Karma, Liberation, and Justice

Have you ever wondered how Buddhism understands “social justice”—especially in contrast to Western ideas like rights, punishment, or fairness? Curious how Buddhist teachings can support more sustainable and compassionate organizing while still taking stands with moral clarity and courage? This 90-mins workshop explores both of these questions and more.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• How dominant Western theological and philosophical frameworks shape our understanding of what counts as “just” or “justified”
• The bridge between abolitionist thought and Buddhism frames of liberation
• Practical applications of core Buddhist teachings like karma and dependent co-arising to activism
• Common misunderstandings of non-duality and equanimity in the relative reality of organizing and how they’re often used to spiritual bypass
• Pathways forward for a more radical, socially engaged Buddhist practice that lives into the Bodhisattva ideal

This workshop is approximately 90-mins in length and encompasses both lecture and discussion components.