Earth Day Reflection

When I think of springtime in Japan, my mind gently drifts to viewing cherry blossoms. The Japanese have always expressed great appreciation of nature’s magnificence found in every season, and they have celebrations to acknowledge the beauty of life on this planet that is our home.

In Buddhism, we learn that everything in this realm is constantly changing - all phenomena are temporary. We also learn that everyone/everything is interconnected. When we truly embody these teachings, we are not so shocked when changes occur in our lives. This same understanding can also deepen our appreciation of what we have and experience. It becomes precious because we know it is transient. We also see the opportunity to bless the lives of others when we open our hearts by living with wisdom and compassion. Because we are all connected, those blessings can also be reflected back to us.

On April 8 th each year, the Dharma Center of Oklahoma celebrates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha by giving gratitude for his teachings of enlightenment. Since this occurs during the beautiful springtime, it is also known as hana matsuri (flower festival)

When we think about the cherry trees blooming, we are struck by the wonder of it all - seeing the beauty available to us. However, for the Japanese, there is an additional meaning. Viewing the splendor is also touched with sadness, because they know that the blossoms fall at the moment of their greatest beauty. This is a perfect example of what the Japanese call hakanai. This means to understand and accept the transience of life – the ephemeral quality of our human existence.

So, this spring we are once again reminded of both sorrow and solace equally. Just as there is sadness watching the blossoms floating away through the breeze, there is also a poignant realization of how wonderful it was to have experienced life.

This gives us all pause to reflect. It makes us realize that we, too, are just like the fragile cherry blossoms – only here for a short time. Perhaps this year, we will have a new awareness to truly celebrate life, and make the most of the time we have together - seeing beauty in both the holding on and the letting go…

Rev. Kris Ladusau, Dharma Center of Oklahoma

OCC Religions United Committee

OCC Director responds to Sec. Walters

The notion that America is a gift from God to a group of white European colonizers seems to be making its way into the Public-School streams again with the latest video released by State Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters. (Watch HERE) Secretary Walters took to social media on Thursday to offer his praises for being the first state in the country to “eradicate” Critical Race Theory from Oklahoma schools as a result of last year’s HB 1775. Within the one-minute twelve-second speech, the Secretary touted that Oklahoma is freeing its schools from “leftist indoctrination” and ensuring our students are accurately taught that America is the greatest nation to ever exist. What this speech lacks is a thorough view of a multitude of histories, all of which make up the whole of the history of this country…. And all of this from a history teacher. 

For one, this country’s history does not begin with the Mayflower making its way to its shores. It starts far before that, with rich and diverse histories of Native Americans whose tribes swept across the vast lands for centuries. Teaching an accurate history of Europeans coming to the country to take this land from its indigenous populations, while enacting active genocide to erase them from the narrative is not “controversial,” it’s facts. The idea that this country was a gift from God to white Europeans is offensive, false, and antithetical to the Gospel for which Mr. Walters clearly thinks should be the bedrock of our educational systems. 

If Oklahoma is to teach America as the greatest country in the world, it should leave Christianity out of it. America is not a Christian nation; it is a nation where some of its citizens happen to be Christian. It is also a country that proudly offers freedom of religion to all, likely as a result of the long-standing European history of religious wars, bloodshed, inquisitions, and state-sanctioned murder. Even if Oklahoma chooses to ignore the history of native genocide, the horrors of the middle passage and slavery, and skip right to the white faces of the founding fathers, it cannot ignore the fact that Christianity is one of many forms of worship available to individuals and should never be the foundation of a public education system filled with the beautiful diversity our state and nation possess.

No Hate Gala Rescheduled

The OCC Board has made the difficult decision to reschedule the Gala given the current spike in COVID cases. In conversations with our speaker, this was the most prudent decision we could make to keep everyone safe and healthy.

We have rescheduled the Gala for November 4, 2022 and hope you will join us in a much-anticipated celebration!

Sponsorships are still available! Individual tickets will be for sale at a later date in an effort to keep social distancing in mind for the event. For the health of the community, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the prior 48 hours. We appreciate your patience as we all navigate an ever-evolving situation.

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

 It is with a sincere heart that I offer my apologies for a lack of public response to the atrocious acts in Colleyville, TX over the weekend. Please be assured that the lack of response is in no way indicative of my, or OCC’s, passion for interfaith cooperation and understanding; instead, it is indicative of the time in which we currently live. Like most of you, I live from one fire to the next these days, working to keep many balls in the air without interruption. In this instance, I dropped a ball. In an effort to maintain my own mental health, I take steps away from “news” from time to time, as it is a cause of great anxiety. This weekend was such a time in my life that I needed a few days away from news notifications to refocus. As such, a public response to these events was delayed, as my awareness of the events was delayed. 

It is with sadness to hear that I let my interfaith neighbors down in my response time, but also with great awareness that care of my own mental health is vital in my continuing ability to do the “pandemic juggle” alongside all of you as community. Rest assured, we are as committed to the work of eliminating hate and increasing understanding, as we always have been, and stand alongside our Jewish and Muslim neighbors as trauma has reverberated through faith communities once again. I can speak for all of OCC’s members when I say such events are unspeakable and something we stand against no matter one’s religious practice. We will continue the work, and ask you to continue alongside of us during these difficult times. 

Blessings,

Shannon