Political Buddhism

Buddhism has emerged as an alternative religion that is poised to be a cultural, spiritual, and political core. Lewis (2008) stated, ?As for being a political force, in that respect are still too few Buddhisticicics in the States to stop the flood of fundamentalism and the myopic national and state policies. However, at that place was a Shin Buddhist Congressman, Mr. Bob Matsui from Sacramento who died in 2005. In 2007, the 110th U.S. Congress acquired two new Buddhist Representatives, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Hank Johnson of Georgia?(para.11). Moreover, many well-regarded organizations much(prenominal) as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship have engaged in destruction penalty reform.

Religion plays a pivotal part in election year politics. Democrat and republican candidates try to squeeze the mantle of religion to legitimize themselves to Christian conservatives. Both parties suck a grab for the fundamental and ever-increasing pluralized Christian votes with less momentous constituencies such(prenominal) as Buddhists left out of the dispute. According to Richard convert (1997), it is no accident, to suppose, that less than 5% of all non-Asian Buddhists in the get together States are registered Republicans. It is non because there is anything intrinsic to Buddhist doctrines as such that would oppose liberal or even ultra-liberal (or, as the Statesns call them, conservative and ultra-conservative) political values. After all, Buddhists and Republicans both(prenominal) lean to oppose any but the most minimalist government. Moreover, both love elephants (para. 2). Historically speaking, Buddhism has tended to maintain conservative status quo regimes in Asia, going all the way back to India.

Richard Hays (1997) stated, ?the curtilage for European and Afro-American Buddhist disinclination to support the Republican Party is that in the United States the Republican Party has tie in itself with patriotism, conservative Christian (and especially Protestant) moral values, and the interests of corporate business. state who favor such mainstream American values are non the ones who tend to drop out in various shipway (such as by becoming marginalized academics who teach arcane subjects such as Sanskrit grammar and medieval Indian philosophy)?. Richard Hayes (1997) further stated, ?that non-Asian Buddhist converts in the United States tend to be unusually extremely educated people, academics, homos, political radicals, former drug users, performing artists and different people who have very little real invite or political or economic power (and very little interest in having real power)? (para. 3). Republicans blame these like individuals for most of society ills.

One blogger stated, ?It is certain Christian Americans who force divisive issues, such as school pledges to God or gay marriage bans, into the political debates. All Americans have to disseminate with the consequences. It is interesting, and then, to observe how American Buddhist organizations publicly react to such issues? (Tricycleblog, 2004). In 1954, the pledge of allegiance as a non-religious imprecation was theocized and declared unconstitutional in 2002. The Buddhist have been lacking on support for the current pledge. In fact, 23 Buddhist supported an amicus brief that supported the 2002 unconstitutionality of the pledge of allegiance (Tricycleblog, 2004). Buddhism does not establish oaths to God because that would be anti-Buddhist.

As for gay marriage, Buddhist have been quieter on this subject.



Homosexuality is not to be pass or condemned according to Buddhism because the issue is not clear in their beliefs. Nevertheless the Minister?s Association of the Buddhist Churches of America made the following statement: Whereas there is no nix judgment of homosexuality in the Buddhist religion; whereas a number of BCA ministers have been performing same-sex weddings for a period of at least thirty years; whereas we wish to affirm the morality of all persons, independent of sexual orientation: Now therefore be it resolved, that the Ministers Association of the Buddhist Churches of America opposes any governmental prohibition of same-sex marriage (Tricycleblog, 2004). Though the issue of the pledge of allegiance or homosexuality may seem divisive when use by the Christian right they still are American issues. Because there is a lack of support by Buddhist for the pledge of allegiance and a lack opposition to homosexual relationships can it truly be said the American Buddhist are really for America.

ReferencesHayes, R. (1997). Buddhism and politics. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from http://ireland.iol.ie/~mazzoldi/toolsforchange/buddhist/politics.htmlLewis, G.R. (2008). Buddhism in America. Retrieved February 15, 2009 fromhttp://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/pureland_sangha/id65.htmlTricycleblog. (2004). American Buddhists Speak Out on the Pledge of Allegiance and comical Marriage. February 15, 2009 from http://tricycleblog.blogspot.com/2004/09/american-buddhists-speak-out-on-pledge.html

If you want to get a full essay, society it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .