Buddhist congresswoman sworn in, urges tolerance- WASHINGTON, USA

By Dennis Camire, Gannett News Service, January 6, 2007

WASHINGTON, USA -- While a new, Muslim member of Congress sparked a controversy for taking his oath of office with a Quran instead of a Bible on Thursday, another new member who is Buddhist was sworn in with no book at all.

Rep. Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who was raised in the Buddhist tradition, said, "I don't have a book. ... But I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty."

Members of the House for the 110th Congress were sworn in en masse, then had individual swearing-in ceremonies with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. In many cases, members rest a hand on a Bible while taking the oath, but they're not required to do so.

Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, took his oath on a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Prior to his taking the oath, he was criticized by Virginia Republican Virgil Goode, who warned of an influx of Muslims being elected to public office.

In an op-ed piece in USA Today, Goode wrote, "I believe that if we do not stop illegal immigration totally, reduce legal immigration and end diversity visas, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to infiltration by those who want to mold the United States into the image of their religion, rather than working within the Judeo-Christian principles that have made us a beacon for freedom-loving persons around the world."

Of the controversy, Hirono said, "It's about time that we have people of other backgrounds and faiths in Congress ... what happened to separation of church and state and religious tolerance? I believe in those things."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extreme Buddhism in Nepal- The Sunday Times, December 31, 2006
Sri Lanka marks 2nd tsunami anniversaryXinhua News, Dec 27, 2006
Funeral of late Sangha Nayaka Thera of Great Britain- December 21, 2006
Teachings on Buddhism by His Holiness in New Delhi- December 23, 2006
International university to revive Nalanda- December 22, 2006
Calm Through Copying- Sutra-writing by hand to boost the brain- Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006
 

 
Buddhist Weekly News
United Nations endorses Thai Buddhist Economic model-, March 20, 2007
Japanese way of death: Society forces changes in costly funeral culture-Mar 18, 2007
Maha Ghosananda, Called Cambodia’s Gandhi, Dies-New York Times, March 15, 2007
Turkey thanked for building Buddhist temple in tsunami-hit Sri Lanka- Dec 29, 2006
Buddhist University finds music to their ears- Jan 3, 2006
Removing Obstacles to Development of Buddhism in Russia November 26, 2006

 

Source: The Buddhist Channel at: http://www.buddhistchannel.tv