Clair Brown argues for an economy that brings out the best in people, not the most self-centered and shortsighted. Economics affects how we live and how happy we are. Yet most people ignore economics, even though it has a powerful impact on our lives and our future. Take our two biggest worldwide challenges: global warming and income inequality. United Nations climate [...]
The Promise of Buddhist Economics
UC Berkeley economist Clair Brown argues for an economic system based on altruism, sustainability, and a meaningful life. Because even economics is about more than money. The starting point of your new book, Buddhist Economics, is that the goal of any economic system is to create human happiness. How does the free market system define happiness and how is the definition in [...]
The Path of Solidarity
Doshin Nathan Woods considers what it means to stand arm in arm as part of our Buddhist practice. From the Spring 2017 issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly. There is a meme I often see these days, at times attributed to Suzuki Roshi or to Aitken Roshi, that runs something like this: “Renunciation is not getting rid of the things of the world but accepting [...]
Stand Against Suffering: An Unprecedented Call to Action by Buddhist Teachers
Thirteen leading Buddhist teachers, joined by more than 140 additional signatories, call on Buddhists and all people of faith to take a stand against policies of the new administration that will create suffering for the most vulnerable in society. As published in the May 2017 Lion's Roar magazine. As long as a society protects the vulnerable among them, they can be expected [...]
I’m Buddhist and going to DC’s People’s Climate March. See you there?
In early March in New York City, we reached temperatures of 60 and 67 degrees. The average high for March is 48 degrees. That is the historical average; temperatures of the last three years have beaten all precedents. While I’m the first to admit that I abhor cold weather, what I ultimately want, and need, is a world that is stable, sustainable, and provides a stable home to [...]
Love Everyone: A Guide for Spiritual Activists
Real political change must be spiritual. Real spiritual practice has to be political. Buddhist teachers Sharon Salzberg and Rev. angel Kyodo williams on how we can bring the two worlds together to build a more just and compassionate society. Sharon Salzberg: I’d like to start with a meditation. Settle your attention and energy into your body and feel your breath. Find the [...]
The Ziji Collective issues statement on revisions to executive order temporarily banning refugees from entry to U.S.
The Ziji Collective, a global network of young meditators and spiritual practitioners from the Shambhala tradition, has issued a statement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump signing a revised version of his "travel ban" Monday. The travel ban suspends the refugee program for 120 days, and stops the issuing of new visas to citizens from six predominantly Muslim [...]
Commentary: American Open-Heartedness Is Needed Now More Than Ever
After the election, Buddhist American international aid worker Katie Letheren broadens her plea for compassion toward Syrian refugees -- so that it may extend even to those who would turn them away. Right before the presidential election, Lion’s Roar published my article, “Let’s Open Our Hearts to Syrian Refugees.” It was about the 65,000 Syrian refugees that I (and many [...]
Not Content to Sit Quietly: The Meaning & Making of Against the Stream’s 2017 “Commitment Statement”
Though unusually bold, this Buddhist community's new statement is presented as congruent with the Buddha’s teachings. On February 14, the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society found itself with a bit of a viral hit -- in Buddhist circles, at least. Just released, ATS's "Statement of Commitment" quickly gained shares, "likes," and critiques as the sangha's members [...]
5 Ways Not to Bite the Trump Hook
Getting hooked by your habitual reactions isn’t going to help anyone, says Susan Piver. She suggests five ways you can respond more skillfully. Pema Chödrön famously introduced us to the notion of shenpa, which she defines as "biting the hook" of our habitual reactions. When someone leaves us, we may bite the hook of grasping. When something unfair happens, we may bite [...]