Buddhist leaders pen open letter encouraging Americans to vote

The letter urges Buddhists across America to “express your commitment and respect for the innate dignity and worth of all” by voting in the midterm elections on November 6.

Nearly 130 Buddhists teachers and leaders have signed an open letter to Buddhists across America in an effort to increase voter turnout at polling stations this election season.

The effort, Mindful Vote, was created by Buddhist leaders in partnership with Faith In Action, a nonpartisan faith-based group focused on community organizing for social change. The letter aims to reach thousands of Buddhists and inspire them to register to vote and engage their communities to do the same in time for the upcoming midterms elections on November 6.

Read the letter in full below:

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

This is a critical time in American society. As Buddhist teachers and leaders we recognize the importance of all who are eligible to participate in decisions that affect the well being of the whole. A mutual caring community is one of the central teachings of the Buddha.

Many have wondered what you can do at this divisive time. Across the country, tens of millions of eligible voters do not cast their vote – often because they don’t believe their voice matters!

We are joining together with Faith In Action, a NON PARTISAN group of churches, mosques, synagogues and faith communities to help make sure all who are eligible are supported to vote.

We joyfully encourage all in our communities who can help in these weeks ahead to connect with Faith in Action by clicking this LINK. There you will find support and training so that in your area you can help get people out to vote.

Express your commitment and respect for the innate dignity and worth of all. Help to empower the voice of the whole community as a truly important contribution.

You can really make a difference! Please join us.

With loving kindness, compassion and blessings,

Yours in the Dharma,

Jack Kornfield
Sharon Salzberg
Joseph Goldstein
Zoketsu Norman Fischer
David Loy
Sayadaw U Vivekananda
Lama Surya Das
Lama Palden Alioto
Thanissara & Kittisaro
Trudy Goodman
Bob Thurman
William Aiken
Chozen & Hogen Bays
Rev. Bup Hee
Lama Willa Miller
Oren Jay Sofer
Marcia Rose
Neesha Patel
Tara Mulay
Rodney Smith
Pamela Weiss
Sharda Rogell
Kamala Masters
Jill Shepherd
Bonnie Duran
James Baraz
Devin Berry
Anna Douglas
Spring Washum
Carol Wilson
Larry Yang
Kate Lila Wheeler
Susie Harrington
Wes Nisker
Eugene Cash
Chris Crotty
Dawn Mauricio
Gulwinder S. Singh
Temple R. Smith
Parwan Bareja
Phillip Moffitt
Noliwe Alexander
Andrea Castillo
Tere Abdala
Andrea Fella
Jim Willems
Mitchell Ratner
Eiko Joshin Carolyn Atkinson
Karl Brunnholzl
Kate Johnson
Melissa Myōzen Blacker, Rōshi
Arinna Weisman
Jules Shuzen Harris Sensei
James Myosan Cordova, Sensei
Alexis Santos
Rev. Edward Keido Sanshin Oberholtzer
John Tarrant, Roshi
Kanzan Bruce Fortin
Thanissara
Jundo Cohen
Pamela Ayo Yetunde
Gyokuko Carlson
Rev. Ronald Kobata
Tara Brach
Wendy Egyoku Nakao
Gil Fronsdal
Kenjitsu Nakagaki
Bhante Katugastota Uparatana Nayaka Thera
Sylvia Boorstein
Sojun Mel Weitsman
Judy Lief
Hozen Alan Senauke
Gina Sharpe
Konda Mason
Dharmacarani Vimalasara
Barbara Gates
Bhiksuni Thubten Chodron
Jeff Haozous
Mary Grace Orr
Lama Döndrup
Howard Cohn
Pat Berube, Lama Pat
Lama Stephen Gross
Leslie Booker
Matthew Brensilver
Kate Johnson
Diana Winston
Debra Chamberlin Taylor
Lynn Weinberger
Erin Treat
Erin Selover, MS
Shastri Nick Kranz
Madeline Klyne
Daniel Rothberg
Devon Hase
Chris Cullen
Melvin McLeod
Adin Strauss
Furyu Schroeder
Annik Brunet
Rev. Tenzen David Zimmerman
DaRa Williams
Gregory Scharf
Anne Cushman
Valorie Hutson
Ruth King
Karen Maezen Miller
Rev. James Ishmael Ford
Rev. Sumi Loundon Kim
Ed Sattizahn
Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Rev. Grace Schireson
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison
Sensei Chodo Campbell
Jisan Tova Green
Rev. Rosan O. Yoshida, Ph.D.
Layla Smith Bockhorst
Eihei Peter Levitt
Rebecca Li
Myogen Kathryn Stark
Narayan Helen Liebenson
Flint Sparks
Harrison Blum
Sebene Selassie
Shaku Kengu