BIPOC Buddhism
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 тра 2024
- Donate by PayPal - www.paypal.com/donate?token=j...
My Patreon page - www.patreon.com/user?u=4874189
LETTERS TO A DEAD FRIEND ABOUT ZEN audiobook - www.audible.com/pd/Letters-to...
My other audiobooks - www.audible.com/search?keywor...
My blog - hardcorezen.info
Write me at bw@hardcorezen.info
I’m a member of that Saint Paul, MN sangha Brad referred to in this video. BIPOC groups are not for everyone, such that everyone has a different lived experience. The same goes for other affinity groups like LGBTQIA, AA, etc… They have their place within our time and our culture. If it were true that there is no need to repackage Dharma to the different groups, why have the American or Western Buddhists branched off and started their own different sanghas? Why not practice with the local Sotoshu, Wats, and temples, and practice amongst the Asian Americans? As for the sangha that I am part of, the center is located in the Rondo Neighborhood, a historically Black neighborhood. The Twin Cities also has a large urban indigenous population. A surprisingly diverse sangha for being located in Minnesota. The sangha serves this population and the desire for a BIPOC-only group came from those members themselves. So to spiritually bypass the needs and wants of a group because they make you uncomfortable or go against your perceived purity Buddhism, puts a pause for me. Did Buddhism not evolve to the needs based on the time and place of where it landed? Recognizing race is a very American thing and yet has very serious implications. This is American Buddhism, as there is Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Thai Buddhism, and others that have their own flavor and social struggles that inform their evolving practice. I share this from my experience and Brad has raised a practice point for all of us.
Exactly what makes me fit to decide what benefits others? Exactly nothing. If you have not experienced American racism, it would be wise to avoid opining on something you know precious little about. That is what "not believing one's thoughts" would look like here, in my opinion.
Did it occurr to anyone else listening that being discriminated against while living in Japan is hardly enough to know what BIPOC minorities are experiencing in America?
And, while we are asking honest questions, did Brad not train exclusively in a group set up by his teacher for his non Japanese students in Japan?? How was that different? Or did his teacher also fail to see that integration is good for everyone?
I am unsure BIPOC sitting groups are a good idea frankly, but this video is certainly not the best Brad can contribute to the collective discussion about making Dharma teachings accessible to all who need it.
With palms joined
Indeed. Brad seems to be sitting pretty comfortably. His interesting talk on Japanese Zen teachers and their support for an expansionist war of aggression showed being an 'engaged' or 'politically minded' Buddhist can come in very uncomfortable forms. Amazing how 'not being political' can very easily morph into something very dark.
They missed the whole Anatta thing.
There are a few dubious things about the Buddha and Buddhism that a lot of the woke crowd seem to completely ignore.
I tend to agree with Brad though, politics and especially identity politics don’t really have a place in Buddhism or the Zendo. For me Buddhism is really about transcending the stupid shit I’m constantly subjected to by the society I live in and the people I’m surrounded by.
It’s why Buddhism is so special and unique. To bring those things into Buddhism really corrupts the whole philosophy and is a disservice to what the Buddha taught.
And you damn kids get off my lawn! Ugh. Such lack of compassion or curiosity about others' pain is a bad look for a Zen teacher. It's not so much the disagreement as the reflexive, Trumpy woke-calling.
Sengcan: “The Perfect Way is only difficult for those who pick and choose;
Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear.
Make a hairbreadth difference, and Heaven and Earth are set apart;
If you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against.
The struggle between 'for' and 'against' is the mind's worst disease”
I enjoyed the video. I know some LGBTQ individuals who find straight spaces to be uncomfortable and threatening, but they are usually aware that this is their own trauma. And so they actually seek out straight spaces that they know are safe in order to heal themselves. I imagine that some BIPOC people are also the same. So, while I agree that it's a very American phenomenon, I live in America! And so I see people who are gravitating towards these socio-political labels as manifesting some national trauma that is real. In the end, I think you're right, but there is a little background, which skepticism or lack of interest might gloss over.
