Matteo Pistono

I was honored last month when President Walter Nolte asked me to give the address for this year's commencement ceremony at Casper College. It will be wonderful to return to Wyoming for the celebration.

Here is today's story in the Casper news:

Casper College Graduation May 11th
by Brian Scott - K2 News
April 26, 2012

The 66th Annual Casper College Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 11 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Casper Events Center.

Commencement speaker will be Matteo Pistono a writer, photographer, social justice campaigner, and author of “In the Shadow of the Buddha: Secret Journeys, Sacred Histories, and Spiritual Discovery in Tibet.”

Born in Cody, Wyo. and raised in Lander, Wyo., Pistono earned an associate degree at Casper College, where he was also inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. He received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology/political science from the University of Wyoming, and in 1997 obtained his master’s degree in Indian philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. Read More 

A deep bow and thanks to Professor Predrag Cicovacki, and Evan and Susan Piercy for hosting me at Holy Cross College. We had a full house in the beautiful Rehm Library and the students in the philosophy department and the Peace and Reconciliation Program asked exceptional questions.

I was also honored to receive a signed copy of Professor Cicovacki's "Albert Schweitzer's Ethical Vision A Sourcebook" and to discuss deeply about Schweitzer's life and philosophy, which were indeed one in the same. Prof. Cicovacki writes "Schweitzer argues that the material aspect of our civilization has become far more important than its spiritual counterpart. Even organized religion has put itself in the service of politics and economy, thereby losing its vitality and moral authority."  Read More 

Click on the photo to watch the video of the conversation with Sulak Sivaraksa and Matteo Pistono on "Engaged Buddhism in the 21st Century" that took place at the International Campaign for Tibet on April 13, 2012.

Buddhist Economics in the Age of Globalization
a lecture by Sulak Sivaraksa April 12, 2012 5:00 PM
Healy Hall Riggs Library

»rsvp required (click on the photo to the left to rsvp)

Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and an important belief system guiding the worldviews of approximately 350 million adherents. Within Buddhism, the Engaged Buddhist Movement applies insights and lessons from Buddhist thought to address social, political, and environmental injustices and challenges. Sulak Sivaraksa (recipient of the 2011 Niwano Peace Prize) is perhaps the most well known and globally recognized Engaged Buddhist leader, both in his native Thailand and abroad. Sivaraksa will deliver a public lecture at Georgetown, reflecting upon his more than half a century of work, and his call for an “economics of happiness” as an alternative to existing models of development.

This event is co-sponsored by the Theology Department; the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists.
Featuring


Sulak Sivaraksa is a Buddhist spiritual leader and humanitarian best known  Read More 

International Campaign for Tibet & International Network of Engaged Buddhists

presents:
Engaged Buddhism in the 21st century
Sulak Sivaraksa in conversation with Matteo Pistono
with introduction by Mr. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

5:30PM, Friday, April 13, 2012
Doors open at 5:00, lecture begins at 5:30pm
Please RSVP to rsvp@savetibet.org or 202-785-8591

Sulak Sivaraksa is a remarkable and multifaceted Thai intellectual, social critic, and Buddhist leader whose work for peace is exemplified by courage, determination, imagination, and the constant inspiration of the core principles of his Buddhist faith. Sulak has helped to change the views of political leaders, scholars, and young people, in Thailand, Asia, and the world, encouraging a new understanding of peace, democracy, and development. He challenges accepted approaches that fail to give priority to poor and politically marginalized citizens. He has, over a lifetime of dedicated  Read More