August 9 to 14, 2010 at the Mother House of the Zen Peacemakers in Montague, MA
The Zen Peacemakers are hosting a 6-day Symposium for Western Socially Engaged Buddhism from August 9 to August 14, 2010.
We are gathering leading Western activist practitioners, academics and sponsors of Socially Engaged Buddhism.
The daily schedule includes: meditation, a key note address, 2 plenary panels, discussion groups, brain storming groups and evening entertainment.
Panels include: Asian Pioneers of Socially Engaged Buddhism, Alternative Communities, Social Entrepreneurship, Politics, Challenges for Socially Engaged Buddhism, Mental Health, Compassionate Care, Environment, and Zen Houses.
Discussion Groups include: Arts for Social Change, Big Mind, Compassionate Care, Conflict Resolution, Trauma, Prison Ministry, Street Ministry and Community Development.
The Symposium is being organized to:
*promote the practice of Socially Engaged Buddhism,
*inspire and encourage members of the Western Buddhist community to join this worldwide movement,
*bring together the leading practitioners and theorists in this movement,
*explore the breadth of activity being undertaken by socially engaged Buddhists,
*honor Robert Aitken (click here to read his 93rd Birthday Talk) and some of the pioneers of this movement,
*open opportunities for people to get involved by volunteering, joining training programs, and finding internships and jobs in Socially Engaged Buddhism.
Pioneers of Western Socially Engaged Buddhism will be honored at a Banquet on Saturday night (the images are of those Pioneers attending the Symposium.)
