DP #24 Engaged Buddhism

Recorded at Upaya Zen Center, August 6th, 2006 Time: 1:02:16 Roshi begins her talk with a quote from Shantideva: This entire world is disturbed with insanity, due to the exertions of those who are confused about themselves. - Santideva, Guide to the Bodhisattva's Life. She then reminds us of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's words: "Universal responsibility is the feeling for other people's suffering just as we feel our own." "The rationale for universal compassion is based on the same principle of spiritual democracy. It is the recognition of the fact that every living being has an equal right to and desire for happiness. The true acceptance of the principle of democracy requires that we think and act in terms of the common good." She notes that the term Engaged Buddhism was coined by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam War, when he and his sangha responded to the suffering they saw around them. She points out the distinction between social service; social action. She explores the work of Johan Galtung in the area of structural violence, a form of violence as that which violates basic human needs and rights. Johan Galtung distinguishes three forms of violence: direct, structural, and cultural. Direct violence: deliberate attempt to cause injury to a person's physical and psychological integrity through brutal treatment, homicide, imprisonment, forced labor. Structural violence: a form of violence which corresponds with the systematic ways in which a given social structure or social institution prevents individuals from achieving their full potential. In other words, institutionalized elitism, ethnocentricism, classism, racism, sexism, nationalism, heterosexism and ageism, including disempowerment, oppressive passive social policy, and active marginalizing polic and a lack of access to power to protect oneself from the detrimental effects of the economic, social, and political order. Cultural violence includes racism, sexism, and homophobia, and the devaluation of particular groups and cultures. It may justify and inform structural and direct violence. She reminds us of the essence of Zen: Monk: what is the essence of your practice? Basho: whatever is needed She reminds us of Bernie Glassman's work and his five course meal: spirituality, study, livelihood, service, community related to the five Buddha families. And finally she points out that we cannot be passive but must take sides: Elie Weisel: "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Gandhi reminds us that "[n]oncooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good." We gratefully thank our friend of Upaya, Ottmar Liebert for his contribution of music and bells used in our Podcasts. LINKS EMAIL Upaya JOIN our notification list Dharma Podcast site Upaya Zen Center Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra Kazuaki Tanahashi's web site Brush Mind Stephen Batchelor Upcoming Programs Upaya Zen Center 1404 Cerro Gordo Road Santa Fe, NM, 87501 Phone: 505-986-8518 Fax: 505-986-8528 [email protected] Tibet Pilgrimage to Kham: Mountain, Monastery, Meditation, Medicine (Joan Halifax Roshi, Judith Chase, Tenzin Norbu) September 25 - October 25 Contact Upaya for a program application and data about cost. Metta Refuge Retreat: Living with Illness October 7-12 Instructors: Jean Wilkins; Susan Benjamin, LPAT, RMHC; and Daniel Bruce, DOM Facing a chronic or catastrophic illness can bring us to a moment when we need to slow down and look deeply into our lives, a time to find acceptance of a diagnosis, to review healing and coping strategies, and make peace with one's mortality. This retreat provides an exploration of the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and creative resources that lead to spaciousness and peace within which illness/healing can be engaged. The retreat includes meditations, teachings, art therapy, drawing, bodywork, group sessions, and councils. Retreatants must be able manage tasks of everyday living. Tuition: $495 members; $595 non-members; includes lodging. Dana to teachers. Contact Upaya about scholarships. How to listen to this Podcast: Click on the icon next to the show title to "stream" the show. Click on the player to listen to the "most current" Podcast. OR make it simple and subscribe via iTunes, which makes it very easy. To download the MP3 audio file, click on the Direct download link below. Install iTunes: In preparation for subscription and playback of the Dharma Podcast, click here to download and install iTunes. Notification list: We also suggest you JOIN the notification list. This way you will receive a notice when a new Podcast has been posted.