On Being Russian Orthodox, Sex Abuse in Zen Buddhism, and More
February 06, 2014
Summary: why the Russian Orthodox Church has been a symbol of Russian pride in the years since the Soviet collapse; the 'Zen Predator' of New York; and Roshi Bernie Glassman on socially-engaged Buddhism.
The Rise of Russian Orthodoxy
February 06, 2014
For many Russians, belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church is a shorthand for Russian patriotism; it's a link to an older, glorified past that goes back to 988, when the church was founded by Vladimir the Great. As we head into the Winter Olympics, hosted in Sochi, Russia, we'll find out why the Church helps portray a powerful Russia to the rest of the world.
Pictured: Russian President Valdimir Putin with the rector of Christ the Savior Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sochi, Russia
Eido Shimano, the 'Zen Predator' of New York
February 06, 2014
Sexual abuse in religious institutions is often committed by the people a community trusts most – its priests, ministers, rabbis, imams. And the Zen Buddhist community is no different. A religion columnist for The New York Times tells the story of Eido Shimano, a Zen master who sexually harassed his female disciples for decades.
Mark Oppenheimer, author of The Zen Predator of the Upper East Side
Zen Buddhism: A Short Introduction
February 06, 2014
We're joined by Bernie Glassman, AKA "the grandfather of socially-engaged Buddhism." He says Zen Buddhism isn't just focused on looking inward--it’s also about helping the world around you.
