Staff Pick
Invaluable essays by a range of black Buddhists on processing and releasing trauma through a Buddhist lens. One even explores the mindful use of Ayahuasca in trauma work, a fascinating addition to writings by shamans and curanderas. This is compassion in action — real action. In the words of Gaylon Ferguson, "we need a strong peace, with justice and dignity." Recommended By Jennifer K., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Leading African American Buddhist teachers offer lessons on racism, resilience, spiritual freedom, and the possibility of a truly representative American Buddhism. With contributions by Acharya Gaylon Ferguson, Cheryl A. Giles, Gyōzan Royce Andrew Johnson, Ruth King, Kamilah Majied, Lama Rod Owens, Lama Dawa Tarchin Phillips, Sebene Selassie, and Pamela Ayo Yetunde. What does it mean to be Black and Buddhist? In this powerful collection of writings, African American teachers from all the major Buddhist traditions tell their stories of how race and Buddhist practice have intersected in their lives. The resulting explorations display not only the promise of Buddhist teachings to empower those facing racial discrimination but also the way that Black Buddhist voices are enriching the Dharma for all practitioners. As the first anthology comprised solely of writings by African-descended Buddhist practitioners, this book is an important contribution to the development of the Dharma in the West.