Category: Social Justice
Zen teacher recalls Ellie Krug, her student who transitioned genders
An addition to Ellen Krug's "Coming Home: A Buddhist Transitions Genders," from Zuiko Redding, the teacher Ellen found so helpful.
Commentary: I May Not Stay Here With You
As she receives ordination into the Soto Zen school of Buddhism, angel Kyodo williams reflects on her path to acceptance within this lineage.
Rebirth – An excerpt from Chris Lemig’s The Narrow Way: A Memoir of Coming Out, Getting Clean and Finding Buddha
Even at twelve, Chris Lemig knew he was gay -- he just didn't want to believe it. Spurred on by intolerance, ignorance, and fear, he took his first steps into the closet.
No Small Effort
Coming back to the issue of diversity is no different from bringing one’s awareness back to the breath or any object of awareness.
Forum: San Francisco Zen Center at Fifty
Members of the San Francisco Zen Center, in its fiftieth year, join a forum on how it approaches issues important to those practicing Buddhism in the west.
First Taiwanese Buddhist gay marriage to take place in August
The Huffington Post reports on Taiwan's first Buddhist gay marriage, which is set to take place next month in Taipei.
Kamadhatu: A Modern Sutra
A reclusive Zen priest. A beautiful American academic. Illusion falls away and original mind is revealed. A short story by Charles Johnson.
Yes, We’re Buddhists Too!
Jan Willis examines the subtle—and not so subtle—racism that exists in American Buddhism.
From Teishos to Trident Missile Protests
Susan Moon remembers Robert Aitken Roshi’s lifelong commitment to the unified path of Zen and social justice.
From the “One Small Step, One Giant Leap” Dept.
Steve Silberman speaks out against California's Proposition 8.
The Dalai Lama’s View on Sexuality, “According to Buddhist Tradition”
Leaving the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco, having just met with the Dalai Lama, the words, "according to Buddhist tradition" reverberated in my head.
Suffering Too Insignificant for the Majority to See
Alice Walker describes the great toll, both personal and societal, of racism in America, and how Buddhism has helped her heal its wounds.
The Days I Like Best Have Meditation, Lovemaking, Eating Scones in Them
From Alice Walker’s forthcoming collection of poems, <i>Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth</i>.
Something Has to Change: Blacks in American Buddhism
Lawrence Pintak tells the compelling stories of three African-American dharma teachers. He asks them why American Buddhism attracts so few people of color and what can be done about it.
Ain’t She Still a Woman?
Increasingly, patriarchy is offered as the solution to the crisis black men face. Black women face a culture where everyone wants us to stay in our place.
Rebel’s Dilemma
From childhood on I have had to struggle to break from the impositions of images that don’t represent me accurately or well.
James Hillman says it’s not all in your head
The great Jungian analyst says America could use a healthy dose of rebellion. These problems aren't just in your mind, and they need to be fixed.