Letter to Buddhist Leaders by European Rohingya Council

To, 

Achariya Professor J Simmer Brown 

Dr. AT Ariyaratne 

Ven. Ajahn Amaro Mahathera 

Ven. Arjia Rinpoche VIII 

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi 

Ven. Chao Khun Raja Sumedhajahn 

Ven. Phra Paisal Visalo 

Ven. Shodo Harada Roshi 

Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh 

Ven. Hozan A Senauke 

Younge Khachab Rinpoche VIII 

Ven. Sr. Thich Nu Chan Kong 

Dr. Jack Kornfield Vipassana Achariya 

Lama Surya Das 

Ven. Zoketsu N. Fischer Soto Roshi 

Tulku Sherdor Rinpoche 

Professor Robert Tenzin C. Thurman 

HH the XIV Dalai Lama 

ROHINGYA COMMUNITY WELCOMES THE INITIATIVES OF WORLD BUDDHIST LEADERS TO END THE VIOLENCE AGAINST ROHINGYAS AND OTHER MUSLIMS IN BURMA 

We, European Rohingya Council (ERC), on behalf of the whole Rohingya Community, would like to extends heartfelt thanks to the World Buddhist Leaders for the initiative and suggestions they have made to end the decades-long persecutions and months-long violence against Rohingyas and other Muslim communities in Arakan State, Burma(Myanmar). 

In fact, Buddhism centers on promoting peace universally. Its teaching is based on the moral percepts of refraining from killing and causing harm, on compassion and mutual care and its teaching offers respect to all, regardless of class, caste, race or creed. So, Buddhism is without any doubt a non-violent religion. 

However, in Burma, the way many Monks and Buddhists are behaving and committing violence against the different people especially Rohingyas is demeaning to Buddhism. As a result of tyrannical rulers’ decades-long conspiracy to Divide and Rule, racism and xenophobia has deep-rooted in the hearts of majority Burmese. As a result, sadly, even the Monks, Scholars and Human Rights Activists seem unable to escape the trap of ultra-nationalism, bigotry and delusion. 

Burmese Regime, some extremists and ultranationalists and some self-interested groups have systematically plotted the violence against Rohingyas that started on 8th June 2012 for their respective gains. Despite the massive violence against Rohingyas and other Muslims in Arakan that have created unimaginable human tragedy, we still wish and are ready to live together with Rakhines and others, in the name of “A Peaceful Co-Existence.” 

With a view to achieving “A Peaceful Co-Existence and Communal Reconciliation” it has become necessary to hold dialogues on reconciliation and national level meetings. We feel the World Buddhist Leaders are really influential in Burma because no matter what, Burmese Buddhists carry a long and profound history of upholding the Dharma. Therefore, we request to the World Buddhist Leaders to take all possible steps towards holding such dialogues and meetings.

Sincerely,

Chairman

European Rohingya Council