When the country of Colombia is mentioned, media stereotypes conjure vibrant and romantic communities, passionate dancing and pleasant beaches, and less savory images like high crime rates and drug abuse. Neither stereotype reflects accurately the complexity and nuances of this country of 50.88 million. If there is someone that embodies the fearless, hopeful, and life-loving spirit […]
latin america
Soka Gakkai in Latin America: New Frontiers for Women
The worldwide organization of Soka Gakkai is classed as a “new religious movement,” which is characterized by lay leaders and pastors, a vibrant and proactive missionary philosophy, and a core message that is easily replicable and attractive. In Soka Gakkai’s hermeneutic, the Lotus Sutra is the core scripture that contains the essence of the Buddha’s […]
Nikkei Dharma: The Story of Jisen Oshiro Roshi
In our last BDE highlights entry, I mentioned the name of Jisen Oshiro Roshi, a priest that has devoted her life to propagating the Dharma in Peru. Born in Argentina Roshi, affectionately known as Aurora, is a nikkei burajiru-jin. Born in Argentina in 1946, Roshi is a pillar of the Peruvian nikkei community as well […]
Building Community: Local Concerns for Local Buddhist Women
BDE’s special issue on women, Mujeres y budismo en los países de habla hispana, is a unique project. Since it tells the story of Buddhist women in Spanish-speaking countries, it highlights problems specific to these women that might have been overlooked in English-language media. In Anglophone Buddhist feminist circles, including the broader Sakyadhita community, discourse […]