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make the organisation dysfunctional or ineffective. The 12 rule I am proposing is that citizenship takes priority
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over the identity of one’s religious affiliation when issues of public
Buddhists Should Bring Forth Issues of Public Interest interest are been debated and decided upon. The time of theocracies
has passed even though there are still a few countries ruled by
The 11 rule that I am proposing is for Buddhist organisations the clergy. Today, in the arena of state politics, people generally
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to plan, explore, and bring forth issues of public interest. To engage accept the democratic form of government that separates state
in such issues does not mean Buddhists should be simply issuing and religion, and the rights of citizens are guaranteed. Under this
press statements or demonstrating in the streets against certain system, governments are supposed to be neutral in religion, and all
issues of public interest. The approach is not just to address issues citizens are treated equally irrespective of their religious affiliation.
raised by other interest groups because this will imply Buddhist
leaders are not well-equipped to understand or appreciate such When citizenship takes priority over religious affiliation, it
important issues facing society. Hence, Buddhist organisations means that decisions are not made based on one’s religious label.
should deliberate and raise issues that are of great significance for However, this does not in any way diminishes one’s faith or identity
society from the perspective of Buddhist teachings. in one’s religion. This may be clarified with the following example.
When a Muslim judge presides over a case, we expect him to judge
There are many critical issues which Buddhist organisations the case as a judge, and not as a Muslim. His decision is not clouded
can raise and champion. These include proposals on the abolishment by his religious affiliation. However, it also does not mean he has
of the death penalty (or at least abolishment of mandatory death become a lesser Muslim when he makes a decision based on what
sentence), laws relating to minority rights for Buddhists in non- is fair. Likewise, when a Buddhist organisation discusses an issue
Buddhist countries, restriction and regulation of pubs, bars, of public interest, it should base its decision on what is best for
and entertainment outlets, curtailment of gambling and alcohol everyone in society, including the Buddhist community, on the
consumption, religious education for Buddhists and non-Buddhists, principle of justice and fairness. Aung San Suu Kyi, for instance,
allocation of land for religious purposes, protection of rights of explains that her behavior in politics is influenced by what is true
animals, and so on. If Buddhist organisations do not take up these and right, or the Dharma, and not because she is a Buddhist.
issues, who will do it? While it is fine for Buddhists to engage with
other religionists, pressure groups, and NGOs on issues affecting This rule does not mean that religious followers should
their interest, it is important for Buddhist leaders to be in the not disclose their religious affiliation. It means one should not
forefront to confront issues and engage the Government on matters deliberately impose one’s religious beliefs on another, engage in
that are of great importance to the Buddhist community. politics using religion, or champion a particular cause through the
angle of one’s religion.
Citizenship as a Priority
For Buddhist organisations, their identity as “Buddhist” is
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