Shambhala Teachers Support Buddhist Humanitarian Appeal
Shambhala meditators worldwide are supporting the Buddhist Humanitarian Appeal to raise wider support and funds for the 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Buddhist leaders from 25 countries have signed a letter to the Myanmar State Sangha Committee. The appeal now is open for everyone to read and sign the letter, and to donate to reliable nonprofits supporting the refugees.
Shambhala leaders who have signed the letter include Acharya Pema Chödrön, Acharya Suzann Duquette, Acharya Fleet Maull, Acharya Marty Janowitz, and Acharya Dale Asrael, Director of the Shambhala Office of Social Engagement Aarti Tejuja, and former Shambhala International President Richard Reoch.
The Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar because of extreme violence against them by the army and Buddhist civilians, including extremist monastics. Many villages have been burned and an unknown number of people, including women and children, have been brutally killed.
“We are greatly disturbed by what many see as slander and distortion of the Buddha’s teachings,” the letter says. “In the Dhamma there is no justification for hatred and violence.”
In late March, Richard Reoch, who serves as Personal Emissary of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, as part of a delegation organized by the International Interfaith Peace Corps. Richard’s reports and a short video from the trip were published by Shambhala Times. Hozan Alan Senauke, founder of the Clear View Project, also joined the delegation and wrote an op-ed about his experiences on the trip which was published by the Religion News Service.
The Buddhist Humanitarian Project received $12,000 for Rohingya refugees in the first several weeks.
Here are the practical steps you can take to support Rohingya refugees:
- Please visit the website: http://www.buddhisthumanitarianproject.org/
- Sign the letter to the Myanmar State Sangha Committee and government officials, urging them to condemn the violence and support the refugees.
- Donate to respected nonprofit organizations working on the ground in the Rohingya refugee camps. (Click here for a list of reliable organizations.)
- Spread the word. Share this information with friends and sangha; share on social media and email.
Resources:
- Richard Reoch’s letter to the community in Shambhala Times on March 23
- Richard Reoch’s eyewitness report in Shambhala Times on April 11
- Hozan Alan Senauke’s report in Religion News Service on April 11
Stay tuned for more information as Richard Reoch continue’s his eyewitness report.
