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.

Austin's Gay Pride Festival

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

An apt description for Austin's Gay Pride Festival this past Saturday, a day filled with wonderful diversity, good company, and just plain fun. And thanks to an enthusiastic team of sangha volunteers facilitated by Ellen and Kim, Appamada and Buddhist Action Now had a booth, one of over100 actually, right in the middle of all the festival action.

We had signs, we had literature, and as tokens we offered beautiful, little Jizo stones that seemed to melt the hearts of everyone. (Thanks to Sabrina Kindell for creating and donating these wonderful Bodhisattva gifts).

The Festival was a great opportunity to come together to celebrate community! On this day, community became conscious action.

---

Walking With, Walking Through

When the world happens,
Eyes fill with paralyzing tears.
When the lotus blooms,
Hearts fill with a bodhisattva's compassion.

Still . . .
What do we do?
What can we do?
And just how do we do it?

But really, we already know.
The message sings quietly loud through every present moment,
If we but listen.

We are here.
We are here together.
We are walking our vow step by step,
Courageously, with metta,
Arm in arm.

—Joyce Meadows

---

Kim’s blogpost on the Festival: https://blog.kimmosley.com/2019/08/what-is-buddhism.html

---

Vigil Loving Kindness Wednesday Night Meditation at Appamada

Wednesday August 7, 2019 was a day for vigils in Austin and around the country for those affected by  gun violence in Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton. With this in mind, Appamada’s regularly scheduled Wednesday evening meditation program on metta/loving-kindness became a vigil and an offering for all people affected by gun violence. 

“It is good to come together tonight to support one another as we grieve for those who have lost their lives to gun violence. May they be at peace. We also gather to offer loving care to those who are recovering from injuries, as well as the families and friends of those killed or injured. We offer loving care to all those who live in fear because of the color of their skin, their religion, or who they love. The repercussions of gun violence reverberate way beyond those most immediately affected. The people of Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton, and all the other sites of gun violence, grieve. But the people in all the towns and cities in the country grieve with them. The people of the world grieve. We all grieve and we all need loving care. We are here to support one another in these difficult times. When we go forth into our daily lives may our practice, our voices, and our votes help make the world a better and safer place.“

We then, in meditation, offered loving-kindness for the benefit of all people.

May all be safe;
May all bodies be at ease;
May all hearts be open;
May all minds be boundless;
May all beings awaken together.

The strength and support of being part of a world community was palpable.

Volunteer Opportunities in Austin

Volunteer Opportunities in Austin 

Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy (texasimpact.org  Contact: Erica Nelson 801-389-4975)

Texas Impact and its sister organization, the Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy, form an interfaith network that brings faith to bear on social issues through grassroots education and policy advocacy. Together, we give people of faith the information and leadership skills they need to help policymakers improve conditions for families and communities throughout Texas. There are many volunteer opportunities. Please check the website.

RAICES (raicestexas.org Tel: 512-994-2199)

The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services

RAICES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees.

Some examples of volunteering:

• General Office Help

• Immigrant Activism

• Immigrant accompaniment: Spend time with asylum seekers at intermediate stops at bus stations.

• Providing asylum seekers with a ride to Immigration Court in San Antonio:

• Translation services

Casa Marianella (volunteer@casamarianella.org)

Casa Marianella welcomes displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services. Casa Marianella is the only homeless shelter in Austin dedicated solely to immigrants. 65% of shelter residents, including children, are asylum seekers, many coming to Casa Marianella from immigration detention. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

Grassroots Leadership (grassrootsleadership.org)

Grassroots Leadership works for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation and criminalization are things of the past. The organization has several programs regarding immigration. One of those is the volunteer visitation program that matches women detained at the Hutto Detention Center and interpreter if necessary.

American Gateways (www.americangateways.org)

American Gateways is one of the largest immigration legal services providers in Texas. Clients receive culturally sensitive, trauma-informed legal representation from start to finish of a case. American Gateways is also the only nonprofit in the state to provide legal orientation, immigration workshops, and pro bono legal representation at four immigrant detention facilities. Donations are accepted. Call for possible volunteer opportunities. 

Manos de Cristo (http://www.manosdecristo.org/volunteers.html)

The mission of Manos de Cristo is to empower low-income individuals with a loving hand of assistance without regard to age, gender, race, or religious preference. Manos de Cristo promotes dignity and self-reliance by meeting basic needs with food and clothing, providing essential oral care, and furthering educational development.

Classes include English levels !-4, Computer Skills, US Citizenship, and Plaza Communitaria (Adult Education in Spanish, primary through secondary school.)

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) Austin office (https://www.aclu.org/other/austin-tx-resolution)