Opening Dharma Access: Listening to BIPOC Teachers & Practitioners Buddhism as Engaged & Political with Siddhesh Mukerji
Oct 7, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Siddhesh Mukerji, a Zen practitioner and scholar of engaged Buddhism, explores the vital intersection of Buddhism and social justice. He emphasizes the importance of bringing awareness from meditation into everyday life and challenges the notion of inaction in Buddhism. Siddhesh advocates for a blend of personal healing and collective response, urging Buddhists to embrace critical social theories to tackle systemic issues. His reflections on the complexities of Asian diasporic practices enrich the conversation, providing a fresh perspective on modern engagement.
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Practicing Between Lineages And Politics
- Siddhesh describes his Soto Zen practice and influences from Sanbo Kyodan and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Navayana Buddhism.
- He locates his practice between Asian roots and socially engaged Buddhist expressions shaped by diverse contexts.
Zazen As The Basis For Engagement
- Siddhesh emphasizes Shikantaza (zazen) as his core existential practice and foundation for daily awareness.
- He brings that seated clarity into every moment of daily life as the basis for engaged action.
Feeling At Home Across Sanghas
- Siddhesh recounts practicing in a mainly white Chicago sangha that preserved Asian rituals and feeling at home during ceremonies in Japan.
- He also practiced with an Indian Jesuit priest-teacher showing Buddhism's hybrid contemporary forms.