Open mic before and after the featured poets. Sign up at 1 pm.

John Del Bagno discusses Pure Land Buddhism and reads his poems devoted to Amitābha Buddha.

John describes Pure Land Buddhism as an alternative to self-powered practice, which often engages the willful, striving aspects of our ego. Pureland relies instead on an ‘other power’ to bring us to enlightenment: Amitābha Buddha. This is accomplished through the habit of reciting the Buddha-name, believed to make the attainment of Buddhahood possible in only one lifetime. John Del Bagno is a poet, spoken word performer, visual artist and gerontologist. He was ordained in the Triratna Buddhist Order for many years and was one of the founders of the San Francisco Buddhist Center. After meditating every day for over two decades, he turned to the Pure Land Way which relies on Amitabha Buddha and the recitation of the Buddha-name. His first book is a collection of his essays, poems and prints: Hope from the Pure Land Way in Unnerving Times.

Learn more at purelandartwork.com

Born and raised in California, granddaughter of immigrants, documented and undocumented, devorah major served as San Francisco’s Third Poet Laureate (2002-2006). In 2022 she received the Regina Coppola International Literary Award in Italy where her sixth book of poetry, "with open arms," was released in a bilingual edition in 2020.  A Willow Press Editor’s Choice her seventh book of poetry, "Califia’s Daughter," was published by Willow Press in 2020.

In terms of other publications she has four poetry chapbooks, two novels, two biographies for young adults, and a host of short stories, essays, and individual poems published in anthologies and periodicals.  Ms. Major is featured on a number of CDs including Fierce//Love and The Tongue is a Drum as a part of Daughters of Yam, a poetry and jazz performance duo. Trade Routes, a commissioned symphony with spoken word and chorus, premiered under Maestro Michael Morgan and the Oakland East Bay Symphony in 2006. In June 2015 major premiered her poetry play Classic Black: Voices of 19th Century African Americans in San Francisco at the San Francisco International Arts Festival.  devorah major is also a baker of pies and lover of jazz.

$6 all-day parking at St. Mary’s Square Garage.