When Lions Roar

I’m so proud of my zen teacher, Kōshin Paley Ellison, for writing the following letter to the entire Buddhist community, in the aftermath of the Texas synagogue hostage hate crime. Anti Semitism, and the surprising and disheartening overall lack of response from the Buddhist community is a topic Kōshin and I have been discussing for many months. Kōshin is a proud Jew, and this is one of the reasons I feel so close to him; he fully gets me from that particular angle. The horrifying situation that happened in Texas took place over the course of our sangha’s recent online winter Sesshin (a heart mind silent retreat). A gunman entered a synagogue during prayers and held several hostages, the rabbi included, while ranting about how Jews control the world. (This is an oversimplification, and you can search online for more details).

Each time we meet for regular zen services, there’s a prayer list. I asked Kōshin to add the victims to the list, and was brought to tears when at the closing of the retreat he made a speech about what it means to be a practicing Jew in today’s times. How it’s a gift and a privilege to be able to practice Buddhism without metal detectors and security guards. I was struck by the realization that I don’t even think about our own school and synagogue’s extensive security, in that I’m so completely used to it (which made me so sad). Btw, when our retreats fall out on a Friday night, as they usually do, our sangha adds the Jewish Friday night kiddish blessing over the wine, to usher in the Sabbath. These details matter. The things we notice and include, and those we ignore and exclude. It begs deep personal inquiry. We can’t address what we refuse to look at. Kōshin is always asking us to pay acute attention to the suffering we don’t include in our hearts, the people we shut out, especially our own personal pain. When I’m a slave to my own aversions, biases, and prejudices, and indifferences, how can I possibly be a fully functioning member of global society? Who am I to decide who deserves my attention and compassion? Where am I turning a blind eye to suffering? Anti Semitism has always been a tremendously dangerous problem. It’s sadly very much still everywhere. This particular incident in Texas had been carefully planned and executed. Jews have been actively frightened for our lives for a long time now. If our houses of worship aren’t safe to go to in order to peacefully pray, will our neighbors and government defend and protect us? Who will say no to hatred, no matter who is on the receiving end? It’s crucial for the survival of any healthy, functional society that we support and help one another. That we care about each other from the most basic human perspective. I’m so grateful to Kōshin for taking this strong, beautiful, public stance that calls on the Buddhist community at large to stand firm against anti Semitism, in keeping with the vow to serve and protect all beings, without exception. Over 100 Buddhist leaders signed this letter. Lion’s Roar is one of the most well known Buddhist magazines and online publications, and it gives me hope that many will read this important article. Every one of us can and must do better to include all forms of suffering. I certainly have a long way to go in this department. I had no idea my teacher was working on this. He sent me this article last week, on what happened to be my birthday (he didn’t know that). The timing felt very synchronistic. This was a beautiful gift, and I went to bed feeling a renewed sense of hope and possibility for what we all are capable of.

https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhist-leaders-share-open-letter-addressing-antisemitism-following-texas-synagogue-attack/