Ask Whether It Works, Not Whether It’s True
The ability of religious social practices to serve their purposes does not depend on their myths being literally true, or even believed.
Secular Buddhism
IdeasMagazine | Books, Reviews
An Unconvincing Case Against Secular Buddhism
An anthology of critical essays gives its adversaries no chance to retort.
Has Secularism Become a Religion?
In an excerpt from Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition, scholar Sarah Shaw recognizes the value and potential pitfalls of secular interpretations of Buddhism.
When to Let Go of the Dharma, Too
A secular Buddhist teacher considers the parable of the raft and how once helpful things can become a burden instead.
Dropping the Bodhisattva Gods
In this excerpt from his latest book, secular Buddhist Stephen Batchelor explains why he traded magical thinking for a more historical—and human—understanding of the dharma.
Democratic from the Start
Western Buddhist groups often assume that hierarchical modes of organization are inherent to Buddhism. But there's another part of Buddhist tradition—one that embraces political equality.
Understand, Realize, Give Up, Develop
Three contemporary Buddhist teachers discuss their take on what's traditionally known as "the four noble truths": why they believe the term has been mistranslated and the concepts behind it misunderstood.
The Mindfulness of the Buddha
The Buddha’s mindfulness has one purpose—the end of suffering. Do secular programs do the same thing?
After Buddhism
An interview with Stephen Batchelor
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