Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a member is as simple as sending us an email telling us you wish to join.

We invite all Buddhists who support democratic ideals, norms, institutions, and processes to become members. Membership is free of charge, although we do encourage donations.

Yes. Sanghas may also become Call to Action signatories and/or members of the Coalition. A sangha that wants to become a signatory and/or member agrees to support democratic ideals, norms, institutions, and processes. Sanghas are also invited to participate collectively in Coalition initiatives and actions. To become a member, an authorized representative of the sangha should email us, requesting to be listed as a signatory and/or member.

Any Buddhist concerned about the state of democracy in the United States is welcome to sign or join. In addition, Buddhists in other countries have asked about establishing affiliate organizations in their countries. We have not yet established a process for authorizing or formalizing affiliate organizations.

Members receive our newsletter and updates about meetings and events. Members are also eligible to serve on committees and contribute to decisions affecting the Coalition.

Being a member allows you to be part of a like-minded community of socially engaged Buddhists committed to preserving democracy.

You can volunteer to serve on one of our committees. We currently have a Coordinating Committee, Communications Committee, Outreach Committee, and Action Committee. The Communications Committee manages the Coalition’s website, newsletter, Substack, social media, and press releases.  The Action Committee proposes and helps organize protests, demonstrations, rallies, educational events, letter writing campaigns, joining in amicus briefs, and similar activities.  The Outreach Committee liaisons with the larger Buddhist community and with other religious, political, and legal organizations with similar aims and helps to grow our membership. The Coordinating Committee sets policy and makes final determinations on recommendations from the other committees.

You can help spread the word of our existence. Please share our website address and invite others to join us.

You can donate through our donation page or through Venmo or Paypal. Donations help cover the Coalition’s basic operational expenses. Your donation is not tax deductible because the IRS limits the extent tax exempt 501(c)(3) and (4) corporations can engage in political activity, and we do not wish to be subject to any such limitations. If every member voluntarily donated $10 a year it would cover all our operational expenses.

Depending on situations as they arise, the Coalition may potentially engage in: 1) efforts to educate and raise public awareness, 2) letter writing and lobbying campaigns to support and encourage elected officials and community leaders to stand up for democratic principles, the rule of law, and protecting the vulnerable, 3) collaborations with civic, religious, legal, and political organizations that share our vision, 4) joining in amicus curiae briefs to protect habeas corpus and due process, 5) nonviolent demonstrations in support of democratic ideals, basic decency, the rule of law, protecting the planet, and preserving human and civil rights, 6) non-compliance and passive resistance when confronted with illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional government demands, and 7) the provision of educational programs in conflict resolution and non-violent action.

As our members are located all over the United States, we envision actions that are both local and national in scope. We endorsed participation in the Hands Off!, No Kings, and Good Trouble Continues demonstrations throughout the country. We also supported efforts to free Mohsen Mahdawi and Mahmoud Khalil from detention and deportation. Members will be notified of future actions through our newsletter, website News and Events Calendar pages, and social media platforms.