Apramāda

Buddhist perspectives on society and culture

Apramāda

Buddhist perspectives on
society and culture

A commentary on the seven principles the Buddha gave to the Vajjika League, saying that, if followed, would prevent its decline and assure its growth and prosperity.
Ratnaguna
16 November 2023
Posted in: Buddhism, Politics

Latest Articles

Advayacitta interviews Ratnaguna on the importance of individuality, especially in this moment of political polarisation, identity politics, and intolerance of views other than one's own.
Ratnaguna
Beautiful stone sculpture of quanyin in Japan.
Urgyen Sangharakshita explores the idea that ethical actions are not only good, but also beautiful, and so consequently, an ethical life is a beautiful life.
Sangharakshita-face
Posted in: Buddhism
Buddhism and war
When a tyrannous regime invades a peaceful country, what is the most ethical course of action for the rulers of that country? Ratnaguna reflects on the moral dilemma such a situation would present to Buddhists.
Ratnaguna
Posted in: Buddhism, Culture
B.R._Ambedkar
Dr Ambedkar was a unique figure in world history. Buddhists seeking to promote 'Social Justice' causes have been known to cite him as a precedent. But is this justified? Vidyaruchi investigates.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Buddhism, Politics

Politics

Homeless
Chapter 13 of The Destructivists by William Collins, in which he explains why 'Wokeism' has become dominant in all centres of power and authority.
Rick Bradford
Posted in: Politics
un assembley
Chapter 10 of The Destructivists by William Collins, in which he explains why the 'elites' - the privileged, the established, the influential, the powerful - have most to gain from the imposed Moral Infantilism of society.
Rick Bradford
Posted in: Politics
Wolf2
Calls for 'Social Justice' seem to be getting shriller, and the demands made in its name stranger. Vidyaruchi explains what the terms have come to mean, where the ideas underlying their current use originated, and why they are so dangerous.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Politics
moralinfant
Chapter 7 of The Destructivists by William Collins, in which he explains how supposed moral rectitude functions as a form of power.
Rick Bradford
Posted in: Politics

Psychology

Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about how recognising and transcending various patterns from the past is an important aspect of psychological and spiritual development.
Advayacitta
Posted in: Buddhism, Psychology
selwa
Ratnaguna explains what a spiritual community is and is not, and makes a case for spiritual communities changing the world for the better.
Ratnaguna
Posted in: Psychology
Head in Hands
Advayacitta, a clinical psychologist, explores how political ideologies can undermine psychological functioning, thereby harming individuals and whole societies.
Advayacitta
Posted in: Politics, Psychology
Conformity
Cass Sunstein argues that groups, and society, need dissenters to prevent them from making bad decisions
Ratnaguna
Posted in: Psychology

Culture

Chintamani has been creating Buddhist images for Western Buddhists for 50 years. Ratnaguna asks him about his approach to this and, looking at seven of his paintings and sculptures, how his work has evolved.
Ratnaguna
Posted in: Buddhism, Culture
Road to somewhere
In this very stimulating interview Thomas Hamilton-Shaw talks about two books by David Goodhart: The Road to Somewhere and Head Hand Heart. Tom is a friend of David and was his research assistant for the second book.
Hamilton-Shaw
Posted in: Culture
Ratnaguna asks guitarist Nick Gauntlett about his love of progressive rock music, and what it has to do with his Dharma practice. We also hear some of the music he has recorded, including a song he wrote as part of a concept album on the Buddha.
Nick
Posted in: Culture
Maitreyabandhu is an award-winning poet, and in this illuminating interview he tells Ratnaguna about his latest volume of poetry, After Cézanne.
Maitreyabandhu
Posted in: Culture

Philosophy

Popper-3
Vidyaruchi considers the limitations of Popper's political thought, and argues that the liberalism that he espoused needs a framework of higher values such as is found in Buddhism.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Philosophy, Politics
In this interview - the first in the new series Books Worth Reading - Ratnaguna interviews Jñanavaca on The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist, and finds out why he thinks it is a book well worth reading.
Jnanavaca
Posted in: Philosophy
The Lovers Whirlwind
An account of Popper's thinking on politics, including his critique of 'historicism', his demolition of Marxism, and his own theory of how to bring about social change.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Philosophy
Popper
Karl Popper is arguably one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th century. Here, Vidyaruchi considers his theory of scientific method, and attempts to formulate a Buddhist response.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Philosophy

science

mushroom cloud
Advayacitta begins to explore the history of climate change politics. He investigates the cultural context within which preoccupation with global warming developed. It was a context notable for its intense fear of disasters.
Advayacitta
Posted in: Politics, Science
sun over trees
In this article Advayacitta describes the process of how he came to alter his opinion about climate change.
Advayacitta
Posted in: Science
Einstein
In this second article on Buddhism and physics, Advayacitta explores an important parallel between Relativity Theory and the Buddhist doctrine of śunyata.
Advayacitta
Posted in: Science
A Burning House?
In ‘The Burning House’, a Buddhist shares his Dharma insights, promising practical resources for those moved to respond to a perceived climate emergency. This review explores the author’s depiction of the problem, and his solutions.
Achara
Posted in: Science

