Episode 20, Intersections of Dhamma and Race: Insights in an Unjust World
Titled “Insights in an Unjust World”, this is the third in our ongoing “Intersections of Dhamma and Race” podcast series. Regular listeners will know that we began this new series because of the widespread anti-racism movement that grew out of the George Floyd killing in June. Although our podcast platform typically concentrates within the wide field of Burma Dhamma related topics, we felt that the current moment was so profound and important that we needed to allocate our limited resources to exploring this topic, albeit from a perspective grounded in faith and discipline within the Buddha’s teachings.
Events have not let up. Among other incidents, there was the police killing of Jacob Blake, as well as the decision not to prosecute the police officers who shot Brianna Taylor to death in her home, which happened not long after these interviews. These events gave rise to widespread peaceful protests, but also some violence. At this time of increased tensions, there is a sore need for personal reflection and introspection, deep and active listening of “the other”, and communication across all boundaries and communities. And when we do this based firmly on the bedrock of the Buddha’s timeliness teachings of liberation, the possibility of living through these difficult days together, while advancing on the Path, converge. It is our hope that this episode, as well as the other shows within this series, can play at least some positive role in pushing the needle in that direction.
Concerning this particular show, we asked several Black meditators and monastics how their Dhamma practice was informing their views and understanding of this particular moment. Their answers are vulnerable as well as courageous, at once inspirational and educational. In an age where most everyone seems to have an opinion that can be crammed into 280 characters or less, parceled out every few minutes, the cacophony of voices is ever-present and often overwhelming. But this is not the case with the voices that follow. We listeners are treated to a deeply reflective and introspective look at how Black practitioners have applied Dhamma wisdom even through the pain of racism and prejudice. The guests include:
· Bhante Panna on the experience of being a Black monk in Cambodia and Thailand.
· Tricea Dawkins on starting up a meditation practice while being a medical worker on the front lines of the pandemic.
· Esly Caldwell on the wisdom of karma and the power of mettā at a time of racial strife and ongoing protests.
· AB Johanne on how vipassana meditation helped her develop compassion and awareness.
· Keven Porter on how a daily meditation practice has changed his life, and the intersection between economics and race.