Here it is: the second installment of our year-long curriculum for Buddhist activists. Take a look inside for: An exclusive practice offering video by Rev. Keiryu Lien Shutt Political cartoons, Cultural Appropriation Bingo, and other helpful supplementary texts Our favorite pieces from April's Turning Wheel Media, with discussion questions to help us dig in more deeply An introduction to the audio recording ...

(Warning: graphic images. Photo credits Dr Samira Alani/Al Jazeera.) As Buddhists engaged in the political realm, we try to remain open yet solid.  "Not Turning Away."  In describing her teacher in the Zen tradition, one of our BPF Board members writes, "What inspires me most is his imperturbability.  He feels deeply, yet is not shocked or rattled off center." At 4 a.m. this morning, I was, I confess, leani ...

Since BPF's inception in 1978, the mandala of socially engaged Buddhism has blossomed. Today's landscape of political Buddhism is rich and varied: Buddhists are working on global warming, mindfulness in prisons, organizing for freedom against colonial powers, ending global hunger, building an inclusive, social justice-oriented sangha, and accompanying Peace Communities in war-torn Colombia, among so many ot ...

It's here!  Volume 1 of The System Stinks curriculum.  Featuring discussion questions for selected media that we've featured here on Turning Wheel over the past month, plus two "classic texts" from Andrea Smith and Arundhati Roy, and practices you can do at home. After the richness of last night's phone call with Tendor and Joshua Eaton (recording and transcript forthcoming — thanks in advance to our awesom ...

A lie I deal with: That “limited regulated releases” of radiation are safe. The BEIR report (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) shows that there is no lower limit on radiation exposure that does not carry a negative health effect. All exposures to radiation, including medical and dental exposures, and natural background exposures, carry an epidemiological risk. Cumulatively they combine with other en ...

BPFers in Washington (state) are gearing up to join what's being billed as the largest climate rally in US history: arguably a challenge to the empire-building lie that climate change is a back-burner issue that will somehow sort itself out.  There are probably more of you out there planning whip up a protest sign on February 17th, or even participating in some of the organizing where you live.  (Sounds lik ...

We're so excited to talk about the Lies that Build Empire during February — starting on Monday with a loving and politicized letter to a beloved jambolan tree. For you media makers out there who feel inspired to write something for our next theme, here's the next call for submissions! In the second theme for The System Stinks, we’re taking a look at systemic theft. How do we live within the precept “I will ...

Calling All Political Buddhist Visual Artists! We want to feature your breathtaking work on the five covers of our 2013 PDF series for The System Stinks. Illustrators, graf artists, graphic designers, doodlers, painters, wood block printers, calligraphers, photographers, collagists: all are welcome! We are able to offer a humble stipend of $25 per cover — though we know that artwork is in some ways priceles ...

Calling all media makers:  we'll soon be kicking off BPF's 2013 series, The System Stinks, and we need your help to make it happen!  First up on the year's list of themes: The Lies That Build Empire Observation shows us how lies cause suffering in our own lives.  And some of the lies we encounter are those entrenched in systems, power structures, laws, norms, and language. If you work hard enough, you can b ...

On Monday, Hurricane Sandy decimated New York City along with large parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and many flood victims are still waiting to be rescued. The MTA is New York City is shut down indefinitely and many in lower Manhattan still cannot go home. Some 6.5 million people are still without power across the Northeast. So far we know of about 59 casualties i ...