"Free Buddhist Press": A Few Thoughts on Elephant Journal and KPC

Writing about argumentative topics is challenging. Doing so in a approach which both stands tall in a truth, as well as additionally expresses your joining to Buddhist ethics is even some-more difficult.

In a arise of a Wikileaks uproar, as good as attempted authorised constrictions of giveaway debate coming from places similar to a U.S. Congress, it's apropos important for bloggers to cruise not usually what they value, though additionally how they write about what they value.

There has been some back as well as forth in new weeks in between Buddhist blogger Bill Schwartz, Elephant Journal, as well as a Buddhist village Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC). Essentially, a incident began with a post Mr. Schwartz was essay for Elephant Journal which contained criticisms of KPC, which led KPC to send Elephant Journal a authorised minute threatening a lawsuit. All this before a essay in subject was actually published.

Waylon Lewis, publisher of Elephant Journal, pronounced a following in a new post:

1. we perceived a minute from KPCs board with a authorised minute attached. Ive had a ton of information exchnage with them as well as its all been pleasant as well as respectful.

2. Im not sureIm no lawyerbut we knew that, not being equates to to afford a lawyer, which was a end of Bill Schwartzs fun during a responsibility of KPC upon elephant. Ive speedy him to write upon alternative subjects. we cant risk eight years of work as well as a intensity of elephant to be of good if Im without authorised illustration or a equates to to afford it.

3. Id adore for something positive to come out of thisIll have use of your wonderful forum as an event to entice both parties to plead this with a good of all sentient beings in mind. If possibly will take me up upon this offer, Ill serve as a mediator. They can DM me during twitter.com/elephantjournal or write@elephantjournal.com


First off, we ! find it quite troubling which a Buddhist village would respond to an unpublished essay about them with lawyers. Even if they have been friendly as well as respectful, there's something unequivocally off about bringing out a authorised hounds upon a small time eremite blogger similar to Mr. Schwartz, as well as a niche online publication similar to Elephant, which is doing peculiarity work for sure, though doesn't even have tighten a status as, contend Tricycle repository of Shambala Sun.

This morning, however, Mr. Schwartz published a guest post over during Sweep a Dust, Push a Dirt giving his views upon a matter.

The post begins with a reduced account about his seductiveness in essay a post, a intensity authorised movement brought upon Elephant Journal, as well as a successive restraint of a essay in question. However, afterwards Mr. Schwartz turns upon a Buddhist village in general, creation statements similar to a following:

When Travis May published a blog upon Buddhadharma about a KPC SLAPP Scandal a editor private it. Was KPC threatened? No, it wasnt threatened. Worse, it simply doesnt care. Why? It doesnt caring since Buddhists dont care. None of a glossy Buddhist magazines is peaceful to cover this story. Buddhists dont hold in a giveaway press.

But certainly Buddhist bloggers care? Nope. One Buddhist blogger informed me he wasnt interested. It would be too most work. Its most easier to write about knowledge as well as caring instead. His assembly will only eat which up as well as ask for more. There is no upside to a Buddhist blogger in harshing a mellow of his assembly over something of such little or no seductiveness to Buddhists as a giveaway press seems to be.

The response of individual Buddhists has been even worseunsolicited dharma advice upon Tonglen, sending as well as receiving. We have been to exchange a attachment to a right to giveaway debate for a peace of thoughts which comes with caring usually about ourselves. we child we not. Thats what Shantideva t! aught. T his is a trail of a bodhisattva. The Buddhist response has been which its perfectly acceptable what KPC has done.

In my opinion, there have been during slightest a couple of elemental errors being done here. Assuming which this emanate with Elephant Journal as well as KPC is widely well known amongst Buddhists is utterly flawed. Assuming which whatever responses he perceived paint a views of possibly "Buddhist bloggers" or Buddhists in general, is additionally utterly flawed. Third, assuming which a "glossy" Buddhist media - i.e. Tricycle, Buddhadharma, Shambala Sun, as well as maybe a couple of alternative publications - don't caring - or which these publications have been an correct illustration of a "Buddhist community" (whatever which is) is additionally a huge stretch during best.

One of a difficulties in essay powerfully as well as engagingly about argumentative issues is which often, a romantic responses take over, as well as close out those who could be intensity allies. It's critical in any effort to move about amicable change, or to protected ensure stream rights as well as liberties, to not alienate a really people who you'll need to do a work upon a ground.

It's really possible which both Mr. Schwartz as well as Elephant Journal have been screwed in this situation, as well as which we Buddhist bloggers as well as writers might have some serious issues upon a hands, though a sweeping generalizations, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as sole wolf energy of Mr. Schwartz's post have it formidable for those of us who might be sympathetic to respond as well as maybe act.

Another problem here is which there have been a lack of specifics which would assistance readers understand what happened, as well as why this particular blog post was deliberate threatening by a leaders of a Buddhist community. We don't have a post in subject to read, nor most in a approach of specifics about a essence of pronounced post.

As someone who readily relates Buddhist ethics to ! amicable movement when we deem it appropriate, we have a deep seductiveness in seeing such work represent, as most suitable as we can, a values as well as teachings of a tradition. Part of doing so is being clever about what issues we raise as well as engage in, as well as to ask questions, as well as be rigorous in a reflections about issues which arrive during a doorstep - such as this stream situation.

I'd adore to hear from others upon possibly this issue, or how we engage social/political issues through a Buddhist lens.