Buddhists of African Descent on Creating a Just Society with Michael Belton episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 26 MIN

Buddhists of African Descent on Creating a Just Society with Michael Belton

from Uplifting Black Nichiren Buddhist Voices · host Black Buddhist Studies

This final episode explores the connection between self-improvement and justice. Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, believed that Buddhism only has meaning when it effects positive change in society. Rima Vesely-Flad speaks with Michael Belton, a founding co-architect of the association, Buddhists of African Descent, about how this teaching has helped him develop throughout his life.Michael Belton is a Minneapolis-based practitioner who spent forty years in public service, most recently as the Deputy Director for Ramsey County, Minnesota’s Juvenile Corrections Division. He has instituted culturally responsive treatment and programming for communities of color, focusing on culturally rooted responses for vulnerable African American male youth.

This final episode explores the connection between self-improvement and justice. Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, believed that Buddhism only has meaning when it effects positive change in society. Rima Vesely-Flad speaks with Michael Belton, a founding co-architect of the association, Buddhists of African Descent, about how this teaching has helped him develop throughout his life.Michael Belton is a Minneapolis-based practitioner who spent forty years in public service, most recently as the Deputy Director for Ramsey County, Minnesota’s Juvenile Corrections Division. He has instituted culturally responsive treatment and programming for communities of color, focusing on culturally rooted responses for vulnerable African American male youth.

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Buddhists of African Descent on Creating a Just Society with Michael Belton

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This episode was published on November 11, 2025.

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This final episode explores the connection between self-improvement and justice. Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, believed that Buddhism only has meaning when it effects positive change in society. Rima Vesely-Flad speaks with...

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