Statement

The mission of the CABP is to propagate the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha in ways that are suitable for American practitioners and that are in good accord with the original intent of the Buddhadharma.  To this end:

  1. We encourage moral behavior and practice among our members as described in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
  2. We encourage truth-seeking among our members as described in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
  3. We encourage honest dialog among our members as described in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
  4. We encourage the development of inclusive friendships and strong lateral relationships among our members as described in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
  5. We support all reasonable Buddhist traditions and seek to form good relations with all of them.
  6. We support all reasonable Buddhist monastic lineages and seek to form good relations with all of them.
  7. We support all reasonable religious practices and seek to form good relations with all religions.
  8. We encourage our members to advance the physical, moral, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of other sentient beings, and to this end, we further encourage reasonable participation in the civic, charitable, educational, and political affairs of our communities and nation(s).
  9. Though we do actively seek new members, we vow not to question or disturb the religious beliefs of others or to use aggressive techniques to win them over to our beliefs.
  10. Lastly, we vow to do everything that is reasonably possible to support and stand by our members and to “leave not one of them behind” as described in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.