This class explores the often-misunderstood relationship between Buddhism and social justice, beginning with Buddha's original teachings and the edicts of India's first Buddhist ruler, King Ashoka, and fast-forwarding to contemporary issues of world peace, economics, environmentalism, gender equality, diversity and political activism.

The class is open to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists, including activists, academics and intellectually curious practitioners of other spiritual traditions. The classes will be preceded by an optional but recommended 20-minute period of meditation. Meditation begins at 6:30 pm; class starts at 7 p.m.

Hogetsu Rick Mitchell is a longtime member of the Houston Zen Community. A journalist, teacher and arts administrator, he received the Bodhisattva Precepts from Tenshin Roshi Reb Anderson in 1999.

Hozan Alan Senauke, vice-abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center, received Dharma Transmission from Sojun Roshi Mel Weitsman in 1998. From 1991 to 2001, Senauke was international director of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. More recently, he founded the Clear View Project, developing Buddhist-based resources for relief and social change. Senauke will be at the Houston Zen Center on May 17-21.