NEWS

International Network of Engaged Buddhists Issues Statement on Hong Kong Protests

By Craig Lewis
Buddhistdoor Global | 2019-09-09 |
Protestors rally on 16 June in Hong Kong. From wikipedia.orgProtestors rally on 16 June in Hong Kong. From wikipedia.org

In response to the escalating violence surrounding the ongoing public protests that have gripped Hong Kong over the past three months, the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) today expressed its firm and longstanding commitment to compassionate and non-violent means to engage with the situation in Hong Kong.

In a statement published on its website and dated 9 September, INEB called on Buddhist groups in Hong Kong to extend humanitarian assistance where needed without regard to political affiliation, and expressed an intention to help seek long-term solutions that would address the root causes of the social unrest in the Special Administrative Region.

The statement reads:

As the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), we have members who represent a wide variety of peoples across Asia as well as in other parts of the world including the Americas, Europe, Oceana, and Africa. We also have members and close friends who are not Buddhist among other faith traditions and beliefs.

From inebnetwork.orgFrom inebnetwork.org

In regards to the extremely difficult situation in Hong Kong recently, we are deeply concerned for the immediate suffering of people who are facing violence on a daily basis. We are also deeply concerned about the structural and cultural roots of this suffering.

In this way, we would like to express our commitment to engaging in the situation in Hong Kong in a compassionate, holistic and thoroughly non-violent manner.

We will seek through our networks to end the violence on both sides of the conflict. As Buddhists, we find violence an unskillful way of dealing with conflict which also leads to intolerable levels of immediate suffering. We look forward to the Buddhist monasteries and groups in Hong Kong to provide humanitarian assistance beyond political positions.

We also wish to seek to work on longer term solutions, which include

Appropriate economic development for Hong Kong that does not exacerbate class divisions

Right governance in which local, regional, national, and international interests are harmonized to avoid the exploitation of others and ensure civil and human rights are honored as part of the system.

Cultural and ideological inclusivity which forms the root of a non-violent society so that the long history of Hong Kong as a diverse and international city can continue to thrive.

We invite any partners who resonate with these goals to reach out to us so that we can continue to build bridges and human connection to resolve this crisis.

INEB was established in Thailand in 1989 by the prominent Thai academic, activist, and social critic Sulak Sivaraksa and a group of Buddhist and non-Buddhist thinkers and social activists with the aim of connecting engaged Buddhists around the world and promoting understanding, cooperation, and networking among inter-Buddhist and inter-religious groups to address global issues, such as human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental concerns. 

Founded as an autonomous organization under the Bangkok-based Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation, INEB’s members include monks, nuns, activists, academics, and social workers from more than 25 countries in Australasia, Asia, Europe, and North America. While a Buddhist organization, INEB welcomes members from other spiritual traditions and recognizes the importance of interfaith activities, stating: “INEB’s philosophy and practice is based on compassion, social justice, non-violence, and co-existence as put forth by Gautama the Buddha. The network’s core mission is to confront and end suffering using analysis and action guided by the Four Noble Truths.” (INEB)

See more

The International Network of Engaged Buddhists’ Statement Regarding the Situation in Hong Kong (INEB)
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists

Related news from Buddhistdoor Global

Dalai Lama Calls for Peaceful Dialogue as Protests Rage on in Hong Kong
Roar: New Biography Details the Life and Times of Sulak Sivaraksa, Leading Light of Engaged Buddhism
INEB and Buddhist Hongshi College to Host Young Bodhisattva Training Course on Engaged Buddhism
International Network of Engaged Buddhists Focuses on Conflict, Compassion, and Interbeing at 18th Biennial Conference in Taiwan
Thai Military Court Defers Lèse-Majesté Charges Against Prominent Buddhist Activist Sulak Sivaraksa

Related features from Buddhistdoor Global

Buddhist Economics with George Kinder: Creating a Mindful Golden Civilization
Buddhistdoor View: Quenching the Flames of Nationalism
Buddhistdoor View: Seeing Our Common Dignity in the “Summer of Dissent”
Compassion and Kalyana-mittata: The Engaged Buddhism of Sulak Sivaraksa

Please support our work
Comments:
    More Comments
    Share your thoughts:
    Reply to:
    Name: *
    Content: *
    Captcha: *
     
    I have read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of the buddhistdoor global website.
    Back to Top