motherofpurl's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

Best book I’ve read this year.
As someone who is queer, Black, radical, and interested in Buddhist philosophy & practice, this book touched me deeply. 
The concepts raised by all the authors were poignant and profound. The conversations held, left something to be desired, but that’s where trust comes in, that these are the beginning stages of the conversation, and that we continue to have them and evolve . 

speedypallow's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

3.75

thee_erinroth's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

4.5

wxllow_x's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.25

bioniclib's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a just the book I was looking for: a Buddhist prospective on racism. I'm just going to give you a list of highlights because if you're wavering, they should convince you to read it but if you've not desire to read it (but have come to this review) it'll at least get you thinking.

“I think we get distracted with trying to end white supremacy and oppression and racism, but there’s still this work of healing that needs to be done for everyone and we need to bring more attention to that piece.” ~Lama Rod (52)

“James Baldwin was always advocating love and transformation. Those voices have somehow been lost.” ~Lama Rod (54)

I love Rev angel’s Warrior’s Prayer because I don't think the words "non-violent" and "warrior" are contradictory.

May all beings be granted with strength, determination, and wisdom to extinguish anger and reject violence as a way.

May all suffering cease and may I seek, find, and fully realize the love and compassion that already lives within me and allow them to inspire and permeate my every action

May I exercise the precious gift of choice and the power to change that which makes me uniquely human and is the only true path to liberation

May I swiftly reach complete, effortless freedom so that my fearless unhindered action be a benefit to all.

May I lead the life of a warrior. (93-4)

Rev angel says that whites must be allowed to acknowledge their suffering regarding race. (158)
This is such a slippery topic. Focus too much and you lose the support of the blacks,focus too little and you lose the support of the whites.

Rev angel posits that the whites that brought the dharma to The West place too much emphasis on individual meditation and not enough on community building and dharma in action with a Sangha. (164)

cheerfully_chaotic_leo's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective

4.5

yungtofu's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.25

mikaelaw's review against another edition

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5.0

Damn. This book offered insight into the intersection of spirituality, social justice, and personal and collective liberation. “Inner and outer. Personal and social. Love and justice. Liberation” p18. Looking forward to reading more of Lama Rod Owen and exploring the Oakland-based sangha Rev. angel founded.

gobriol's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective

3.0

cecile87's review against another edition

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4.0

I listened to this book. It is probably a better read as I would have liked to save some highlights and grasped some ideas better. This isn’t a how-to book. It’s more of call to go inside and attend to one’s thoughts about social justice. A Call to work together and avoid the insidious influence of white patriarchal capitalistic behaviors and attitudes— even when they show up in our faith systems.