Home Issues
Yangon, Myanmar -- Seventeen Buddhist leaders from around the world - plus His Excellency the Dalai Lama in absentia - have issued a statement urging Buddhists in Burma to show mutual respect and compassion to Muslims in Rakhine State.
<< Burmese Buddhist monks rally on the streets of Mandalay on Sunday, September 2, 2012 as they support the country's president, Thein Sein, who has called for the deportation of members of the Muslim minority Rohingyas, who live in Rakhine State. Photo: AFP
The statement comes after many Buddhist monks and abbots led demonstrations and advocated the removal of the Muslim Rohingya community from Burmese soil.
“We are concerned about the growing ethnic violence and the targeting of Muslims in Rakhine State and the violence against Muslims and others across the country,” the statement said. “The Burmese are a noble people, and Burmese Buddhists carry a long and profound history of upholding the Dharma.
“We wish to reaffirm to the world and to support you in practicing the most fundamental Buddhist principles of non-harming, mutual respect and compassion.”The letter was signed by the following:
Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh
Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
Vietnam
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
President Buddhist Global Relief
(world's foremost translator of the Pali Canon)
Sri Lanka/USA
Dr. AT Ariyaratne
Founder Nationwide Sarvodaya Movement
Ghandi Peace Prize Laureate
Sri Lanka
Ven. Chao Khun Raja Sumedhajahn
Elder, Ajahn Chah Monasteries
Wat Ratanavan, Thailand
Ven. Phra Paisal Visalo
Chair Buddhika Network Buddhism and Society
Thailand
Ven. Arjia Rinpoche VIII
Abbot Tibetan Mongolian Cultural Center
Mongolia/USA
Ven. Shodo Harada Roshi
Abbot Sogenji Rinzai Zen Monastery
Japan
Achariya Professor J Simmer Brown
Chairperson Buddhist Studies
Naropa Buddhist University
USA
Ven. Ajahn Amaro Mahathera
Abbot Amaravati Vihara
England
Ven. Hozan A Senauke
International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Worldwide
Younge Khachab Rinpoche VIII
Abbot Younge Drodul Ling
Canada
Ven. Sr. Thich Nu Chan Kong
President Plum Village Zen temples
France/Vietnam
Dr. Jack Kornfield Vipassana Achariya
Convener Western Buddhist Teachers Council
USA
Lama Surya Das
Dzogchen Foundation International
Vajrayana Tibet/USA
Ven. Zoketsu N. Fischer Soto Roshi
Fmr. Abbot largest Zen community in the West
USA/Japan
Tulku Sherdor Rinpoche
Director BI. Wisdom Institute
Canada
Professor Robert Tenzin C. Thurman
Center for Buddhist Studies
Columbia University
USA
HH the XIV Dalai Lama
Nobel Laureate
Tibet/India
Though not able to be reached in time to sign this letter, HH the Dalai Lama has publicly and repeatedly stated his concern about the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He urges everyone to continue to practice non-violence and retain the religious harmony that is central to our ancient and revered culture.
