WELCOMING LIBERATION
This meeting has come to a close - here is a message from the team:
Dear friends,
As a team, we’ve decided it's the right time to bring Welcoming Liberation to a close.
We started this monthly gathering to support BIPOC/BAME in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and resulting conversations in Triratna about providing safer, affirming spaces for the diversity of BIPOC/BAME within the movement and beyond. At the time, we had few spaces to gather and practice together. It’s been a powerful space to get to know one another and explore issues specific to our experience of practising Buddhism as BIPOC/BAME.
In the two years that have passed, there have been a growing number of events and initiatives for BIPOC/BAME within Triratna which many on the team have spearheaded and continue to be involved in developing, including:
- The weekly online PoC space hosted by the LBC/WLBC
- The development of a course for PoC in the ordination process (still in progress, watch this space!)
- A gathering for Southeast/East Asian PoC (for further information please contact Danadasa
- Reading circles for PoC and white allies
- The appointment of a Diversity Coordinator by the European Chair’s Assembly (Aryarakshita can be reached at aryaraksita@triratnadevelopment.org)
- Residential retreats for PoC
- Local PoC groups (Birmingham, Manchester)
- The Welcoming Liberation Facebook group
Given the amount of time and energy these initiatives are taking, we realistically can’t continue to offer Welcoming Liberation.
Thank you so much for all you’ve contributed to our gatherings. We hope our connections can continue through the above and other offerings that will emerge out of our shared inspiration.
Love,
The Welcoming Liberation Team - Aryavacin, Bodhilila, Danadasa, Guhyasakhi, Padmadhara, Singhashri, Sujiva, Vimalasara and Viveka
bipocbamekula@gmail.com