Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit fearlessly tells the truth about misogyny, injustice, and environmental destruction. But, as Lindsay Kyte reported in this 2016 profile, Solnit tells us another important truth: we have hope, and it is found in uncertainty. Rebecca Solnit is certain of only one thing—that hope includes uncertainty. “We don’t know what’s going to [...]
Hundreds of Buddhists join San Francisco climate march
The march started with a meditation led by monks from Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. On Saturday, Buddhists from fifteen different communities marched alongside thousands of others in San Francisco to call attention to climate change. The Rise for Climate march was one of many that took place around the world this weekend highlighting the impacts of the current climate [...]
300 Buddhist teachers, leaders, and practitioners call for reunification of families at US–Mexico border
Approximately 2,000 children remain separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border On Friday, more than 300 Buddhist teachers, leaders, and practitioners across traditions sent out a letter addressing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s zero-tolerance immigration policy and asked for all separated immigrant families to be reunited. “We stand with leaders of other [...]
Reflecting on a Year of Buddhist Action for Immigrant Justice in Oregon
Activist Alex Rodriguez looks back on the work Buddhists have done to foster at the Oregon ICE headquarters in Portland. Shocked and heartbroken by the recent adoption of the Trump administration’s cruel “zero tolerance” policies, on June 14, over 400 protestors gathered to share space and demand change at the Oregon Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in [...]
How Buddhists are responding to America’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy
In the past six weeks, approximately 2,300 children have been separated from their parents at the US–Mexico border. Though US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he would end the practice, CNN reports, "it's unclear whether those children will be reunited with their parents." Just one section of a very long line of people surrounding the ICE building at 4310 SW [...]
Now is the Time to Find Our Compassion
On Monday, 200 Buddhist teachers issued a statement calling for an end to the US government’s practice of separating migrant children from their parents. Lion’s Roar magazine deputy editor Andrea Miller talked to Tenku Ruff — president of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, which created the statement — about what she hoped the letter would achieve. Andrea Miller: What can [...]
The Burning Heart of a Bodhisattva
On the 55th anniversary of Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation, Edward Tick shares what he has learned from his pilgrimages to the site of the monk's famous protest. Fifty-five years ago, on June 11, 1963, in a heavily trafficked intersection in downtown Sai Gon, the 67-year-old Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated. Thich means “most revered” — a title given only [...]
5 ways Buddhist communities can take part in social change
Like fish in water, it's easy for us to ignore the systems of injustice that surround us. Colin Beavan offers five tips to recognize injustice and swing into action. All over the world, people are faced with the same questions about our suffering planet: Is there any hope, or is it game over? Why are some people in denial about climate change? Why don’t politicians do [...]
The Power of Buddhism
If you ignore power, you ignore powerful Buddhist teachings. Pema Khandro Rinpoche says that Buddhism teaches us how to be powerful and compassionate at the same time. Fellow Buddhists, we need to talk about power. Discussion of power is largely absent in the American Buddhist community. For some, this is due in part to privilege; many of us are blind to our own power. [...]
Japanese Buddhist priest joins movement to divest from fossil fuels and nuclear power
A Japanese Buddhist priest is trying to encourage Buddhists in Japan to withdraw money from banks that finance environmentally harmful energy projects. Tomonobu Narita, Buddhist priest at Totsuka Zenryo Temple in Yokohama, transferred some of his temple’s funds to one of Japan’s 45 “earth-friendly” banks. Narita told NBC News that he will speak with priests in other temples [...]
