By Ray Buckner — 2017
Ray Buckner offers a personal view of what it means to be Buddhist, gender-queer, and trans—and why they all fit together like “a miracle.”
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CLEAR ALL
La Sarmiento has been a leader of American LGBTQ and people-of-color Buddhist communities for close to a decade. I caught up with the trans, queer Filipino teacher before a silent retreat to discuss the dynamics of race and gender in a world that is typically White, cisgender and straight.
Creating spaces where the need to assimilate, conform, and belong are no longer important
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“Creating Joy In Community,” the first residential retreat for transgender people, brought together 50 members of the transgender, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, and non-binary community at Big Bear Retreat Center in California.
Our expert explains the etymology of samsara.
Essentially each practitioner of Buddhist meditation makes the journey alone, but many find that committing themselves to the three jewels—Buddha, dharma, and sangha—helps take them further.
One of the roots of the word parami conveys the sense of “supreme quality.” Pāramītā means “going toward” something, going toward perfection.
Often, when teaching a new idea or practice, it helps to try to boil it down to its essentials. Getting to the pith of things is very important and being able to do so in a way that reaches and sticks with others is a sign of genius.
Why are Buddhist concepts and techniques so popular lately?
How can Buddhism and mindfulness help people?
Mining my spirit for enlightenment, I have been able to unearth treasures of boundless compassion such that I feel genuine appreciation for everyone and everything. Instead of complaining, I commit to using all that is dumped on me to fertilize my wisdom, courage and determination.