A few points on this that deserve clarification.
- Early zen in America was predicated with Orientalism. "The mystic East" etc etc
- Racist thoughts dont matter? I thought we repent karma of body, speech, and mind? Mind would be thought?
- Affinity groups are interesting. In my own Zen affinity group, which is a zen youth group, our motivation is to have a "landing space" for people under 50 that are interested in Zen that a beginner could feel more comfortable with before moving to the main sangha which is made up of 60+ year olds. Thoughts on that?
This is exactly what I was thinking when considering the benefits of an affinity group. Providing a "landing space", a safe starting point for BEGINNERS. I agree with Brad, but I can imagine starting my practice in the months following the Floyd riots and having to sit in a space saturated with white people. It would not have been beneficial to my practice, it perhaps may have fostered even more delusion. For many POC their daily lives can feel like a battle ground against abjectification- being seen as a non-person, lesser than, having their humanity shrugged off, etc, and, for the time being especially as a beginner, identification defines your world. White people are white people, "BIPOC" are BIPOC; you feel safer with those who you feel understand your experience, and will not question it because they've known it first hand. It's the same with LGBT only spaces. I steer clear because, I get it. For once, just for a little while, you don't want to have to explain yourself. You feel at ease like when walking into a zendo, and this feeling of ease and safety is absolutely crucial, especially for a beginner.
It's counterintuitive, but it's necessary to affirm the self, in order to recognize its unreality. Like recognizing the reality of pleasure or pain before realizing their emptiness. Think of therapy. Therapy (in its empirically sound / evidence based forms) offers the self a stable substructure from the ground up. It is only from this relative stability in self-hood that one can cultivate the discerning eye that sees the arising and disbanding, the ebbing and flowing of all phenomena- the flowing fixity that identifies itself as a self.
Safety, security, and stability are imperative if one is to whole hearted follow the practice, without running the risk of deleterious effects to the psyche.
Beautifully said. I agree with you. One of my first teachers, Daijaku Kinst, wrote a book called, “Trust, Realization, and the Self in Soto Zen Practice”. It speaks to a lot of what you’re saying here with trust and self.
But is the racist thought consciously and intentionally conceived and produced by us and therefore of our own making, or does it simply appear in our minds out of nowhere, along with all the other nonsense that goes through our minds all day long? If you don't hold onto the thought that comes up and act on it, I see no problem and no contradiction to what Brad said.
@@WrongWorld23 I merely mention in Soto Zen, we repent “ancient twisted karma, born through body, speech, and mind”. What does it mean for our minds to produce karma? Are we repenting the karma of thoughts?
Make Zen Great Again. Seems like some folk are triggered by people being different. As if the history of the Zen (or the Tibetan) traditions were not impacted or influenced by political considerations. Many of the comments on this thread remind me why I left a sangha after nearly 40 years involvement. Maybe you have to experience the prejudice to understand.
Once upon a time I would strongly support the need for bipoc and queer affinity groups within Sanghas. My thoughts on the value of this has changed so much through the years. I remember going to apply for membership in the SZBA sometime after ordaination and recall the very first questions that were asked were about my race and identity. No thanks, and to your point- this is absolutely a very American phenomenon. This is American exceptionalism at it's finest. The ruling class wants us divided and promote it in the name of individualism. Much more divisive than inclusive than a couple sentences or a 20 minute video could solidify in the minds of most practitioners who are simply interested in the greater good of the message that Buddhism in general lays out.
Thank you for your insightful views Brad...it's always appreciated.
The Platform Sutra:
(translated by Yampolsky (1967)
3. "The priest Hung-jen asked me: 'Where are you from that you come to this mountain
to make obeisance to me? Just what is it that you are looking for from me?'
