Buddhist Action Now at Austin Pride | 8.23.25

This summer, Buddhist Action Now found new vitality and a new working group structure. One of our working groups is focused on direct action. They are charged with finding ways for Buddhist Action Now to align with our larger communities and participate in activities that reflect our values. 

The very first event this working group chose took place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Austin Pride, an event that has long been cherished at our sangha. The direct action working group secured a vendor spot for us, and on the day of the event, a handful of our members traveled down to Metropolitan Park in the middle of Austin to set up and connect with our LGBTQ+ friends. The day was, unsurprisingly, hot and muggy. But that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. We were delighted to see a gorgeous diversity of human beings enjoying the celebration. Some wore costumes, and most wore rainbows in some form or fashion.

To engage with the attendees, the direct action working group came up with an activity: we placed a white paper tablecloth down and set out colorful markers. We then asked passersby to share with us “What do you HOPE for?” Everyone from elementary school-aged kids to silver-haired elders paused to reflect and write their hopes on our table. (See video below) Some of their responses were humorous, while others were profound. All were shared freely. Additionally, one of our Buddhist Action Now members who was unable to attend the event shared a poem she’d written titled “Hope,” and we handed that out to the visitors to our booth.

As the tablecloth began to fill up with colorful sentiments, a feeling of gratitude came over our Buddhist Action Now team. How could we help but feel optimistic, surrounded by all that hope? It was a poignant reminder that those who wholeheartedly perform a service often receive as many benefits as those being served.

Buddhist Action Now is Appamada’s social justice action group. Our efforts are focused on taking measurable action to alleviate suffering and support those working for justice in ways that align with our Buddhist values. We view our activism as part of our practice, and therefore, our foundational values include the Paramithas, Precepts, and Four Noble Truths.

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Appamada Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Survey 2019

Appamada is committed to focusing on diversity, inclusion and equity. As part of this process we are doing three surveys. In 2019 we did a survey (below) to discover how the sangha sees itself in terms of diversity, inclusion, and equity. In the upcoming the second survey we’ll be asking how you see yourself in this context. This will help us form a baseline as we grow in these areas. The third survey will ask for your ideas for the sangha to make it more accessible and beneficial to all. We would like you to comment below on any insights or reactions to the survey below. Thanks, Buddhist Action Now (who is doing the surveys)

1. What do you believe is the demographic composition of Appamada now?  (Feel free to estimate)

2. What percentage of people at Appamada do you believe self-identify other than White alone?(Including Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Black/African-American, Native American/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Multi-Racial)

3. What percentage of people at Appamada do you believe are LBGTQ (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer)?

4. What percentage of people at Appamada are persons with disabilities? (The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

How important is it to you that Appamada become more diverse, equitable and inclusive?

Diversity means demographic composition of the people in a group or organization, and the degree to which they reflect the makeup of their democratic community at large. Answer this question based on this definition of diversity.

5. In your view, becoming more DIVERSE as a sangha is:

Equitable means to make an organization accessible to all, and to identify and mitigate barriers or obstacles to full participation or access. Answer this question based on this definition of equanimity.

6. In your view, becoming more EQUITABLE as a sangha is:

Inclusivity means the culture of an organization, and the degree to which all perspectives are included, all people are valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

7. In your view, becoming more INCLUSIVE as a sangha is:

What, if anything, are you aware of that Appamada has done to try and diversify their leadership?

8. Appointment of diverse members to leadership roles: (17 people did not answer)

9. What internal education/training has Appamada done to try to diversify? (30 people did not answer.)

10. What partnerships or memberships has Appamada participated in to try to diversify? (21 people did not answer.)

11. What community outreach has Appamada done to try to diversify? (15 people did not answer.)

12. What other strategies has Appamada done to try to diversify? (17 people did not answer.)

13. What marketing or advertising has Appamada done to try to diversify? (27 people did not answer.)

14. If you have worked to diversify membership, what increases have you seen in any of the following groups, including how much of an increase? (26 People did not answer.)

15. How much of an increase in diversity have you seen? (% of increase.) (28 people did not answer.)

16. What has Appamada done to try and become more equitable in our operations and inclusive in our culture? (13 people did not answer.)

17. If you have worked to increase equity and inclusion, has that work resulted in change, and how much change? (32 people did not answer.)

18. What percentage in increase have you seen in equity and inclusion? (35 people did not answer.)

Buddhist Action Now Demographic Survey

MLK Celebration 2020

On Monday, January 20th, 2020, Appamada and Buddhist Action Now joined the Austin community in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was inspiring to march together to honor this great man who did so much for our country. The day was beautiful and spirits were high. We marched together to the Huston-Tillotson University campus to continue the celebration with music and food. There were many booths, including ours, where organizations offered information and had a chance to interact with members of the Austin community. Lots of people dropped by our booth and seemed interested to know about us. Thanks to Sabrina for the 100 Jizōs we were able to hand out. They were a big hit with everyone, especially the children. We ended the day tired and a little sunburned but very happy to have been a part of this event. 

Youth Climate Strike and Rally

Buddhist Action Now and Austin Zen Center came together to form a strong Buddhist presence at the recent Youth Climate Strike and Rally. We were pleased to be there together in support of the planet and this generation of wise and motivated youth. 

The rally was large, loud, and inspiring. Youth spoke passionately about their commitment to alleviate climate change. A huge roar erupted from the crowd each time a new busload of youth arrived. One of the most moving sights was the long line of teenage Muslim girls wearing their headscarves weaving their way through the crowd silently in a long single-file line. They seemed very young and very brave.

Several people stopped to look at the signs held aloft by our combined Buddhist group.  Austin Zen Center brought a colorful parasol which made our group a lovely sight to behold. 

It was a good day. We were very happy to join with Austin Zen Center in support of this worldwide youth movement to save the planet.