Response to the Buddhist Quaker connection

Hi everyone. Thanks for the inquiries regarding the Buddhist Quaker connection. Here is my response in the form of a list. Let me know your thoughts on anything from it. It would be nice to start a discussion on any of the points. Take care, Ben

1. Lack of dogma
The Quakers have ‘testimonies’ and the Buddhists have the Noble Eightfold Path. Both religions share lack of dogma.

2. Work ethic (manual labor)
Both religions put tremendous emphasis on manual labor and the importance of a strong work ethic.

3. The written word
Generally speaking, advancement in personal spirituality is viewed optimally through personal experience and not through reading canonical religious texts, or theologies. Both place importance on personal letters, diaries, journals, reflections of fellow Quakers or Buddhists.

4. Equality
Whether you view each and every person as having ‘that of God’ in them or as having ‘Buddha Nature’, they both place importance on equality. Buddhism considers all ‘sentient beings’ to have a ‘Buddha Nature’.

5. Simplicity
Both religions place a strong emphasis on leading a simple, frugal life. This includes living within your financial means, unassuming clothes, lack of personal beautification products, such as perfumes or make-up.

6. Personal revelation
Liberal Quaker Meetings are ‘unprogrammed’ and do not have a ‘leader’ (e.g. minister) who reveals the Truth to you; Theravadan Buddhism does not have a spiritual leader. That is, no one has ‘a more direct connection’ to revelation to the Truth (or ‘dhamma’) than you or anyone else.

7. Peace / Non-violence
Both religions place non-violence as a core ‘value’ or ‘testimony’. Both religions are very accepting of differing beliefs, but it would be quite difficult to be either a Buddhist or Quaker and not place peace and non-violence in high regard.

8. Openness
Given no creeds or dogma, both religions are very open to people of different faiths and accepting of differing opinions.

9. Stories
Morals, lessons, and spiritual reflections are frequently done through stories or anecdotes, as opposed to a ‘sermon’.

10. The truth
Both religions focus on telling the truth. In fact, Quakers do not take oaths because that would someone suggest you do not normally tell the truth under certain circumstances.

11. Integrity
Living a life that is full of integrity is important to both religions and emphasized.

12. Helping those in need
Both Buddhists and Quakers tend to the poor, mentally-ill, dying, and incarcerated with incredible passion.

13. The present moment
Put talk about ‘being in the present moment’ and the importance of living in the here and now. Buddhism focuses on life as a stream that flows and Quakerism does not have sacraments because every moment of life is sacramental. Both religions focus on the beauty and bliss of this very life, which I think is incredibly important.