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**

  • The Economic Strike Against ICE: From the Ner Shalom February 18 Newsletter: The most potent weapon to resist the ongoing assault on our nation's values is a targeted, month-long national economic strike — a coordinated campaign that attacks tech companies and firms enabling ICE — to inflict maximum damage with minimal impact on consumers. Click HERE to learn more and join the movement.

  • DONATE to the ICE Relief Community Fund initiated by Ben Connelly

  • **February 25, 5pm - 6pm, Faith Vigil for Solidarity, Old Courthouse Square, S.R., (4th Wednesday of the month). Next date March 25. The Sanctuary Work Group will meet right before, 4pm-5pm.

  • **March 1, 1pm - 3pm, Barrio Walk, meet at 1698 Hearn Ave., SR

  • 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

From the Walk for Peace Monks at The Lincoln Memorial on February 10, 2025

Today is going to be my peaceful day

May every nation live in safety, civility, and dignity - free from fear, chaos, and unnecessary suffering 

May every person be heard, respected, and protected regardless of their race, background, their faith, and the language that they speak.

May fear be replaced with understanding, and may misunderstanding never again become a reason for violence

May hatred be transformed into compassion so pain is met with care instead of blame

May peace exist not only in words and speeches but in laws, policies, communities, and daily life

May true strength be measured not by control, force, or weapon but by how we protect one another - especially our children and the vulnerable

May progress always walk together with morality and may growth never be built on human suffering

May dialogue be chosen over confrontation and listening over judgement in families, societies, and nations

May people find peace within their own hearts so that the world no longer needs violence to survive

May the path to peace require no enemies - only human beings returning to morality, to responsibility and to one another

Today is going to be my peaceful day

  • 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.