Obama Buddha? wishful thinking . . .

Inside Obama's Christian Crusade

Every once and a while I Google 'Obama and Buddhist' just to see if he is a secret Buddhist. So far nothing has come up. What I did note is that there were a number of Buddhists blogs, organizations, and individuals who see Buddhism in Obama's approach to listening, problem solving, patience, tolerance, and so on. Great.

But, what is the real possibility for a Buddhist, especially a black Black Buddhist to run for the highest office in the land? Impossible.

The presidency seems to be policed by some of America's most powerful protestant Christians. One might remember that JFK, a Catholic, barely squeezed through amid a flurry of controversy and debate. So the idea of 'Obama Buddha' for all intents and purposes is nothing more than a yearning on the part of optimistic American Buddhists.

The truth is that Senator Obama is under intense pressure to authenticate himself as a devout Christian. So much so that he apparently preferred his June 10th meeting with thirty of America's most powerful Evangelists to remain off the record.

News accounts report that in the meeting, "Franklin Graham, son of the evangelical icon Billy Graham and head of the international Christian aid organization Samaritan's Purse, was seated next to Obama at the meeting." Making the best of an opportunity the younger Graham was said to have, "...directly confronted Obama about his supposedly Muslim background and Christian authenticity," and repeatedly demanded to know if the senator believed that "Jesus was the way to God or merely a way."
The psycho-spiritual melee that ensued during the meeting will perhaps go do in history as the inquisition that never happened. You can read more about it in the above link.

As an America and beneficiary of democracy I feel it is appropriate for a presidential candidate to meet privately with religious leaders if he or she chooses. I also believe that the candidate can and should be forthright about their religious beliefs and convictions if they choose to discus the mater at all.

What the Original Black Buddha wants to know is when will a meeting between presidential aspirants and Black Buddhist leaders occur? It won't because no such leadership exist in part because not only is the presidency policed by powerful Christians, but the black community itself is also rife with patterns of historical policing by the black Church. African American Buddhists are seen at about the same level as gays and lesbians in terms of suitability for leadership.

Personally, I remember receiving calls from two reporters associated with a black newspaper heavily advertised by black churches. The first reporter told me he had been threatened with bodily harm if he wrote and more editorials highlighting my work in the black community. The second called me in the middle of the night with a cryptic message suggesting I participate in an underground cable television show that would allow me to speak without being censored. The former reporter was murdered in the early morning on the way to work allegedly over a dispute about his coverage of another non Christian religious organization.

The Dalai Lama is my guide in these matters. He is guarded by America's most elite security service for a reason. His life is one fraught with danger as he joyfully inspires millions of people across the world with a message of peace.

It is unimaginable for most people to believe that being a black male Buddhist leader could be life threatening in a community of color in need of positive role models and teachings on humanism and compassion. But the fact is that the black community, in addition to its profound contributions to our society, can also be a very dangerous place.

I support my Buddhist friends who see the Buddha in Obama, but I hope they will also consider the deeper story of what it means to be a Buddhist leader in the black community as well. Otherwise, Obama may be credited for work at the community level that he has not done--and that others have performed dutifully at great risk to themselves and their families.