Via Tricycle: Martin Luther King at 90

Martin Luther King at 90

A selection of articles showing how the civil rights icon’s message has resonated with Buddhists

his week marks 90 years since the birth of Baptist minister and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. King’s commitment to nonviolence and equality continues to resonate with many of us on the Buddhist path today, and King himself was inspired by his friendship with Thich Nhat Hanh, then a young Vietnamese monk in exile.

• Blueprints of Freedom  By Charles Johnson
  Read about how Martin Luther King Jr. brought Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance to the United States and revolutionized the civil rights movement.
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• Brown Body, White Sangha  By Atia Sattar
  One practitioner reflects on the painful emotions that can arise when a predominately white sangha glosses over issues surrounding heritage. 
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• What the Buddha Taught Us about Race  By Emma Varvaloucas
  The well-known Thai forest monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu talks about his translation of the Sutta Nipata, a collection of early discourses that include powerful words from the Buddha about judging people on their actions, not their birth or social status.  
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• Teachings for Uncertain Times: Racism Is a Heart Disease
  With Ruth King
  An Insight Meditation teacher and life coach offers six practices for establishing racial awareness and well-being, including doing no harm, establishing mindfulness of the breath and body, and forming racial affinity groups.  
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• Why Are There So Many Black Buddhists?
  By J. Sunara Sasser J. Sunara Sasser writes about finding her spiritual home with a Nichiren Buddhist organization that has been addressing inequality for decades.

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