Opening Dharma Access: Listening to BIPOC Teachers & Practitioners

GuestRyan Lee Wong is author of the novel Which Side Are You On, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel. He lived for two years at Ancestral Heart Temple and is the Administrative Director of Brooklyn Zen Center.Some of Ryan's publications include:Which Side Are You On, his novel published in 2023. Every Past Life All At Once, a critical essay on the films Past Lives and Everything Everywhere All At Once on The AMP.The Buddha on TV: Nam June Paik's fraught relationship to Buddhism, on PBS: American MastersCheck out his website to read more and stay updated.IG: @ryanlwong 

GuestRyan Lee Wong is author of the novel Which Side Are You On, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel. He lived for two years at Ancestral Heart Temple and is the Administrative Director of Brooklyn Zen Center.Some of Ryan's publications include:Which Side Are You On, his novel published in 2023. Every Past Life All At Once, a critical essay on the films Past Lives and Everything Everywhere All At Once on The AMP.The Buddha on TV: Nam June Paik's fraught relationship to Buddhism, on PBS: American MastersCheck out his website to read more and stay updated. IG: @ryanlwong Your HostREVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies. 

Enjoy this short guided meditation from Sharon Suh, called, "Compassionate Touch Meditation."Guest:SHARON SUH is professor of Buddhism at Seattle University and author of Being Buddhist in a Christian World: Gender and Community (2004); Silver Screen Buddha: Buddhism in Asian and Western Film (2015); and Occupy This Body: A Buddhist Memoir (2019). She focuses on racialized trauma experienced by people of color and emphasizes the importance of embodiment. She's also President of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women. Her upcoming book, Emergent Dharma: An Anthology of Asian American Feminist Buddhist Women scheduled for Fall 2025.Links to social media:www.mindfuleatingmethod.com; @mindfuleatingmethodIn addition to books mentioned in bio: •.      “Western Buddhism and Race,” co-authored with Joseph Cheah, Oxford Research Encyclopedia (Oxford University Press, May 2022).• “Jeong as the Expression of the Interrelationality of Self and Other in Korean Buddhist Cinema” in Edward Y. J. Chung and Jea Sophia Oh, eds. Emotions in Korean Philosophy and Religion: Confucian, Comparative and Contemporary Perspectives.” (Palgrave, 2022).• “Taking Refuge in the Body to Know the Self Anew: Buddhism, Race, and Embodiment,” Embodying Knowledge: Asian and Asian American Women’s Contributions to Theology and Religious Studies, ed. by Kwok Pui Lan (Palgrave MacMillan).• “We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming to Bring You This Very Important Public Service Announcement . . .”: aka Buddhism as Usual in the Academy,” in Emily McCrae and George Yancy, eds., Buddhism and Whiteness: Critical Reflections (Rowman & Littlefield). •Suh. Sharon., “Buddhist Meditation as Strategic Embodiment: An Optative Reflection” in Flashpoints for Asian American Studies, ed. by Cathy Vials-Schlund. (Fordham University Press, 2017).•Suh, Sharon. A., “Buddhism and Gender” in Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism, ed. by Michael Jerryson. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016):635-649.•Suh, Sharon A., “Buddhism, Rhetoric, and the Korean American Community: The Adjustment of Korean American Buddhists to the United States” in Richard Alba, Albert J. Raboteau, and Josh DeWing, eds., Immigration in America: Comparative Historical Perspectives. (New York: New York University Press, 2009):166-190.

Professor Sharon Suh discusses Asian American Buddhism, racialized trauma, and embodiment. They explore the struggles of authenticity within a white Buddhist context, personal healing through mindfulness practices, and the significance of deep listening and collective resilience in Asian American Buddhist communities.

