\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Western Buddhist leaders, we unreservedly condemn the recently imposed policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the US-Mexican border.<\/span><\/p>\nOver the past few weeks, thousands of children have been inhumanely taken from their parents by US Customs and Border Protection, in a policy that has been condemned by the United Nations and many international human rights observers. Indeed, no other country has a policy of separating families who intend to seek asylum.<\/span><\/p>\nWhatever the legal status of those attempting to enter the US, separating children from their parents is a contravention of basic human rights. Parents seeking asylum make long, dangerous and arduous journeys in an attempt to find safety and well-being for their precious children. Ripping these vulnerable children from their parents is cruel, inhumane, and against the principles of compassion and mercy espoused by all religious traditions. From a Buddhist perspective, it is the close bond between parents and children that nurtures not only the physical well-being of children, but their psychological health and their moral formation. <\/span><\/p>\nSeparating children from their parents and holding them in detention inflicts terrible and needless trauma and stress on young children that hampers and damages their development, causing long-term damage. This policy being employed on United States soil is morally unconscionable. That such egregious actions be employed as a deterrent for families seeking entry and\/or asylum in the U.S. \u2013 using the sacred bond between innocent youth and their parents \u2013 is unjustifiable on any level. We suggest that our current defenders of this policy visit some of these border crossings and child detention centers so they can experience for themselves the present effects of their decisions. It is difficult to conceive that anyone having compassion for our world\u2019s children and their families, and who witnesses such pain and anguish for themselves could continue to uphold such a practice.<\/span><\/p>\nAs people of faith and conscience, we feel that it is important that we speak out clearly in defense of basic human rights at this time, calling for an immediate end to this heartless practice. In doing so, we join the voices of many religious leaders and congregations that have unreservedly condemned this policy of separation. This policy is a serious violation of the rights of the child and must be stopped today.<\/span><\/p>\nRev. Tenku Ruff<\/span><\/p>\nSoto Zen Buddhist Association, President<\/span><\/p>\nVen. Bhikkhu Bodhi<\/span><\/p>\nBuddhist Global Relief, Chair <\/span><\/p>\nBuddhist Association of the United States, President<\/span><\/p>\nRev. Shugen Arnold<\/span><\/p>\nZen Mountain Monastery, Abbot<\/span><\/p>\nZen Center of NYC<\/span><\/p>\nRev. Linda Ruth Cutts<\/span><\/p>\nSan Francisco Zen Center, Central Abbess<\/span><\/p>\nJames Lynch<\/span><\/p>\nBuddhist Council of New York, President<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. angel Kyodo williams<\/span><\/p>\nnewDharma Community, Spiritual Director, USA<\/span><\/p>\nBuddhist Action Coalition, Co-Founding Organizer, New York <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Kosen Gregory Snyder<\/span><\/p>\nBrooklyn Zen Center, Senior Teacher<\/span><\/p>\nBuddhist Action Coalition, Co-Founding Organizer, New York<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Zenshin Greg Fain<\/span><\/p>\nTassajara Zen Mountain Center, Head of Practice<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Wendy Egyoku Nakao<\/span><\/p>\nZen Center of Los Angeles, Abbot<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Shinchi Linda Galijan<\/span><\/p>\nSan Francisco Zen Center, President<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sharon Salzberg<\/span><\/p>\nInsight Meditation Society<\/span><\/p>\nBarre, MA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Hoka Chris Fortin<\/span><\/p>\nEveryday Zen Foundation, Dharma Heart Zen<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Shosan Victoria Austin<\/span><\/p>\nSan Francisco Zen Center<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Zenki Mary Mocine<\/span>
\n<\/span>Vallejo Zen Center, Abbess<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Jokai David Blackwell<\/span><\/p>\nYokoji Zen Mountain Center, Vice-Abbot<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Myozan Kodo Kilroy<\/span><\/p>\nIrish Buddhist Union, President <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eihei Peter Levitt<\/span><\/p>\nSalt Spring Zen Circle, Founder<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Kanzan Bruce Fortin<\/span><\/p>\nOccidental Laguna Sangha <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev James Myoun Ford<\/span><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Zen Sangha<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Myogen Kathryn Stark<\/span><\/p>\nSonoma Valley Zen Group<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Koshin Christine Palmer<\/span><\/p>\nMarin Zen Meditation<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Anne Seisen Saunders<\/span><\/p>\nSweetwater Zen Center<\/span><\/p>\nNational City, CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Melissa Myozen Blacker<\/span><\/p>\nBoundless Way Zen Temple<\/span><\/p>\nWorcester, MA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Josh Jiun Bartok <\/span><\/p>\nGreater Boston Zen Center, Abbot<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Renshin Bunce<\/span><\/p>\nBeginner\u2019s Mind Zen<\/span><\/p>\nSan Mateo CA <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Frank Ostaseski<\/span><\/p>\nMetta Institute, Sausalito CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eugene Cash<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\nSan Francisco Insight, Founder, San Francisco CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Larry Yang<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\nEast Bay Meditation Center, Co-Founding Teacher, Oakland CA<\/span><\/p>\nInsight Community of the Desert, Founding Teacher, Palm Springs CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oren Jay Sofer<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Gesshin Greenwood<\/span><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Zen Sangha<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Teijo R Munnich<\/span><\/p>\nGreat Tree Zen Women\u2019s Temple, Abbess<\/span><\/p>\nAlexander NC<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joryu Harris<\/span><\/p>\nTreetop Zen Center<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Myo-O Habermas-Scher<\/span><\/p>\nDharma Dance Sangha<\/span><\/p>\nMinneapolis, MN<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Phoebe van Woerden<\/span><\/p>\nPine Mountain Buddhist Temple, Head Monk<\/span><\/p>\nOzena Valley CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Andrea Fella<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\nInsight Meditation Center, Teacher, Redwood City, CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Barbara Salaam Wegm\u00fcller<\/span><\/p>\nSpiegel Sangha<\/span><\/p>\nZen Peacemakers Switzerland <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beth Sternlieb<\/span><\/p>\nInsightLA<\/span><\/p>\nSanta Monica, CA<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anne Cushman<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Erin Treat<\/span><\/p>\nVallecitos Mountain Retreat Center, Guiding Teacher, Vallecitos NM<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\nDurango Dharma Center, Resident Teacher, Durango CO<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Patricia Dai-En Bennage<\/span><\/p>\nMt. Equity Zendo, Jihoji, Abbess Emerita<\/span><\/p>\nLewisburg, Pa<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Eido Frances Carney<\/span><\/p>\nOlympia Zen Center<\/span><\/p>\nOlympia, Washington<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Kenshin Catherine Cascade<\/span><\/p>\nBird Haven Zendo<\/span><\/p>\nCheshire, Oregon<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Roland Wegmueller<\/span><\/p>\nSpiegel Sangha<\/span><\/p>\nZen Peacemakers Switzerland<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rev. Mark Lancaster<\/span><\/p>\nGenerous Heart Sangha<\/span><\/p>\nBainbridge Island, Wa <\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr. Bonnie Duran<\/span><\/p>\nSpirit Rock Meditation Center, Teachers Council, Woodacre, CA<\/span><\/p>\nIndigenous Wellness Research Institute<\/span><\/p>\n