Classical Buddhist traditions have focused on psychological tendencies of misperception and mis-reaction –delusion, greed, and ill will–as primary causes of suffering. Such traditions have provided contemplative, ritual, and ethical practices to liberate people from those inner causes of suffering. Christian liberation theologies have identified oppressive social systems as primary causes of suffering and have provided historical analysis and social activism to empower people to liberate themselves from those systems. In this program we will draw on strengths of both traditions to explore practices for personal and social awakening.
Lama/Professor John Makransky will lead meditations of innate compassion and wisdom that he adapted from Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma-Dzogchen) to empower modern Buddhists, Christians, and people of other faiths to access a liberating power of love, compassion, and wisdom that can become increasingly self-replenishing, unconditional, and inclusive. Reverend/Professor Melanie Harris will draw on the deep spirituality of African-American Christian life and practice, together with those aspects of Buddhist practice, to help participants explore connections between healing spiritual practices and racial, intersectional, and environmental justice work. Melanie and John will alternate practices and perspectives of Buddhism and Christianity in ways that bring each other and the participants into deepening inter-religious practice and learning.
