She is an assistant to a Buddhist priest. This is a portion of her recent talk to a gathering of Buddhists.
Right now we are witnessing the suffering caused by three poisons–greed, and most vividly anger and ignorance. Not only in others, but within ourselves as well. If we can look beyond our anger and ignorance we find the true wisdom that transforms into compassion.
Here in Minnesota, we are seeing that transformation take place: oneness in action, the interconnectedness of our lives. In response to the infiltration of 3000 federal ICE agents and the shooting of Renee Good, more than 50,000 marchers braved the brutal winter cold, marching through downtown Minneapolis and refusing to be chilled into silence. Minnesotans rose up to have a voice. We saw peace through power in numbers. The energy was disciplined and organized–a broad coalition of clergy, labor unions, immigrant-rights groups, Indigenous organizers, and everyday Minnesotans demanding justice and accountability.
But tragically, the very next day we were thrown back into the realms of anger and sorrow with yet another senseless killing, that of Alex Pretti. The community came together again in unity to hold vigils in Alex’s memory and to continue supporting those in need–those living in fear. A contagious wave of kindness blanketed our communities with care and compassion because our neighbors are living in fear and suffering financially, psychologically, and economically. The people of Minnesota have channeled their anger into compassionate action. Neighbors are protecting neighbors, strangers are reaching out with empathy offering every kind of service possible: groceries, shelter, rides to work, protection for children at bus stops, towing for cars abandoned after abductions, repairing smashed doors, pet care for abandoned animals. People united in oneness to love and care for each other–remarkable workings of great compassion.
That is a model of behavior that I hope I have the courage to emulate.
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