The Unlikely Buddha

In a dramatic turn on July 1, 2025, the Senate was deadlocked on President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”  The final tally: 50-50, with three Republican senators—Rand Paul, Thom Tillis, and Susan Collins—breaking ranks to oppose the sweeping legislation.  Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive vote, pushing the bill over the finish line and sending it back to the House for final approval. **Austerity for the Many** At the heart of the bill are sweeping cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other critical social services.  Medicaid, the backbone of healthcare for low-income Americans, faces nearly a trillion dollars in funding reductions over the next decade.  The bill imposes harsh new work requirements, targeting able-bodied adults under 65 and threatening coverage for millions—including families, people with disabilities, and rural residents.  Projections show that at least 7.8 million people will lose their Medicaid cove...

The Rise of a King Born Yi Yung in 1476, Yeonsangun became the 10th monarch of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty in 1494, succeeding his father, King Seongjong. His mother, Lady Yun (later posthumously honored as Queen Jeheon), had been executed by poison for striking her husband and angering the Queen Dowager Insu. For much of his youth, Yeonsangun did not know the truth about his mother’s fate, and when he finally learned, it fueled a deep resentment and paranoia that would shape his reign. Early Reign and Hidden Darkness At the start, Yeonsangun’s rule appeared promising. He strengthened national defense and aided the poor, showing himself to be a capable administrator. However, even early on, there were signs of a violent temperament. Soon after ascending the throne, he killed one of his tutors, foreshadowing the brutality to come. The Literati Purges Yeonsangun is infamous for two major purges of scholars and officials—the Muosahwa (1498) and Gapjasahwa (1504) massacres....

In recent weeks, the war in Ukraine has entered a new phase of intensity, marked by some of the most destructive Russian missile attacks since the conflict began. These developments have unfolded against a backdrop of shifting political rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed a unique ability to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin.  However, a closer look at the events and statements from both sides reveals a troubling dynamic: Trump’s approach has not only failed to restrain Putin but has actively emboldened Russian aggression. Trump’s Position: Concessions Without Reciprocity Donald Trump’s proposed solutions for ending the war in Ukraine have consistently placed the burden of compromise on Ukraine, rather than Russia.  His public statements suggest that Ukraine should accept Russian control over Crimea and much of the eastern regions—territories that Russia has seized and occupied since 2014.  Trump has offered little in...

Why This Question Matters One of philosophy’s most fundamental and enduring questions is: **What is the nature of existence?** This question is both basic and universal—it asks what it means for anything to “be” at all, and in what way things exist. Before we can debate the existence of gods, morality, or meaning, we must first grapple with the very ground of being. The Heart of the Matter Existence is the state of having reality—of being rather than not-being. Philosophers have long wrestled with whether existence is a property of individual things or something more abstract. Is existence like color or shape, something that objects possess, or is it a higher-order property, a way of talking about what kinds of things are real? Different Ways of Existing There are many ways to approach existence: - Concrete vs. Abstract: Physical objects exist in space and time, while numbers and ideas exist in a more abstract sense. - Possible, Contingent, Necessary: Some th...

Deep in the wilds of Kangaroo Island, a tiny dachshund named Valerie proved that even the smallest dogs can have the biggest adventures—and the toughest survival instincts. It all began during a family camping trip in November 2023.  Valerie’s owners had brought her along for the adventure, but when they stepped away for a quick fishing excursion, Valerie slipped out of her pen and disappeared into the wilderness.  Heartbroken, her owners searched for five long days, combing through the remote bushland, calling her name, and setting out food and familiar scents.  But Valerie was nowhere to be found. With heavy hearts, they had to return home without her, fearing the worst. But Valerie wasn’t done with her journey—not by a long shot.  For an astonishing 17 months, this little dog survived on her own in the rugged landscape.  Locals and visitors occasionally spotted her, her pink collar a bright splash against the wild backdrop. She became a legend on ...

When I became a Theravada Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, I never imagined the journey that would unfold before me. The call of ancient wisdom and the desire to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha led me to set out across the waters separating Sri Lanka from the vast subcontinent of India.  The boat rocked gently beneath me as I watched the horizon shift, my heart full of anticipation for the sacred lands ahead. My first destination was the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, a small town in the Indian state of Bihar.  This was no ordinary tree—it was under this very canopy that the Buddha attained enlightenment, breaking the chains of ignorance and suffering for all sentient beings.  The air around the tree hummed with a quiet power, as pilgrims from every corner of the world sat in silent meditation, seeking their own glimpses of awakening.  I joined them, feeling the weight of centuries of devotion settle around me. The nearby monasteries echoed with the soft chantin...