Hi, everyone,
I was just watching a CSPAN panel on the Syrian civil war. The crisis is dire — 900 thousand people (including 500,000 children) have been forced to leave their homes since December 1st…and that doesn’t even count all the people who have already been displaced and the hundreds of thousands dead. The refugee crisis has already shook the political system throughout the West and now there is a serious risk of a military conflict between Russia and NATO member Turkey.
Anyway, I was struck by a comment by the leader of the Syrian American Medical Association, Dr. Zaher Sahloul, in which he called out civic leaders for their apathy in the the face of this conflict. He included faith leaders here. I was struck by it, because it does seem like Buddhist leaders have been virtually silent on the issue, even from ones who are proponents of engaged Buddhism. At least that’s been my experience here in America.
I do remember one time several months ago going to an insight meditation get-together, which always ends with people being given the opportunity to write the names of people in need of merit on postcards— the teacher then reads the names at the end and we all offer metta. Anyway, this one time someone mentioned friends who are under bombardment in Syria. It shook my own apathy, and it seemed sad that there was nothing anyone was doing to help other than thoughts and prayers.
Here is a clip of the doctor speaking about this and here is the full video of the panel.
So I guess the questions I am submitting here is this: What obligation, if any, do Buddhist leaders have to speak out on this issue?
I’m curious to hear other people’s thoughts on this topic.