Going Beyond Bias

Active Compassion, www.activecompassion.org, is putting together a confrence in Baltimore, entitled “Going Beyond Bias,” in the spring exploring race and diversity and how it applies to social engagement.  Baltimore is majority African American and yet we are a mostly white sangha, most of the activists in Baltimore are white, and many of the politicians have been white.  We are hoping to put together a weekend based in mindfulness practices that opens up a very frank discussion about race.  Acharya Gaylon Ferguson has agreed to lead the weekend.  We are still working on a date.  We are also putting together a scholorship fund for people of color.  This resulted from a report on Diversity in Buddhism that came from Harvard University that stated that Buddhist communities that provided free retreats increased attendence and participation of people of color dramatically.  I will send more info when it becomes available.

Take care,
s

Re: Going Beyond Bias

IThis progam is great news! It might be helpful to look at the diversity and inclusion work that has been done by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and Spirit Rock Meditation Center to inform your planned program in Baltimore.   How much is available on their websites or by googling the issues, I'm not sure.; but both organizations have done considerable work in this area.

Buddhist Peace Fellowship:  www.bpf.org

Spirit Rock Meditation Center:  http://www.meditation-center.com/

Diversity Project at BPF: http://www.bpf.org/html/current_projects/diversity/diversity.html