Belonging & Identity
There are jobs in the South East, but the regions and deprived areas are losing out as the recession bites. But people South Wales where I live have a sense of identity and belonging that can't just be transplanted. Thought for the Day 24/12/2012
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Buddhism’s Happiness Agenda
The UK government intends to shape its policies according to what promotes happiness and wellbeing. But what is happiness, and what are the factors, according to Buddhism, that develop it? Thought for the Day 17th January 2012
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The Dharma of Dickens
Dickens' moral vision mirrors the Buddhist teaching of karma: every character is a moral actor, whether they know it or now, inhabiting a fictional world that is imbued with a meaning and where every action has significance.
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The Book of Enlightened Masters
The Book of Enlightened Masters is a fascinating guide to the westerners who have become teachers in Eastern traditions. Book review by Vishvapani
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Legend & History in the Buddha’s Life
Here's Part 1 of an email interview with Will Buckingham of the ThinkBuddha blog about my book, Gautama Buddha: the Life & Teachings of the Awakened One. It explores why I wrote the book and how I approached the distinction between legend and history in the Buddha's life
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Learning from Ladakh: A Meeting with Helena Norberg Hodge
Helena Norberg Hodge saw the ill-effects of western-style development on the Himalayan Buddhist region, Ladakh. She has spent many years supporting sustainable development in Ladakh and reflecting on what development really means. I met her in Devon to talk about her work, her book 'Ancient Futures' and Ladakh's lessons for the West
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The Future of Buddhism in the West
Forces at work in Buddhism today offer hints of the future for Buddhism in western countries and its influence on society
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Guru Trouble
Wise men, eccentrics, geniuses and charlatans. Gurus have featured large as Buddhism has come the West. What should we make of them? Reviews of Madame Blavatsky's Baboon: Theosophy and the Emergence of the Western Guru by Peter Washington; Riding the Tiger by Lama Ole Nydahl; Zen In America by Helen Tworkov
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Most Recent Articles
About Wise Attention
Welcome to Wise Attention: exploring what it means to practice Buddhism, mindfulness and ethics in the modern world. There are reviews, talks, broadcasts, interviews and reflections on the arts and current events as well as background material to my book on the Buddha and the opportunity to learn mindfulness. I'd love to hear your comments
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Belonging & Identity
There are jobs in the South East, but the regions and deprived areas are losing out as the recession bites. But people South Wales where I live have a sense of identity and belonging that can't just be transplanted. Thought for the Day 24/12/2012
Read More
Buddhism’s Happiness Agenda
The UK government intends to shape its policies according to what promotes happiness and wellbeing. But what is happiness, and what are the factors, according to Buddhism, that develop it? Thought for the Day 17th January 2012
Read More
Gautama Buddha: paperback and new website
Gautama Buddha: the Life and Teachings of the Awakened One is now out in paperback, published by Quercus at £8.99. There's also a new website for the book including all the reviews, talks, interviews and articles associated with it
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The Dharma of Dickens
Dickens' moral vision mirrors the Buddhist teaching of karma: every character is a moral actor, whether they know it or now, inhabiting a fictional world that is imbued with a meaning and where every action has significance.
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A Moment
How does beauty happen? A glimpse of an old woman sitting in a cafe is an extraordinary moment on an ordinary day.
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The Book of Enlightened Masters
The Book of Enlightened Masters is a fascinating guide to the westerners who have become teachers in Eastern traditions. Book review by Vishvapani
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Breathe in … and see impermanence
We can see the greatest truths of existence in the smallest details. Take the breath ...
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People power is the real deterrent
The UK is reviewing its spending on nuclear weapons. But if our nuclear policy undermines civil society, it makes us less secure. A Thought for the Day broadcast
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Review in the AREIAC Newsletter
"Excellent ... thorough, carefully researched and well-written ... A very readable and impressive account of one of the world’s most important religious leaders." Paul Hopkins reviews "Gautama Buddha" for the Association of Religious Education Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants: AREIAC Newsletter, Autumn, 2011
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What the Buddha means … for me & the world
Reflections on the experience of writing Gautama Buddha: the Life & Teachings of the Awakened One, and the continuing relevance - and continuing misinterpretations of the Buddha. Part 3 of an email interview with Will Buckingham on the ThinkBuddha blog
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The Buddha, Nature & Politics
In the second part of this interview with Will Buckingham on the ThinkBuddha blog, we discuss the place of nature in the Buddha's life, his relationship with politics and the modern resonance of these subjects
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Legend & History in the Buddha’s Life
Here's Part 1 of an email interview with Will Buckingham of the ThinkBuddha blog about my book, Gautama Buddha: the Life & Teachings of the Awakened One. It explores why I wrote the book and how I approached the distinction between legend and history in the Buddha's life
Read More
‘Challenging Times’: an Interview
Interview with Vishvapani on the book he edited: Challenging Times: Stories of Buddhist Practice When Things Get Tough
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Hungary’s Gypsy Buddhists & Religious Discrimination
Hungary's Gypsy Buddhists are under attack, along with other minority religious groups, from the country's far-right Catholic-supporting government
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Rugby Values
Welsh rugby is ascendent, English rugby's in the doghouse. This talk on BBC Radio Wales teases out the underlying values this reveals
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Learning from Ladakh: A Meeting with Helena Norberg Hodge
Helena Norberg Hodge saw the ill-effects of western-style development on the Himalayan Buddhist region, Ladakh. She has spent many years supporting sustainable development in Ladakh and reflecting on what development really means. I met her in Devon to talk about her work, her book 'Ancient Futures' and Ladakh's lessons for the West
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Secular Buddhist Reviews ‘Gautama Buddha’
This review of 'Gautama Buddha', my biography of the Buddha by Stephen Schettini appears on the website of the Secular Buddhist Association. "Vishvapani Blomfield’s Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One is one of a new breed of Buddha biographies..."
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Mindfulness in Action – new website
I've made a new website for my mindfulness training work at www.mindfulnessinaction.co.uk. It includes details of my courses, workshops and distance learning, as well as background material on MBSR and how it helps. There are media pieces and videos. Check it out and let me know what you think.
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Trouble in the Sangha: the Quarrel at Kausambi
When the monks of Kausambi started feuding, the Buddha told them that responding with loving kindness was more important than who was right. This talk explores Sangha, or spiritual community and the practice of facing its difficulties
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The Future of Buddhism in the West
Forces at work in Buddhism today offer hints of the future for Buddhism in western countries and its influence on society
Read MoreVishvapani
I’m a writer and teacher of Buddhism, mindfulness & meditation based in Cardiff. My biography of the Buddha is just out. 