07:17
Ulama
[Seventeen (17) renowned world Buddhist leaders (plus HE Dalai Lama
in absentia) issued a statement urging the Burmese Buddhists to end violence
and ethnic cleansing against Rohingyas in Burma. The statement which was lifted
from TRICYCLE’s website (http://www.tricycle.com/blog/world-buddhist-leaders-response-growing-ethnic-violence-against-muslims-myanmaris)
is appended
below.
This call for compassion and mutual respect by the respectable world
Buddhist leaders was well received by the leadership of Majlis Ulama Rohingya
(MUR). MUR hopes that the Buddhist friends in Burma (specifically Rakhine
State) be more humane and heed the advice made by the world Buddhist leaders in
line with the most fundamental Buddhist principles of ahimsa and non-violence,
mutual respect and compassion.
World
Buddhist Leaders Response to the Growing Ethnic Violence Against Muslims in
Myanmar
Posted by Emma Varvaloucas on 05 Dec
2012
In response to the recent ethnic violence against Muslims in Burma's Rakhine
state, which has often been supported and perpetuated by the area's Buddhists,
international Buddhist leaders have produced this statement, due to be
published in Burmese newspapers this week:
WORLD BUDDHIST LEADERS RESPONSE
TO THE GROWING ETHNIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIMS IN MYANMAR
To
Our Brother and Sister Buddhists in Myanmar,
As world Buddhist leaders we send our lovingkindess and concern for the
difficulties the people of Myanmar are faced with at this time. While it is a
time of great positive change in Myanmar 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 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.
These fundamental principles taught by the Buddha are at the core of Buddhist
practice:
Buddhist teaching is based on the precepts of refraining from killing and
causing harm.
Buddhist teaching is based on compassion and mutual care.
Buddhist teaching offers respect to all, regardless of class, caste, race or
creed.
We are with you for courageously standing up for these Buddhist principles even
when others would demonize or harm Muslims or other ethnic groups. It is only
through mutual respect, harmony and tolerance that Myanmar can become a modern
great nation benefiting all her people and a shining example to the world.
Whether you are a Sayadaw or young monk or nun, or whether you are a lay Buddhist,
please, speak out, stand up, reaffirm these Buddhist truths, and support all in
Myanmar with the compassion, dignity and respect offered by the Buddha.
We stand with you in the Dharma,
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.
