Opening Dharma Access: Listening to BIPOC Teachers & Practitioners

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

Funie Hsu, Chenxing Han, and Duncan Ryūken Williams are the co-organizers of May We Gather, a collaborative project of commemorative healing, by and for Asian American Buddhists and their spiritual friends. What began in 2022 as a response to the uptick in violence and hate towards Asian Americans, has continued into 2024, as a second iteration of May We Gather, this time in the form of ritual memorial, and also as a precious and much needed space for gathering and community. In this interview, the three co-organizers share their reflections on the 2024 event. Watch the entire live stream recording of May We Gather 2024. Learn more about May We Gather. GUESTS:FUNIE HSU (she/they) is an Associate Professor of American studies at San Jose State University whose transdisciplinary research interests are shaped by their background as a former public elementary school teacher and a Taiwanese American heritage Buddhist from a working class, multilingual family. Look for their upcoming article in the Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies which examines contemporary challenges to mindfulness in US K-12 public schools within the framework of White Christian nationalism, particularly with the perpetuation of positioning Asians and Buddhism as heathen, immoral, and a threat to the US. CHENXING HAN (she/her) is an author, educator, and speaker whose work explores the possibilities that emerge at the intersections of Buddhism, Asian America, spiritual care, and creative expression. She is the author of Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists and One Long Listening: A Memoir of Grief, Friendship, and Spiritual Care. DUNCAN RYŪKEN WILLIAMS (he/him) was ordained as a Soto Zen Buddhist priest at Kotakuji Temple (Nagano, Japan) in 1993. He served as a Buddhist chaplain at Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in 2000. Currently, he serves as a priest at Zenshuji Soto Mission in Los Angeles and Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California. He is the author of American Sutra: A Story of Faith and Freedom in the Second World War and The Other Side of Zen: A Social History of Soto Zen Buddhism in Tokugawa Japan. 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. Her new book, Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. See all her offerings at EVENTS

Rev. Dana shares some of the ways she practices with grief. Mentioned in the episode:World Central Kitchen (website)Dai Hi Shin Dharani (Sutra of Great Compassion) (text)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjSzOHqYBK4 (video)(read this blog post by Dana: https://danatakagizenlife.squarespace.com/blog)Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo (Well-Being Chant) (Access to Zen text and audio)NEW 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)

NEW 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)Mentioned in the episode, her 1993 book on affirmative action: "The Retreat from Race: Asian American Admissions and Racial Politics"https://danatakagizenlife.squarespace.com/This season, we will have a new focus: Uplifting and Forwarding Asian American/Asian Diasporic Buddhist Experiences in the West.With our guests and audience, we will explore the specificities of Asian American/Asian Diasporic experiences.  We take as given that there are generational differences (hence the historical moment matters!) and we hope to also delve into Asian family norms and values, our inchoate understanding of ancestor worship, issues of identity, representation, stereotypes about sexuality and sexual identity,  and Asian American depression.   A theme we'll be using to help guide our conversations is The Disquiet - a term we are adapting from writer/poet Fernando Pessoa (The Book of Disquiet) - which in our view signals a complex recognition of self, mind, and body.  The evidence for the foregoing includes scholarly research indexed in aggregate statistics on depression, youth suicide, and other issues in immigrant or first-generation families. While Asian Americans are not alone in experiencing trauma, the racial languages and discourses of othering are different for us than for other groups.    What do we hope is the outcome of this podcast?  Our first aim is to give voice to the range and depth of Buddhism in Asian and Asian American generations.  We hope that in doing so, we help to shine a light on the limited or myopic envisioning of race in primarily white sanghas. Asian and Asian American diasporic truths about practice are a teaching for contemporary dharma organizations and centers. We recognize the depth and range of Asian and Asian Diasporic Buddhists is a wisdom mirror for organized Buddhism in the West.  Co-Host: 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. Her new book, Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. See all her offerings at EVENTSinfo.access2zen@gmail.com