How to practice Buddhism as a humanist spirituality and not a religion: There are no do’s and dont’s. Dharma, not dogma. Nothing about the dharma is settled, everything is open to debate and re-interpretation according to the times and circumstances. There are no absolutes; dharma is to be interpreted within the context of the human experience.… Read More How to Practice Buddhism as a Humanist Spirituality: Part 3

It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied together into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality . . . Before you finish… Read More Buddhism as a Humanist Spirituality: Everything is Connected

What follows is the outline of a manifesto on engaged Buddhism as a humanist spirituality. There are several basic dharma concepts, broad areas of study and practice, that make up the Navayana, or “the New Vehicle.” Non-self nature (anatta) as interbeing, interdependence, self-as-process; socially constructed self. Interdependence and connection (pratityasamutpada) Mutual causality, co-generation (pratityasamutpada) Impermanence as process,… Read More Buddhism as a Humanist Spirituality: Part 2: Towards a Buddhist Humanist Manifesto

I am beginning a series that will incorporate both text and images, and even sound, all related to understanding Buddhism as a humanist spirituality. This will be published in three posts, to limit the size of each post. I arrived at this place because I have discovered a new way to practice Buddhism in North America. When… Read More Buddhism as a Humanist Spirituality: Part 1

  In this book, I have been outlining what could be called a kind of humanist spirituality. Of course, I am drawing on what I have learned from Buddhist teachings. Yet everything I have been saying is a logical consequence of the interdependence that binds us to others and to the planet. You could come… Read More Buddhism as a Humanist Spirituality

Dr. Ann Gleig, Professor of Religious Studies in the Philosophy Department at Central Florida University, read my article, “Neo-Liberal Buddhism” and posed some very challenging questions. This blog post is a somewhat long and rambling reply that will be reorganized and eventually become a chapter in an upcoming book. Dr. Gleig’s questions and comments are… Read More The New Brahmins: A Response to Critiques of “Neo-Liberal Buddhism”

The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism:  Its Fundamentals & History by Dudjom Rinpoche, Jikdrel Yeshe Dorje, page 900