Statement from the Spirit Rock Teachers Council
As Buddhist meditation leaders, teachers and practitioners, we are concerned with the welfare and safety of everyone in our society. These commitments are based upon an understanding of our shared vulnerability in this life. Separating migrant children from their families unambiguously harms children and their families – this harm is immediate and severe and endures across generations through the lingering effects of trauma. Under no circumstances can we as contemplative practitioners, spiritual leaders, or moral human beings imagine circumstances in which it is acceptable to engage in acts that harm children. We cannot forget that we belong to each other. We feel deeply the heartbreak of families being torn apart.
We, as teachers for Spirit Rock Meditation Center and for tens of thousands of Buddhist practitioners around the country, reaffirm the Spirit Rock Statement of Values and stand with many other secular and religious organizations – organizations spanning the political and theological spectrum – in condemning these acts. These acts represent a dramatic deviation from the standards of morality and basic human decency that form the fabric of civilized society. Unraveling that fabric has a corrosive effect on our capacity to live and thrive together. This is a time to deepen our refuge in the practice and the cultivation of sangha in order to strengthen resilience and community.
The Executive Order issued June 20th was initially reported as a hopeful development, but closer scrutiny finds that it fails to remedy previous harms and may actually compound difficulties for some migrants. Therefore, we must remain engaged to ensure that humane policy change is implemented and family reunifications are expedited. We encourage you to contact your representatives to voice your concern, to connect with organized efforts to express your values, and to support reputable advocacy organizations.
We must also pause to consider how this depth of moral confusion was enacted and tolerated and take steps to nurture the values that make such depravity unthinkable.
Signed*:
Ayya Anandabodhi
Sally Armstrong
James Baraz
Matthew Brensilver
Eugene Cash
Debra Chamberlin-Taylor
Howard Cohn
Mark Coleman
Anne Cushman
Dana DePalma
Anna Douglas
Bonnie Duran
Andrea Fella
Anushka Fernandopulle
Gil Fronsdal
JoAnna Hardy
Susie Harrington
Will Kabat-Zinn
Ruth King
Jack Kornfield
Brian Lesage
John Martin
Nikki Mirghafori
Phillip Moffitt
Kittisaro
Kate Munding
Wes Nisker
Mary Grace Orr
Sharda Rogell
Donald Rothberg
Erin Selover
Gina Sharpe
Oren Jay Sofer
Tempel Smith
Heather Sundberg
Thanissara
Erin Treat
Pamela Weiss
Spring Washam
DaRa Williams
Diana Winston
Kate Lila Wheeler
Larry Yang
* Note: certain Teachers Council members are on retreat and may not have had the opportunity to sign this statement as yet.