The tension of Socrates’ moral imperative that the unexamined life is not worth living, is heightened by Hannah Arendt’s insistence that evil comes from a failure to think. These assertions refute the notion that contemplatives are somehow estranged individuals, out of touch with the world. It rather reminds us that the contemplative traditions were once firmly placed at the heart of society.
Not only did their explorations of what it means to be human, responsible, and aware endow life with meaning, but their penetrative questioning proved a powerful indictment of the thoughtless and arbitrary violence by callous self-aggrandizement and passivity in the presence of such wrongdoing.
Perusing the frontier between wilderness and city, between silence and prophecy, these fiercely feeling men and women pursued understanding of the ultimate nature of our existence, bore witness to injustice and suffering, and spoke truth to power and pretense. Enduring hardship with self-discipline, they journeyed beyond the comfort of home and tradition, beyond the safety of doctrine and opinion, to direct and liberating knowledge, for others and themselves.
Although their names vary and their worldviews could seem to differ insurmountably, these Bhikshus and Bhikshunis, Sufis, Prophets, Philosophers, Sadhus, and Friars, lay and monastic, performed functions in their respective societies that were not only surprisingly similar, but seemingly as necessary as mitochondria in a cell. Their communities formed alternatives to cultures of greed and violence, and a check on the capriciousness of rulers. In times of environmental destruction, unparalleled inequality, fake news, and systemic injustice the role of these truth seekers and speakers has never been more pertinent.
Ven. Gendun Ven. Gendun Ven. Gendun FOCUS
A shared space where each approach is not only appreciated for its vantage points, insights, and tools, but also for the opportunity for cognitive dissonance and willingness to question unchallenged beliefs and assumptions.
By collaborating with different contemplative leaders and their networks, the Burning Bush Project seeks to act as a connecting point between otherwise disparate networks.
Our goal is to explore ways to promote the examined life, create new value frameworks in a materialistic and consumerist world, and actively commit to social engagement.
In essence, we aim to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The Burning Bush Project aims to showcase initiatives from a variety of backgrounds, both religious and secular,
Help contemplatives feel less isolated, and invite them to participate through networks of friendship in each other’s endeavors, so that together we can make a meaningful contribution to our planet.
Brother Malkhaz — Bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Peace Cathedral (Tbilisi, Georgia)
This important and unique institution was founded in the early 1990s, as a stronghold for religious liberty, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. It has played a role in advocating for peace during times of conflict in the region and has promoted dialogue and reconciliation.
In addition to this, the Peace Cathedral has also been involved in humanitarian work, including outreach to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
For their invaluable work, Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili and the community of the Peace Cathedral have received international recognition.
The Peace Cathedral is now complemented by the Peace Mosque, the Peace Synagogue and the Buddhist Peace Vihara under a single roof. The latter was inaugurated and blessed by Ven. Losang Gendun in November 2023.
The Buddha Project 
