In my opinion, freedom of speech is vital for an alive Dharma practice. Therefore, I have previously written and spoken of the importance of freedom of speech in Dharma life practice.
I was glad to read the article "Free Speech Is the Basis of a True Education", from which I will quote some significant passages below (and link to). After the article excerpts are some links to my previous work.
"Students grasp the complexity of collecting, analyzing, interpreting
and deriving meaning from evidence of multiple forms. They learn to
imagine alternatives, to test their hypotheses and to question the
accepted wisdom. A good education gives students the intellectual skills
and approaches essential to success in much of human endeavor.
One
word summarizes the process by which universities impart these skills:
questioning. Productive and informed questioning involves challenging
assumptions, arguments and conclusions. It calls for multiple and
diverse perspectives and listening to the views of others. It requires
understanding the power and limitations of arguments. More
fundamentally, the process of questioning demands an ability to rethink
one’s own assumptions, often the most difficult task of all.
Essential
to this process is an environment that promotes free expression and the
open exchange of ideas, ensuring that difficult questions are asked and
that diverse and challenging perspectives are considered. This
underscores the importance of diversity among students, faculty and
visitors—diversity of background, belief and experience. Without this,
students’ experience becomes a weak imitation of a true education, and
the value of that education is seriously diminished.
Free expression and the unfettered exchange of ideas do not always
come naturally. Many people value the right to express their own ideas
but are less committed to granting that right to others.
Over the
years, universities have come under attack from a range of groups, both
external and internal, that demand the silencing of speakers, faculty,
students and visitors. The attack is sometimes driven by a desire of an
individual or group not to have its authority questioned. Other times it
derives from a group’s moral certainty that its particular values,
beliefs or approaches are the only correct ones and that others should
adhere to the group’s views. Some assert that universities should be
refuges from intellectual discomfort and that their own discomfort with
conflicting and challenging views should override the value of free and
open discourse."
The rest of this article by the President of the University of Chicago, Robert Zimmer, with interesting comments by other readers, is at:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/free-speech-is-the-basis-of-a-true-education-1472164801
And here is another link with details of the related actions by the University of Chicago:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-chicago-school-of-free-speech-1472168075
Here is a recent blog which summarizes some of my thoughts on the importance of freedom of speech in Dharma life practice:
Freedom of Speech - A most important Dharma protection even for those with whom we disagree, especially for those with whom we disagree. http://clouds-genmyo.blogspot.com/2016/03/freedom-of-speech-most-important-dharma.html
Here are two Dharma talks on this:
Freedom of Thought, Freedom from Thought 5/22/15
Freedom of Thought, Freedom from Thought Part 2 5/23/15
http://prairiezen.org/Sesshin_audio.html
