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A review by bioniclib
Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by Lama Rod Owens, Angel Kyodo Williams, Jasmine Syedullah
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)
“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)