Dharma Matters by Jan Willis Summary
Overview of Dharma Matters
In "Dharma Matters," pioneering Buddhist scholar Jan Willis - named by TIME as a "spiritual innovator" - brilliantly examines race, gender, and tantra through eighteen groundbreaking essays. Sharon Salzberg calls this Baptist-Buddhist perspective "destined to become an authoritative resource" in contemporary spiritual discourse.
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Key takeaways
The Dharma's Transformative Power in a Divided World
Standing before her class in the 1970s, Jan Willis faced a challenging question from a young Black student: "What does this Buddha guy and his Buddhism have to do with me?" This question would shape her entire career. As someone who had marched with Martin Luther King Jr. before studying with Tibetan Buddhist masters, Willis embodied an unusual intersection of identities. Her journey from segregated Alabama to becoming one of Buddhism's most respected scholars represents a remarkable fusion of spiritual traditions. This "Baptist-Buddhist" scholar created a body of work that speaks to universal human liberation while addressing the specific challenges faced by marginalized communities in American Buddhism. Born in segregated coal-mining camps outside Birmingham, Willis's spiritual journey began in a devout Baptist family. At fifteen, she marched with Dr. King, witnessing firsthand how faith could fuel resistance to oppression. Later, as a college student, she traveled to Nepal where she encountered Tibetan Buddhist refugees who had fled Chinese occupation. In these exiled Tibetans, Willis recognized fellow refugees who possessed remarkable spiritual resilience despite profound historical trauma. Throughout her career, she maintained a nondualistic approach, famously stating, "I can use Buddhist methods to realize Baptist ideals." Her scholarship represents an early form of "African-American Buddhist studies," distinguished by her unflagging concern for social justice.
Uncovering Women's Hidden Buddhist Legacy and Creating Female Lineages
The Color of Buddhism in America: Barriers and Opportunities
Voices from the Margins: Black Buddhist Experiences
The Missing Pieces of Western Buddhism
Where Traditions Meet: The Path of Love
Transforming Buddhist Spaces: Toward Greater Inclusivity
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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