Western Buddhist Teachers for a Free Burma

The Clear View Project has taken the initiative to write a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, calling their attention to the “election” in Burma later this week. More than 100 Western dharma teachers signed this letter, which is re-printed below.

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1 November 2010
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC  20500

Dear President Obama,

As you know, the upcoming elections in Burma, scheduled for November 7^th cannot be legitimate without participation of the National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD is boycotting this sham process because the Burmese military regime has designed electoral laws that insure that a rigged and non-representative election will transpire precluding the participation of Burma’s 2100 political prisoners and other democracy supporters.  As leaders in the western Buddhist community, we implore you to repudiate the results of this upcoming election.

We appreciate your Administration’s support for a Commission of Inquiry. We urge the U.S. government to exercise all diplomatic means to call the Burmese junta to account for allegations concerning Crimes against Humanity perpetrated against ethnic nationalities.

It is essential that the international community witness your clear and unwavering support for the freedom of the Burmese people at this pivotal time in their history.

We thank you in advance for your care and wisdom in responding to this urgent request and we look forward to your reply.

Respectfully submitted,

Jack Kornfield                                                 Sharon Salzberg

Tara Brach                                                       Tenzin Robert Thurman

Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke                               Lama Surya Das

Bhikkhu Bodhi                                                Jon Kabat-Zinn

Lama Palden

Robert Joshin Althouse
Rev. Susan Myoyu Anderson
Sally Armstrong
Carolyn Atkinson
Pascal Auclair
Martin Aylward
Rev. Zentatsu Richard Baker
Ezra Bayda
Mitra Bishop
Melissa Blacker
Bruce Seiryo Blackman
Joe Bobrow
Dae Bong Sunim
Tilmann Lhundrup Borghardt
Merle Boyd
Irene Bumbacher
Mitchell Cantor
Eugene Cash
Ven. David Chutiko
John Crook
Dhammarati
Gaylon Ferguson
James Ford
Gil Fronsdal
John M. Gage
Michael Grady
Elizabeth Hamilton
Rev. Zenkei Blanche Hartman
Kip Ryodo Hawley
Taigen Henderson
Joan Hoeberichts
Amy Hollowell
Paul Jeffrey Hopkins
Zen Master Soeng Hyang
Mushim Ikeda-Nash
Rev. Keido Les Kaye
Sumi Kim
Liana Kornfield
Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
Stanley Lombardo
Berry Magid
John Makransky
Genjo Marinello
Rev. Nicolee Jikyo McMahon
Rev. Wendy Egyoku Nakau
Ariya Nani
Ethan Nichtern
Wesley Nisker
Rev. Tonen O’Connor
Rev. Enkyo O’Hara
Peter O’Hearn
Rev. Joen Snyder O’Neal
Michael O’Sullivan
Ji Hyang Padma
Rev. Tony Patchell
Rev. Josho Pat Phelan
Rev. Dosho Port
Rev. Susan Jion Postal
Rev. Taihaku Priest
Dr. Christopher Queen
Jason Quinn
Rev. Densho Quintero
Sylvan Genko Rainwater
Rev. Zuiko Redding
Caitriona Reed
Julie Regan
Alison Reitz
Nicholas Ribush
Joan Rieck
Sharda Rogell
Judith Roitman
Sandra Roscoe
Rev. Daigaku Rumme
Santikaro
Rev. Seisen Saunders
Katharina Schmidt
Gina Sharpe
Tulku Sherdor
Jason Siff
Elihu Genmyo Smith
Tempel Smith
Ralph Steele
Abbot Myogen Steve Stucky
Rev. Heng Sure
Thanissara
Karma Leshe Tsomo
Fred Von Allmen
Alan Wallace
Rev. Jisho Warner
Arinna Weisman
Dr. Jan Willis
Diana Winston
Elizabeth A. Wood
Larry Yang
Shinzen Young