Sunday 18 July 2021
18:30 – 20:30 BST/ 20:30 – 22:30 Gaza/ 13:30-15:30 EDT/ 10:30 -12:30 PDT
On the birth date of Mandela, now declared International Nelson Mandela Day and in honour of his commitment to peace, justice and freedom, we host an event to look deeply and listen from our hearts to the wisdom and experience of peace-makers and engaged Buddhist practitioners from Palestine and Israel.
Like the bodhisattva Quan Yin/Kannon/Avalokitesvara, “they who hears the cries of the world.” We hear the cries of people who are suffering from abuse of power, oppression, occupation and the harm to vulnerable children. We hear the cries of people whose humanity and social fabric are at risk. Like the boddhisatva we do everything in our power to help and protect. When great suffering is at stake, Buddhists must take a stand against it, with compassion, wisdom, calm minds, and courage. Our Spiritual leaders have often played pivotal roles for peace, justice and contributing their wisdom, love, courage, and compassion towards re-building communities and re-humanising our social fabric. Together we can be a remarkable force for transformation and liberation.
Can we be Buddhist and Mindfulness practitioners and remain silent? Is it time to open our hearts and minds in engaged action?
About the activists:
Issa Souf (Palestine),helped coordinate joint Israeli and Palestinian non-violent protest activities in the village of Hares and the surrounding area of Salfit. With others, he founded the International Solidarity Movement, an organisation that encourages non-violent action. In May 2001, Issa was shot by two Israeli soldiers. He survived but is now a paraplegic. He continues his work with children ( ‘Love for life’ ) who are instructed in the arts, contemplation techniques and non-violence. He writes articles for various websites and continues to maintain relations with activists of the international solidarity movement and with Israelis who believe in Palestinian rights to their land. He received the Wilson/Hinkes Peace Award for his work and uncompromising commitment to nonviolence. He has been to Plum Village (Thich Nhat Hanh) a few times.
Thanissara (US/UK) spent 12 years as a Buddhist nun (Ajahn Chah) and was founding member of Chithurst and Amaravati Buddhist Monasteries in England. She has an MA in Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Practice, co-founded Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat (South Africa) and Chattanooga Insight, TN and Sacred Mountain Sangha, CA. She is engaged in climate and social justice activism. Read more here
Aviv Tatarsky (Israel) has been practicing Dharma for over two decades and is a facilitator for Tovana an Israeli based Dharma organisation in the Theravada tradition. He is also an organizer at Engaged Dharma Israel which is a Dharma inspired group working in solidarity with Palestinian communities. Aviv works as a researcher for Ir Amim an Israeli human rights organisation in Jerusalem.
