Buddhist Fellowship for Peace announces new hires after reorganization

The Buddha Peace Fellowship (BPF), a non-sectarian international network of engaged Buddhists based in the United States, has announced plans to hire two new co-director positions as it undergoes a period of reorganization. The two new positions are co-director of operations and co-director of resource mobilization.

The organization, founded in 1978 by Robert Aitken Roshi (1917 – 2010), sought to apply the principles of Buddhism and activism to promote world peace and justice. The two new positions will join two other co-directors hired earlier this year, Kate Johnson and Sarwang Parikh, co-directors of programming and partnerships.

In fall 2021, BPF enters a period of transition, pausing its public programs and communications. At that time, three staff members: Katie Loncke, Chika Okoye and Nathan Thompson all left their positions. Meanwhile, board member Sarwang Parikh has taken on the role of acting director.

In their Winter 2021 update, they reflected on BPF's history and the future they wanted to see, writing: "Over the past decade, BPF leaders have reflected the work progressive movements to center those most affected by oppression. An organization founded by white Buddhists engaged in direct action focused on the spiritual needs of BIPOC as individuals and created programs to best meet those needs. By focusing on individuals, we have lost our relationship with movements. They continued: “At this next turning point, we remain committed to being led by BIPOC people who share our commitments to queer feminism, anti-capitalism, and collective liberation rooted on this Earth. » (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)

The following year, BPF formed an interim teaching council consisting of Leslie Booker, a Dharma teacher in the Spirit Rock tradition and co-author of Best Yoga Practices in a Criminal Justice Context (CreateSpace 2017); Mushim (Patricia) Ikeda, Buddhist and lay mindfulness teacher and lead teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, California; Lama Rod Owens, author, activist and authorized lama of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism; and Dalila Bothwell, graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders Program and longtime director of the New York Insight Meditation Center.

In spring 2022, BPF continued its reflections on transformation and re-engagement with the world. They note in their newsletter that lively conversations took place on this topic:

As Leslie Booker succinctly pointed out: “Many Buddhists do not (yet) understand that practice is meant to be engaged…We practice so that we can interact with other people…We practice to find a solution to conflicts…We practice to relieve suffering. of the oppressed. » Dalila Bothwell continued with further reflection on converted Buddhism, saying: “If we engage, it is at the community level. » Lama Rod Owens encourages BPF to continue to clarify what BPF has to offer our movements right now and how Buddhism can be relevant to activists.

(Buddhist Peace Scholarship)

Both new positions are remote positions based in the United States. Applications are accepted until October 29. More information about positions is available on the Buddhist Peace Fellowship website.

Learn more

Working at the Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Buddhist Peace Fellowship Transition Statement (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)
Winter Solstice 2021 Update (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)
Spring 2022 Update (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)
We are recruiting (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)

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