Sumeru Books

In early 2024, the Council on the Uncertain Human Future began a series of Threshold Councils to explore fundamental questions about the present historical moment. One of them focused on higher education, posing the question: What matters now in higher education?

In these intentional gatherings, members of CUHF councils engage in deep exploration of human and planetary questions, history and experience. The council practice itself is ancient and simple; people convene in a circle and, passing a talking piece, speak in sequence. Participants are invited to come present, reflect on the questions posed, listen fully and speak spontaneously, from the heart.

Participants included active and emeritus faculty and administrative staff from U.S. institutions of higher learning and those involved in educational initiatives and programming. They represented a diversity of institutional types, from community college to elite private university to nonprofits, and a variety of disciplines, mostly in the humanities and social sciences.

Prior to the sessions, participants were asked to submit brief written responses to this prompt:

What matters most in the context of higher ed, and how it might shape-shift for these times? If we could lean into the cracks (Báyò Akómoláfé) together...what spaces and practices might arise? What really matters for our students, ourselves, the earth?

These writings, along with a few other contributions, are collected here.

The collection launches with three overview contributions: Diana Chapman Walsh (former President of Wellesley College and public health scholar) asks How to Teach in a World on Fire?; Ahmed Afzaal (associate professor of religion at Concordia College) offers excerpts from his book Teaching at Twilight; and philosopher, poet and visionary Bayo Akomolafe, currently Humphrey Distinguished Professor at Macalester College, offers a reflection on Unlearning now.

While the authors in the collection articulate a number of problems with the educational status quo, they conclude that the institution of American higher education, for all its abundant flaws, is worth defending. The core traditions of academic freedom and self-governance are invaluable. When the university lives up to its articulated ideals, it offers a space to ask difficult questions in a spirit of free inquiry and intellectual honesty. In this society, such a space is a rare and precious resource.

At a scale much larger than the current American political crisis, the human place in the natural world and our relationships with one another constitute an evolving polycrisis. The authors in this collection offer a variety of thoughts on the role of higher education in addressing the crisis; some even suggest that subversive alternatives may emerge in the cracks of newly weakened institutions.

The writings in this collection articulate the authors' understandings of what this present moment in human history represents and what that means for universities. They offer critiques of the status quo in higher education, explain why the current system is inadequate to address this historical moment, and offer ideas about how higher education can transform itself to respond to the polycrisis and better serve the needs of students and the broader society.

While the authors have their individual perspectives, they share broad consensus on several points. The structures of the socio-environmental present are rupturing, and the future will not replicate the past. Current educational institutions were built to serve a 20th-century capitalist modernity which is in the process of unraveling. Humans must repair the dominant society's separation from nature and bridge the chasms we have created amongst ourselves. A responsive higher educational community would honor the emotional, spiritual, and embodied dimensions of its members' lives as well as their intellectual capacity. A higher education actually useful to society would base its teaching and research on bedrock principles and creative imaginings acknowledging the limits of the living earth as well as her awesome regenerative powers. Human survival requires fundamental transformation.

Available in July:

What Matters: Higher Education, Now ISBN 978-1-998248-23-0 6.14" x 9.21", 136 pages. A Greenbank Book. Available July 2026. The Council on the Uncertain Human Future Lead convener: Sarah Buie Editors: Patricia Benjamin and Megan Holmes In early 2024, the Council on the Uncertain Human Future began a series of Threshold Councils to exp...

Now available:

Engaged Buddhism Engaged Buddhism: 50 Collected Essays, Interviews & Profiles 2020-2025 John H. Negru ISBN 9781998248223 / 264 pages, 6.14"x 9.21" / Available April 2026 Teaching the Buddhism of the future, not the past, is the focus of these essays.They were first published in my regular column, Bodhisattva 4.0...

https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/pei-book-by-buddhist-zhen-ru-earns-double-gold-at-us-book-awards

P.E.I. book by Buddhist Zhen-Ru earns double gold at U.S. book awards Kindling Hope: Daily Passages from Darkness into Light accompanies readers on a journey toward inner peace and emotional resilience

Part three of my series on community development for Buddhist organizations, focusing on governance, is now available at Buddhistdoor Global:

Centering Sangha, Part 3: Governance - Buddhistdoor Global Part three of a five-part series on organizational development for Buddhist communities from Sumeru publisher and author John Harvey Negru

Dear friends, supporters and community leaders,

We are writing with full hearts to share an important milestone in our collective effort to establish Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada—and to express our sincere gratitude for the role each of you has played in this journey.

House of Commons Petition e‑6893, initiated by Visita Sirin Leelaratna, a Buddhist leader and authorized initiator of this national effort, has officially closed with thousands of verified signatures from Canadians across the country.

This is the only federally recognized public petition calling on the Government of Canada to designate May as Buddhist Heritage Month nationwide. Reaching this milestone was possible because of your encouragement, advocacy and belief in the importance of this recognition.

The petition was formally tabled in Parliament on May 8, 2026, through the generous sponsorship of Member of Parliament Jenna Sudds. Her support has helped bring nearly a decade of dedicated advocacy—rooted in the voices and lived experiences of more than 300,000 Buddhist Canadians—to the national stage.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also issued an official statement recognizing the occasion and encouraging Canadians to deepen their understanding of Buddhist traditions and values.

Momentum is also growing at other levels of government.

The capital city of Canada has officially proclaimed May 2026 as Buddhist Heritage Month, with the theme 'Building a Universal Sense of Belonging Together.' This message reflects the compassion, unity and shared purpose that have guided our efforts from the beginning.

We remain deeply grateful for your partnership, trust and commitment to this historic initiative.

MP Jenna Sudds and Visita Sirin Leelaratna marked a historic milestone for Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada with the presentation of a commemorative plaque, underscoring growing national recognition of the cultural, spiritual and social contributions of Buddhist Canadians.

Captured originally in Ottawa on May 11, 2026, and recreated here as an AI‑generated image based on the original photograph, the moment symbolizes both federal engagement and the community’s decade‑long advocacy.

The accompanying lotus‑and‑deer motif reflects the values of harmony, enlightenment and compassion that continue to guide this national movement.

This is the official YouTube channel affiliated with the Buddhist Heritage Month Committee: https://www.youtube.com/

We look forward to continuing this journey with you.

With gratitude,

Buddhist Heritage Month Committee

Buddhist Heritage Month Buddhist Heritage Month is a celebration to recognize and respect the significant cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy of Buddhism. It shines a light on the life and teachings of the Buddha, the practice of Dharma—the pathway to enlightenment—and the dynamic Sangha community of practitione...

Some kind words for Sumeru Books from the Buddhist Fiction Blog:

Engaged Buddhism: Publishing Insights from John Negru’s New Book I drafted this blog post almost two weeks ago around a confluence of events that had me thinking about publishing, Buddhism, and John Negru’s new book, Engaged Buddhism (Sumeru Press, Inc, 2026). A…

Part two of my series on organizational development for Buddhist communities, focusing on foresight and strategic planning, is now online:

Centering Sangha, Part 2: Foresight and Strategic Planning - Buddhistdoor Global From dana to governance, the future of sangha depends on integrating centuries of traditional wisdom with modern practical skills.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/09/americans-still-opt-for-print-books-over-digital-or-audio-versions-few-are-in-book-clubs/

Do Americans read print books, e-books or audiobooks more? | Pew Research Center Most U.S. adults read books, with print still favored over digital formats, though e-book and audiobook use has grown. Habits vary by demographics and few join book clubs.