BPF Goes Off The Cushion with Rev. Danny Fisher

Don't miss Episode #3 of Danny Fisher's new Buddhist podcast series Off the Cushion!

Danny asks BPF's Co-Directors Dawn Haney and Katie Loncke about issues of structural racism in Buddhist communities, and the militarization of police forces in the United States — looking specifically at the events in Ferguson, MO and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship direct action held at the Urban Shield trade show in Oakland, CA.

Dawn and Katie also discuss the importance of cultivating critical compassion when struggling against racial injustice, as well as the challenges of creating safe spaces for accountability and dialogue when organizing the Buddhist Peace Fellowship’s national gathering.

If you really believe we are all one and you are not heartbroken over Michael Brown being shot and murdered in Ferguson, you are disconnected from the world and that is something to look at deeply.

How is it that our hearts have hardened because of all the suffering that is existing in the world…how can it be a news story that floats on by and not something that shakes us.

— Dawn Haney

At the BPF Gathering Larry Yang invited us to consider, when conflict arises, rather than breaking apart — how do we break together?

How do we move through conflict in a way that actually enhances community or keeps community alive, and keeps it strong?

— Katie Loncke

Gratitude to Danny for beautifully tough questions, and for including BPF in this marvelous series!