In a packed City Council chamber, statements were heard from 40 or more Portland, Maine citizens supporting passage of Resolution #5 calling for an IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA. (forward 1.31 hours into meeting) Amendments were added for immediate humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for the unconditional release of the hostages.
The Portland City Council vote (9 members, including the mayor) supporting the resolution was UNANIMOUS. As statements were made, it was clear that people who spoke (mostly young, several identifying as Jewish) were supporting the good of humanity as they advocated for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognition of Palestinians as human beings experiencing a genocide.
I continue to be in awe of this younger generation (I’m in my late 60’s). Their knowledge, organizational abilities, articulateness, and moral courage to step onto a different path from previous generations is powerful AND hopeful. We are seeing here in our city and state, throughout the country and across the world a ground-up movement. I find myself wondering if we are witnessing the emergence of a Buddha or Jesus — not in one wise and charasmatic person, but in a community of wise and charasmatic leaders. We are being taught a new way of leading—a leading together in a less hierarchical, more diverse and inclusive way. Calling out the history of colonialism and white supremacy, the Western world’s profound sense of superiority, and the historic use of military means to intimidate, destroy, occupy and exploit, the voices of these young people are loud. Their message is pointed and consistent: “For the sake of humanity and all beings, STOP. We must live in a different way.”
What happens in the Holy Land affects what happens throughout the world. And, conversely, what happens here— in municipal council chambers, in classrooms, churches, on the street and in coffee houses—affects what happens in the Holy Land. We are all connected, and all action (of thought, speech, body) affects what unfolds. In other words, all action (or inaction) matters.
We need to be patient, diligent, and steadfast in our efforts. This is where faith comes in… having faith in the unfolding over time. If we act for the benefit of the whole (as best we can); if we are guided by the intention to do no harm; and if we bring the virtues of kindness, compassion, and generosity into our daily lives as we interact with others, perhaps our children and grandchildren, all the creatures of the earth, and the earth itself will experience a life on this planet about which the wisest among us have always dreamed.
The unanimous vote supporting Resolution #5 calling for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza was a step in this faithful work– on behalf of all beings everywhere, those alive now, and those yet to be born. As poet William Stafford wrote in his poem Thinking for Berky, “…justice will take us millions of intricate moves.” May such steps continue.
Buddhist Travels in the Holy Land 