Enjoy this short dharma talk from Reverend Jean Paul Contreras deGuzman. GUEST REV. DR. JP DEGUZMAN (he/him) is minister’s assistant at the 103-year-old San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and received tokudo ordination at Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan in 2023. He teaches history and Ethnic Studies at Windward School and UCLA where he earned the University Distinguished Teaching Award. His publications include:Lions Roar: "The Pure Land is in the West"Everyday Buddhist: "The Dharma of a Turkey Sandwich" Wheel of Dharma: "Mindful Action in Mindless TImes: A Buddhist Response to Injustice" Young Buddhist Editorial: "Gratitude For My Mom"Explore his website to learn more about his academic publications as well.

Rev. Dr. Jean-Paul Contreras deGuzman talks about how he came to Jodo Shinshu Pureland Buddhist practice coming from a Catholic family and after moving forward from a traditional path as an academic. He and Dana Takagi have an enlivened discussion about the importance and power of cultural gatherings like Mochi-tsuki for sangha and the wider community, and the role of pop culture references in Rev JP's talks in the San Fernando Valley. REV. DR. JP DEGUZMAN (he/him) is minister’s assistant at the 103-year-old San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and received tokudo ordination at Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan in 2023. He teaches history and Ethnic Studies at Windward School and UCLA where he earned the University Distinguished Teaching Award. His publications include:Lions Roar: "The Pure Land is in the West"Everyday Buddhist: "The Dharma of a Turkey Sandwich" Wheel of Dharma: "Mindful Action in Mindless TImes: A Buddhist Response to Injustice" Young Buddhist Editorial: "Gratitude For My Mom"Explore his website to learn more about his academic publications as well. Your HostREVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies. 

Dana provides us with some reflections and meditations on this season of ODA so far, inspired by some of the discussion around Asian joy in the last episode with Mihiri Tillakaratne and Noel Alumit. She talks about Asian American versus Asian Diaspora being claimed by some of our conversation partners on the podcast. Dana also talks about a colleague Gary Okihiro, who passed away on May 20th, and his deep impact on expanding the field of Asian American studies to go beyond solely the history of oppressed minorities. Co-Host: Reverend Dana TakagiDana (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and also a zen priest. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian Am history at UC Santa Cruz, she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies.  Zen practice since 1998. Check out more of Dana's work:2022: Sutra and Bible: an Interview with Duncan Ryūken Williams2020: Most Intimate, Ordinary Way, Recollections of Katherine Thanas  (co-eds. with Eugene Bush; 2nd printing 2022)

In this rich and joyful conversation, Rev. Liên and Rev. Dana talk with Mihiri Tillakaratne and Noel Alumit, the co-founders and co-associate editors of Bodhi Leaves: The Asian American Buddhist Monthly at Lion's Roar. Bodhi Leaves is the first published series of its kind, highlighting and focusing on the experiences and perspectives of Asian American Buddhist practitioners. We learn about Mihiri and Noel's views on their own identities and spiritual backgrounds, as well as about how Bodhi Leaves got started and visions for its future. MIHIRI TILLAKARATNE (she/her) is an associate editor at Lion’s Roar focusing on Asian American Buddhist experiences. She has a PhD in Ethnic Studies and Gender, Women, and Sexuality (UC Berkeley) and a M.A. in Asian American Studies (UCLA). She studied Pali and Sinhala Buddhist nationalism in post-independence Sri Lanka at Harvard. Her publications include a documentary on Sri Lankan American Buddhist identity, I Take Refuge, a study published at UC Berkeley: Feelin' Diasporic: Embodied Memory in Sri Lankan America, and an article with South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, Spilling the Tea: Aunty Discipline and Queer Diasporic Child in D'Lo's To T, or Not To T? NOEL ALUMIT (he/him) is an Associate Editor at Lion’s Roar, actor and bestselling author. He has a Master of Divinity in Buddhist Chaplaincy from the University of the West, where he is also an Adjunct Professor. He facilitates meditation workshops for LA Artcore and Meditation Coalition. His award-winning books include Talking to the Moon,  Letters to Montgomery Clift and Music Heard in Hi-Fi.Your Hosts REVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies.  REV. LIÊN SHUTT (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. She is an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). Her new book is Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path.