"I [Hui-neng] replied: 'I am from Ling-nan, a commoner from Hsin-chou. I have come this
long distance only to make obeisance to you. I am seeking no particular thing, but only the
Buddhadharma.'
"The Master then reproved me, saying: 'If you're from Ling-nan then you're a barbarian.
How can you become a Buddha?'
"I replied: 'Although people from the south and people from the north differ, there is no north
and south in Buddha nature. Although my barbarian's body and your body are not the same,
what difference is there in our Buddha nature?'
I suggest we leave it at that.
“Welling from no(n-being) to being, from being to no(n-being, from... this (circular movement) is the way of the Dao.“ (Lao Dan, Daodejing)
What is the way of the Buddha-nature: Similarly from “pure potentiality“ to “unpure manifestations“, and vice versa? And what deeper sense - if any - would lie inthis?
@@gunterappoldt3037 Hmmm, could you please explain this?
@@gunterappoldt3037 I agree with David Hinton, that Chan/Zen is as much about Taoism as it is about Buddhism. And I recommend his book: “China Root.”
I would say that Buddha-nature is entering the state of Chan, which is Silent Illumination (silencing thought to illuminate mind). Rujìng’s called his version of Silent Illumination: Shikantaza, which is usually translated as ‘Just Sitting.’ That is a valid translation, but I prefer this:
- Rindo Fujimoto Roshi (1966) “The Way of Zazen.”
“… In Buddhism since ancient times, zazen has been divided into two aspects, shi, or stopping, and kan, or a view. [‘ta’ means hitting exactly the right spot.] At first, by sitting [‘za’, unifying body & mind], our moving or wavering minds of daily life are quieted and a calm and pure mind, able to see the reality of things, appears.
This is shi. And by this shi, daienkyochi [the great mirror mind], which is the true character of our minds arises, and we are able to have a truly objective view of the world as in a mirror, which reflects everything as it is. This is called kan.
The ideal quiet of zazen transcends relative moving and quiet, as the quiet of a mirror is that of quiet beneath all motion. Therefore in Soto zazen we do not divide shi and kan, we prefer to say, shi is kan and kan is shi. Moving and quieting are not two and zazen involves transcending both of these.”
Steve Hagen Roshi parses shi-kan-ta-za in the same way, in his book “Meditation Now or Never” (2007), and I inserted his interpretation of ‘ta’ above
BTW, that’s one of my favorite Zen quotes! Ta ta for now.
@@gunterappoldt3037 - Rindo Fujimoto Roshi (1966) “The Way of Zazen.”
“… In Buddhism since ancient times, zazen has been divided into two aspects, shi, or stopping, and kan, or a view. [‘ta’ means hitting exactly the right spot.] At first, by sitting [‘za’, unifying body & mind], our moving or wavering minds of daily life are quieted and a calm and pure mind, able to see the reality of things, appears.
This is shi. And by this shi, daienkyochi [the great mirror mind], which is the true character of our minds arises, and we are able to have a truly objective view of the world as in a mirror, which reflects everything as it is. This is called kan.
The ideal quiet of zazen transcends relative moving and quiet, as the quiet of a mirror is that of quiet beneath all motion. Therefore in Soto zazen we do not divide shi and kan, we prefer to say, shi is kan and kan is shi. Moving and quieting are not two and zazen involves transcending both of these.”
Steve Hagen Roshi parses shi-kan-ta-za in the same way, in his book “Meditation Now or Never” (2007), and I inserted his interpretation of ‘ta’ above
BTW, that’s one of my favorite Zen quotes! Ta ta for now.
@@gunterappoldt3037 - Rindo Fujimoto Roshi (1966) “The Way of Zazen.”
“… In Buddhism since ancient times, zazen has been divided into two aspects, shi, or stopping, and kan, or a view. [‘ta’ means hitting exactly the right spot.] At first, by sitting [‘za’, unifying body & mind], our moving or wavering minds of daily life are quieted and a calm and pure mind, able to see the reality of things, appears.
