In a new expression of its commitment to socially engaged Buddhism, the Berkeley-based Buddhist Peace Fellowship has announced a program called the Dharma in Action Fellowship. BPF is seeking a Buddhist activist to go to Colombia to be “placed with the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s peace team to provide nonviolent protective accompaniment to threatened peace activists in Colombia”
According to Sarah Weintraub, BPF's Executive Director, the purpose of this Fellowship is both to support peace work on the ground in Colombia and to connect the US community of engaged Buddhists with world peace activism.
Ms. Weintraub worked with the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Colombia before she joined the BPF. She recalls her experience as an opportunity to have "intimate relationship” with the courageous peace workers of Colombia who, though not Buddhists, "are really living the bodhisattva vow."
Some of the details of the position are as follows:
DIAF Requirements:
* A clear understanding of and commitment to nonviolence, and to the value of bearing witness through an accompaniment project.
* Proficiency in both Spanish and English.
* A commitment to serve for at least one year.
* at least 23 years old at time of service.
* A commitment to Buddhist practice.
Financial Arrangements:
FOR covers travel, living expenses, a small monthly stipend, and health insurance. The Dharma in Action Fellowship includes dharma support while in Colombia and funds towards a Buddhist program of the DIAF’s choice upon completion of service.
The DIAF fellow will also be expected to write and speak about the experience in Colombia as a means of connecting the people of the US with worldwide peace movement.
Ms. Weintraub sees this as an opportunity to making use of the geopolitical influence of the US to support peace workers on the ground in Colombia. She says, “It has a very Buddhist feeling for me – it's not about telling people what to do, it's about supporting this work that's already going on, and bearing witness to it.”
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Stephen Colgan can be contacted at StephenColganMFT@sbcglobal.net
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