Make America Zen Again! (and Treeleaf's Take on Things) ...

[Jundo]

JUNDO NOTE: REALLY NO NEED TO READ ALL THIS. 'BOTTOM LINE' IS THAT WE AVOID DEBATING POLITICS (but keep an eye out for some serious issues that may arise demanding a stand), KEEP OUR EYE ON THE HIGHER FOCUS OF OUR WORLD AND PRACTICE, AND WELCOME ALL FOLKS HERE INCLUDING THOSE OF ANY POLITICAL VIEWS (as well as people of all socio-economic classes, nationalities, races, ages, creeds, genders, sexual orientation and identification, and physical abilities).

My Dharma Brother Brad has a pretty good statement on the attitude in his Community toward politics ...

I recently strongly disagreed with a priest at one of America’s biggest Zen centers who said, “Mr. Trump and his supporters are not manifesting an intention to be other than racist, ecocidal homophobes.” He said their Zen center should issue a statement saying the center, “unequivocally rejects the hateful worldview of President-Elect Donald Trump, and vows together to actively oppose its implementation. All are welcome to join us in this.”

They can run their center any way they like. The Angel City Zen Center (ACZC) welcomes Trump supporters or anyone else. If they can conduct themselves politely while they’re in our shared space, absolutely anyone who holds any political view at all will be welcome as long as I am there. We do not require Trump supporters to repent their vote. Or Hillary, Jill, Gary, or anyone else’s supporters for that matter.

Emily Eslami, one of our regulars at ACZC runs our mailing list. She composed a statement that appears on all of our mailings that goes, “Everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, documented status and political affiliation, is welcome to sit at Angel City Zen Center. The only walls here are the ones we stare at.”

http://hardcorezen.info/make-america-zen-again/5101

This was in response to another Zen Priest urging the San Francisco Zen Center to take this stance ...

So if there is someone who supports Donald Trump who would like to come to San Francisco Zen Center to work on deepening and clarifying their intention to live in wholesome and harmonious relationship with all things, as we too are trying against the stream to work ourselves on these things, then of course they are welcome. They are welcome with all their obstacles and karma, just as all of us are welcome. But their racist, ecocidal, and homophobic act of supporting Donald Trump is not something that we can or need to affirm. You are welcome here despite your act of hatred, just as I am welcome here despite my many and daily acts of hatred. But we will not in the service of “unity” or “empathy” condone or ignore it.

So how about this as a statement of inclusion:

San Francisco Zen Center unequivocally rejects the hateful worldview of President-Elect Donald Trump, and vows together to actively oppose its implementation. All are welcome to join us in this.

https://nozeninthewest.wordpress.com...sisting-trump/

In light of all this, and in consultation with the other Priests of Treeleaf ... and with all our members (please speak up if you disagree!!) ... I would like to highlight what I feel is OUR STANCE AT TREELEAF:

- All our welcome here of all political persuasions. Whatever candidate one supported or did not support, anywhere in the world, whether one voted or ignored the whole thing does not matter. In the American election for example (and other recent elections around the world), people on all sides seem to have acted out of concern and what they felt is best, the true "haters" and racists on all sides are few and far between. Most on all sides are just average people doing what they feel is best. Frankly (and this is my personal view, however unlikely) even Nazis, KKK and ISIS members would be welcome at Treeleaf Zendo ... provided that they did not espouse any view of violence, hate, intolerance or racism here (that is the catch). All are welcome to sit Zazen and recite the Heart Sutra and Precepts ... but the minute someone opened their mouth to espouse views of violence, hate, intolerance or racism, they would be stopped from doing so. We do not speak in such ways here. As Brad also notes:

Someone asked if I’d allow an avowed Nazi or Ku Klux Klan member to sit with us. Absolutely I would. As long as that person could conduct themselves properly in the shared space, they would be welcome. We mostly just sit in silence, looking at the walls. ... After the sitting we have a group discussion. If someone tried to espouse Nazi ideas during that discussion they would encounter a lot of resistance, from me for one. Though I do have to confess that I would be quite interested in finding out why someone with such views would choose to sit with us.

Frankly, if they came to truly understand the Peace and Non-Violence of Zazen, the Heart Sutra and the Precepts they would not be ... they could not be ... racists or violent haters. Thus, I invite them to come sit with us, because I believe it will serve as medicine to cure that anger and violence in their hearts.

- As to all persons, our welcome statement says it:

Treeleaf Sangha is a multicultural Zen Buddhist Community in which people of all socio-economic classes, nationalities, races, ages, creeds, genders, sexual orientation and identification, and physical abilities discover shared humanity by direct experience of one anothers’ lives. We are open to all. We commit ourselves to cultivating a practice in diversity and multiculturalism by incorporating into our practice the dissolving of all barriers that perpetuate the suffering of separation, prejudice, and discrimination. We intend to expand and develop our awareness of the ways we are conditioned to separate ourselves by socioeconomic class, nationality, race, age, creed, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability and other forms of identity.

- Brother Brad, in my view, correctly describes most supporters of Mr. Trump and Hillary and all the other candidates that I have encountered:

But, since Trump’s election, I have made a concerted — and often painful — effort to try to understand those who support him. They are not all hateful white supremacists who want to kill Muslims and lesbians in order to make America a Christian nation again. Many of them are deeply concerned that politics as usual has been slowly destroying the United States for decades. They saw Hillary Clinton as the continuation of a system gone terribly wrong and Donald Trump as the only candidate with a chance of winning who represented fundamental change. The same way I saw Hillary Clinton as the only candidate with a chance of winning against Donald Trump, even though I had serious doubts about much of what she represented.

- Should the Trump Administration, or -any- leader, attempt to implement specific policies that truly threaten unnecessary war, civil and human rights, serious damage to the environment, discrimination against social or religious groups or the like, there may come a time to speak out in this Sangha. However, for now, I want to keep this Sangha focused on the "big picture" of where this world should be heading: Toward peace and non-violence, basic rights to safe housing, food and clean water, medical care, education and economic opportunity for all, honoring and cherishing the environment of this planet. The USA is only one country of the world, even if a pretty influential one, and this Sangha transcends all borders. What happens in America is not so important (even if having great impact) compared to the total health and well being of this world.

Today, people all over the internet and TV news are shouting at each other on the "small picture", which may be necessary in political debate. It is fine too if some people in this Community also enter into discussion from time to time on specific policies, so long as people do so with kind and soft speech (we do not shout at each other here, flame or call names). However, generally, political debate on specific topics is discouraged in this place. Rather, I hope to transcend all the shouting and "small picture" debate, avoiding all the arguing on specific policies, to keep our focus on the "Big Picture" of where this world needs to go ... and the changes in society that must come that are far far beyond the small concerns of our present capitalist, consumer driven, corporate-run-amuck, use and dispose, flag waving nationalist and religion divided world. We need to keep our focus on big changes and the future (hoping, of course, that we survive the present!) We need to see the forest and the distant horizon, and avoid arguing about the trees.

We must also stay focused on that Perspective beyond all views and judgments, measures of lack, war and peace, me and you ... even as we work to make this world better. That is a perspective that is rarely heard in this me you right left right wrong win lose world of political debate.


Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Enjaku]

Thank you Jundo (and Brad)
Personally, I found the priest at SFZC's position concerning and disappointing. It seems to me that openly stigmatising half the population due to their political views creates division at a time when we should be fostering compassion. Surely the Buddhist response should be to encourage non-judgemental dialogue, exactly as Brad describes.

SFZC Priest: "But their racist, ecocidal, and homophobic act of supporting Donald Trump is not something that we can or need to affirm. You are welcome here despite your act of hatred"

This part really upset me. For myself, I will always try to challenge discrimination without judging the groups and individuals deemed responsible. It's not like people who voted for Trump did so with tented fingers and an evil laugh... People voted for lots of different reasons and, as you say, we need to look at the bigger picture. I'm mainly disappointed that this priest at SFZC has apparently decided that there's a time for loving kindness and a time for actively opposing hatred. When did it become one or the other?

Sorry for saying so much.
Gassho,
Alex
Sat

[Kokuu]

Thank you, Jundo. I find it worrying that some sanghas equivocally reject anyone who supports the American President-elect. People have their own reasons for doing so and I believe that not listening to those is part of the reason there is such a political divide in America, and elsewhere. Contributing to that divide would seem to be very unhelpful.

We all doubtless have our own political opinions but that should not prevent us from being sangha brothers and sisters. In fact, diversity is part of our strength and reaching our beyond the educated liberal bubble would seem to be a very good thing.

