Sat, 25 Jul 2009
America Needs a Buddhist President
I saw that on a bumper sticker last year. But I don't expect it to happen any time soon. Erik Curren is a Buddhist running as a Democrat for the Virginia legilator. His Buddhism has become an issue in the election and drawn some sympathetic attention from American Buddhists. Eric is a student of Shamar Rinpoche and has written a book about the Karmapa controversy arguing Shamar Rinpoche's position. This puts him on the opposite side of the issue from me. I've always said it would become clear who's the genuine Karmapa when both grow up. Orgyen Trinley Dorje seems to have gotten the larger share of media attention and his first two books are now on the market. I haven't seen any teachings from Thaye Dorje, though Lama Phurbu Tashi said he had written something (probably still in Tibetan). The saddest part of the controversy for me is how supporters of Shamar Rinpoche have attacked the Dalai Lama and how the Chinese have used their statements to weaken the Tibetan cause.
