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that so many have fully accepted the language of fascism is alarming. yet even more alarming, is that so many seem numb to this & are only mildly alarmed or not alarmed at all.

if we follow historical examples, this normalizing to the language of fascism sets the stage to normalize the acts of fascism, which bring immense harm & suffering.

as a Buddhist, we are called to tend to all who are and that is suffering in our world. this includes welcoming the immigrant, the refugee who is suffering. Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha himself along with his community, was regularly on the move as he shared the path to waking up, depending on the generosity & kindness of strangers. in the Sutta Nipata it is said, “As I am, so are these. As are these, so am I.” the Nirvana Sutra states, “By taking refuge…one’s mind should be free from hurting or harming others.”

as a Christian growing up, it was clear to me that Jesus himself was a refuge at birth & an itinerant preacher of the good news of God’s love, who himself was often rejected rather than accepted by this world. can the following biblical verses being any more clear?

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

~ Leviticus 19:33-34

(attributed to Moses)

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren you did it to me.””

~ (Jesus in) Matthew 25:35, 40

this is a defining moment in our time, a clarion bell ringing, calling us to ourselves, to each other, to our world. how we respond will say everything about what we believe and how we love.

~j

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#NoFascism #Vote #VoteBlue2024 #HarrisWalz2024 #democracy #immigration #refugees #Buddha #Buddhism #Jesus #Christianity #OpenHeart #path #practice #JinpaLhaga