by Dorje Shedong The irony is: on the “spiritual,” “psychological” level, we have “dualistic fixation.” According to Samir Amin, World System Theorist, Communist, on the “temporal,” “global political economic” level we have “center-periphery polarization,” a more sociological terminology for the same thing–which could provide a much needed way for Buddhists to get across to sociologists, of all sorts, the usefulness of… Read More The Reproduction of Neoliberal Globalization

I have identified two forms of “problematic” Buddhist organizations and cultures in North America (and not all are problematic). One is the Buddhist cult, which is surprisingly common. It’s not a ‘top-down’ cult that is imposed from above on naive practitioners (although in a few cases, it has been). Rather Buddhist cults are ‘self-imposed’ by… Read More Neoliberal Buddhism

I’ve been reading the Sattipathana Sutta on buddhanet.net, the Buddha’s own teaching on ‘mindfulness.’ Big fancy title for what are really a set of very short, simple instructions. This Sutta is said to be the most important of the Buddha’s teachings. I finally had enough book learnin’ that I can go to the source and appreciate… Read More Where to Study Buddhism Online

What’s missing in the Maclean’s article on racism? BY MAX FINEDAY • JAN 29, 2015 Max FineDay Last week Canadians were served a rude reminder. Maclean’s magazine named Winnipeg, home of the Metis resistance leader Louis Riel, Canada’s “most racist city.” While many media personalities, pundits, and politicians were shocked and offended by the title, Native people simply nodded their heads… Read More Briarpatch Mag: Systemic Racism, Colonialism Harder to See

Jai Bhim! Jan. 26 is India Republic Day, the day India celebrates its birth as a modern nation, free of British rule, under a Constitution. In honour of this day, I celebrate the achievements of Dr. Bimrao Ramji Ambedkar, “Babasaheb”, Minister of Law and chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar worked fearlessly and… Read More Jai Bhim! India Republic Day Jan. 26

[Editor; we have a new contributor, Terry Plotkin, who writes http://www.freethehuman.com blog] By Terry Plotkin from the blog http://www.freethehuman.com It is almost maddening to watch in action: Drinking a glass of water, but not focus on swallowing. Driving a car, but not paying close attention to this important and dangerous job. Having to wait just… Read More Be Elsewhere, Now!

 “From the beginning, all beings are Buddha.” 18 th century Master Hakuin’s “Song of Meditation” All beings are from the very beginning Buddhas. It is like water and ice: Apart from water, no ice, Outside living beings, no Buddhas. Not knowing it is near, they seek it afar. What a pity! It is like one… Read More You are Already Awake