Apramāda

Buddhist perspectives on society and culture

Apramāda

Buddhist perspectives on
society and culture

Buddhism

Smallgalaxy
Vidyaruchi
A multi-faceted exploration of Sangharakshita's understanding of the relationship between Buddhism and science, especially his attempts to contain them both within a single unifying vision of existence.
A Buddhist Utopia
Ratnaguna
The second in a series exploring what the Buddha said about society. In this one we look in detail about how, according to the Buddha, an empire should be ruled.
Gangetic plain
Ratnaguna
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.
Beautiful stone sculpture of quanyin in Japan.
Sangharakshita-face
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.
uko-post-artwork-large-79174
Vidyaruchi
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.
Buddhism and war
Ratnaguna
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
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.
B.R._Ambedkar
Vidyaruchi
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.
Woman holds two fingers or Victory Sign
Vidyaruchi
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.
angry annoyed woman, getting mad asking question you talking to
Ratnaguna
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.
happy-birthday-g3ce996eb1_1920
nagapriya
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.
middle way
Vidyaruchi
The Middle Path is one of the most fundamental doctrines of Buddhism. In a particularly brilliant passage from A Survey of Buddhism, Sangharakshita identifies three 'modalities' through which it operates. Here, Vidyaruchi explores these deep ideas.
budhakingbimbasara
Ratnaguna
Another in our series Thus Have I Heard: Brief Essays on Buddhism, this one explores an apparent contradiction in the Buddha's teaching
Advayacitta
Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about how recognising and transcending various patterns from the past is an important aspect of psychological and spiritual development.
the impartite dharma
Vidyaruchi
An exploration of the crucial twofold distinction of the Dharma into doctrine and method, as found in A Survey of Buddhism and Sangharakshita's later thought.
mole3
Ratnaguna
Another in the series Thus Have I heard, about facing danger, and how we should resist attempts from our risk averse culture to shield us from it.
Harbour
Subhuti
In this second article based on his celebrated 'Eros and Beauty' talks, Subhuti examines the nature of aesthetic experience using the language of 'imagination'.
A Binocular Vision
Vidyaruchi
An examination of Sangharakshita's teaching on the progressive trend within reality, especially as regards its implications for the doctrinal unity of the Buddhist tradition.
pink lotus
Ratnaguna
This is the second in our series Thus Have I Heard: Brief Essays on Buddhism. We aim to keep them short enough to be read in five minutes or less. This one is 4 minutes of unadulterated Dharma.
Cake
Ratnaguna
Apramāda is now one year old. In this editorial, Ratnaguna marks the occasion by discussing why loyalty to the notion of objective truth is crucial for the health of society
ascent of beauty
Subhuti
In this first of two articles based on his celebrated 'Eros and Beauty' talks given in 2014, Subhuti explores the pursuit of beauty as a spiritual path.
Buddha
Guyhavajra
The Buddha brought his spiritual genius to two questions: what is the root of our suffering and how can it be quenched? This short article points us to the Buddha’s discoveries and his prescribed training scheme.
Devamitra
Ratnaguna
Ratnaguna finds much to admire in Devamitra's account of his diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Inspiring, challenging, humorous, and thought-provoking, it's well worth reading, regardless of your health condition or religion.
Hourglass nebula
Vidyaruchi
In this first article in a series on Sangharakshita's magnum opus, A Survey of Buddhism, Vidyaruchi offers a novel interpretation of some of the main ideas found in Chapter One of the book.
Individuals
Ratnaguna
Part 2 of the series Breaking Free of Tribalism and Becoming an Individual
The Buddha
Ratnaguna
This is the first in a new series we're calling Thus Have I Heard: Brief Essays on Buddhism. They should be short enough to be read in five minutes or less!
Tribe
Ratnaguna
The first of a 3 part series Breaking Free of Tribalism and Becoming an Individual. In this one Ratnaguna examines the nature of tribes.
Advayacitta
Ratnaguna and Advayacitta discuss aspects of Buddhism and psychological therapy - their similarities and differences. In particular they explore the topic of 'helpful conversations'.
Arguing with the Buddha
Ratnaguna
In this, the second part of the article, Ratnaguna continues to look at instances from the ancient texts of the Buddha debating, and draws out lessons we can learn from him.
Argument
Ratnaguna
The Buddha was well aware of the dangers and pitfalls of engaging in debates, and he had some interesting observations about how to conduct oneself in a discussion.
Advayacitta
Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about the importance and meaning of music in general, and in particular of the chanting of mantras.
Uncertainty
Ratnaguna
Ratnaguna discusses the vitally important questions of how can we really know anything, and how often are our opinions based on a lack of real knowledge?
The Buddha
Advayacitta
This article is intended for you if you have come to this website as someone who is curious about Buddhism but as yet knows little about it.
Advayacitta
Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about the nature of consciousness, and how this relates to the question of rebirth.

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