Engaged Buddhism

Responding with clarity and compassion during challenging times.
Actions, Resources and The Dharma of Engaged Buddhism
Updated Regularly with New Listings at the Top

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According to Buddhist thinking, if a person who has attained stability in his or her compassion training continues to stay in seclusion, that person is not really doing anything with compassion. That person should now be out, running around like a mad dog, actively engaged in acts of compassion.

From Visions of Compassion: Western Scientists and Tibetan Buddhists Examine Human Nature. Conversations between western scientists and the Dalai Lama. 

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With sorrow and grief we acknowledge the 9 people killed by ICE in 2026 as of 1/27/26:

Alex Pretti

Renee Good

Keith Porter

Heber Sanchaz Domínguez

Victor Manuel Diaz

Parady La

Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz

Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres

Geraldo Lunas Campos

**Listings with two asterisks are upcoming events of

the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition**

  • **February 10, 2 pm Santa Rosa City Council study session will consider "Federal Immigration Enforcement Practices and Potential Local Public Safety Impacts"  We will make our voices heard in public comment: STOP ICE in Santa Rosa. The City Council will consider "further options for actions that can be taken by the City of Santa Rosa to help ensure public safety for our residents."

  • February 11, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Pacific Time, The Dhammacetiya Monks Walk for Peace Global Loving-Kindness Meditation. The livestream video will be available on the Monk’s website and also on their Facebook page.

    “We warmly invite everyone from everywhere in our nation and the whole world to join us for a special loving-kindness meditation session with us and Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara.”

  • **February 11, 5:50pm - 6:30pm, Show up to the Sheriff’s Meet & Greet to demand his support for a Non-Collaboration Ordinance, Bodega Bay Grange, Bodega Bay

  • **February 15, 1pm - 3pm | Barrio Walks More information HERE

  • **February 19, 9am-10:30am, Services Work Group, 55 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa.

  • **February 19, 5pm-6:30pm, Outreach & Education Work Group, 55 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa.

  • **February 21, 10am-12pm, General Sonoma County Sancturary Coalition Meeting, 55 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa.  Childcare and food provided.

  • February 22, 1:30pm–5:30pm, San Francisco Zen Center Walk for Peace, Inspired by Walk for Peace, a 120-day, 2,300 mile journey through the United States by a group of Buddhist monks and their dog, SFZC has organized a Peace Walk in San Francisco. Beginning at City Center/Beginner’s Mind Temple (300 Page St.) with a bow-in, the walk will wind its way through the city to Ocean Beach where we will have a sunset closing ceremony and dedicate the merit of our effort to the awakening of all beings. There is no charge for this event, although we ask that people sign up so that we know how many will attend. We expect the walk to fill up but there will be a waitlist, so be sure to sign up soon. SIGN UP HERE

  • **February 25, 5pm - 6pm, Faith Vigil for Solidarity, Old Courthouse Square, S.R., (4th Wednesday of the month). Next date March 25.

  • Supply Drive for Community Day Laborers

  • Heads Up! If ICE comes into Sonoma County and threatens people’s well-being and safety, SoCo Sanctuary Coalition will meet at 5 PM that day at Old Courtyard Square, Santa Rosa, to bear witness and protest.

  • Immigration Justice Actions | Buddhist Coalition for Democracy

  • Jizos for Peace At this time of great loss and uncertainty, a project arose as a response to the immense tragedy in Gaza and Israel. The intention of this Jizo peace project is to honor each child by creating a Jizo from clay. If you are interested in joining a gathering please contact Cherie at thecolourofqi@gmail.com.

  • Whistles Keep Us Safe: North Bay Rapid Response - Learn how to use them.

  • CA U.S. Senators | Support Democratic Ideals
    Senator Alex Padilla: DC phone: 202.224.3553 | SF phone: 415.981.9369
    Senator Adam Schiff: DC phone:  202.224.3841

    United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

ACTIONS

RESOURCES

  • Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project. The Florence Project provides free legal services, social services, and advocacy to immigrants facing detention and potential deportation. Your tax-deductible donation makes this work possible. 

  • Letters to An American: a newsletter written by history professor, Heather Cox Richardson, about today’s political landscape that explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.

  • Jewish Voice for Peace: they are organizing a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews into solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle, guided by a vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all people.

  • North Bay Rapid Response Network (NBRRN): The network provides a 24-hour hotline - 707.800.4544 - to immigrants facing a raid by federal immigration agents.

  • Sonoma County Secure Families Collaborative: The backbone organization to a network of 8 partners who provide pro-bono legal services, social services, and mental health support.

  • 350.org: Focused on climate, this is a movement made up of ordinary people taking action in several ways, from quick online action to deep organizing and campaign leadership. Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard climate and democracy.

  • Gaza Children’s Fund: An information and funding site to help the children of Gaza.

THE DHARMA OF ENGAGED BUDDHISM

  • Hoka Chris Fortin — Dharma Talk at Green Gulch Farm on Sept 21, 2025 — an investigation of how to embody and bring our practice into the world in these difficult  times. How do we—individually and as one—not turn away, but bear witness and respond to the suffering of the world with clear-hearted wisdom and compassion as we awaken together to our True Nature and shared humanity.