Buddhist sound • 30NOW

For discovering and exploring inner landscapes and societal vistas.

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Buddhist sound is a collaboration between De Buddhist Blik | KRO-NCRV, Bodhi, Maitreya Institute (Maitreya publisher) and 30NOW.
Every quarter we create offer based on a common theme. In this way we want to make the Buddhist sound more prominent in the public debate.

January – March 2024

'Living with Dying'

The only certainty we have in this life is that our existence will one day end. We just don't know when or how. How do you deal with this uncertainty? What if death comes suddenly – for example, if you are faced with the diagnosis of a terminal illness? Or if a loved one suddenly passes away due to an accident?

Is death something to fear, or can we also embrace it? Is it a definitive end, or perhaps also a transition, a transition to something new? This quarter we at Buddhist Sound investigate everything that has to do with death: from the dying process to grieving.

August – December 2023

'Truth'

What do age-old Buddhist 'truths' still mean in an age when fake news, social media bubbles and artificial intelligence challenge our definition of truth? How do you distinguish between fact and fiction when influencers have more influence than experts, and everyone 'lives in their own truth'?
The Buddhist tradition is built on the Four Noble Truths. But how fixed are they actually? What is the role of traditional teachers if AI can guide you with a completely human-sounding voice, and even teach empathy? In the last quarter of 2023 we will explore the delicate balance between traditional wisdom and our modern culture.

July – September 2023

'Money & economy'

Money is an essential part of our lives. It is part of the eightfold path. The Buddha encourages a right livelihood: earning money without harming others. We also have the choice of how we spend our money. We can support charities, promote local alternatives and consume in a way that does not harm and help life. But as individuals we are also part of a financial system that we did not design ourselves. How can we relate to that in a good way?

April – June 2023

'Slow down and still'

How are you? Busy! For years, productivity has been the indicator of our prosperity. It seems as if we should be ashamed if we do nothing for once. But is it healthy to always be 'on'? And to be reachable? Can we actually take a step back when necessary?

This quarter we at Buddhist Sound will focus on the theme 'Slowing down and stilling'. How can we become still and turn inward? On our pillow we often experience how restless we are. But sometimes we also touch a deeper layer of peace. What would happen if we acted from there more often?

And how does this affect society? It takes courage to go against the rat race. And resist the pressure of all the roles pulling at you. But maybe this is exactly what our overheated world needs right now.

Within this theme we focus on delay and stillness. Both within our personal practice, and how this affects society. What place is there for rest, reflection and introspection? The emphasis this quarter is deliberately not on the economic side – such as the degrowth movement, for example – as we will focus on 'Buddhism and money' in the following quarter.

January – March 2023

'Relationships'

We are used to seeing ourselves as individuals, but if we look deeper, the boundary with the world around us is not so sharp at all. As humans, we are embedded in a web of relationships: we are connected to our family, friends and colleagues, but - as the corona pandemic clearly showed - also with people on the other side of the world that we do not know at all. And even with all the other beings on this planet.

Our relationships also run through time, connecting us to our ancestors and future generations. Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh coined the term 'interbeing' to indicate this intrinsic connection. What does a connected life look like? And what does this mean for our love, friendship and family relationships?

Nov – Dec 2022

'Crisis as opportunity'

We live in a challenging time. For many of us, the current way of life is difficult and sometimes even unsustainable. Humanity as a whole is at a crossroads; do we continue on the old familiar, but for many unlucky, road – or do we take a new path? How do you distance yourself from that which is comfortable and familiar? And what will that other interpretation be?

It can also chafe in our personal environment and sometimes the need arises to let go and explore new paths. A crisis often also offers opportunities. What does a wise and compassionate life mean today? What should we do to give our consciousness new insights and how can these help reshape our lives?