Batchelor’s “Confession of a Buddhist Atheist” examined by Mark Vernon March 11, 2010
Posted by Sam Mowe in : Books, Buddhism, Stephen Batchelor , 12 commentsHere’s a review of Stephen Batchelor’s Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.
Since publishing his best-selling Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen has become somewhat controversial in Buddhist circles for his Western approach to the Buddha’s teachings. Stephen points out, however, that “the great strength of Buddhism throughout its history is that it has succeeded many times in reinventing itself according to the needs of its new host culture.”
Stephen will be leading a 4-part Tricycle online retreat entitled “Buddhism for This One and Only Life,” starting in April.
Read the current Tricycle interview with Stephen here.
Monk arrested for setting fire to temple for insurance
Posted by Sam Mowe in : Random Notes , add a commentA monk in Japan allegedly sets his temple on fire to collect on insurance money. Well, Dogen does say that, “A zen master’s life is one continuous mistake.”
On uprising anniversary, Dalai Lama says China wants to “annihilate Buddhism”
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism, China, Dalai Lama , add a commentUsing stronger words than he usually does, the Dalai Lama accused Beijing of persecuting monastics in Chinese-occupied Tibet:
“They are putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practice in peace,” he said, accusing Chinese of working to “deliberately annihilate Buddhism.”
The Dalai Lama’s remarks reflect frequent complaints by Tibetan monks that required political study sessions and visitor demands are depriving them of time for religious study. The numbers of monks attaining higher Buddhist degrees are believed to have fallen drastically since the crushing of the 1959 rebellion that resulted in direct rule from Beijing and the imposition of heavy government control over monasteries.
As he has in the past, he also expressed pessimism that China would ever agree to conditions satisfactory to Tibetans.
The Inklings of Michael Wenger March 9, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Art, Big Sit, Zen , add a commentMichael Wenger has practiced Zen since 1972 and he was gracious enough to run a Discussion during Tricycle’s 90-day online ango, The Big Sit.
Now he has a blog with his wonderful ink drawings, called inklings. You won’t be disappointed if you stop by. Below is a drawing of his from a post called “zen what is it“:
Buddhist Geeks online magazine March 8, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism , 1 comment so farThe excellent podcast outfit known as Buddhist Geeks has been reborn with a new website and online magazine! Check it out here. Best of luck to Vince and Emily!
A Flower Blooms in China March 3, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism, China , 2 commentsA very rare and very small flower grew under a nun’s washing machine in China.
Stephen Batchelor at New York Insight
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism, Insight, Stephen Batchelor , 5 comments
Book Launch hosted by Tricycle and New York Insight: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Stephen Batchelor at New York Insight Meditation Center
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Stephen’s new book Confession of a Buddhist Atheist tells the story of his thirty-seven-year quest to understand the meaning of Buddhism. It recounts his life as a monk in India and Korea and concludes with his search to discover the historical Buddha. Stephen will talk about the writing of the book and read selected passages.
Stephen Batchelor was a Buddhist monk in the Tibetan and Zen traditions. Known for his secular and agnostic approach, he teaches Buddhist meditation and philosophy worldwide. Author of the bestselling Buddhism Without Beliefs, his most recent publication is Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. Read more at stephenbatchelor.org
The registration fee for this event is $25. Register here.
The Dalai Lama on Twitter (for real this time) February 24, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism , 3 comments
We all remember the bogus Dalai Lama Twitter account and the tweetheartbreak that followed. Now His Holiness has a verified account (just like Ashton Kutcher.) What is it? @dalailama, natch. If you’re part of the Twitterati or whatever it’s called this minute (like Tricycle is) give him a follow. As of this posting, HH is at the propitious number of 108,000 followers.
UPDATE: The Dalai Lama is not (yet?) personally posting, as the Huffington Post reports.
A-List Buddhists on The Daily Beast February 23, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism, Dalai Lama , 8 commentsThe Tiger Woods drama and Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama has led to much mainstream exposure of celebrity Buddhists, and renewed interest in the Dalai Lama himself:
- Why Americans Love the Dalai Lama on CNN
- A-List Buddhists on The Daily Beast
Dalai Lama Weighs in on Tiger Woods February 22, 2010
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism, Dalai Lama, News , 1 comment so far
Fresh from his meeting with President Obama (which was “unofficial,” meaning that the Dalai Lama was considered to be a spiritual leader, not a head of state,) the Dalai Lama spoke up on what everyoe REALLY wants to know: What does the Dalai Lama think of Tiger Woods and his mea culpa Friday, which highlighted his Buddhist beliefs?
The Dalai Lama said he did not know who Woods was, but said self-discipline is among Buddhism’s highest values.
When it comes to adultery, he said, “all religions have the same idea.”
“I think mainly whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that’s important,” he said. “Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.”
Clark Strand, who wrote about the ancient practice of Green Meditation in the current issue of Tricycle and will be hosting an online Green Meditation retreat next month, wrote about Tiger in The Washington Post’s On Faith blog.