Stephen’s new book, "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist", tells the story of his thirty-seven-year quest to understand the meaning of Buddhism. It recounts his life as a monk in India and Korea and concludes with his search to discover the historical Buddha. Stephen talks about the writing of the book and reads selected passages.

Based on an examination of early discourses found in the Buddhist Pali Canon, we explore the question: "What did the Buddha teach that was distinctively and originally his own?" By differentiating the Buddha's Dhamma from the ideas of Indian religion and metaphysics that prevailed at his time we seek to uncover a clearer sense of the Buddha's message and then consider what relevance it still has for people living in the modern world.

Exploring the Seven Factors of Enlightenment or Awakening (Monthly People of Color Sangha Sitting).

One in a series of 3 talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to series of three talks will explore this last question. Part I explores the issue of why the Buddha refused to take a position on the question of whether or not there is a self.

One in a series of 3 Talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to perceive not-self?” This series of three talks will explore this last question. Part II explores ways in which a healthy, mature sense of self is essential to the practice.

One in a series of 3 talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to perceive not-self?” This series of three talks will explore this last question. Part III explores the function of the perception of not-self as a means to true happiness.

with Thanissara (Monthly People of Color Sangha Sitting)