Cover art illustration by Lujan Rai Dongo.
Cover art illustration by Lujan Rai Dongo.
This year’s issue of Spiral magazine is now available online and in print. With 15 new articles, the issue explores the concept of wrath through a Buddhist perspective—not as a negative emotion like rage or anger, but rather as an energy wielded with intention, skill, and compassion to offer protection or remove obstacles. Articles, interviews, and art from Buddhist practitioners, scholars of Buddhism and Hinduism, artists, activists, and more offer insights into the wisdom of wrath and its transformative power. The articles are complemented by illustrations, some newly commissioned, to further amplify and visualize the theme.
“The initial spark of inspiration for this issue was the desire to encourage readers to consider wrath in a new way,” explains the magazine’s Editorial Director Sarah Zabrodski. “The Buddhist understanding of wrath is highly specific and perhaps quite different than how many people usually think of it. At a time when anger and rage seem more present—and potent—than ever, how can the Buddhist perspective on wrath help us make sense of the world and our capacity to shape it? How can wrath be a powerful force for transformation for the benefit of all? Those were the guiding questions as we developed the issue.”
In the current issue readers can learn about wrathful imagery in Tibetan Buddhist art from Associate Professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions Annabella Pitkin and Rubin Museum Senior Curator Elena Pakhoutova; explore the concept of fierce compassion and understand how to discern whether one is reacting mindfully to injustice with clinical psychologist Chris Germer; find inspiration in the divine wrath of the Hindu goddesses Durga and Kali with Hindu and Buddhist philosophy professor Dr. Nina Petek; and can uncover the connection between compassion and wrath with Buddhist master Gegye Yongyal Rinpoche.
Additional authors and artists featured in the new issue include Lujan Rai Dongol, Tenzin Tsering, Elaine Lai, Monique Mitchell Turner, Ronald S. Green, Valarie Kaur, Vicki Tan, Howard Kaplan, Noma Bar, Sarah Kaushik, Twinz Artists, Liamlee (Li Yansong), and Manjari Sharma, as well as spotlights on activists Gene Bauer, Ang Dolma Sherpa, Noor Tagouri, and Maggie Doyne.
In addition to online, the magazine is available in print at locations where the Rubin has traveling exhibitions. Additional articles related to the wrath theme will be published online throughout the year.
Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.