What did the Buddha look like? And why does it matter? At the Rediscovering the Buddha Seminar in Bangkok Vishvapani joined leading scholars to advise a Thai artist on the Buddha’s appearance. 23-28 November 2017 I have just returned from Bangkok, where...
As Buddhists mark the Buddha’s Enlightenment, Vishvapani asks, what is his significance today? Thought for the Day 14/5/2014 Listen This week Buddhists around the world celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment in the festival of Wesak or Buddha Day. Buddhists...
Zen at War revealed to people in the West the extent of Buddhist collusion with the Japanese War Effort in WW2. This article explores the issues that raised with the book’s author, Brian Victoria by Vishvapani When dawn broke over Pearl Harbour on 7 December...
Two rival candidates currently claim the position of Karmapa, leader of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The controversy has split the school and prompted a flurry of books describing the conflict. But what is really going on in this dispute, and why have...
As Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the UK parliament here’s a reflection on her political philosophy which emphasises the moral qualities and good sense rather than force or strategy Weekend Word Talk, BBC Radio Wales 22/6/2012 She’s small and seems rather frail, but...
Ten years ago I travelled to Delhi and found myself caught in the confusion, strong emotions and intense politics of a mass conversion to Buddhism among India’s dalit community. It was the day before the mass conversion, which Ram Raj promised million people...
