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 ...

Yesterday was the final chance to submit public comments to the White House in hopes of changing the President's mind on the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Now, the executive decision to continue or discontinue construction of the pipeline rests in Obama's hands.  But he is not the only one who will decide how events unfold. Between Idle No More, the Native Resistance Network, Indigenous Environmental Network, Grea ...

A monk asked Yun Men, “What are the teachings of a whole lifetime?” Yun Men said, “An appropriate response.” The Compassionate Earth Walk traces the Keystone XL route through the Great Plains. The ancient practice of pilgrimage responds to present and future environmental catastrophe, focusing on its causes in our own culture. We walk as a blessing to the earth and to those we meet, and as a prayer for all ...

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 ...

On this 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, folks in my Facebook feed are reflecting on the inspiring actions they participated in to resist war. Former BPF staffer, Maia Duerr, participated in nonviolent civil disobedience to shut down Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, MA. She reflects on the liberation available in laying aside our ego in the service of a larger cause: By the time we got to the e ...

Where are Burma's reforms going? What can you do to help? Since last year, the U.S. has been warming up its relationship with Burma and lifting the sanctions in recognition of the ongoing reforms. President Obama paid a historic visit to the country last November. However, there are serious challenges and concerns as the military and their cronies are still firmly in control of the country's political and e ...

As BPFer Taigen Dan Leighton mentioned in his climate change rally reportback, the decision to approve or stop the Keystone XL pipeline's construction on US soil rests entirely in the hands of one person: President Obama.  Congress does not have a say.  But perhaps we, the people in the US, do. That is, if we're willing to take some risks and make some sacrifices. As the fateful Executive choice approaches, ...

As dedicated peacemakers, we know that racism obstructs and poisons the justice and peace we hope to manifest in our world.  Racism as expressed through the criminal justice system poses a clear and present danger to the well-being of black, Latin@, Muslim, indigenous, gender-nonconforming, and other targeted groups in the US.  Continuing our conversation of last week, about the ways that police do and don' ...

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 ...

The letter that follows is self-explanatory. Last October I sent it to Mr. George three different ways – to two email accounts and by post to his office. Unfortunately, he has not responded, so after some deliberation I’ve decided to express my concerns publicly. I want to emphasize that the issue is not personal: that is, I’m not attacking Mr. George himself, who (according to what I’ve read and heard abou ...