International Social Engagement
As the number of Americans converting to Buddhism increases, the countries in which the Dharma has flourished for centuries is under attack. In Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Mongolia, monks and nuns have been either murdered or exiled so that current governments can rule the people as opposed to religious leaders.
In view of our interrelated nature as human beings, those converting to Buddhism in this country must see these attacks on monks and nuns as attacks on our own right to practice. Therefore, to preserve the motherlands of the Dharma and its indigenous practices we need to take action against the atrocities that are impacting the lives of our dharma sisters and brothers. In that light, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF) is developing a program in which we can support the lives of the monastics suffering in Asia. At the same time, we are concerned about with the situation in Sri Lanka in which the Buddhists are in conflict with the indigenous people in an attempt to uphold Buddhism rather than allow for non-Buddhist land and freedom of religion.
BPF is also interested in ending suffering in non-Buddhist countries throughout the world by creating projects in Africa, Central America, and beyond. This component of programming will be implemented in 2010.
Currently of the three BPF paths of action we are doing the following:
Mindful presence
We have participated in marches for Burma and Tibet. We have also joined in sending letters to our legislators on to peacefully confront the Chinese government’s involvement in creating suffering for monks and nuns in Burma and Tibet. In the case of Africa as it connects with Chinese government infiltration, we have joined Save Darfur Coalition. We have also joined the World March for Peace with activities planned for December 2, 2009. Please check back on BPF activities planned to build a contingency for the march.
Education and Training
We have written about Burma extensively in our Turning Wheel Magazine.
There are websites to learn more about the organizations that BPF supports:
www.SaveDarfur.org
www.wmfnv.org
www.uscampaignforburma.org
Past Campaigns of BPF
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