Author: Reflections on Buddhism

Reflections on Buddhism The Unexpected Gifts of Impermanence Play Episode Pause Episode...

Reflections on Buddhism Off the cushion and into the streets: the impact of Buddhism on our daily...

Buddhism is a rich philosophical tradition, but also survived for hundreds of years in Asian countries with cultures very different from those in the countries to which Buddhism has been introduced in the last 100 years, the so-called West. What are some of the challenges in this process of transplantation, and how do we separate the philosophy and practices from the cultural overlay that often accompanies them? We will discuss the evolution of Buddhism in modern times and cultures, and the benefits and the pitfalls of this transformation.

This episode was conceived and recorded in the wake of the devastating wildfires that were still burning in California and other parts of the West during the late summer of 2020. We discuss the climate crisis and the role of Buddhist practitioners and the relevance of Buddhist philosophy in meeting this challenge.