by Vishvapani | Sep 7, 2013 | Thought for the Day
As my son has his first day at school, here is a reflection on what I hope for from his education. There’s more to learning than knowledge. What does it mean to learn, not just about the world, but how to live well within it Yesterday was my son’s first day at...
by Vishvapani | Aug 31, 2013 | Thought for the Day
What happens when our country faces questions of peace and war – as the UK has this week? What influences our thinking and how can Buddhist teachings help us to make wiser decisions? Thought for the Day 31/8/2013 When the country faces issues of peace and war,...
by Vishvapani | Aug 23, 2013 | Thought for the Day
As the Middle East blazes, what is really worth fighting for? Democracy is the best defence against the tyranny of what Buddhism calls ‘views’. It requires and fosters humility: the uncomfortable knowledge that people are different and that none of us...
by Vishvapani | Aug 2, 2013 | Thought for the Day
The real story about Edward Snowden is not the legal drama or even the should-he-shouldn’t-he whistleblower debate. It’s what we’ve learned from his devastating revelations of state computer surveillance. The ethical framework for secret services should be decided by...
by Vishvapani | Jun 22, 2013 | Thought for the Day
Buddhist mobs have been killing Moslems in Burma. How did we come to this pass and how must Buddhism reform itself? Thought for the Day 22/6/2013 If you look in a newsagent today you’ll see, gazing out from the cover of Time magazine, a Buddhist monk dressed in the...
by Vishvapani | Jun 14, 2013 | Buddha, Thought for the Day
As Buddhists celebrated Wesak, Vishvapani reflected on the continuing relevance of the Buddha. ‘Standing apart from political struggles he offered a distinctive outlook on their causes …’ A few hours ago we passed the May full moon. Most of us barely...
