Zen Peacemaker Affiliate
BCFD_teal bkgrd
Buddhist Coalition for Democracy
We represent a broad coalition of Buddhists from multiple traditions and lineages and with differing political opinions—radical, progressive, liberal, centrist, conservative and libertarian—who share the common goal of ensuring democracy’s survival. We aspire towards a society that values all of its members and believe democratic values, institutions, and processes are the best means for realizing it. As Buddhists, we are called upon to witness, respond to, and resist the ongoing systematic destruction of norms and institutions that allow free societies to flourish.
When did your organization form? March 1, 2025
Tell us about one exciting project, program, or other offering you are currently working on.
1) We endorse nationwide and local political opportunties for engaged Buddhist action (demonstrations, witnessing events, letter writing campaigns, amicus curiae briefs, organizing). 2) We publish a Constant Contact newsletter, a Substack newsletter, a blog, and podcasts that educate members about engaged Buddhism and current events. Our Events Calendar informs members of upcoming opportunities for involvment, education, and action. 3) We hold on-line meetings like our upcoming Mindful Town Hall where members can collectively process how national political events are affecting them personally
How do the Three Tenets inform your social engagement?
1) Not Knowing: Our organization does not promote any ideology or political, economic, or social theory that dictates our understanding. Our Call to Action states, "We affirm the need to listen to differing viewpoints with openness and equanimity and to respond with wise minds and caring hearts." We believe in responding freshly to situations that arise, enquiring in each moment, “What is needed? How can we help?,” and not believing that the answer we arrive at in that moment will be a final answer. 2) We have encouraged members to bear witness across the country at courthouses and ICE facilities where people are illegally rounded up and detained. We are planning to educate members in coming months to prepare them for how to interact with ICE agents if they are accompanying immigrants or witnessing an ICE kidnapping. 3) We have endorsed national and local actions including recent ones organized by Indivisible, No Kings, Mobilize, Good Trouble Continues, the Interfaith Center of NY, the Oak Flat Buddhist Working Group, and have entered into amicus curiae briefs with other religious organizations on behalf of persons being detained and subject to deportation.
For more information: sethzuihosegall@gmail.com
Buddhist Coalition for Democracy -
Pennsylvania, USA