Engaged Buddhism

The Engaged Buddhism’s mission is to help fulfill the fifth goal of the ZCO Strategic Plan to nurture a Heart-Connected and Engaged Spiritual Community that brings people together to explore their deep intentions and truth and express wisdom and compassion through social engagement.

Engaged Buddhism Committee’s Core Values

To acknowledge and respond to the suffering caused by inherent biases and prejudices based on systems of power and oppression by promoting and integrating Equity, Diversity and Inclusion throughout ZCO and in the larger community.  
To acknowledge and respond to the climate crisis that threatens all life on earth by working internally and locally to support environmental sustainability.  
To be a good neighbor by identifying and responding to needs in the local neighborhood that we may be uniquely positioned to positively affect.  
To identify and offer education and activities about these issues for ZCO leadership, Teachers and Sangha members and the larger community.

The Zen Community of Oregon welcomes everyone. We study together and practice for the benefit of all beings and this living earth. We recognize the suffering caused by biases, prejudices, systems of power, privilege, and oppression based on race, sex, class, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. We aspire to do no harm and to dismantle barriers that cause separation and suffering, recognizing that our liberation is interconnected with the liberation of all.

Awakening to Whiteness

Awakening to Whiteness is structured as an “affinity group” for white people to explore the elements that have contributed to this often unconscious identity. We explore in this way with an understanding that our own liberation/awakening is intimately bound to one another. Our work is inspired by White Awake, a non-profit whose mission is to combat white supremacy by focusing on educational resources and spiritual practices designed to engage people who’ve been socially categorized as “white” in the creation of a just and sustainable society. We express appreciation to that organization.

Portland Backpack Program

Since opening in 2010 the Heart of Wisdom Temple in Portland and ZCO Sangha have supported the Portland Backpack Program by raising money and food donations every January. The Portland Backpack Program supports low-income children in the neighbor where Heart of Wisdom is located, providing them with food to take home on the weekends. To learn more about the Portland Backpack Program click here https://www.portlandbackpack.com/

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Zen Community of Oregon is committed to racial justice and being an anti-racist organization. We have an active committee working to analyze our current practices and procedures, to help transform ZCO into a more inclusive community that prioritizes equity. Check back regularly to hear more about our progress.