jay Masters, who has spent some 30 years on death row, as he seeks freedom through meditation.
Stop Woke: The War Against Awakening and Belonging
Ann Gleig offers commentary on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act,” reminding us that “the path to awakening is not an easy one.”
Women Receive Full Ordination in Bhutan For First Time in Modern History
Damcho Diana Finnegan and Dr. Carola Roloff report on Thursday's historic ceremony that saw the full ordination of 144 female monastics in Bhutan.
Meditation Is a Political Act
Meditation is about facing suffering squarely and seeing reality clearly. That’s why it’s the best starting place if you want to help a troubled world, says Zen teacher Dan Zigmond.
Peace Begins With Peaceful Actions
To change the world, says Jan Willis, we need hope. And hope grows from nonviolent actions, no matter how small.
Listening Deeply for Peace
Peace will only become a reality when world leaders come to negotiations with the ability to hear the suffering at the root of all conflicts.
The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu — The Best of Spiritual Friends
From The Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu's book, "The Book of Joy," an inside look at the spiritual leaders' dear friendship.
Helping Hands
Five Buddhist teachers who’ve made helping others through social and political action a keystone of their practice.
The Middle Way of Abortion
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong reports on how Buddhist teachings could transform the abortion debate — and benefit women.
Citizenship as Spiritual Practice
Right speech, right action, right livelihood, compassion—tending to society is part of the Buddha’s path of awakening.
Creating an Enlightened Society
Now more than ever, says Thich Nhat Hanh, we need a global ethic of compassion, understanding, and peace. Here’s how Buddhism can help.
“The world needs people like you” — a post-election pep talk from Roshi Joan Halifax
During Upaya Zen Center’s November 6th’s Jukai and Tokudo ceremony Roshi Joan Halifax took a few moments to acknowledge the the US presidential election.
Peace in Every Step
Alan Senauke reflects on Thich Nhat Hanh’s profound contributions to Buddhism, activism, and the place where they meet.
Love Trumps Hate
Bill Gaston despises a certain someone at the White House. Can any good come of it?
Buddhism’s Next 40 Years: Right Activism
In the fourth issue in our 40th anniversary series, Melvin McLeod looks at the interface of activism and modern Buddhism.
Don’t Just Sit There—Act
When we sit in meditation, we awaken to oneness. Then we take compassionate action. That’s what drives Andy Hoover’s work at the ACLU.
Confessions of a Marxist Buddhist
For a long time, Dorotea Mendoza hid her Marxism from her fellow Buddhists and her Buddhism from her activist comrades. Finally, as the dialecticians say, she resolved the contradiction.
Why We Go for the Gun
Greg Snyder on how to reclaim the grace and humanity that our access to guns has led us to squander.
We Will Come Back for You
Not so long ago their own families were held in camps like these. That’s why Japanese American Buddhists like Satsuki Ina will keep coming back until the tragedy on America’s southern border ends.
Will We Open the Door or Close It?
There’s a powerful force for change in America, says Christian leader Serene Jones, but powerful forces oppose it. It’s a battle that is as much spiritual as political.