Education for the Ecological Crisis using Buddhist Ethics
March 2023
Join us in conversation with three amazing Buddhist practitioners who are innovating and actively transforming education of children, as they share how Buddhist ethical foundations of love, compassion and interconnection are being universally adopted into the present day learning centers of tomorrow.
We are grateful for this unique opportunity to bring together Bhante Bhikkhu Buddharakkhita (Bhante B., Uganda), Lobsang Phuntsok (Genla, India) and Brother Chan Pháp Dung (Br Pháp Dung, USA) from across 3 continents to connect with YOU and share in this vital global conversation, as we learn how humane-based education is being used to grow resilience, creativity and joy in the face of our ecological crisis.
LGBTQIA History Month – Feb 2023
Shining a Light of Wisdom on Patriarchy & Queerness
We gather to honour and celebrate LGBTQIA+ History month (UK) and Black History Month (USA) by shining a mindful light on patriarchy, its impact on Buddhism and especially, on our Queer, Trans and Non-Binary BIPOC/Global Majority family.
We explore the deep lived wisdom from Lama Rod Owens (he/his, USA), Bhante Tashi Choedup (they/her India) and Fresh “Lev” White (he/they, USA).
This event is a collaboration between Buddhist across Traditions (BAT), Jamyang Rainbow Sangha and Rainbow Sangha Ireland standing in a spirit of kinship and solidarity to support our Queer and Queer BIPOC/Global Majority friends at this event.
International Mandela Day – Mar 2022
Coming Home
On the UN declared International Nelson Mandela Day (his birthday), we honour his request to celebrate his birthday through engaged action – continuing his legacy of 67years in growing communities of peace rooted in justice. This event pays tribute to the strength, courage and resilience of Refugees in rebuilding their lives. We use the power of music and performance celebrate the gifts and talents that Refugees enrich us with. This event raised money for Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers (SDCAS).
White Awake Sanghas: Path to Racial Healing & Justice – Race, Class, Gender – Mar 2022
Can Buddhism Grow Inclusive Communities?- Feb 2022
Intersectionality of Race, Gender & Sexual Identity
In honour of LGBTQ+ (UK) and Black History (NA) Month, we collaborate to explore the role Buddhist practices can play in growing inclusive communities across the intersectionality of race, gender, sexual identities. The panel discussion of BIPOC LGBTQ+ practitioners share and discuss their perspectives.
We Are, I am : Black History UK – Oct 2021
Afrikan & Buddhist Wisdom: Path to Healing, Justice and Liberation
Listen to Vimalasara Mason-John (UK, Canada & Nolitha Tsengiwe (South Africa) explore the interconnection and cross-pollination of Afrikan wisdom and Buddhism and what they offer to the challenges and social inequities of our time, alongside the multifaceted experience of being Black across the diaspora working towards individual and collective healing, justice and liberation.
Looking Deeply – July 2021
Metta Meditation – May 2021
For India & Global South – 3&7 May
We gather across traditions to meditate and generate loving compassion and care for India and countries in the Global South suffering from impact of COVID19
Two 30min Meditations for loving compassion.
Earth Day – April 2021
We are the Earth – Sunset Meditation
We gather across traditions to renew and honour our connection to the earth, reminding ourselves we belong to the earth. We gather for 30min at sunrise and sunset to mark this day in respect.
We are the Earth – Sunrise Meditation
We gather across traditions to renew and honour our connection to the earth, reminding ourselves we belong to the earth. We gather for 30min at sunrise and sunset to mark this day in respect.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 2021
White Awakening: 21st March
Tara Brach, Ajahn Amaro, Catherine McGee, facilitated by Mama D Ujuaje, share their experience of the journey to racial healing and dismantling “white supremacy” in minds and through engaged action.
Joyfully Together : Black History & LGBTQIA+Month – Feb 2021
Nourishing Resilience: 14th February
Ayo Yetunde, Bodhilila Young and Thor Rain share their lived experience. As activists, people of colour and those living within marginalised bodies, it is important to take time to nourish ourselves from the daily trauma that we face in our daily lives.
Coming Home: Black History Month UK – October 2020
A curated series of compelling events, assembling a diverse array of powerful, pioneering Afrikan descent monastics, elders, teachers and practitioners from various traditions, coming together to honour, learn from and celebrate Afrikan heritage contributions.
“Coming Home” events links racial healing and social justice to everyday living and reminds us that we all come from Afrika – origins of human life. Each event covers specific topics while connecting Afrika, UK and USA.
Honouring our Ancestors : 4th October
Honouring our ancestors in a formal ceremony held by Rev Myokei Caine-Barrett (USA), Ven Bhante Buddharakkhita (Uganda), Ven Dr Pannavati (USA), Sr Peace (USA) and Sister True Moon of Clear Grace (USA). First time these Afrikan descendant elders, from different traditions, share platform in this way.
Healing Ourselves: 11th October
Ralph Steele (USA), Nobantu Mpotulo (SA) and Dr Erica Mapule McInnis (UK) share routes to racial healing and justice. We learn of the impact of trauma of racism on bodies, minds and emotions and glean healing insights and wisdom from African spirituality and Black Psychology.
Nourishing Ourselves: 18th October
Nourishing our ourselves is a critical element of racial healing. We explore and learn opportunities to nurture across body, gender, our consumption. We welcome Dr Pamela Ayo Yetunde , Satyani McPherson and Mama D. Ujuaje.
Celebrating our Ancestors: 25th October
Together with musicians Melissa James (UK), Umenzi and the Zulu Monk (SA) we honour the significant musical contributions and explore how music offers us a route to healing from racial injustice. We come together to listen, sing and dance.
Breathe: Towards Racial Justice
Our breath connects us to our body, to life and to the world around us. We are all connected to life and to one another through the air we breathe. Recent global events such as the pandemic and the death of George Floyd have highlighted the depth of racial injustice that exists in our world and the impact it has on all of us. Our commitment to justice for the earth can no longer exclude racial injustice – they are not separate things. We are all a part of the earth and we belong to the earth.
Breathe: 7th August
Buddhist Teachers Amaragita (UK) and Larry Ward (USA) shared their wisdom and insights with us – inspiring us towards healing racial injustice in our practice and in our world. We cannot care for the Earth without caring for all her creations.
He continues his work with children ( ‘Love for life’ ) who are instructed in the arts, contemplation techniques and non-violence. He writes articles for various websites and continues to maintain relations with activists of the international solidarity movement and with Israelis who believe in Palestinian rights to their land.
He received the Wilson/Hinkes Peace Award for his work and uncompromising commitment to nonviolence. He has been to Plum Village Monastery (Thich Nhat Hanh Buddhist Tradition) a few times.