This is shi. And by this shi, daienkyochi [the great mirror mind], which is the true character of our minds arises, and we are able to have a truly objective view of the world as in a mirror, which reflects everything as it is. This is called kan.
The ideal quiet of zazen transcends relative moving and quiet, as the quiet of a mirror is that of quiet beneath all motion. Therefore in Soto zazen we do not divide shi and kan, we prefer to say, shi is kan and kan is shi. Moving and quieting are not two and zazen involves transcending both of these.”
Steve Hagen Roshi parses shi-kan-ta-za in the same way, in his book “Meditation Now or Never” (2007), and I inserted his interpretation of ‘ta’ above
BTW, that’s one of my favorite Zen quotes! Ta ta for now.
I agree with this. As an ordained Vajrayana Ngakma, I find it odd that especially considering the Buddhist teachings on past lives, why people would be so attached to the experience of race in this present life. After all, we've all been different races in previous lives. I do get, that if you are black in America, you're probably going to feel very differently about the police, etc. It's not as though there are "no" shared cultural experiences based on race, including the experience of discrimination. -And that shared experience can be bonding to people just like any other. But I also do think some people focus too much on race. Now, that said, I do think the reason for these BIPOC groups, is likely that some people can find that being around white, former protestant converts, can just be a completely different culture, and it can be nice for people to just have others that they relate to, when practicing. For example, you may not have mixed with "exclusively white" groups in Japan, but I do know lots of people who have lived in Japan who definitely made a lot of friends with other foreigners, simply to combat the loneliness of being a gaijin in Japan. And of course they made Japanese friends too, but there's definitely an aspect of Japanese culture that can always view foreigners as "outsiders" no matter how long someone lives there. And I could see why someone would want to hang out with an international crowd of immigrants, who may have a bit more shared experience.
I really think that's probably what it comes down to: is the fact that despite how some people might wish to characterize Western Buddhism as "just Buddhism" the reality is some Sanghas are very white, and definitely bring with them a strong White Anglo Saxon Protestant culture with them into their flavor of "Buddhism" that can be a bit off-putting to someone who simply didn't grow up in WASP culture. Now, if that's all it is: a kind of way to feel a bit less alone, I think it's fine. But I do think it's weird when I see people like Angel Kyodo Williams trying to frame Buddhism in terms of racist struggle which it really is not about.
I don't have the experience of being BIPOC, but I can intellectually understand the points you are making here. Ultimately, though, the way I think of exclusive identity-based sanghas or groups is: They are useful while you are learning to ride a bike, but ultimately you're looking to ride a two-wheeled bike.
The thing is that an American in Japan faces a very strong cultural and linguistic barrier.
Americans of different skin tones might have the same culture, or at least a huge overlap. skin color != culture.
Basically, a video about the irony of people who want to reinforce their "identity" and sense of "self" through Buddhism which inherently negates those notions.
Also, a "white only" space in another country would be an extremely hostile maneuver and counter productive to the society at large. Segregation proved that decades ago here. Too bad we didn't learn from it.
Ya the whole “identity politics “ thing doesnt really work with buddhist theology. All these modern political things just latch onto everything
Exactly.
I’m not quite sure affinity groups are about identity politics.
tired of this crap
Keep saying what needs to be said! 🙏💪👍
I think you handled this spicy topic pretty skillfully Brad. Well done.
Thank you. You raise excellent points. I hope you'll speak more on this. We all need it! Buddhism can be a healing force, especially in these defensive, divisive times.
It is said, ad-libbed, that sentient beings focus on the cause, Buddha's focus on the effect...
Ruminating on this in light of what our friends are seeking to achieve, I believe they are not wrong in seeking their personal growth and healing, surely beset by a plethora of factors others could not know, but that in the course of their objective, they may see any undesirable effects this coupling may introduce. Dharma friend Brad and his dear wife have said what I believe are the peculiarities and potential ill effects of this pursuit. Although, like Refuge Recovery (in my day) and Recovery Dharma, this could have its need, its benefit... It is also said, ad-libbed, bring all things to the Dharma isn't it? Good Luck.