Buddhism

uko-post-artwork-large-79174
An exploration of the principles of an authentic social justice movement, beginning with the need for the exercise of reason and an agreement between narrative and fact.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Buddhism, Politics
Woman holds two fingers or Victory Sign
A message from the editorial board on the occasion of Apramada's second anniversary, explaining something of what motivated us to start a new online publication, and what we hope to achieve.
Vidyaruchi
Posted in: Buddhism
angry annoyed woman, getting mad asking question you talking to
Ratnaguna discusses the rise of offence-taking in our culture and argues that, just because someone gives offence, doesn't mean you have to take it.
Ratnaguna
Posted in: Buddhism, Politics
happy-birthday-g3ce996eb1_1920
An extract from Nagapriya's book The Promise of a Sacred World, in which he argues that cultivating a sense of gratitude for all we've received is transformative.
nagapriya
Posted in: Buddhism

Articles

Maitreyabandhu's latest volume of poetry, After Cézanne.
Are black lives 'systematically and intentionally targeted for demise' by the police?
The parallel between Relativity Theory and śunyata.
What is ‘racial equality’? What should Buddhists make of it?
Cass Sunstein argues that groups, and society, need dissenters to prevent them from making bad decisions.
When a tyrannous regime invades a peaceful country, what is the most ethical course of action?
Ratnaguna looks at instances from ancient texts of the Buddha debating, and draws out lessons that we can learn from him.
Subhuti explores the pursuit of beauty as a spiritual path. Part 1 of 2 parts.
Vidyaruchi explores what 'Social Justice' has come to mean.
A conversation on the series 'A Good Heart is not enough'.
The first article in a series on Sangharakshita's magnum opus A Survey of Buddhism.
The importance of Buddhists transcending political ideologies.
Ratnaguna and Advayacitta discuss aspects of Buddhism and psychological therapy - their similarities and differences.
In this short but powerful piece Nagapriya argues that gratitude is transformative.
Jñanavaca on The Master and His Emissary.
Advayacitta begins to explore interesting parallels between two core Buddhist principles, and modern physics.
Ratnaguna marks Apramda’s first year by discussing why the objective truth is crucial for the health of society
Another short Dharma essay, Gotama, Mole, and the Wild Wood.
This is the first in a new series we're calling Thus Have I Heard: Brief Essays on Buddhism.
In this second article based on his celebrated 'Eros and Beauty' talks, Subhuti examines the nature of aesthetic experience.
How can we really know anything, and how often are our opinions based on a lack of real knowledge?
Part 2 of Achara's series on wise policy making.
Silavadin discusses the materialist view of evolution and, following the philosopher Thomas Nagel.
A Buddhist response to Karl Popper’s theory of scientific method.
In this article Ratnaguna makes a case for spiritual communities changing the world for the better.
An investigation into truth, delusion, justice and race in the USA.
Ratnaguna asks Chintamini about his approach to creating Buddhist images for Western Buddhists
The second part of Vidyaruchi's series on A Survey of Buddhism.
Part 3 of Achara's series on wise policy making.
Aryajit interviews Ratnaguna on Walking with the Wind by the Civil Rights activist John Lewis
Thomas Hamilton-Shaw talks about two books: The Road to Somewhere and Head Hand Head Hand Heart.
In this article - the first of a three part series - Ratnaguna examines the nature of tribe.
Part 2 of the series Breaking Free of Tribalism and Becoming an Individual.
Apramāda has been accused of trying to 'delegitimize and derail racial justice work'.
The powerful have most to gain from the imposed Moral Infantilism of society
Devamitra's account of his treatment of prostate cancer. Inspiring, and thought-provoking.
This review explores ‘The Burning House’, a response to a perceived climate emergency.
Advayacitta begins to explore climate change politics, looking at the cultural context in which fears about climate developed
The Buddha was aware of the dangers of engaging in debates, and he had some observations about how to conduct discussions.
Sravaniya says why he thinks classical music is important.
Chapter 13 of The Destructivists by William Collins
A commentary on the seven principles the Buddha gave to the Vajjika League
Whole societies can split into mutually unintelligible ‘tribes’.
Advayacitta interviewed about the importance and meaning of music in general, and in particular of the chanting of mantras.
Is unconscious bias training free from bias?
What is the root of our suffering and how can it be quenched? What did the Buddha discover?
Urgyen Sangharakshita explores the idea that ethical actions are not only good, but also beautiful
Political ideologies can undermine psychological functioning.
Advayacitta explores how decision making in health care has been increasingly taken away from clinicians and their patients
Moral rectitude functions as a form of power.
Vidyaruchi argues Popper's political thought needs a framework of higher values such as is found in Buddhism.
Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class
Vidyaruchi examines Popper's thinking on politics, his critique of 'historicism' and his demolition of Marxism.
Subhamati takes a closer look at Stephen Batchelor's Tricycle article on Brexit.
This article is intended for those who are curious about Buddhism but as yet knows little about it.
Advayacitta describes the process of how he came to alter his opinion about climate change.
Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about the nature of consciousness, and how this relates to the question of rebirth.
Part 1 of Achara's series on wise policy making.
If you are a Buddhist, are you bound to be a Remainer?
Ratnaguna argues that if someone gives offence you don't have to take it

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