The latest group opposing Trump’s policies: Buddhists

The letter also suggested various ways for Buddhists to aid the vulnerable during the Trump era, such as joining protests or lending their worship spaces to the New Sanctuary Movement to aid undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation.

“Our Buddhist communities can become centers of protection and vision,” it reads. “This can take many forms. It can mean providing sanctuary for those in danger or skilfully confronting those whose actions would harm the vulnerable among us. It can be standing up for the environment or becoming an active ally for those targeted by hate and prejudice.”

Signatories included a host of prominent Buddhist teachers and thinkers, including 13 major names such as author Jack Kornfield, writer Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Roshi Joan Halifax, and monk-activist Bhikkhu Bodhi.

Buddhists make up less than 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to PRRI, representing a wide array of traditions and theological schools. Melvin McLeod, editor-in-chief of Lion’s Roar magazine, lauded this diversity as a strength of the community, but said sweeping expressions of political solidarity such as Monday’s letter — while certainly not unprecedented — are “quite unusual.”

“I think it is really the first time such a broad and diverse group of Buddhist teachers have come together,” McLeod told ThinkProgress. “It does represent a broad consensus of Buddhist teachers.”

The letter is the latest in a growing wave of faith-based opposition to Trump’s agenda. Since his election in November, progressive and conservative religious groups have voiced passionate resistance to the president’s cabinet nominations, plan to repeal Obamacare, both versions of the Muslim ban, budget proposals, and stance on climate change, among other issues.

Article Appeared @https://thinkprogress.org/the-latest-group-opposing-trumps-policies-buddhists-b1d6116806da

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *