One of the first questions I had to ask myself and look up was what does dharma mean?
There are several different definitions of Darma for Hindu and Buddhism, but, is generally known as the ‘Teachings of Buddha’. In this article, a review of the Radical Dharma, it is looking at how injustice and white supremacy have affected the Buddhism. Although, I would argue that it is the other way around for most religions!
As with all religions, Buddhism needs to shape up for the future, to acknowledge where the weaknesses lie, and take a good look at it’s inclusivity, (or lack of). A new breed of Darma is on the rise in American Buddhism.
New ideas, looking at ways to improve inclusivity, to ‘deconstruct rather than amplify systems of suffering’.
As with all religions, the prejudice and inequalities against different communities within Society needs redressing. The Christian church may now have women bishops, but, speaking to a women chaplain recently, I will add that this is still reluctantly! It is still not possible for a woman to be ordained in the Roman Catholic church however, in fact it is considered a crime! The Vatican sees it as a serious crime in canon law. So, there is still a lack of equality for women in most religions.
After 10 years of legal same sex marriages in a civil setting in the UK, with the establishment of The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act (2013), the Church of England still refuses to budge on same sex marriages taking place in a church. Another prejudice, and inequality. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture I’m painting.
I believe that religion has to answer for many of the wrongs in the world today and in the past. Inequality of women’s rights, girls not being allowed to go to school, the abuse of power and greed. Abuse and cover ups by the church throughout the ages not to mention the wars in the name of religion. Those persecuted as witches if they were different, or offered a different explanation to that of the church, like scientist. Protestants against Catholics, Catholics against Protestants.
One of the books authors, Lama Rod Owens, criticizes the capitalisation of some Sanghas, that they have been compromised and have watered down their teachings in order to sell classes.
At this point, I will mention the discussion that began about Yoga, when recapping the article. Although I attend yoga classes, these are exercise classes to me, I attend for my physical health and yes, probably my mental health too. Faith and religion have never entered my head when taking a class, and I believe it is probably the same for many of the other participants that attend. But I know that this is not true of most of the teachers, (not the ones I have known anyway!). It was mentioned that yoga is seen largely as a white middle class woman thing. However, the class I attend is very different to that. Maybe it is because of local demographics of where I live, maybe I was wrong in my previous statement and there is more of a spirituality element for those in attendance. But it is well attended by a diverse group of people including people of colour. So, not your stereotypical yoga class as mentioned during the discussion. Does this mean that the popularity of Buddhism is on the rise, or just the popularity of yoga?
Is Buddhism following in the footsteps of the “Christian Megachurches” as described by Webster, (2017). Has the raise of Yoga popularity given the religion it’s own money making scheme?
Has this become the priority over the Buddhism teachings? Is this the compromise Lama Rod Owens talks about? Or maybe one of the elements?
The term “Radicalized Society” is used in the article. Is ours a radicalized society? Sure, there are element of Radicalization. Who is responsible for the radicalization of our society? Do we need more?
Yes, sometimes radical thinking might be necessary, but is more extremism the answer?
How any of this fits into my practice, heaven only knows!! (Sorry! Couldn’t resist!)
Being aware of radical views, and radicalisation is part of the prevent training that I must attend as part of the safeguarding training in school on an annual basis. So, coming from a different angle, it is important to be aware of, and I must say, I know I only work at UAL part time, but I am surprised that there is not more in the way of safeguarding training in FE and HE too.
Although I must come across as really anti religion, I am not. It is the greed and the power and the ‘old boys’ network (which the church is in a different setting, like class, politics and other big business). I work in a church school and see much of the good the church does too. Faith and community are really important factors in many people’s lives.
What is important for me to take away from this, is that students should feel comfortable and able to talk and share their experiences in a safe place, that feels safe. And I will try to ensure that I make space for this by including different religions in resources where possible, finding new resources that are reflective of other religions and cultures is important to.
In school I have expanded the libraries collections, ensuring there is a range of diverse and inclusive books from a range of different authors for students to access. It is important that they feel represented in the resources that are available to them to help them to engage in their learning.
References
Webster, T (2017) Social Justice/Buddhism/Queerness, Higher Power: Religion, Faith & Spirituality & Belief, Pg 35-36. Shades of Noir.
Useful websites – Further reading
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-63923460
Buddhism and Social Action: Engaged Buddhism | The Pluralism Project
Buddhist Perspectives on Diversity, Discrimination, Social Justice and Politics — Mindful Teachers
https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ssm-legal-guide.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-duty-training
https://shadesofnoir.org.uk/journals/higher-power-religion-faith-spirituality-belief/
I really enjoyed reading your post Lorraine, I haven’t read this article but I will now, sounds really interesting.
My own experience with yoga is quite similar to yours – I have been practicing for over 10 years, and while I find the practice to work as a form of meditation for me, so good both for my body and my mental health, I don’t see it as a spiritual practice. While most of the yoga instructors I have had in the past did see it as a spiritual classes, for a while I frequented a class in a local gym where yoga was presented very much as an exercise class, and funny enough that’s the reason I stopped attending. There was so much talking about the muscles being activated and the right way to do a pose that I didn’t get to the meditative experience I usually find. So even though I don’t see it as a religious practice I guess there is something in the spiritual side I enjoy, even if I don’t share the beliefs? Maybe we all take different things from religious settings that are beneficial to us even if we don’t fully engage/identify with the religious teachings?
A great blog post Lorraine! I agree with your points about yoga classes. I haven’t done yoga for ages but what I crave is the savasana bit at the end 🙂 I think that point can feel spiritual, when you have worked out the stress and thinking from the body. But I agree that the spiritual side is not really emphasised even if the teacher holds those beliefs.
I also wonder a lot about safeguarding in FE and HE. It’s weird to think that there is such a big difference between how a 17 year old is viewed versus an 18 year old. They still need support to transition into adulthood and I don’t think university really provides that.
Thank you both for your comments. I think I was a little off task with the Yoga, comments, but it was something that was brought up and discussed in one of the breakout groups. I guess it is a good example of how something so closely linked to religious/spiritual practice can become commercialized and is really taken out of context. When I think of Buddhism I think of Tibet and ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert and Tibetan monks, so far removed from how most Buddhist live I imagine.
Safeguarding in Higher Education is on the increase, with money being invested into projects at different universities across the UK by the Office for Students, (2018). I did find the UAL policy when I looked again. I must have missed it first time I looked, or it had not been uploaded as it was updated in January, (2023). There is a list of DSL’s (Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Safeguarding Leads) too. But there is no mandatory training for staff on Safeguarding or Prevent, I just checked the list!
There are courses available, but at a cost! https://www.anncrafttrust.org/introducing-acts-new-e-learning-course-an-introduction-to-safeguarding-staff-and-students-in-higher-education/
(2018)https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/safeguarding-students-understanding-what-works/
(2023) https://canvas.arts.ac.uk/documents/sppreview/0033827a-eafa-4d06-8316-73dac5876549
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/prevent-duty-guidance-for-higher-education-institutions-in-england-and-wales