I had an ex soldier come to my sitting group who was very much on the right of politics and it was good to hear of his experiences and opinions. He was very traditional and conservative and unlike most of the liberal counter-culture types I tend to meet in Buddhist communities in the UK. Group think is something we need to watch out for and I can't see a time when excluding people from a sanga is a good idea unless they contravene the rules of a group for some other reason. The Buddha himself accepted serial killers (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/a.../wheel312.html) so why should we draw a line at people who voted for a particular person?

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[RichardH]

The concerns that I have are not conservative or liberal. It is not so difficult to see things from different perspectives around the usual divisive issues, and understand different, sincere, values. It is more about how power is used in the coming months and years, and how messaging is used to rouse passions and mobilize people. Jundo spoke about the perception of threat in another thread. Historically this kind of perception has been used to gather power, and I feel a moral obligation to raise this little voice if certain atavistic qualities appear to be rising, on the right or the left. After all if you go far enough to the right you meet the far left, and vice versa. Even then a voice can be raised in opposition without hatred.

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo,

This is my stance on it ... for me regardless of what political view we believe in, if we can come together showing love, respect, openness, compassion, and acceptance to one another (and their view), this is right practice. We all have different views on things, coming together gives us the opportunity to share and learn about those different views ... again this does need to be done with respect and kindness.

members would be welcome at Treeleaf Zendo ... provided that they did not espouse any view of violence, hate, intolerance or racism here (that is the catch). All are welcome to sit Zazen and recite the Heart Sutra and Precepts ... but the minute someone opened their mouth to espouse views of violence, hate, intolerance or racism, they would be stopped from doing so. We do not speak in such ways here.

If they can conduct themselves politely while they’re in our shared space, absolutely anyone who holds any political view at all will be welcome as long as I am there.

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[alan.r]

My own feeling on this is most likely in line with Daizan. I'll add this: Treeleaf is clearly not a place, necessarily, to engage in political discourse, and yet I do sometimes wonder if activism shouldn't be a larger part of any sangha. A "sit-in," for instance, in response to say a shooting could communicate a lot, in a peaceful way, about what Treeleaf stands for. Or, a day in which an online sangha "unplugs" could communicate to others much about energy use, as well as test ourselves.

My own feeling is that I'm occasionally concerned by Zen communities somewhat isolationist stance (not suggesting this about Treeleaf, but about the San Fran center Jundo mentions). I realize Jundo's post is about accepting people from all political persuasions (which of course makes complete sense), and I admire the sentiment of this statement: "Frankly, if they came to truly understand the Peace and Non-Violence of Zazen, the Heart Sutra and the Precepts they would not be ... they could not be ... racists or violent haters. Thus, I invite them to come sit with us, because I believe it will serve as medicine to cure that anger and violence in their hearts." Of course, "truly" understanding the Heart Sutra, or the peace and non-violence of zazen is not something I can claim for myself. I'm sure this little mind and my little sitting has only opened the smallest glimpse and I've only just begun to enter into the depths of care and compassion of a Bodhisattva's mind. Thus, for me, merely reacting is not enough. Challenging myself is important, otherwise I'll get stuck, concerned with my peace, my contentment, etc, etc (similar to that David Loy book). Every day in my classrooms we work, through stories, to discuss the suffering of all kinds of people - the racially disenfranchised, the poor, the greed of the wealthy, the depression of the self-centered, the confusion of those wrapped up in gaining in social life - and while this sometimes leads to political discussions, it more often than not leads to discussions of how suffering arises, why, and how to care for ourselves and others every day in myriad small ways. It's my feeling that if we can act with this mind, then our actions are not merely reactionary (against a certain set of political views), but are rooted in compassion for ourselves and others, and are inherently engaged in both the democracy (and community and political systems) with live in, and in and as the universe.

Gassho,
Alan
sat today

[Hoko]

Good morning,

It's precisely polarizing situations like these that provide us with the opportunity to reject binary duality and question our petrified notions of this/that, right/left, conservative/liberal, good/bad. Regarding the election results: if you can't dwell in appreciative joy then dwell in loving kindness. If you can't dwell in loving kindness then dwell in compassion. And if you can't dwell in compassion then dwell in equanimity. No matter how you feel about Trump or Hillary, Coke or Pepsi, steak or potatoes you can practice seeing wholeness and letting go of attachment. No one said it would be easy. I'm happy to be part of a Sangha dedicated to seeing beyond the "small pictures".

