A Dharma Talk for a Departed Mentor: Roger Dorris (1947-2013)

Last updated on: May 6, 2014 at 12:00 am by dannyfisher

A Dharma Talk for a Departed Mentor: Roger Dorris (1947-2013) 2014-05-06T00:00:08-07:00 dannyfisher

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Roger Dorris

Dr. Roger Dorris, Naropa University core faculty member; a former board member of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship; and “one of the great practitioners of engaged Buddhism” (according to the Upaya Zen Center) passed away this past November 9th, 2013.

Roger, as his obituary noted, “worked extensively with marginalized populations including the homeless, those incarcerated, the HIV community and those suffering from addiction.” He put these experiences, as well as his academic work (an MA from Naropa and a Ph.D. in Peace Studies from the Union Institute and University), to good use in helping to establish both the Master of Arts in Engaged Buddhism and Master of Divinity programs at Naropa in 1995. These programs, and Roger’s work in general, also benefited greatly from his training as a Shambhala Buddhist teacher and student of indigenous religions, in particular Native American spiritualities (Roger had Native American heritage) and the Dagara tradition of West Africa.

His is one of those losses in which the depth is very difficult to convey. Suffice it to say that for those who worked with Roger and/or benefited from his service, it is a profoundly felt loss. (Among other things, after announcing his death on social media, I shared quite a few messages back-and-forth with a veritable “who’s who” of engaged Buddhists leaders saddened by the news, and who all remembered him with great fondness and inspiring stories of his service to others.)

I was a student of Roger’s in the M.Div. program from 2003-2006. We enjoyed a close working relationship (my cohort helped to found the Naropa Chaplaincy Project, under the supervision of Roger and his partner-in-crime at Naropa, Dr. Vicki Howard), and he and I became real pals outside of class, attending movies and protests together on memorable occasions. He was a dear friend as well as an important mentor, and I miss him very, very much. It’s been a hard loss, and I know I’m not alone in saying or feeling that.

In the weeks following his death and funeral in Boulder (which I attended), I was invited to speak at Long Beach Meditation, and found myself somewhat unexpectedly drawn to teaching about Roger. Here’s what I said…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwmjCQczRA

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 27, 2014

Watch the Video of My Buddhist Geeks "Practice and Life" Hangout

Next Post

May 3, 2014 Missing Tibetan Monk Jigme Gyatso Recognized by Reporters Without Borders for World Press Freedom Day

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2015 December 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which chapter of Isaiah is sometimes called the "miniature Bible"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah 40 Isaiah 66 Isaiah 12 Isaiah 53