As Zen Buddhist clergy, we condemn the attack on the United States congress on January 6th. We acknowledge the anguish and rage it has brought. At the center of our tradition is the understanding that violence leads to violence, compassion to compassion, ignorance to ignorance, and insight to insight. Although countless conditions led to the attack at the capitol, we see that the violence at the capitol was deeply tied to the white supremacy that has characterized this nation since its inception. 

White Supremacy was a founding principle of the United States, and remains one of the hierarchical conditions on which this nation operates. Until this country fully acknowledges and repairs the damage of the horrific violence and day to day inequities of its racist systems, we will continue to reap its fruit. We must recognize the poison of racism not as an evil committed by terrible people, but as a part of the fabric of our collective karma which we must unravel together if we want to be truly free.

We witnessed the confederate flags carried at the capitol attack. We witnessed, too, the Nazi imagery there. A host of other structural oppressions are deeply tied to this attack, including a rejection of truth itself. Part of this rejection of truth is denial of the racism that permeates this country. As we watched the attack on the capitol, we witnessed the stark differences in the way law enforcement treated these protestors and protestors at Black Lives Matter protests last summer. We recognize that future violence is a very real possibility.

Buddhism teaches us that there is always the possibility for healing and liberation. To be free of the violence of white supremacy and other modes of systemic oppression, we must acknowledge them fully, collectively, and individually as an ongoing practice, and from this acknowledgment, find the way to fundamentally transform our society. 

We, the undersigned, ask that as Buddhists, Zen practitioners commit to justice, accountability and ethical action based in the teaching of Buddhism. We call on the Soto Zen community to address structural oppression within themselves, their sanghas and their nations. With compassion alive in our hearts, and the courage to face the truth, let us move into liberative action.

Signed,

Sosan Theresa Flynn, President, Soto Zen Buddhist Association
Marc Lesser, Vice-president, Soto Zen Buddhist Association
Inryu Bobbi Ponce-Barger, Secretary, Soto Zen Buddhist Association
Dokai Georgesen, Treasurer, Soto Zen Buddhist Association
Koshin Paley Ellison, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care/Board Member, Soto Zen Buddhist Association 
Gyozon Royce Johnson, Soto Zen Buddhist Association 
Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo, chair, SZBA DEIA committee
Rev. Ben Connelly, Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
Hoka Chris Fortin, Everyday Zen, Dharma Heart Zen
Rev. Jisan Tova Green, San Francisco Zen Center
Charlie Korin Pokorny, Stone Creek Zen Center
Teresa Bouza, Kannon Do Zen Center
Rev. Genjō Sam Conway, Clouds in Water Zen Center