Have you ever wanted to combine your Buddhist practice with political action?
For the past 18 years we have been doing just that. Every two years, for two weeks leading up to the General Election we gather together in a town which has an important election race, and we live together in a group house. We dedicate ourselves to morning and evening practice using a modifed form of the Soto Zen Sesshin model, including silence, periods of zazen, services and chants, vegetarian meals, and oryoki-style eating.
Every afternoon we go out into the community to talk with strangers about issues and candidates. We step into the world and engage with people about electoral politics, get involved in local congressional elections, and help to get out the vote on Election Day.
As engaged Buddhists, we feel an urgent call to take a stand, to work toward saving all beings. We support candidates who through their actions and political positions are closer to our Buddhist ideas: to protect the environment, a woman’s right to choose, our democratic ideals, economic equality, and reversing years of militarism.