Causes to Support
"When bombs begin to fall on people, you càannot stay in the meditation hall all of the time. Meditation is about the awareness of what is going on— not only in your body and in your feelings, but all around you. We must be aware of the real problems of the world. Then, with mindfulness, we will know what to do and what not to do to be of help.”
— Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh
Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh began a new tradition in Buddhism called Engaged Buddhism, which was born out of the Vietnam War. For him, he did not see how praying and chanting in monasteries all day could help change the world. His approach to Buddhism is for us to be engaged with the world, not to turn away when the world is suffering. His relentless work for peace is what inspired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967.
As a practitioner of Engaged Buddhism, a child of Vietnam War refugees, and someone who has dedicated their career to uplifting marginalized voices, I believe it is vital that we bring our attention to issues, causes, and communities who are actively being oppressed. Below are causes that will stir something up in your heart and compel you to action.
Free Palestine: Fighting for Peace in Gaza
More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1,000 injured a year after Hamas killed 1,139 Jewish people and held 200 captive on October 7, 2023. The International Court of Justice, Amnesty International and experts are now calling Israel’s retaliation a genocide against the Palestinian people. Call for a ceasefire, donate to relief efforts and support the groups advocating for peace in Gaza now.
Undocumented and Unafraid: Immigrant Justice and Rights
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Reproductive Freedom and Justice: Abortion Access for All
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Transgender Rights are Human Rights
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Black Liberation: Support Black Justice and Liberation
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