It is not enough to be compassionate.
You must act.
-Dalai Lama
NEWS!
The Bridge Group is mobilizing the sangha in a big way starting on January 4th!
In 2025 we are moving as a community into what the main focus of our Bridge Group is: taking "refuge" to the next level.
On January 4th, we are inviting sangha members to join us for an Immigration Raid Response training with MIRAC (MN immigration Rights Action Committee). This is an opportunity for us to explore how we might meet the coming deportation crisis, where we can help, and understand the rights of vulnerable people.
Please register here in order to attend - email bridge@cloudsinwater.org for carpool info.
We have already begun partnerships with Interfaith Action and Neighborhood House to support asylum seekers, migrants, undocumented immigrants, and others vulnerable to ICE. This has involved many conversations, lots of seeking, meting with the teacher ryo, and more.
We plan to engage in and host vigils using peaceful Buddhist presence with ICOM (MN Interfaith Coalition on Immigration) at ICE detention centers on second Tuesdays. Info on how we'll do that to follow in the new year.
This is our chance to be bodhisattvas in a world that desperately needs them.
P.S. Our Sangha Support Network needs more folks to sign up to take meals to Hokan! You can do that here.
May you all be happy, healthy, safe, and at ease-
Renkyo Heather Fehst
Executive Director
About Us:
BRIDGE Action Group for Social Justice and Community Care
This is a group of social activism for engaged Buddhism in our sangha and wider community in Rondo and the Twin Cities!
Our purpose is to walk the Bodhisattva path through socially engaged Buddhism that acknowledges our interdependence and awakens the heart of great compassion in our city through mutual aid.
We hope to bridge the gaps in our community as well as act as a bridge between different groups working in the social justice space in our sangha so that we might collaborate effectively with one another.
“Action Group” is just what it means: we’re rolling up our sleeves. How might we work to support issues our community cares about? Where can we show lovingkindness as a community for our community?
Below are some of the activities we might engage in, but this will shift as the needs of our community and the ideas of the members of our group take form.
What We’re Doing
Immigrant Justice: We’re taking the concept of “refuge” in Buddhism seriously by working with Interfaith Action, Neighborhood House, and other organizations. See our updates at the top of this page for most recent info.
Clouds Community Pantry: In an effort to ensure that anyone who walks through our door has increased food security, we have set up a pantry of non-perishable food items and hygiene products. Give what you can, take what you need!
Continue and deepen our work with interfaith organizations and other Buddhist sanghas: Clouds has already participated in fruitful interfaith dialogues and events and we want to continue this work of social care and collaboration. We are currently in conversation with different organizations, including Isaiah and Interfaith Action.
Want to get involved? Email us to learn more:
bridge@cloudsinwater.org
We meet twice a month and check in on different actions we’re engaged in.
2024 Highlights
Since Spring 2024, we have been meeting regularly to explore the question of what being engaged Buddhists as Clouds members looks like. We began with Clouds' first-ever booth at Pride, connecting with our surrounding community for National Night Out, hosting a school supply drive for Interfaith Action, starting a Clouds pantry, engaging in a Naloxone training and getting supplies of Naloxone four our center and pantry, and now we've got our Winter Gear Drive for Neighborhood House. Plus! We are exploring becoming an official member partner with Isaiah - this will be its own group, outside of Bridge, but inspired by this work.
We had important conversations that have led to our 2025 plans for immigrant justice, most notably with Interfaith Action and Neighborhood House.
Shantideva Prayer
May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector of those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need
For as long as space endures,
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I, too, abide
To dispel the misery of the world.
Shantideva was an 8th century Indian Buddhist monk. There are many forms of this prayer, attributed to him.