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.
16 November 2023
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.
- 16 November 2023
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.
- 24 October 2023
Posted in: Buddhism
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.
- 25 July 2023
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.
- 25 June 2023
Politics
Chapter 13 of The Destructivists by William Collins, in which he explains why 'Wokeism' has become dominant in all centres of power and authority.
- 13 July 2023
Posted in: Politics
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.
- 29 May 2023
Posted in: Politics
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.
- 3 May 2023
Posted in: Politics
Chapter 7 of The Destructivists by William Collins, in which he explains how supposed moral rectitude functions as a form of power.
- 24 February 2023
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.
- 24 December 2022
Ratnaguna explains what a spiritual community is and is not, and makes a case for spiritual communities changing the world for the better.
- 23 October 2022
Posted in: Psychology
Advayacitta, a clinical psychologist, explores how political ideologies can undermine psychological functioning, thereby harming individuals and whole societies.
- 23 September 2021
Cass Sunstein argues that groups, and society, need dissenters to prevent them from making bad decisions
- 16 September 2021
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.
- 13 July 2023
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.
- 6 January 2022
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.
- 13 September 2021
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.
- 10 July 2021
Posted in: Culture
Philosophy
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.
- 30 October 2021
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.
- 6 October 2021
Posted in: Philosophy
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.
- 18 August 2021
Posted in: Philosophy
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.
- 23 June 2021
Posted in: Philosophy
science
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.
- 3 August 2023
In this article Advayacitta describes the process of how he came to alter his opinion about climate change.
- 15 March 2023
Posted in: Science
In this second article on Buddhism and physics, Advayacitta explores an important parallel between Relativity Theory and the Buddhist doctrine of śunyata.
- 26 January 2022
Posted in: Science
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.
- 14 December 2021
Posted in: Science
Buddhism
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.
- 20 September 2023
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.
- 3 May 2023
Posted in: Buddhism
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.
- 23 April 2023
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.
- 23 April 2023
Posted in: Buddhism
Articles
Maitreyabandhu's latest volume of poetry, After Cézanne.
Are black lives 'systematically and intentionally targeted for demise' by the police?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Ratnaguna argues that if someone gives offence you don't have to take it