A Call to Action In This Election Season

As Buddhists and friends of the Dharma, we are called to see clearly, speak truthfully, act compassionately, and reduce suffering wherever we can.

Voting is one expression of that responsibility. So is listening deeply, protecting the vulnerable, defending democratic norms, resisting cruelty, and building communities rooted in dignity and compassion.

Study. Reflect. Practice. Vote. Serve.

A Buddhist Frame for Civic Participation

For those who walk a Buddhist path, civic life is not separate from practice.

We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha – not as a retreat from the world, but as a way of meeting it more clearly. Compassion, equanimity, and the recognition of our shared humanity are not passive qualities. They are capacities that shape how we act.

In this spirit, we offer a simple invitation:

Participate. Vote in local, state, and national elections. Voting is one of the most direct ways we express care for the whole.
Pay attention. Listen closely to those who seek to lead. Notice not only what is said, but how it is said.
Speak. Share your concerns with candidates and elected officials. Thoughtful engagement matters.
Stay grounded. Let your actions arise from steadiness rather than reactivity.
Practice right speech. Even in disagreement, commit to honesty, restraint, and respect.
Refuse harm. Where policies or actions cause clear harm, consider how you might refrain from supporting or participating in them.

Practicing Together: The Role of Sangha

Practice is strengthened in community. Sanghas can play a meaningful role in supporting wise and compassionate civic engagement.

Create space for shared learning through discussions, talks, or watch gatherings.
Host or participate in candidate forums to better understand those seeking office.
Encourage open, respectful dialogue about civic responsibility within your community.
Partner with organizations working to uphold democratic norms and the rule of law.
Support community leaders who act with integrity and courage.
Help others understand the real risks posed by the erosion of democratic institutions.

Where local opportunities are limited, virtual communities can provide meaningful connection and engagement.

Mindful Civic Engagement Resources

Buddhist practice does not end on the cushion. In times of social and political challenge, it calls us into wise, compassionate engagement with the world.

The following resources are offered to support thoughtful participation in civic life as we approach the 2026 mid-term elections. They are intended to help us act with right intention, right speech, compassion, courage, and a commitment to reducing suffering for all beings.

“Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.”
— His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
The Global Community and the Need for Universal Responsibility, 1990

Understand: Buddhist Teachings on Civic Responsibility

Practice: Right Speech, Discernment, and Dialogue

Reflect: Engaged Buddhism and Public Moral Action

Organizations for Mindful Election Engagement

These non-partisan organizations were compiled from member suggestions and were not reviewed or endorsed by the Coordinating Committee.

Voter Registration, Polling Places, Working at the Polls

Non‑Partisan Voter Guides

Civil Rights, Voting Rights & Legal Support

Election Security & Integrity

Dialogue, Depolarization & Civic Engagement

Social Justice, Community Organizing & Movement‑Based Resources

A Closing Reflection

Democracy is not sustained only by laws and institutions. It is sustained by the habits of mind and heart we bring into public life.

To vote with awareness.

To speak with care.

To act without hatred.

To remain steady in the face of uncertainty.

This is not separate from practice.

It is practice.

This Call to Action was prepared for BCD by John Achatz and Kevin Krause and approved by the BCD Action Committee