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Buddhist representatives meet with White House staff, Washington, D.C., May 14, 2015
On May 14, three FPMT students attended the first White House-US Buddhist Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., which brought Buddhist leaders together to discuss politics and the policies most relevant to the country with current White House administration. Long-time student and director of Guhyasamaja Center Lorne Ladner shared this report:
Lorne Ladner reading Sutra of Golden Light during the first White House-US Buddhist Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., US, May 14, 2015.
The conference was organized by a number of Buddhist groups working together, led by William Aiken of Soka Gakkai who had previous connections with some folks at the White House. Over 120 Buddhists from many different Buddhist traditions and nations were invited. There were lay and monastic participants from many places including Japan, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and so on. A wide mix of people came from all around the US. One striking, positive feature of the group was it’s diversity – people of many cultures, races, nationalities, and Buddhist traditions coming together to share a positive perspective in the political arena.
It was quite nice in that Buddhists from a number of traditions shared about social efforts that they are making to do things like help with disaster relief, feed the hungry, decrease racism in the US and combat global warming. It was pretty inspiring to see that many different Buddhist groups are working to benefit others in wonderful ways. Everyone seemed quite friendly and harmonious.
The overall group had also drafted two statements to give to the White House – one expressing extreme concern about global climate change. This statement was in line with advice given previously by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about goals for decreasing carbon emissions to help on that issue. The other statement was about the problems of racism and how those relate to police violence and the prevalence of prisons in the US. I signed on to both of those because they were quite constructive.
After the presentations and the discussion about those documents, various government officials gave us a briefing and then answered questions at the White House. They focused on a number of issues including climate change, protecting the environment, the promotion of peace/non-violence, corporate greed, and decreasing racism in the US. Overall, it seemed like a positive first step in having the wise voice of the Buddhist tradition get more hearing in the context of the US political system. One thing that I saw clearly is that many groups in the US that have fewer members than Buddhism get more hearing because they focus more on having their voices heard on issues of importance to them. We Buddhists in the US tend to not focus on that so much!
Ven. Losang Tendrol and Jennifer Kim, director of Shantideva Meditation Center in New York, at the White House-Buddhist Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C., May 14, 2015
Ven. Losang Tendrol and I were both there from Guhyasamaja Center. She brought her prayer wheel along and spun it during the meeting which was nice. Thinking of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s many comments regarding it’s importance for peace, wise leadership and the protection of nations, I brought the Sutra of Golden Light and read some sections aloud during a break time with prayers. In terms of the overall meeting, there was also a point when members of the Sangha stood up and recited prayers including refuge. All the Buddhists together recited a version of the bodhisattva vow, which I think came from Japan.
The organizers said that they may likely organize another meeting like this next year at the US Capitol to meet with senators or congressional representatives. I want to try to help make sure that for next year they invite a few Tibetan monks as I think there was only one Tibetan person there this time. Perhaps this meeting is a step in the direction of greater compassionate engagement in the public sphere for Buddhists in this country.
For more on the meeting, see Lion’s Roar’s “Buddhist Go to the White House.”
Recitation of the Sutra of Golden Light for world peace is one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT. FPMT Education Services has created a resource page to help you learn more about and start reciting the Sutra of Golden Light.