Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson is a philosopher, novelist, essayist, and cartoonist. He won the National Book Award for his novel Middle Passage, which follows the adventures of a newly freed slave.

Trike Daily Society & Environment

Love, Wisdom, and Dr. King

As a philosopher and theologian, MLK’s vision was about more than just politics, says scholar and author Charles Johnson.

Interview with Charles Johnson by Matthew Abrahams

Jan 15, 2021

Magazine Society & Environment

May Our Grandchildren Break Free

A lesson on interconnection for the next generation

By Charles Johnson

Fall 2020

Illustration of book pages turning on top of a pile of books

Turning Word

A novelist, philosopher, and Soto Zen practitioner talks about what Buddhist book has made a significant impact on his practice.

By Charles Johnson

Summer 2019

Trike Daily Personal Reflections

The Dharma and the Artist’s Eye

A Tricycle contributing editor recounts how his religious practice and creative work became expressions of one another.

By Charles Johnson

Nov 21, 2014

Trike Daily Society & Environment

Every 28 Hours

The case of Trayvon Martin

By Charles Johnson

Jul 18, 2013

Magazine Society & Environment

Satyagraha Special Section: Blueprints of Freedom

How Martin Luther King, Jr., brought satyagraha to the U.S. and revolutionized the civil rights movement.

By Charles Johnson

Spring 2008

Magazine Society & Environment

The Dharma of Social Transformation

Charles Johnson argues that in cutting the root of our own suffering, we can’t help but confront the suffering of society.

By Charles Johnson

Winter 2006

Going Beyond Ethnic Dualism

Author Charles Johnson reviews two new books by African-American Buddhists.

By Charles Johnson

Summer 2001

Magazine Society & Environment

Politics

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry made his famous declaration at the Second Virginia Convention in 1775 and it was with similar conviction that the Buddha sat down beneath the fig tree in Bodhgaya 2,500 years ago, vowing to […]

[Gustav, Niebuhr] And [Charles, Johnson] And [Bhikshuni Thubten, Chodron] And [Russell C., Leong] And [ Anne, Jeffries] And [Neil, Gordon] Charles Johnson

Fall 2000