Radical Buddhism

Radical Buddhism
Re “When Buddhists Go Bad” [July 1]: Hannah Beech’s article is a sobering reminder that no religion, however lofty and sublime, is immune to sectarianism if its followers do not guard their minds. Sectarianism is the cancer of religion.
William Page,
Samut Prakan, Thailand

The idea that radical Buddhism is thriving in Myanmar is unacceptable. The communal violence that Beech has talked about is started not by religious or nationalist sentiments, but rather for political and social benefits like being recognized as citizens. The riots have spread throughout the country simply because the government failed to control the situation in time. Moreover, the fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and the military is not a religious war.
Zayyar Nanda,
Rangoon, Burma

The article did a fine job of highlighting what’s already been in the news recently, but it said nothing about the history of Buddhist fundamentalism. It’s not a new thing. Beech spoke of the Bodu Bala Sena that formed in Sri Lanka less than a year ago, but it is worth pointing out that ethnic Sri Lankan Tamils have been aware of hate-inciting Buddhist monks for decades. While the world holds to its idealistic illusions about the one major religion that appears to be free from the violent and toxic fundamentalism that seems to afflict all the rest, Buddhist extremism was there, alive and well, free to fester and gain momentum for decades.
Naraayanie Sri-Raviculan,
Shizuoka, Japan

I am not suggesting everything is fine with Buddhist practices, but one cannot deny that they have been most compassionate, rational and liberal. You will have to scrape the bottom of history’s barrel to dig out a Buddhist atrocity on a mass scale. What happened in Sri Lanka was ethnic cleansing and not religious.
Ravi Nair,
Chennai, India

Iran’s New Leadership
Re “A Turn in Tehran” [July 1]: Iran has a new President. Before the presidential election, Hassan Rouhani was perceived to be more of a moderate or even a reformist by the West. Once he becomes more settled and has consolidated his power, he would want to call the shots and could be a different person. Moreover, don’t forget the highly influential clergies behind him. Just wait and see.
Benedict Tagore,
Mumbai

Blast From the Past
Robin Wright is really stretching the imagination: Islamic Iran is the antithesis of the tolerant monarchy of Cyrus [“History on His Shoulders,” July 1]. The refugee community of Iranian Zoroastrians, known as Parsis in Mumbai, as well as the Baha’is, have vivid memories of Islamic persecution. Rouhani has yet to evince any independence from the theocracy of which he has been a loyal member.
David Zohar,
Jerusalem

Thrilled to read about the Cyrus Cylinder and its impact on civilization. A tad disappointed, however, that the article makes no mention that Cyrus was a Zoroastrian. The world has all but forgotten the significance, influence and democratic spirit of the first established monotheistic religion.
Zarin Mistry,
Chennai, India

Secular Morality
I was enjoying “Can Service Save Us?” until I was stopped in my tracks by the author’s startlingly superfluous interjection that “you don’t see organized groups of secular humanists giving out hot meals” [July 1]. In many parts of the world, innumerable atheists and secular humanists willingly make sacrifices toward helping others every single day, owing to their inner moral compass or conscience. I am disappointed that such a disparaging and ignorant comment was published.
Erika Marriott,
London

Animal Cruelty
What is the difference between the bear paws laid out in the LightBox photo and the bearskins worn as headgear by those taking part in ceremonial occasions in the U.K. [July 1]? Both sickening and shameful!
Paula Britton,
Martley, England