William James -
"Religion is one's total response to life." ❤️🌎🙏🏻
great talk
The caste system was initially developed during the Vedic period, 1500-1000 BCE. To say it wasn't fully formed during the Buddha's time 500-1000 years later seems a little dubious
I don't necessarily disagree with Brad's stance on this and also respect the fact that he's certainly and admittedly just stating his opinion without any claim to the absolute truth, etc. That said, I can't hep but think the perspectives outlined in this video are pretty fraught with basic logical fallacies. For example:
*Bipoc zen groups are silly because because of how silly it would be to have a bipoc pottery class.* This is *false analogy*. Comparing the concept of a BIPOC Zen group to a hypothetical scenario of a BIPOC pottery class and deeming the former as "silly" based on the perceived silliness of the latter is not a valid comparison. Comparing the two is not valid because the contexts and purposes behind them differ significantly. Zen practice involves deep personal and spiritual growth, often addressing issues of identity and belonging, which can be profoundly impacted by race and ethnicity. Pottery classes, on the other hand, are typically centered around a specific skill or hobby without the same depth of personal and cultural exploration. Therefore, deeming BIPOC Zen groups as "silly" based on the perceived silliness of a BIPOC pottery class overlooks the unique and meaningful reasons for creating such inclusive spiritual spaces.
*Bipoc zen groups are silly because this would have never been done in the past* This is the fallacious *appeal to tradition*. Dismissing BIPOC Zen groups as "silly" solely because such groups were not established in the past ignores the possibility of progress, evolution, and the need for inclusivity in contemporary society. I understand importance of tradition in any, or at least most, religions and spiritual practices, something that I've always thought sets Buddhism apart from most other religions is its willingness and ability to adapt and evolve.
*Bipoc zen groups are silly because when I was a racial minority in certain countries/cultures, I would not have attended a "whites only" zen group.* I find this to be a *false equivalence*. Drawing a parallel between being a racial minority in certain countries or cultures and attending a "whites only" Zen group does not equate to the establishment of BIPOC Zen groups. This comparison overlooks the historical context and reasons for creating spaces that cater to specific marginalized communities.
Again, I'm not saying that I disagree with his premise, and I'm certainly falling prey to my own logical fallacies by over-simplifying as well as ignoring some of what I thought were very valid perspectives of the video, but just think that if the goal is to highlight the silliness of these groups, there would definitely be better ways to achieve this. Which I also realize is probably not a goal of his, but nevertheless. I also know that Brad is just kinda shooting from the hip, which is honest and good and has merit, and that these videos aren't intended to be 100% ironclad/bulletproof dissertations.
3:09 I think this is a topic where you should say you are categorically against it. Ideology has a momentum and will manifest in progressively more radical forms until checked.
I live in a very shovinist country where the majority rules over manorities. But here are these "women groups", a very common thing - kind clubs where the main rule is "women only". It is so because women in these groups feel uncomfortable if there were men in there. So, for me those BIPOC classes look similar to our "women only" groups. It is like a therapeutic group for those with trauma. In that particular case the trauma is racism.
But I wonder, if there, in the free society, must be that kind of "help groups" for the white people who feel oppressed for being white and troubled by black and indigenous people of colours?
Seems like Brad is trying to take advantage of the white people feeling disenfranchised group
Dhamma that excludes based on appearance is not dhamma.
Good video on a delicate topic. There are lots of great clarifying comments below. Many thanks to your wife for her comments.
FWIW, the term BIPOC actually originated in the UK and was used here long before it started being used in the US. I'd say everything you're describing about the US is equally true here, if not more so.
