Taming the Ox

October 20, 2014
In much of popular Buddhist literature, contentious topics such as political activism and race are absent or quickly glossed over. This collection of essays, prefaces, and short stories on the intersection of politics, race, and Buddhist practice aims to remedy that lack. Johnson, an African-American author who won the National Book Award for his novel Middle Passage, offers a fresh viewpoint on a religious culture dominated by white and Asian voices. His essays are the strongest portion of the collection, often focusing on the leadership and life of Martin Luther King Jr. to emphasize the necessity of being politically active in order to reduce suffering and bring about beneficial social changes. Though some essays are dated, such as a piece on Obama’s presidential campaign, they provide a time capsule of Johnson’s hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, the prefaces and philosophical short stories, while well-written, come across as filler between the essays; more concentration on Johnson’s essays would have improve the collection. This is a welcome compendium of short works showcasing the interweaving of black American history and culture with Buddhist practice.