Can we fight for a fairer world without losing our inner peace? That is the question Krista Nguyen, a University of Southern California student, asks in an essay on Buddhistdoor.
Against burnout
Activism is often emotionally intense and can lead to exhaustion. Nguyen finds that building inner resilience is one way to prevent it.
Thich Nhat Hanh and Martin Luther King
One surprise in her studies was the link between Vietnamese teacher Thich Nhat Hanh’s engaged Buddhism and Martin Luther King’s civil rights movement. The two supported each other: non-violence as spiritual practice and as political action.
Suffering and no-self
From Buddhist teachings she highlights two ideas: suffering and no-self. Feeling less separate from others fosters connection, compassion and an understanding of social justice.
Practice
Meditation and mindfulness have helped her recognise and release strong emotions, respond more calmly and understand others better.
She also notes that many Buddhist values appear in fields like education and yoga, though their origins are often forgotten. Practice doesn’t take us away from the world: it brings us back to it with more clarity.
Source: Buddhistdoor Global – Activism and action on the path of engaged Buddhism.
