Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Our *Next Downtown Dharma Reading Group*- Saturday, August 27th -- RSVP here

Hi all,

We've decided to shift this meeting next weekend to my place, address below. Weather permitting, we'll do it outside on the patio! Please RSVP. I will still limit in-person attendees to about 10 people just in case we have to be inside in my small apartment. 

Address:

2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Please RSVP here

Kavya

On Mon, Aug 15, 2022 at 5:55 PM Justin Koufopoulos <jkoufopoulos@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, for our next reading group we'll be discussing readings on the topic of socially engaged Buddhism. Thanks very much to Kavya, for putting the reading list together. This will be a revisit for some of us, but as always, reading is not required.

I will be hosting this time -- the details are:

Saturday, August 27th, 6:00pm -7:30pm

2726 13th St NW, Unit A (up the stairs)

Washington DC, 20009

Please RSVP here, so I can account for numbers and zoomers.

Thanks,

Justin

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Reprise: History, Sociopolitical Movements, and Buddhist Practice

This is a reprise of a reading group we did in January 2020! Below are the readings and questions I put together at that time. - Kavya

To continue our theme of socially engaged Buddhism, I wanted to share some writings on the role of Buddhism in social and political movements—notably, how the very practice of Insight meditation arguably emerged as a response to colonialism. Personally, I find that a view into history can help me better understand how things came to be as they are. I also include pieces on several 20th/21st century Buddhist leaders in India, Thailand and the United States that practice Buddhism as a response to forces such as social injustice, colonialism, and westernization. Please feel free to read as much or as little as you are able prior to the discussion. 

1. Meditation en Masse: How colonialism sparked the global Vipassana movement by Erik Braun

2. The Great Conversion: Dr. Ambedkar and Buddhist Revival in India by Christopher Queen

3. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu: The Middle Way Life in a World of Polarity by Santikaro

4.  The Radical Buddhism of Rev. angel Kyodo williams by John Demont

1. Optional quick read by Williams: The Great Awakening Beckons

If you have issues accessing the Tricycle articles, let me know. 

Additional Readings/Resources

The pieces on Thich Nhat Hanh that Benjamin shared last time are also relevant to this topic: 

• Thich Nhat Hanh

• History of Engaged Buddhism

• Fourteen Precepts - Thich Nhat Hanh

• Politics of A Still Mind 

• John Malkin Interview w/ Thich Nhat Hanh

The two suttas mentioned in the Braun article may also be of interest:

• Satipatthana Sutta: Frames of Reference

• Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing

Also, this podcast interview with angel Kyodo williams

Some questions for contemplation/discussion:

1. Do any of these modern Buddhist leaders/activists particularly resonate with you? Why or why not? 

2. Braun asserts that the meditation we practice is a fairly new development in Buddhism, though arguably one true to the Buddha's original teachings. Does this affect your view of your meditation practice or meditation in general? 

3. Dr. Ambedkar took issue with some core Buddhist teachings, particularly the second noble truth that attachment is the root of all suffering. He argued that this would be "offensive and unacceptable to people whose suffering was experienced as the result of others' cruelty." What do you make of Ambedkar's arguments? 

4. Ajahn Buddhasa taught Thai people to adopt the beneficial aspects of Western culture and education, but to preserve Thai culture and Buddhist principles. How does such an approach apply to the way we adopt and practice Buddhism (if at all)? 

5. On American Buddhism, Rev. Williams states, "There's something in the way we are practicing Buddhism that actually seems to make us more insulated. Even this practice, which is supposed to be about how we relate to the world and to the people around us, becomes hyper-individualized." Do you agree or disagree with Williams' characterization of American Buddhism?

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