Introduction to Socially Engaged Buddhism

If you’re a new meditator interested in Buddhism and social activism, this may be a helpful introduction to what “engaged Buddhism” is. If you’re a long-time practitioner, but want to experience a more academic workshop on engaged Buddhism as a movement, this also may be of interest to you.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• The history, theory, and forms of socially engaged Buddhism (SEB)
• Whether SEB is heresy or a valid translation of the dharma
• Three leaders of SEB as it originated in 20th century Asia:
  • B.R. Ambedkar and Dalit liberation
  • Thích Nhất Hạnh and the Diem Regime
  • Master Cheng Yen and the Tzu Chi Foundation
• How SEB has manifested in the West
• How SEB practice can support radical political organizing

This workshop is approximately 60-mins in length and encompasses both lecture and discussion components.