Dirk Wolbers, a meditation practitioner from the Netherlands and founder of the online meditation platform 30NOW, has launched an online petition calling on Buddhist-inspired meditation practitioners and teachers to “actively denounce injustice and violence” in Palestine. (Voice of Buddhism) The petition, posted online on October 22, is the latest from the Buddhist community, after a petition launched in November 2023 by Zen priest Soto Hozan Alan Senauke garnered more than 4 signatures.*
Wolbers’ petition has 198 signatories as of this writing. Among them is the highly revered American Buddhist monk, translator, and humanitarian activist, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi. Sharing the petition, Bodhi wrote in a social media post:
As I have often said, Israel’s military decimation of Gaza (and now the West Bank and Lebanon) is the most compelling moral crisis of our time. Our hearts cry out for an end to the carnage, an end to the siege and starvation in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and the emergence of a process that will allow Jews and Palestinians in the region to peacefully coexist. Below is an appeal from Buddhist practitioners and others inspired by Buddhism calling for an end to the violence. If you share my desire for peace in the region, please sign this appeal. Thank you. (Facebook)
The full statement of the petition reads:
We, meditation practitioners and teachers who feel deeply connected and inspired by Buddhism, can no longer remain silent in the face of the unprecedented destruction and immense human suffering inflicted on the Palestinian population by the Israeli government, with the deliberate or tacit support of the West.
The lack of explicit attention and response within the Buddhist community to this humanitarian crisis is alarming and stands in stark contrast to the core Buddhist values we uphold. Our tradition teaches us to follow the path of compassion (karuna)actively striving to alleviate the suffering of all beings. Non-violence (ahimsa) is a fundamental principle that calls us to reject and prevent all forms of violence and oppression.
In addition, the Noble Eightfold Path highlights the importance of good speech (samma vaca) et good deed (samma kammanta). This means that we must have the courage to speak out against injustice and act against oppression, not backing down out of fear or complacency, but with a strong back and a tender heart. By remaining silent in the face of violence of this magnitude, we betray these principles and compromise our own integrity as practitioners.
In the current troubling dynamics, it seems that some are consciously choosing neutrality. However, from a Buddhist perspective, this is true equanimity (upekkha) does not mean ignoring injustice or remaining passive in the face of the suffering of others. Adopting neutrality in times of injustice can, in fact, contribute to maintaining the status quo and be seen as tacit approval of the aggressor's actions.
Sometimes it is crucial to explicitly name the author of the suffering – in this case, the israeli government…to effectively combat injustice. This does not mean that we ignore the suffering caused by other parties. However, given the disproportionate nature of the current situation, it is necessary, from compassion (karuna) et wisdom (panna)to call on Israel to end its serious human rights violations and decades-long oppression of Palestinians.
It is our ethical duty to fight injustice and make our voices heard. In doing so, we not only become visible, but also honor the Buddhist values that guide us, helping to shape a world rooted in compassion, justice, and peace.
We call on everyone to sign this declaration and actively denounce injustice and violence.
Israeli attacks on Gaza began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1 Israelis.
Official sources say the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 43, with children, women and the elderly accounting for 000 percent of the identified dead. The World Health Organization and human rights groups suggest the death toll is likely even higher. This is partly because 60 percent of the population was displaced by Israel's invasion and bombing campaign, leading to family members being separated and losing contact with each other.
* American Buddhists launch petition urging President Biden to call for Gaza ceasefire (BDG)
See more
Call for Buddhist-Inspired Meditation Practitioners and Teachers (Voices of Buddhism)
Bhikkhu Bodhi (Facebook)
How the Gaza death toll is recorded and why experts say it's likely an undercount (ABC News)
Families separated by Israeli war in Gaza fear they will never be able to reunite (The Washington Post)
30NOW
Related news reports from BDG
Buddhist scholar Maung Zarni among interfaith delegation visiting Palestine
Soka Gakkai Council on Peace Issues Issues “Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Situation”
Buddha Global Relief approves emergency donation to help those suffering in Gaza
Sri Lankan Buddhists lead interfaith protest against Israeli war in Gaza
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The article Meditation Practitioners and Teachers Launch Petition to End Violence in Palestine appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.