Burmese monks promoting peaceful initiatives to quell tensions (Updated)

Among the many unsavory details of the occasionally violent, decade-long conflict between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya, now beginning to spread beyond Burma’s western Rakhine state, is the involvement of so-called “nationalist monks” in fomenting anti-Muslim bigotry and even directly inciting the violence. Some of these monks have organized around the “969 campaign” (the name derives from a particular way to categorize the qualities of the Three Jewels — Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha — and is supposed to indicate the “pure following” of these). Originally pushing an initiative to encourage Buddhists to boycott Muslim businesses, the “969 monks” made the news again last week, after a conference at which they issued a call for the Burmese government to implement a law to restrict Buddhist women from marrying Muslim men. 

But welcome news emerged from Burma, over the past week, that the greater majority of the country’s revered ordained sangha are vigorously promoting peaceful initiatives to quell the ethnic tensions and engaging in hands-on actions of compassionate charity. Read More »

How do Shin Buddhists express the dharma through music? Lend your voice

Genine Lentine’s “Found Dharma Talks” to be first release from Missing Links Press

On June 21 — the eve of the Summer Solstice — the new Missing Links Press will formally launch itself as a book publishing entity with a reading from its first release, Found Dharma Talks, by poet (and not-infrequent Buddhadharma and Shambhala Sun contributor) Genine Lentine.

The event will take place at the San Francisco Center for the Book, at 375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Our congrats to both author and publisher.

For more from Genine, see her Buddhadharma piece, “I Kinda Vow.” Or, her Shambhala Sun piece, “I’m Loving It.”

Linda Spink named Insight Meditation Society’s new Executive Director

In a new message to the Insight Meditation Society community, Linda Spink — who was recently named IMS’s new Executive Director — introduces herself:

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Boundless Way Zen sangha opens on Massachusetts’ South Shore

There is a new addition to the rapidly growing Boundless Way Zen community. The sangha is welcoming a new affiliate group, called Bright Sea Zen, located in North Weymouth, Massachusetts.

The center’s practice leader is Kate Hartland, a student of Zen starting in the 1970s. She first trained with Philip Kapleau at the Rochester Zen Center, and later with Toni Packer at the Springwater Center, before coming to Boston and Boundless Way Zen. Her primary teacher is Josh Bartok of the Greater Boston Zen Center. She is a Senior Dharma Teacher within the Boundless Way Zen community, and is on the board of directors at the Greater Boston Zen Center.

Visit the Bright Sea Zen online here.

What are the best Buddhist books of the year (so far)?

Looking for a great Buddhist book to dive into this summer? Our Book Review editor shares his picks for the Best Buddhist Books of the year — so far.

First in a series; click here to read.