Gassho,
K2
#SatToday

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[Risho]

I agree!

I don't support racism, homophobia, etc. Hating people that do that doesn't help. What happened to seeing that in each ourselves? We are all racist when it comes down to it. That's not an excuse or a pass to be racist. We should use that in our practice to understand who we are and to transform our harmful outlook/actions into healing ones.

Further, not everyone who voted for a candidate is one thing or another. I think we have a lot of healing to do in this country. I am praying that Trump behaves more like his acceptance speech. The office of President of the US deserves that, not this divisiveness or off the cuff, without a filter crap. I"m also going to miss Obama; man he was a class act and cool as a cucumber. In any case, I digress.

I agree with you Jundo

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

[JimH]

My 2 cents' worth is that I overall agree with you, Jundo. I look to Treeleaf and the Zen/Buddhist community in general to be more accepting than most other religions or philosophies, based on the view that if you accept the Zen or Buddhist mindset, you are already taking steps on the path to get beyond worldly concerns and seek a higher sense.

I would gladly, and have gladly, sat with all manner of people in the past. I credit my Zen training with helping me look past the things that make people different and focus on what makes us the same. I did not vote for Mr. Trump, and find myself disappointed in some of the things that I am hearing, but I have very close friends that are strong supporters and can see no wrong in his actions. As far as I'm concerned, we are both right, as far as our views are concerned....and we both have the right to follow those beliefs and views.

I think all Americans need to take a small step backwards and not complain about any of the outcomes of this or any other election. The situation is what it is, and we cannot change it at the higher level. What we *can* change is how we interact with others. Offer comfort and aid to people who are being negatively affected (prejudice, victims of hate crimes, etc.), and be welcoming of others, regardless of their views. I try to remember that if I feel frustration with someone, it is not the *person* I am having problem with, it's their *views*. I can't change those views, but I can explain mine, accept that person for who they are, and try to live by example.

Thank you, Jundo and Brad, for "keeping the doors open", as they should be.

Gassho--

--JimH (SatToday!)

[Jakuden]

Thank you Jundo, agree totally with everything said here.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Byrne]

Donald Trump is America's first koan to be elected president.

Gassho

Sat Today

[Joyo]

Thank you, Jundo.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[alan.r]

We are all racist when it comes down to it. That's not an excuse or a pass to be racist. We should use that in our practice to understand who we are and to transform our harmful outlook/actions into healing ones.

I like the way you say this and completely agree, Risho. Thank you.

Gassho,
Alan
sat today

[Sekishi]

Hating people that do that doesn't help. What happened to seeing that in each ourselves? We are all racist when it comes down to it. That's not an excuse or a pass to be racist. We should use that in our practice to understand who we are and to transform our harmful outlook/actions into healing ones.

So true Risho, hate never fixed anything.

I think it is helpful to examine (and be open about) the difference between "racism" and "racial bias" (or many "-isms" and "bias" in a general sense). Isms are conscious and codified, bias is implicit and often unconscious. There has been a fair amount of research on this topic, and it is pretty consistent across populations: when asked to make snap decisions, or decisions based on limited information, the majority of people have bias. I think this is something we can work with and transform. It is also something we can talk about openly and in a non-judgemental way. Very few people are going to be happy being called racist or sexist or agist or whatever, but may be much more open to discussing bias and the ways they can be aware of and work with that bias.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/upshot/the-measuring-sticks-of-racial-bias-.html

It also seems like bias may not always operate in stereotypical ways either:

https://news.wsu.edu/2014/09/02/deadly-force-lab-finds-racial-disparities-in-shootings/

Anyhow, thank you all for this discussion.

Gassho,
Sekishi #sattoday

[alan.r]

Isms are conscious and codified, bias is implicit and often unconscious.

I'm not certain how true this is. In my experience, people can very very racist, and not be conscious of it at all (and I'm not talking about systemic, institutionalized racism; I'm talking about individual racial prejudice).In fact, one of the more insidious things about racism is that it is often not conscious. It's much easier to deal with an openly racist person than it is to deal with one who is exhibiting racist and prejudiced attitudes but doesn't believe they are. There is a larger grey area here, I feel.


Gassho,
Alan
sat today