To victims of sexual misconduct, writes Buddhadharma editor Tynette Deveaux, "we stand with you." Here are some resources that can help survivors, allies, and bystanders cope with misconduct. I woke up the other day to a distressing Facebook post forwarded to me by a colleague. The post, by a well-known Rinpoche, makes fun of the issue of sexual misconduct and abuse by [...]
California wildfires threaten Buddhist centers and monasteries
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 [...]
Why Thai Buddhist activist Sulak Sivaraksa could go to jail over a history lesson
Sulak Sivaraksa, 85-year-old founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, could face 15 years in prison because he suggested that a 16th-century elephant battle might not have really happened. Matteo Pistono, author of a biography of Sivaraksa, breaks down what the charges mean for Sivaraksa and the rest of Thailand. The prominent socially engaged Buddhist [...]
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 [...]
Dalai Lama concerned U.S. becoming more selfish under Trump
Speaking at a conference in Northern India, the Dalai Lama voiced concerns about America under President Trump. In an article published on Wednesday, Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin reported that the Dalai Lama commented on Trump’s “America first” policy, saying, “Your ancestors really considered the importance of liberty, freedom, democracy… the present president, in the [...]
Pope to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, Buddhist monks in Myanmar
Pope Francis will travel to Myanmar and Bangladesh at the end of November, where he will meet with the country’s top Buddhist monks, military generals, and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Reuters reports. The pope's visit comes amidst a refugee crisis following a militant crackdown that has caused over 500,000 people from the predominantly-Muslim Rohingya ethnic group to [...]
Buddhist responses to the mass-shooting in Las Vegas
On Sunday, one of the deadliest mass shootings in the history of the United States occurred at an outdoor music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 59 dead and injuring more than 520. Buddhist teachers, communities, and politicians took to social media to share messages of compassion and solidarity. A sample of those messages follows: I am deeply saddened by the [...]
Sogyal Rinpoche receiving treatment for colon cancer
Sogyal Rinpoche, Buddhist teacher and founder of the international Buddhist community Rigpa, has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is undergoing treatment. According to a message posted to Facebook on Wednesday, he had an operation to remove two tumors on September 14th and is undergoing chemotherapy. In July, Sogyal Rinpoche announced he would enter a "period of retreat [...]
Buddhist Churches of America shares statement on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar
Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) has issued a statement in response to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar, which has seen more than 430,000 people flee violence in Myanmar over the last month following a militant crackdown. A number of Buddhist leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, have also spoken out against the alleged ethnic cleansing of the predominantly-Muslim [...]
Luis Oscar Gómez, scholar of Buddhism, dies at 74
Luis Oscar Gómez, a distinguished scholar and interpreter of Buddhism, died in Mexico City on September 3 due to illness. He was 74. At the time of his death Gómez was Professor Emeritus of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan, where he had worked for 35 years, contributing to Buddhist Studies in the areas of graduate training, undergraduate teaching, [...]