An Inquiry into Self-Immolation as Social Protest

Authors

  • Sandra Elaine Filippelli University of British Columbia Dept. of Language and Literacy Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29258

Keywords:

poetic inquiry, ahimsa, non-violence, compassion, social protest, self-immolation

Abstract

This poetic inquiry paper is a reflection on the phenomenon of self-immolation committed as compassionate protest. Whether the self-directed social protest of Vietnamese monk, Thích Quảng Đức, and Tibetan monastics and lay people, expresses selfless, altruistic action, dedicated to the greater good, merits reflection. Individuals seeking social justice in today’s troubled times may be interested in cultivating ahimsa, or non-violence, within themselves before attempting to implement it within their communities. In brief, they should change themselves before they change the world. With self-compassion that broadens to loving kindness and compassion for all, they may try to understand those from whom they seek justice before they commit to action. This inquiry concludes with ekphrastic poetry, “interpreting, troubling and addressing” (poets.org) the Tibetan painting, “Wheel of Life,” a depiction of the Buddhist concept of the “three poisons,” ignorance, desire, and anger, and contemplates their antidotes.

Author Biography

Sandra Elaine Filippelli, University of British Columbia Dept. of Language and Literacy Education

Sandra Filippelli’s interests include poetic inquiry, creative writing, art education, and art research. She has published in Poetic Inquiry: Enchantment of Place, Visual Inquiry: Learning & Teaching Art, EVENT Magazine, Joyland, and The Flat Earth Excavation Project. She is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Language and Literacy, University of British Columbia.

References

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Poetry as Social Justice Erasure of Call for Papers by Sandra L. Faulkner

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Published

2018-03-01

How to Cite

Filippelli, S. E. (2018). An Inquiry into Self-Immolation as Social Protest. Art/Research/International:/A/Transdisciplinary/Journal, 3(1), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29258

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2018): Poetry and Social Justice Special Issue of Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal

Section

Art/Research In Action

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