This is the audio of a recording of Rev. Liên's dharma message at May We Gather 2024: A National Buddhist Pilgrimage for Asian American Buddhists, in Antioch, California. You can also watch the video here. Find out more about May We Gather. Listen to Rev's interview with the co-organizers, Funie Hsu, Chenxing Han and Duncan Ryūken Williams. Also check out the full event summary, either in audio or video form. REV. LIÊN SHUTT (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society’s reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org.

This is the audio of a video of a summary of the events at May We Gather 2024: A National Buddhist Pilgrimage for Asian American Ancestors, Co-Coordinated by Funie Hsu, Chenxing Han, & Duncan Ryūken Williams.Here is a list of the voices, chants, & Dharma Messages you'll hear: (Time-stamps are from the actual YouTube VIDEO Summary):· 0:26- 0:56 O-Daiko drum roll led by Dr. Paula Arai (Institute of Buddhist Studies) and Kansho Bell ringing led by Rev. Harry Bridge (Buddhist Church of Oakland)· 0:57-2:30 Emcee introduction, Funie Hsu/Chhi and Chenxing Han· 2:31-2:57 Chanting of the Three Refuges by Ven. Phra Khru Manas Siriratanathammawithet, Ven. Phra Maha Saichon Santikaro, and Ven. Phra Khru Baidika Jungrak Khemacaro (Wat Mongkolratanaram)· 2:58- 3:33 Recitation of the Hyobyakumon (Pronouncement of Intention) by Rev. Duncan Ryūken Williams (Zenshuji Soto Mission)· 3:34-3:57 Dharma message by Arisika Razak of East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland· 3:58-4:12 Chenxing- Introduction of Offerings+Chanting+Recitation of Memorial Tablets· 4:13-5:07 Chanting of Heart Sutra, led by Ven. Dr. Longyun Shi (American Bodhi Sea Buddhist Association) and presentation of tablet for Yik Oi Huang by Sasanna Yee (Communities as One)· 5:08-5:36 Dharma message by Jee Suthamwanthanee (Bay Area Thai Sangha)· 5:37- 6:08 Dharma message by Rev. Liên Shutt (Access to Zen)· 6:09-6:35  Prayer for Caste Equity by Thenmozhi Soundararajan (Equality Labs)· 6:36-6:54 Chenxing-Introduction of Kintsugi Lotus Offering and Chant· 6:55-7:11 Offering of Kintsugi Lotus by Ven. Hyongjeon and Ven. Hyokeun (Borisa Zen Center), accompanied by chant in Praise of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, led by Ven. Thich Tinh Nghia (Thien Tam Buddhist Temple)· 7:12-7:38 Dharma message by Rev. Grace Song (Won Institute of Graduate Studies)· 7:39-8:30 Dharma message by sujatha baliga (Gyuto Foundation)· 8:31-9:15 Protection Chant, led by Ven. Khammai Sayakoummane (Wat Lao Saysettha of Santa Rosa)· 9:16-9:43 Chanting and Taiko drumming by Diablo Taiko· 9:44-9:53 Daoist conducted by Master E-Man and Sumo Liu· 9:54-10:21 Chenxing- Introducing Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and her reading of the city's 2021 apology· 10:22-10:55 Mayor Monica Wilson reading the city's apology· 10:56-11:10 Chenxing introducing flower offerings by the family of Angelo Quinto and Yik Oi Huang· 11:11-11:33 Daoist ceremony conducted by Master E-Man and Sumo Liu(Not able to be included in our practice as it didn't have voiced audio -- but will be in the MWG Summary video --  Khenpo Paljor Gyatso leading the draping of Tibetan blessing scarves, or khatas, at Antioch's town marker.) Link to website of May We Gather 2024: A National Buddhist Pilgrimage for Asian American Ancestors  HOSTREV. LIÊN SHUTT (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society’s reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org.&nb