American Buddhist Congress - Our Founding & History

The American Buddhist Congress (ABC) cordially invites individual Buddhists and Buddhist organizations to join hands with us in promoting the interests of Buddhism in the United States and to work with us in our endeavor to develop an "American" Buddhism which, while paying respect to Buddhist traditions of other cultures and acknowledging our debt of gratitude to them, seeks to synthesize American values and traditions with the basic Buddhism of the Tripitaka without the linguistic and cultural trappings which are not understood by most Americans.We are convinced that a unified national body such as the ABC is more effective in dealing with matters of concern to Buddhists. Your participation will effectively contribute to the realization of our common goals and objectives.

Since Buddhism first came to the United States more than a century ago, it has grown and flourished primarily among immigrants from the various Asian Buddhist traditions. We are committed to endeavoring to also reach the traditional European and African American populations who have frequently been beyond the reach of the Asian Buddhist traditions because of language and cultural barriers.We are convinced that Buddhism has an egalitarian, practical, scientifically defensible appeal that will touch the hearts and minds of Americans of all traditions if we can address them in English and in ways that are significant and meaningful to them. The principles of loving kindness, peace making, are well know to most Americans but we need to find better ways to inform them of the Buddha's teachings themselves in language and with applications culturally and linguistically compatible with their existing cultural ideals and practices.

The ABC was founded on 12 November 1987 to bring together Buddhists individuals and organizations of various Buddhist traditions and of diverse Buddhist denominations and ethnic backgrounds in America. We call on you to join us in the effort.