“Don(h)ate me”
(Not sure why this warrants a comment but I love a pun! 😅)
I believe the technical term for the Description Section is "Dooblydoo". ;}P>
The Buddha wasn't 'against' the caste system. He just set up a monastic order open to everyone and espoused buddha nature in everything. He didn't lobby and cancel in an effort to end the caste system. People really need to understand the difference between these. Sanga is a place to learn truth beyond labels.
The Buddha also didn't lobby "against" murder. It's true that he didn't launch a political campaign to reform the caste system but he fundamentally disagreed with the assumptions it was founded on and the results it created.
@@kevindole1284 Show me anywhere in the Tripitaka where Ananda recounts him taking a political or moralistic stance against the caste system? He always respected the current way of the world while emphasising change from within. The very opposite of woke in my opinions.
@@DrunkenBoatCaptain I don't like fighting with people on the internet, but I will respond because you asked me to. This will be my last response, however.
You are right that sangha is a place to "learn truth beyond labels." However, had Buddha "respected the current way" of the caste system he would have denied people of other castes the opportunity to learn that truth and he would have been teaching his disciples that some people weren't "worthy" of the truth due to their birth. By accepting people of different castes into the sangha he was *not* "respecting" the current way of the caste system.
I never said the Buddha was "woke." I explicitly said that he *didn't* take a political stance. I think the term "moralistic" is unfair here but I do think that his clear opposition to the caste system was a moral one.
Here's a decent summary of a few places in the Tipitaka where he rejects the assumptions and conclusions of the caste system, which I think qualifies as opposition.
www.buddhanet.net/bud_lt21.htm
Take care.
Buddhists self-identifying AS their physical bodies, diverges from every Buddhist teaching I have ever heard, or read.
But being ignorant is also a point of honesty. So, I am okay with being ignorant of a persons skin color, when there is a fence to repair, or weeds to pull, or meditation to practice. I am whatever the Woke needs me to be. I am at their service.
Good discussion which will be wildly misunderstood.
there are those... but also the zen 'yu' (youth urban), which are actually just for dating 😂
Who cares...... If your doing zen !
I think it's more to do with diversity in America and having to propagate the message in a setting where people with familiar culture can be taught by examples in their common culture plus familiarity of the language. Cause there are sub cultures within usa who still have their distinct identity.
It’s nice to hear someone talking about this. Very insightful.
Nothing new under the sun! Hasn't “differentiating“ - to use a neutral technical term - been a kind of running gag throughout the history of the whole movement. Will there be a new school, named “Bipoc-Zen“? Maybe... for the better or worse... and who would be in the position to judge from an “absolute point of view“, no biases, whatsoever, and so forth? - Sokrates: “We searched for the truth. We didn't find it. Let's talk again tomorrow!“
your slippery slope argument isn't grounded in logic man. you're falling prey to the whole "how can we let gay people be married? what next? marrying goats and lizards? the horror!"
'If you don't hate me, donate me.' I think the problem really is that when those thoughts bubbled up into Robin DiAngelo's mind, she didn't have a good Zen teacher to talk to about them and drew some guilt ridden fixed views on impulse, then wrote a book. By the way... I think I'm BIPOC curious now too after watching this 😮
Robin DiAngelo is a grifter who makes money off white liberal's guilt.
Although agree with the general analysis but the interpretation of equating caste system with racism is quite in accurate. Four ‘Varna’ system is most natural system of society organising itself. Buddha even supported the same. Every society needs military needs to do its military duty, business people need to run business etc etc.
Any society which thinks it can outgrow four varna system is delusional. And it is basically suicidal.
Racism on the other hand is entirely a different position of segregation/exploitation which very different from four varna system.
Weird how so many Americans think "Skin Color == Culture"
Here's a reason for offering BIPOC groups - many BIPOC folks say that these groups are helpful to their practice. Simple as that and also as complicated as that.
There are many resources available to unpack this topic (and, no, asking a BIPOC person to explain this is not one of them).
