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 Buddhisticicicics 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 capital of California who died in 2005. In 2007, the 110th U.S. Congress acquired two advanced Buddhist Representatives, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Hank Johnson of Georgia?(para.11). Moreover, mevery well-regarded organizations much(prenominal) as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship hit engaged in closing penalty reform. Religion plays a pivotal part in election year politics. Democrat and republican candidates try to binge the mantle of religion to legitimize themselves to Christian unprogressives. Both parties give suck a grab for the fundamental and ever-increasing pluralized Christi an votes with less momentous constituencies such(prenominal)(prenominal) as Buddhists left out of the dispute. According to Richard convert (1997), it is no accident, to suppose, that less than 5% of on the whole non-Asian Buddhists in the get unneurotic 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 scrub 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 black Buddhist disinclination to shop at the Republican Party is that in the get together States the Republican Party has tie in itself with patriotism, conservative Christian (and! especially Protestant) moral values, and the chases of corporate business. state who prefer such mainstream American values are non the ones who tend to pin out in various shipway (such as by becoming marginalized academics who teach arcane subjects such as Sanskrit grammar and chivalrous 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 spend a penny 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 corporation ills. One blogger stated, ?It is certain Christian Americans who force divisive issues, such as school compacts to god or gay conglutination bans, into the political debates. All Americans have to disseminate with the consequen ces. It is interesting, and then, to observe how American Buddhist organizations publicly react to such issues? (Tricycleblog, 2004). In 1954, the pledge of homage 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 draft 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 coupling, Buddhist have been quieter on this subject.

Homosexuality is not to be pass or condemned harmonise to Buddhism ! because the issue is not clear in their beliefs. Nevertheless the government minister?s link of the Buddhist Churches of America made the undermentioned statement: Whereas there is no nix judgment of oddity in the Buddhist religion; whereas a number of BCA ministers have been performing same-sex weddings for a period of at least xxx years; whereas we wish to affirm the morality of all persons, self-employed person 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 quirkiness 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 authentically be said the American Buddhist are sincerely 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: BestEssayCheap.com

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