Thread by @EngagedPureLand

A Brief History of Buddhism in the White House

It’s been reported that history was made yesterday with a White House ceremony for Vesak, a holiday for the birth, awakening and death of the Buddha. That's not quite true. #vesak #WhiteHouse @LionsRoar @Buddhistdoor @BuddhistEthics

The ceremony is indeed important, but the history of Vesak at the White House is longer. Buddhists first gathered for Vesak at the White House in 2015. The event was the "First White House—US Buddhist Leaders Conference," held May 14, 2015.

Organized by Bill Aiken (Soka Gakkai), T.Kenjitsu Nakagaki (Jodo Shinshu), Bhikkhu Bodhi (Theravada), Sallie King (Zen), Matthew Regan (Son), and Duncan Ryuken Williams (Soto Zen), the event was spurred by concerns about climate change and the need for engaged Buddhism.

During the event, Jodo Shinshu minister Rev. Dr. Nakagaki led a ritual to commemorate Vesak.

The 2015 event connected Vesak to the White House. Building on this base, and spurred by an ad hoc committee that included Rev. Nakagaki and Bhikkhu Bodhi, in 2016 President Barak Obama issued the first official statement on the holiday:
bit.ly/3vr2QBO

The connection was ruptured during the Trump presidency, which had a white Christian nationalist political base. With the election of Joe Biden, Vesak recognition has returned. President Biden issued a statement:
bit.ly/3oTLvic

And Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted her Vesak greetings:

https://twitter.com/VP/status/1397714765196181506

The 2021 event was thus not the first time Buddhists have commemorated Vesak at the White House, nor the first recognition of Vesak by the White House. It was, nonetheless, a moving and significant event.

Rev. Marvin Harada, bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America, celebrated Vesak as the representative of Mahayana Buddhists. Present with him was Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the first time a presidential or vice presidential family member participated.

Tarthang Tulku, one of the first lamas to teach in America, represented Vajrayana Buddhists, while Ven. Uparatana (who was part of the 2016 ad hoc committee) represented Theravada Buddhists.

Semo Wangmo Dixey (also part of the 2016 ad hoc committee) coordinated yesterday's event. She is pictured here with Mr. Emhoff: he is Jewish, marking an important inter-faith fellowship aspect of the event.

@threadreaderapp unroll