Dharmaecology is an interweaving of dharma themes from the Buddhist Naturalist tradition and ecology, which I define as natural systems theory. Dharmaecology indicates a strong focus on ecology and climate justice, dharma naturalism, and a systems ecology approach to dharma theory and practice. It’s about connectedness, networks and integration, social, biological and cosmic. It is neither … Continue reading What Is Dharmaecology?
Dante’s Inferno: How to Survive the Climate Crisis
I've come across several teachers and activists who enjoin us to read poetry, scripture, the works of naturalist philosophers, and many other wonderful, inspiring texts as a way to 'connect with nature'. I think this is laudable and I would recommend it as well. But here's what I would also recommend, a reading that might … Continue reading Dante’s Inferno: How to Survive the Climate Crisis
Who is the Buddha?
Every community creates its own Buddha. If you take the position that we have no hard historical evidence that Siddhartha Gautama ever existed (see Tricycle 2016), then who is 'the Buddha'? My provisional answer is 'the Buddha' is the exemplar of a civilization that developed in Northern India 2600 years ago, around the same time … Continue reading Who is the Buddha?
The Myth, the Story and the Truth
I listened to Rob Burbea’s teaching about ‘soul-making’ in Buddhist practice. It was really long and boring and not very inspiring in terms of soul-making. But it did do one really important thing: it helped me understand that Buddhism is mytho-poetic, every bit as mytho-poetic as any human story, containing as much “truth” as any … Continue reading The Myth, the Story and the Truth
Zak Stein: The Complex Non-Dual Whole
Zak Stein’s article, “COVID19-A War Broke Out in Heaven”, published in Medium in March, early in the pandemic, talks about “the end of the world”, about liminality, and the “spiritual walk between the worlds”. I link to the article here, but I would like to focus on a section that I think is critically important … Continue reading Zak Stein: The Complex Non-Dual Whole
Why I am a Buddhist Naturalist
Recently Evan Thompson published a controversial book called Why I Am Not A Buddhist in which he explains that he is not a Buddhist (in part) because he doesn't believe in the doctrine of the three (or four) laksanas, or marks of existence, that existence is suffering (dukkha) impermanent (anicca) and empty of self (anatta). … Continue reading Why I am a Buddhist Naturalist
Dag Herbjørnsrud: India’s Vital Atheist Philosophy
The untold history of India’s vital atheist philosophy by Dag Herbjørnsrud June 16, 2020 A "Carvaka Ashram", founded by Boddu Ramakrishna in 1973, is dedicated to the rational, materalistic, and atheist tradition of India. In Nidamarru, close to Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh (south-eastern India), busts are set up in the garden to commemorate Indian rational thinkers like … Continue reading Dag Herbjørnsrud: India’s Vital Atheist Philosophy
Rebirth of the Buddhist Subject II: Rebirth without Caste
In Rebirth of the Buddhist Subject (1), I wrote about the social causes and conditions of a 'rebirth' of certain types of persons, the social reproduction of life conditions and the social reproduction of the Buddhist subject. There is another way to interpret the Buddhist teachings on karma and rebirth, or at least another way to ask … Continue reading Rebirth of the Buddhist Subject II: Rebirth without Caste
Buddhist Futures: The Rebirth of the Buddhist Subject
For the most part, twenty-first century Buddhists don't (really) believe in the Buddhist teaching on rebirth. Some like Stephen Batchelor and other leading Buddhist intellectuals reject it outright, as did mid-century modernist Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. However, there is scriptural evidence, as many traditional Buddhists claim (Bhikkhu Bodhi), which affirms that the Buddha taught on … Continue reading Buddhist Futures: The Rebirth of the Buddhist Subject
Naturalism, Further Defined II: Dual, Non-Dual, Multiple, Infinite
The debate over non-duality has been raging ever since the Mahayana began to compete with the earlier form of 'distinction' Buddhism, the dharma of making critical distinctions. L. S. Cousins recently published a paper on the Buddhism of distinctions (On the Vibhajjavādins: The Mahiṃsāsaka, Dhammaguttaka, Kassapiya and Tambapaṇṇiya branches of the ancient Theriyas) "In these … Continue reading Naturalism, Further Defined II: Dual, Non-Dual, Multiple, Infinite
Sociology of Buddhism Reference
Researchnet | Sociology of Religion | Buddhism: http://sociology.iresearchnet.com/sociology-of-religion/buddhism/ Uttam Khobragade Buddhism as social philosophy May 24, 2016 1. Bailey G, Mabbett IW (2003) The sociology of early Buddhism. Cambridge University PressGoogle Scholar 2. Berger PL (1999) The desecularization of the world: resurgent religion and world politics. Wm. B. EerdmansGoogle Scholar 3. Buss AE (1985) Max … Continue reading Sociology of Buddhism Reference