Clinging on to delusions surrounding the teachings of anicca, anatta, and dhukka are going to be problematic if you truly want to follow what the Buddha taught.
Why not?
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church say protesting military funerals is helpful to their practice. That doesn't make it a faithful form of practice.
@@HardcoreZen the idea is if you're an 'ally' you'll take it upon yourself to go do your own research, rather than putting the responsibility of doing the work of 'convincing' you on the bipoc person. A bipoc person can explain it if they want, but aren't required to, similar how you can explain buddhism if you want to but aren't required to?
@@ImStuckInStockton Equating an affinity group practice with what the Westboro Baptist Church does is pretty far off the mark. An affinity group meeting together harms no one. Why is this so upsetting to so many white folks? Is it even our business if people choose to sit with people who have a largely shared experience. Isn't that what we do in our 99.9% white sanghas?
Adriana is my daughter's name... ❤
Good video. Ive thought about the prevalence of jewish people in the teachers before. A lot of the big names that were students I guess in the 60s or 70s seem to be jewish, I wonder if theres a reason for that.
There is something about this 'we sometimes think we invented racism' as a comment on Americans. You guys sometimes do weird stuff in your country and beyond. Take this whole trend of trying to replace african culture with black-american version (black Cleopatra etc). What is it if not a new face of american nationalism? Black edition ;) in this case.
I don’t hate you. But I’m probably the worst racist in the world because I’m old and part of the WASPy oppressive patriarchy. It occurs to me that in some ways this country is more racist now than when I was in my 20s and less racist at the same time. Weird mix.
I kinda understand what you mean, lol.
Funny coincidence, I have been completing my CD collection (yup, I'm a Boomer!) of the Rolling Stones... (!) and received my copies of Goat's Head Soup, Sticky Fingers, etc. and listening to this timeless, classic rock and then tuning into your video... Can you imagine what these 'woke' people would say about the lyrics of some of these songs! (...and Women/ Feminists! Let's not go there...) Wow, BIPOC, what a concept! (I really didn't know what this meant till now). The attempt to eliminate all 'whiteness' is a disorder/ dysfunction/ disease of reverse discrimination just as wrong and heinous as the former... The extremes of the 'woke' movement that has entrenched itself in our schools as well as the over-the-top widespread exposure/ promotion of all things LGBTQ in all aspects of media/ entertainment/ business (as in the DEI agendas, etc.) is, in my opinion, a Psy-Ops supported/ funded/ propagated/ disseminated by our own ruling class/ corporations/ deep state, etc. Yes, Deep State, as in the unelected officials that are always behind the scenes in our government, no matter what political party (remember Henry Kissinger/ Zbig Brezinski, etc.) And just because I mention 'Deep State' don't for a moment think that I am a 'MAGA' freak, far from it! (I actually support RFK jr. for President) But, realistically, I wouldn't be surprised if the 'powers that be' manipulate events towards November, so that the dreaded 'Orange Blob' will return to the White House! Then the political pendulum will swing violently in the opposite direction, causing more 'FUDD' amongst the populace, and this is what they want!! (The second 'D' stands for Disorientation, as in psychological)... BUDDHA HELP US ALL!! Namu Dai Bosa, Namu Dai Bosatsu...🙏 for my part, I will just keep on listening to my classic rock...
I am so happy I have not heard about this bipoc term so far 😄
It means a bi person of color.
Engaged Zen is not Zen.
BIPOC Zen is not Zen.
Only Zen is Zen.
Not zen is zen too. BIPOC zen is less not-zen than normal not-zen. As Zizek would say, there’s a difference between not having cream with your coffee and not having milk with your coffee.
uh..what? This is like:
Flamingos don't have 3 legs.
I don't have 3 legs.
I am a flamingo.
This is the first time I’ve heard the term BIPOC. Just more woke nonsense that we can all safely ignore.
BTW, your wife is lovely.
I guess no-ones gonna accuse you of being woke ! 🤣