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FEATURES | EASTERN HORIZON 11

Buddhist Peace Fellowship. The full list is on Lion’s Roar. experienced the dreadful consequences of violence and
“In the face of discrimination, oppression, and violence devastation,” the Shambhala appeal states.
there is no room for silence and acquiescence,” says “We appeal to you at this critical time, as the foremost
Hozan Alan Senauke, Vice-abbot of Berkeley Zen governing body of Buddhist monastics in Myanmar,
Center and founder of the Clear View Project—working to endeavor as far as possible under the prevailing
to develop Buddhist-based resources for relief and circumstances to take every step possible to uphold and
social change in Asia and the West—who spearheaded spread the Buddha’s teachings on universal compassion
the appeal. “The Buddha’s teachings of Wisdom and and loving kindness and ensure that these principles
Compassion are not gifts just for Buddhists as ‘chosen are embodied in the treatment of all people within
people.’ They must be our offering to all beings of all Myanmar regardless of faith, ethnicity or any other
faiths and nationalities.” characteristics,” the appeal urges.

“We cannot take ourselves out of this picture” “Speak out against the preaching of prejudice”
In a subsequent statement on behalf of the Buddhist It also asks the monastic leaders to “continue to speak
Churches of America, made public this month, Bishop out against the preaching of prejudice and inter-
Kodo Umezu said, “we deeply deplore the killings, communal aggression in the name of Buddhism,
torture, burning of villages and other actions against and take all measures to dissuade monastics and
humanity occurring in Myanmar. What we are members of the lay community from engaging in acts
witnessing is not an isolated occurrence in our history. of hatred and violence” and to “use your influence
Similar events have been happening throughout the with the civilian and military authorities to prevent
history of humankind. We cannot take ourselves out of further killing and displacement of civilians,
this picture.” to permit direct international humanitarian aid to the
victims, and cooperate fully with the United Nations
The other major Buddhist humanitarian organization and its specialized agencies in working to resolve this
engaging with Myanmar is the Tzu Chi Foundation, conflict.”
considered to be one of the “Four Great Mountains,”
or four major Buddhist organizations of Taiwanese As people continue to flee Myanmar, international
Buddhism. It was founded by Master Cheng Yen, a agencies have launched a massive oral vaccination
Taiwanese Buddhist nun, or bhikkuni. program – the second largest in history – in an effort
The foundation, which has over 10 million members to prevent a cholera epidemic among the refugees. The
worldwide throughout 47 countries, engages in medical aim is to deliver 900,000 doses of vaccine by the end of
aid, disaster relief, and environmental protection. Their November. This will include immunizing a quarter of a
disaster relief teams, who have been active in more million children, many of whom been separated from
than 80 countries worldwide, provide short-term aid their parents or been orphaned in the violence.
and take part in long-term projects to build new homes, The crisis is far from over. Reporters outside the
schools, hospitals, and places of worship (including country have been in contact with half a dozen
churches and mosques for non-Buddhists) for victims journalists inside Myanmar who say they are facing
following a disaster. some form of harassment, even death threats, for not
following the government line on the Rohingya issue.
Also joining the voices of the Buddha’s family being A courageous local report earlier this month said, “it
raised globally is the Shambhala organization, with an is vital that preventative measures be taken to end
appeal just delivered to Myanmar’s State Sangha Maha the spread of hate speech and incitement to violence
Nayaka Committee (Ma Ha Na). “We have a special against minorities.” EH
sensitivity to the human tragedy now unfolding in
Myanmar because our own lineage holders, being of Source: Lion’s Roar, October 24, 2017
Tibetan origin, have themselves been refugees and