Two more must-reads on Buddhism and Aaron Alexis/the Navy Yard Shooting

Last updated on: September 23, 2013 at 1:04 pm By Justin Whitaker

As with any human tragedy of this kind, there are countless angles or perspectives from which to view and discuss the shootings earlier this week. In this post and the next I’ll highlight four that I found particularly useful. The first two draw our attention to our religious stereotyping of both Buddhism and Islam: Navy Yard shooting puts Buddhism in spotlight: Column by Stephen Prothero. Prothero is a professor in Boston University’s religion department and author of several books on religion... Read more

Tegan and Sara “Closer” with Dogs (including Pug)

Last updated on: September 20, 2013 at 9:44 am By Justin Whitaker

This has nothing to do with Buddhism or any of the serious posts of late. But, part of samsara is the moments when we can sit back and enjoy the cute, the frivolous, and the perfect artistry to be found in our shared human and animal realms: Tegan and Sara + dogs (especially the Pug). While the Buddha taught that all such things are, ultimately, dukkha, I’m perfectly happy to take a pause and just enjoy… Read more

Mea culpa? On “Buddhist Terrorist?” and Reactions

Last updated on: September 19, 2013 at 11:50 am By Justin Whitaker

In blogging, as in academia, and in life, one of the great things we have is the opportunity to have our mistakes pointed out to us and the ability to try to make them right. So, about that last post… Buddhist Terrorist? First, I should say that the post came together over an 18 or so hour timeline, which is common enough for blog posts. But because our understanding of the situation changed slightly in those hours, the post ended... Read more

The First American Buddhist Terrorist?

Last updated on: September 19, 2013 at 11:53 am By Justin Whitaker

Thirteen people are dead as of this writing. Our understanding of what happened is still unfolding (including an NPR story stating that this was not deemed an act of terrorism), but one twist in yesterday’s events revolves around shooter Aaron Alexis’s religion, which turns out to be Buddhist. As Buddhism has spread in the West, it has put forth and maintained an image of being a peaceful religion. This is a myth that still holds fast among many, if not... Read more

Kenneth Folk vs the Speculative Non-Buddhists

Last updated on: September 16, 2013 at 10:51 am By Justin Whitaker

As Western Buddhism has grown in the last 50 years, and especially with the proliferation of discussion on the internet in the last 5-10 years, there has been a growing niche of satire and criticism of its dominant modes of discourse. Today two prominent sources of criticism are Glenn Wallis’s Speculative Non-Buddhism and Tutteji Wachtmeister’s (aka Tutteji Dai Osho) Tutteji.org. The former focuses on serious, Western philosophical criticisms of major trends and individuals in Western Buddhism while the latter uses... Read more

The hateful rhetoric of the “anti-war” left toward Syria

Last updated on: September 13, 2013 at 4:24 pm By Justin Whitaker

I should begin with a disclaimer or two. First, I typically am a proud member of the “anti-war” left in American politics. In 2001 I co-organized a Peace Concert – that’s right a Peace Concert – in response to the 9/11 attacks and G.W. Bush’s war-drum response. In 2003 I was one of the many millions who gathered around the world to protest yet another Bush and Co. war. But Syria might be a much clearer-cut case for some sort of... Read more

Three great Buddhist projects deserving your support

Last updated on: September 12, 2013 at 8:09 pm By Justin Whitaker

“The practice of giving is universally recognized as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one’s humanity and one’s capacity for self-transcendence,” writes Bhikkhu Bodhi in his essay introducing a Wheel publication devoted to generosity in Buddhist practice. There are countless ways you can practice generosity each day, from simply giving some time to a friend or stranger in need, giving comfort, giving consolation, giving respect and recognition, sharing knowledge counts, especially... Read more

Islamophobic 969 Movement Faces Prohibition in Burma

Last updated on: September 11, 2013 at 8:42 am By Justin Whitaker

It appears that the much maligned “Buddhist Terrorist” organisation known mostly for its charismatic leader U Wirathu and its use of the 969-logo (referring to the 9 attributes of the Buddha, 6 of the Dharma, and 9 of the Sangha) may be on the way out in Burma. According to the Irrawaddy, in a directive dated to August 14, the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (SSMNC),a government oversight committee composed of high ranking monks ruled that the 969 movement’s teachings do... Read more

Community Organizing

Last updated on: September 3, 2013 at 1:41 am By Justin Whitaker

Sometimes the events in the news get to be too much. I have been torn recently between my sympathies for my Syrian housemate and the many cries for help from that country and the views of my mostly-pacifist-American base of friends and colleagues. I am tempted to retreat – and in fact I must retreat sometimes just to do the work I must do: teaching, reading, writing, all of which becomes a struggle, and evermore a seemingly small struggle in... Read more

In Syria, no bombing for now – at least from the outside

Last updated on: September 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm By Justin Whitaker

Like many of you, I am relieved to hear President Obama’s decision to wait for Congressional approval before attacking Syria. First, it respects the international rule of law Second, it respects the will of the American people Third, it gives time for possible coalition building or peace negotiations with Assad On the first point, this highlights the importance of the UN, even in the face of vetoes by a recalcitrant Russia and China. Britain’s House of Commons recently voted narrowly... Read more