Former U.S. President Barack Obama and His Holiness the Dalai Lama discussed compassion and altruism in a meeting on Friday. His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with former U.S. President Barack Obama Friday in New Delhi, India. Friday's meeting marks the sixth time His Holiness and Obama have met, though its the first since Obama left office in January. The two reportedly [...]
Looking Back on Barack Obama’s Friendly Relationship with Buddhism
As Barack Obama's presidency comes to a close, we're looking back on his friendly relationship with Buddhists around the world. President Obama met twice with the Dalai Lama (drawing ire from China) and once with Pema Chödrön, who described him as kind and genuine. He revealed in an interview that he keeps a small Buddha statue in his pocket and issued the White House's [...]
The Meaning of Barack Obama
Even before he was president, Obama was a twenty-first global citizen, helping us to transcend parochialism, tribalism, and that most pernicious of fictions — race. In this essay from the fall of 2008, Charles R. Johnson explains and appreciates the man who would become one of the most historic US presidents. There are many things we can say about the historically [...]
Myanmar-America relations enter new era after Obama-Suu Kyi meeting
For the first time in her capacity as leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi met with President Obama yesterday in Washington. Following the meeting, Obama announced that he was prepared to lift sanctions on Myanmar. Myanmar has had a "national emergency" designation from the White House for two decades, which prevented much investment in the country. Suu Kyi's landslide victory [...]
Obama, in Laos, highlights the strength of Buddhist faith
In an address to the people of Laos, yesterday, President Obama stressed the strengths of the Buddhist faith. Obama was in the country for the East Asia Summit, becoming the first U.S. president to visit Laos. From his speech: "In countless stupas and in your daily lives, we see the strength that so many of you draw from your Buddhist faith. A faith that tells you that you [...]
The Buddha in Obama’s pocket
A little something for Throwback Thursday: In a White House-produced YouTube video first shared on January 15, President Obama addressed a number of things -- including what's in his pockets. It turns out that, along with a rosary gifted to him by Pope Francis, a small Buddha statuette, given to him by a monk, is often found on the president's person. "Ever since I started [...]
Dalai Lama, Obama meet at White House
Barack Obama met with Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the White House today. His Holiness posted a photo of the meeting to Facebook: China, of course, has stated its displeasure about the US receiving or honoring the Dalai Lama; as The Tibet Post reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a news briefing yesterday that We demand the US government [...]
Obama quotes Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam address
U.S. President Barack Obama, in Hanoi, Vietnam today, addressed that nation's people with remarks that included a reference to the Zen master, Engaged Buddhism advocate, and lifelong anti-war activist, Thich Nhat Hanh. And as Vietnam has transformed, so has the relationship between our two nations. We learned a lesson taught by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, who said, “In [...]
Update: Obamas, White House issue second salute to Vesak, or “Buddha Day”; Governor Jerry Brown also notes holiday and community
US President Barack Obama has now issued a second 2016 statement about the Buddhist holiday of Vesak, or "Buddha Day" -- this time, an official White House message (as opposed to his previous statement of April 29, which illustrates this story), posted on WhiteHouse.gov. It reads: Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to Buddhists in the United States and around the world [...]
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau acknowledges Vesak, or “Buddha Day” with statement
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a statement acknowledging the occasion of Vesak, the Buddhist festival also known as "Buddha Day." The statement, posted on his website, reads: Today, Buddhists in Canada and around the world will celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha – the founder of Buddhism. On this day, Buddhists unite to reflect on [...]
