Buddhism and House District 20
Over at the Tricycle Editors’ Blog, our friend, publisher and editor James Shaheen, points us to what I think is a very important story if you’re interested in religion and politics in America: the News Leader‘s coverage of the delegate race in House District 20 (Virginia). The piece quotes Augusta County Supervisor Tracy Pyles (who ran for the seat unsuccessfully in 2001) as saying that the Buddhist practice of current Democratic candidate Erik Curren is “an issue.” “I don’t see this district electing a Buddhist,” he continued.
- Although Pyles said he intends to vote for Curren in November, he said he has reservations of endorsing him because he practices Buddhism and for what he thinks is Curren’s failure to be more forthcoming to voters about his faith.
“Church is fundamental to this region and it is part of who people are out here,” he said. “It is an issue that he might get over by explaining to people, but I don’t think he’s let them know yet.”
Curren responded, saying:
- “There is no religious test for Virginia office holders, and the Democratic Party of Virginia actually has regulations against discriminating on the basis of religious beliefs…My experience is that the Shenandoah Valley is open-minded and tolerant as different religions go.”
Curren added that he attends the Crozet United Methodist Church, but that he doesn’t believe in “labeling” religious beliefs. He also said he doesn’t believe that practicing Christianity and Buddhism has to be “mutually exclusive.”
- “Do I believe in God and Jesus and do I go to church? Yes,” he said. “But should this be a qualification for office? No.”
In addition to his dharma practice, Curren is the author of Buddha’s Not Smiling : Uncovering Corruption at the Heart of Tibetan Buddhism Today, a book about the 17th Karmapa controversy that advocates strongly for Trinley Thaye Dorje as the true 17th Karmapa. (Curren is a student of Shamar Rinpoche, who first identified Trinley Thaye Dorje as a candidate, and he admits this up-front in the book.)
[Photo by Mike Tripp for the News Leader. "Erik Curren, Democratic candidate for the 20th District House of Delegates, is a self-described practicing Buddhist and Christian."]
