Sumeru News

In February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, I presented at the Ho Centre for Buddhist Studies conference at the University of Toronto, New Paths in Teaching Buddhist Studies. You can find a video of my talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhCg0IfUC7o I had also prepared a slide deck for my talk, which I ended up not using. Looking at it again recently in the light of current events, it seems still relevant and worth sharing. Here is a link to it: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2503/2728/files/Future_Buddhism_optimized.pdf?v=1636155658 Please share...  

Once again, Sumeru is proud to support the great Dharma work of Lion's Roar with several books in their charity auction. Lots of wonderful items on offer there... https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=341697673

My latest column for Buddhistdoor Global... Our world is in a period of dramatic change, with the climate crisis exacerbating economic inequalities, driving migration, extremism, war, and so on. This column  explores the failure of 'Buddhist economics,' the promise of Doughnut Economics, and potential future scenarios for Buddhism. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/buddhism-circa-2030/

Introduction to Buddhist Counselling (on-line) Instructed by Linda Hochstetler, MSW, RSW / TA Charles Chiarelli, OCT, BA, BEd 13 Saturdays, September 18 – December 11, 2021, EST 4-6 pm (7 classes) & 4-5 pm (6 tutorials) - 20 hours This module is designed to provide basic Buddhist counselling skills to individuals with little or no clinical experience or training. It is intended to prepare participants to volunteer with Sangha members, friends, and family. No previous training is required. Students will learn the following skills: attending, rapport building, use of silence, paraphrasing, reflecting, showing empathy, focusing the conversation, clarifying, appropriate questioning,...

My most recent column for Buddhistdoor Global is called "The Good Ancestor" and it is about our role in the future. It begins with a reflection on the tragic fate of Canada's Indigenous Peoples at the hands of settler colonials, and then turns to our unhealthy relationship with Planet Earth in the Anthropocene, concluding with some hints about regenerative design for a sustainable future, being modelled by a variety of European communities. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/the-good-ancestor