In this rare and precious dialogue, Zen priest Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and formerly incarcerated grassroots educator Eddy Zheng explore the meaning of Sanctuary: spiritual and political.
We are living in a political moment that calls for the strength of our whole practice. Taking compassionate action for sanctuary, we refuse to let a climate of fear and state terror control our minds and hearts. Instead, we choose to listen, learn, and take action in the best ways we can, to help heal the racist karma of U.S. settler colonialism, genocide, slavery, imperialism, and the many devastating cycles of forced separation of families. We know a better, more loving world is possible, and we take responsibility for helping to grow a beloved world into being.
As Buddhist Peace Fellowship enters our 40th year bridging Buddhism and social justice, we ask, together: what gives hope, strength and sanctuary in harrowing times?
Enroll Below to Watch the Full 90-Minute Dialogue, filmed by Survival Media
Plus Gain Access to a BPF Mini-Curriculum on Immigrant Justice
Deep Gratitude to Sponsors and Endorsers
We offer our sincere gratitude to the Sponsors and Community Endorsers whose generous support made this dialogue possible.
Special thanks to Buddhist Church of Oakland for hosting us so kindly!
About the Speakers
REV. ZENJU EARTHLYN MANUEL
Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Ph.D. is an author, transformative learning circle facilitator, dharma transmitted Zen priest, spirit song leader, and drummer of African Congolese rhythms and Native American hand and round drum.
Her most recent book is Sanctuary: A Meditation On Home, Homelessness, and Belonging, via Wisdom Publications. Drawing from her life as a Zen Buddhist priest whose ancestors labored as slaves in Louisiana, Rev. Zenju explores the tension between oppression—based on race, religion, ability, class, orientation, gender, and other “ghosts of slavery”—and finding home within our own hearts.
EDDY ZHENG
The subject of an award-winning documentary, Eddy Zheng served over 20 years in California prisons and jails, has a passion and lifelong commitment to serving children, youth, and families, and ending mass incarceration in the United States.
Eddy's mission is to use his experiences to inspire and motivate young people to invest in their education, raise awareness about the detrimental impact of the Prison Industrial Complex on the Asian and Pacific Islander population, and promote racial harmony among people of color. This is particularly crucial at a time when Trump's administration is targeting Cambodian, Vietnamese, and other API immigrant communities for detention and deportation.