On Being Russian Orthodox, Sex Abuse in Zen Buddhism, and More

This week on Interfaith Voices:

The Rise of Russian Orthodoxy

For many Russians, belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church is a shorthand for Russian patriotism; it’s a link to anĀ older, glorified past that goes back to 988, when the churchĀ was founded by Vladimir the Great.Ā As we head into the Winter Olympics, hosted in Sochi, Russia, we’ll find out why the ChurchĀ helps portray a powerful Russia to the rest of the world.

Eido Shimano, the ‘Zen Predator’ of New York

Sexual abuse in religious institutions is often committed by the people a community trusts most ā€“ 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.

Zen Buddhism: A Short Introduction

We’re joined byĀ Bernie Glassman, AKA “the grandfather of socially-engaged Buddhism.” He says Zen Buddhism isn’t just focused on looking inward–itā€™s also about helping the world around you.

Featured speakers/guests:

Carol Garrard, co-author ofĀ Russian Orthodoxy Resurgent:Ā Faith and Power in the New Russia
Gregory Feifer, author of Russians: The People Behind the Power

Mark Oppenheimer, author of The Zen Predator of the Upper East Side

Roshi Bernie Glassman, founder of Zen Peacemakers

 


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