Any philosopher’s argument which does not therapeutically treat human suffering is worthless; for just as there is no...
Early Buddhism and Epicureanism
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Latest news from the College
Find out more about what’s happening at the college, read exclusive interviews and thought pieces from our teachers and get the inside scoop on our courses.
Suggested summer reading from the faculty
Hoping to spend time reading in the sunshine this summer? Here are some recent book recommendations from our faculty (scroll down for German suggestions): Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro: The Island: An Anthology of the Buddha’s Teachings of Nibbana, available for free distribution through Abhayagiri Monastary: www.abhayagiri.org, 2009 This is an anthology of the Buddha’s teachings on Nibbana […]
Secular Dharma by Stephen Batchelor
“Secular Dharma” is the name of a two-year modular course taught at Bodhi College that I teach with Martine Batchelor, Renate Seifarth and Jenny Wilks. In February this year, we began the second of these courses with twenty-three students from Europe, America and Indonesia. But what does “Secular Dharma” mean? And how, if at all, does it differ from what is taught on other courses at Bodhi College?
When ‘to do lists’ meet the meditation hall – my experience bridging the gap
Marjan shares her experience of coordinating the first module of Bodhi College’s Committed Practitioners Programme (CPP) in the Netherlands in March 2018. By Marjan Ossebard, Committed Practitioners Programme (CPP) Module 1 Coordinator So, there I was. The first time in my life to attend a retreat or course, not only as a participant, but also […]
Māra: The Genesis of an Opera
by Stephen Batchelor My interest in Māra – the Buddhist equivalent of Satan in the Abrahamic religions – began after the publication of Buddhism without Beliefs in 1997. The success of that book led to my being offered a contract by my publisher to write a sequel on any related topic of my choice. After […]
Boundless Heart by Christina Feldman
Reflections on the four noble truths
by Jake Dartington The four noble (or ennobling) truths have always been a central to my understanding of Dharma practice. However, over the years, my interpretation of the truths has changed many times. While at first sight they feel very simple, as we reflect on them more deeply subtleties begin to emerge. I find it […]
Practice in Action – a Trustee’s Perspective
by Sean Williams How does one pursue a practice that asks you to let go in a world that demands you to hold on? It’s been a constant challenge for me. I have been developing my practice for about ten years. For nearly all that time, I have worked as a senior executive in a […]
Forget about being a Buddhist. Be a human.
By Ken McLeod Over the last few weeks, I’ve received a few emails with questions about a Buddhist response to the 2016 election. Here is one: What does Buddhism have to say about how to respond to the behavior and rhetoric of Donald Trump? And just as important, what does it say about how to […]
A Word from the Board – Spring 2017
by Brigitte Huber-Jordi, Herrliberg Sitting in the middle of Europe in pre-spring Switzerland I am happy to share some information with you about the Bodhi College. As you may know, BC – as an educational charity – is governed by a board of trustees. The Board presently consists of Richard Fernyhough (chair, GB), Gary Born (GB), […]
The Facebook Sutta (SN 57.1)
by Bernat Font Thus have I imagined. At one time, the Fortunate One was staying in Silicon Valley. There, he addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus.” “Venerable sir,” they replied. “These things should not be cultivated with regards to Facebook by one gone forth. Which things? Thoughts of greed, thoughts of aversion, ignorance of filter bubbles. […]
A Buddhist Brexit – A Response
by Michael Hoey I am grateful to Stephen for the opportunity to respond to his Tricycle article on the UK ‘Brexit’ referendum, now that it has been translated for Buddhismus Aktuell . I would like here firstly to outline some of the reasons why a British Buddhist like me might make a principled case in favour […]