Eliminating Violence and Discrimination:
With a Special Emphasis on Women and Children

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic call for the equal rights of men and women, and the teachings of the world’s religions universally call for compassionate and equitable treatment of all—both men and women.
As Buddhists, the ASA considers any discrimination, violence or abuse against anyone on the grounds of gender, sexuality, physical appearance, physical or mental disability, age, position in the hierarchy, or religious affiliation to be unacceptable. In particular, we consider the justification of discrimination or abuse against any person, especially women and children on grounds of religion, tradition or teaching as unacceptable. We further affirm, that there is no licence in Buddhism for unethical behaviour or misuse
of power or position, by institutions or individuals, especially by people in positions of power or authority.

Due to past and more recent allegations of abuse in Buddhist communities, we would like to offer our support to those who are speaking out about discrimination and abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, psychological, financial) and harassment – past and present.

People often turn to their spiritual communities when they need support, hope, and a moral compass through life. When an authority figure in these communities abuses them, it can shatter a person’s faith as well as their sense of safety and worth.
We believe that the Buddha’s moral teachings can be effective against discrimination and abuse and that Buddhist leaders must do more to be a part of the solution.
Therefore, the ASA affirms the Parliament of Worlds’ Religions in their commitment to stopping sexualised and gender-based violence, and support their call that religions put the needs of victim-survivors first, particularly those who have been harmed within religious and spiritual contexts. To assist in that goal the ASA encourages all Buddhist leaders and adherents to:

• acknowledge and emphasise the positive messages of dignity and equality taught by the Buddha
• honour and uphold the dignity, well-being, and fundamental human rights of all
• challenge and change harmful teachings and practices that justify discrimination and violence against any individual or specific group of people, especially against women and children; and report cases of abuse or violence to the relevant authorities
• embrace their moral responsibility and collectively commit to ensuring that women are fully and equally involved in decision-making within religions and in every sphere that involves their lives make a personal commitment to this collective undertaking to heal the heart of our humanity by releasing women, girls, men, and boys from the bondage of gender-based discrimination and violence.

The ASA believes that religious leaders have a responsibility to ensure equality and human rights. Our hope is Buddhist religious and spiritual communities will implement and enforce policies and practices that will transform our society into a better, more decent and just society.

Let us be committed and united together against discrimination and violence, wherever it may be. The ASA believes that religious leaders have a responsibility to ensure equality and human rights. Our hope is Buddhist religious and spiritual communities will implement and enforce policies and practices that will transform our society into a better, more decent and just society.

Let us be committed and united together against discrimination and violence, wherever it may be.

Endorsed: 1 January 2018

Some content sourced from: https://parliamentofreligions.org/blog/2017-12-01-1713/womens-task-force-calls-religious-and-
spiritual-communities-stand-survivors-and and https://parliamentofreligions.org/civicrm/petition/sign