Buddhism & Slavery A lecture by Anthony Amp Elmore
Anthony Amp Elmore is a 5 time World Karate/Kickboxing Champion, a community organizer and a Buddhist Activist. Elmore has been a Buddhist for 44 years. He begin Zen Buddhist training while studying Old Japanese Shotokan Karate in 1970. In 1974 Elmore became a Nichiren after join the NSA or Nichiren Shoshu of Elmore. In March of 1991 Elmore parted ways with the SGI Buddhist organization after watching African Americans in the SGI become culturally marginalized. Elmore joined the Nichiren Shoshu Temple after personally documenting and traveling to the Nichiren Shoshu Temple in Taisekiji Japan in 1996.
One of Elmore's greatest Buddhist joys was traveling to Accra, Ghana for the Nichiren Shoshu Temple opening in Africa. Elmore joined the Nichiren Shoshu Temple in Africa. Elmore's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee was once the largest African African American Nichiren Shoshu center in America. In 2003 Rev. Murata the current Nichiren Shoshu Priest at the Nichiren Shoshu Temple in Memphis disbanded the group in Memphis. Nichiren Shoshu Temple retired the key Black leader Joseph Asomani in Ghana.
In March of 2008 Elmore welcomed Nichiren Shoshu Priest Shingi Iwaki who became his new head Priest at Myogyoji Temple in Chicago. Elmore wrote Rev. Iwaki a formal letter asking his to consider and respect the history and culture of Africans Americans in Memphis, Tennessee. Elmore asked Rev. Iwaki to schedule a special prayer for Dr. Martin Luther Jr. at the National Civil Rights museum in Memphis.
Rev. Shingi Iwaki not only ignored Elmore's request Rev. Iwaki conspired with the African American leader not to inform Elmore of his coming to Memphis. Just by sheer fate Elmore found out about the meeting and he attended. Elmore asked Rev. Iwaki to travel one Block to the historic Stax Museum of Soul music and perform a prayer for Grammy and Academy Award winner Issac Hayes.
Elmore noted that the Japanese who were teaching Buddhism in America were teaching more Japanese culture than Buddhism. Elmore tired for 39 years to get Japanese leaders to make African and African American culture inclusive with Buddhist Teachings.
In October of 2013 Elmore committed to joining with the Nichiren Shu organization. The idea of an African and African American inclusion into Nichiren Shu was met with the worst fury of all of the Nichiren Buddhist sect. The Nichiren Shu representative an Elmore friend of over 35 years labeled Elmore a Bully and Terrorist. The friend told Elmore that he was not welcomed at his home.
The stumbling blocks turned out to be stepping stones for Elmore. Elmore organized the Proud Black Buddhist World Association. Elmore turned his Buddhist, passion, skills and abilities into a New Buddhist Entity in the World. Elmore call himself a Buddhist Teacher in a short time less than 90 days Elmore is developing is skills as a Buddhist Preacher. Elmore is a student of history, a filmmaker, Buddhist Publisher, community activist combines all of his skills in the Video Titled Buddhism and Slavery. Elmore notes that his city of Memphis, Tennessee evolved as the World's mecca of Slavery and the Cotton Trade. Elmore explains the plight of Black people in regards to the challenges they have faced and will face in America. Elmore teaches that embracing the Lotus Sutra and Chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo they can overcome any challenges. Elmore makes the point that African Americans should be their own Buddhist masters. For more information please visit their website at: