The 14-Year-Old Voice of the Climate Change Generation

December 5, 2014 by Jordan McCurdy This post first appeared at In These Times. ‘This problem is happening so humanity can come together, rebuild, reconnect, recreate and rebirth a new world.’ When other kids were experiencing the travails of first grade, 6-year-old Xiuhtezcatl Martinez was concerned about threats to the world’s ecosystem. Martinez, now 14, is the youth director of… Read More The 14-Year-Old Voice of the Climate Change Generation

Teachers, Not Gurus

I learn from teachers. I refuse to follow gurus. Modern history is replete with accounts of gurus and spiritual communities that are rife with sexual abuse; drug and alcohol abuse; extreme coercion for financial support; deference to “advanced practitioners”; and devaluation of the devotee so that they become emotionally dependent on the community and the guru. … Read More Teachers, Not Gurus

Rebecca Solnit: The Age of Capitalism is over 

SATURDAY, DEC 27, 2014 01:00 PM AST Rebecca Solnit assesses our poisonous fossil fuel dependency — and why we’re on the verge of a paradigm shift REBECCA SOLNIT, TOMDISPATCH.COM (Credit: Tod Klassy/Shutterstock) This piece originally appeared on TomDispatch. It was the most thrilling bureaucratic document I’ve ever seen for just one reason: it was dated the… Read More Rebecca Solnit: The Age of Capitalism is over 

Catholic Bishops From Every Continent Call For ‘An End To The Fossil Fuel Era

BY JEFF SPROSS POSTED ON DECEMBER 11, 2014 AT 4:45 PM UPDATED: DECEMBER 12, 2014 AT 9:05 AM “Catholic Bishops From Every Continent Call For ‘An End To The Fossil Fuel Era’” Pope Francis and a group of bishops at the Vatican. CREDIT: AP PHOTO / ALESSANDRA TARANTINO A group of Catholic Bishops called on the world’s governments… Read More Catholic Bishops From Every Continent Call For ‘An End To The Fossil Fuel Era

The Original Dharma Bum: Irishman U Dhammaloka

  “A migrant worker from Dublin, Dhammaloka was an autodidact, atheist and temperance campaigner who became known throughout colonial Asia as an implacable critic of Christian missionaries and a tireless transnational organizer of Asian Buddhists from Burma to Japan and from Singapore to Siam.” THE DHARMA BUM: The Untold Story of U Dhammaloka –  The… Read More The Original Dharma Bum: Irishman U Dhammaloka

B. R. Ambedkar: The Annihilation of Caste

“On the other hand, one can say that generally speaking, history bears out the proposition that political revolutions have always been preceded by social and religious revolutions. . . Even Indian history supports the same conclusion. The political revolution led by Chandragupta was preceded by the religious and social revolution of Buddha. The political revolution… Read More B. R. Ambedkar: The Annihilation of Caste

Decarbonize Buddhism: Use Broadband Internet Instead of Flying

Proposal to Use Broadband Internet to Meet with Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche Instead of Air Travel Problem: Air travel is costly, financially and environmentally Current and prospective members of the sangha cannot—or will not—travel by air to attend retreats where they could meet Rinpoche and benefit from speaking with him in person. Many members cannot afford… Read More Decarbonize Buddhism: Use Broadband Internet Instead of Flying