Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut
PERSECUTION OF BUDDHISTS

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WARNING!

This web page has disturbing information an graphic images due to the nature of violence acts against Buddhists around the world. In no way do we seek to discredit or abuse any religion such as Islam or Christianity or any nationality. The BFF wishes only to expose the reality of religious persecution in the past and present. As a consequence to the continuing persecutions committed by many non-buddhists and ideologues around the world. Let it be known that in the 21st century, many Buddhists continue to be martyred and experience great suffering, discrimination and tragedy because of their faith in the Dharma.

"Though in their ignorance many will curse and
abuse us and beat us with swords and staves; we will endure it all."
Lotus Sutra: 13

Since the days of Buddha's ministry over 2,500 years ago, there have been attempts by non-buddhists to destroy the Dharma of wisdom and compassion. In Buddha's time, there were many who tried to kill or discredit him and his disciples as exemplified by Devadatta's betrayal. In the 10th century, as the result of the Muslim invasion of what is modern day Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, the Buddhist religion was viciously wiped out in an act of virtual genocide. Throughout the ages the Buddhist religion experienced many purges in China, most notably in the 20th century. In the 19th century, the European empires such as Great Britain and France had by political, military and economic coercion implanted their forms of Christianity on such countries like Sri Lanka, Burma and Vietnam. In Tibet, the Dharma has been brutally oppressed since the Chinese invasion in the 1950s. In North Korea the Dharma has been effectively exterminated since the 1950s due to the hard line communist government. In the 1990s, in South Korea, the Buddhist faith has seen intimidation, vandalism of temples and the murder of monks by Catholics. In Kampuchea during the 1970s, the Marxist Pol Pot regime exterminated most of Buddhist clergy. As a result, in the 1990s, a flood of highly financed, Western Christian fundamentalists have poured into the country using fast talking and pushy salesmanship tactics to convert Buddhists with great success.

Below are some interesting links and e-articles relating to this topic. If you wish to inform us to others please contact us by e-mail.

BUDDHISTS CAUGHT UP IN KASHMIR WAR: Islamic militants are targeting Buddhists because they helped India repulse an Islamic attack on Kargil in 1999. "Since the Bamiyan Buddhas were destroyed, the Ladakhis feel more insecure than ever."

ARCHAELOGICAL TERRORISM: What's behind the assassination of two colossal buddhas? "They (Muslims) refer to Buddhists as 'idol-worshipers.' This probably accounts for the unabatingly harsh treatment Muslims reserved for the Buddhists they encountered in the course of their conquest. This e-article is written by Archaelogical Today Magazine.

BUDDHISM UNDER SEIGE: This disturbing web site exposes the horrors of the persecution of Buddhists by Christians in Korea. Includes pictures of burning and charred temples and many articles. WARNING: This site contains many graphic photos.

BUDDHISM, MARXISM AND EVANGELISM: This interesting web site exposes the persecutions in Tibet, USSR, Mongolia, Cambodia/Kampuchea - and the evangelical aftermath.

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET: This site is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan people and their society. The site is provided by the Save Tibet.

THE BAMIAN BUDDHAS DESTROYED: Last year the Taliban Afgan goverment order the destruction of these Buddha statues. Includes photos and an interesting article.

DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN? OPRESSION OF VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST CONTINUES by Jonathan Watts: This e-article discusses the relationship between the Vietnam government and the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV).

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS(CHT): This web site shows the religious oppression against Buddhists in Bangladesh including reports of massacres, torture and genocide. WARNING: This site contains graphic pictures.

TIBETAN STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM and HUMAN RIGHTS: This web pages reports the more recent incidents of oppression against Tibetan Buddhists in China.

LEGISLATOR CALLS BUDDHISM A 'CULT: by John Welsh. The e-newspaper Pioneer Planet reports about an American state lawmaker criticism of Buddhism and how he decries the appearance by Dalai Lama at Capitol JOHN WELSH STAFF WRITER

"Repeatedly shall we be driven out and exiled afar from our monasteries. Such evils will be our ills for remembering the Buddha's command, but we will endure all these things."

Lotus Sutra: 13