Do Americans Discriminate against Chinese Buddhism?

On Sept. 13, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the city of Walnut in Southern California because the city did not allow Chung Tai Buddhist Group, originally from Taiwan, to build a worship and meditation center. The Department of Justice accused the city government of violating federal law, which states that religious groups have the same rights to use land as other building applicants, and of discriminating against the Buddhist group.

Seven years ago, Chung Tai Buddhist Group applied to build a worship and meditation center. However, during public hearings in 2006, many residents opposed the plan. They argued that the temple would increase traffic and noise. Ultimately, the City Planning Commission denied the application, 4-0. In 2008, however, the Walnut government approved a permit submitted by the Catholic Church for a space even larger than the Buddhist worship center. Moreover, the Planning Commission approved another building permit which occupied some of the land that Chung Tai had planned to use for construction.

In the end, Chung Tai Buddhist Group had no choice but to build its temple in another city, but it still appealed to the Department of Justice. After a year and a half of investigation, the Department of Justice concluded that the city of Walnut treated the Buddhist group unfairly while handling the permit, which constituted religious discrimination.

Approximately one third of Walnut residents are of Chinese ethnicity. The city government actually used the excuse that building a temple would increase traffic and noise to deny the permit. Is it possible that building a Catholic Church and a large mall (other permits approved by the Planning Commission) would not increase traffic and noise? These far-fetched reasons are not convincing. No wonder the ethnic Chinese Buddhists, who have always been moderate and patient, could not help but appeal to the Department of Justice.

This is not the first time this has happened in Southern California. In 1978, after the famous Hsi Lai Temple began construction, six hearings and 100 resident meetings were held. Eight whole years passed until the temple was approved. According to those who participated in the preparations, a large number of local church members attended all the hearings and meetings and expressed their opposition. Of course, they cited concerns similar to increased traffic and noise. The Yuan Jung Temple met with a similar fate, waiting eight years before finally gaining approval. The first hearing incited heated controversy on both sides. At the time, the Los Angeles Times wrote a report and included a large picture, captioned “This is a religious war.”

America was founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of religion. Three hundred eighty-nine years ago, Puritans who were persecuted by the Anglican Church became the first pioneers in America. They traveled on the Mayflower, suffered through many hardships, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America before they could finally establish a free country. Today, however, some Americans have forgotten the experiences of their forefathers and are discriminating against followers of other religions in the same way that their forefathers were discriminated against. Conservatives have excluded other religions in this way. It is rather discouraging that a harmonious religion like Buddhism would encounter this kind of treatment.

Recent events such as threats to burn the Quran come to mind, along with the widespread, heated controversy caused by the building of a Muslim community center near ground zero. With these events one can see the inconsistencies between Americans’ conception of freedom of religion and their conception of freedom of speech. The U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech, but since American society is made up of many different cultures, freedom, tolerance and forgiveness must complement each other. Without tolerance and forgiveness, freedoms can also be taken away. Especially when it comes to religion, tolerance and forgiveness are two major elements that promote harmonious coexistence.

American society is ruled by law. In American society, the law is supreme and the rule of law is deeply ingrained in people’s hearts and minds. Even though it is not perfect, American society agrees to rely on the law to resolve any controversies or conflicts. The judicial authorities act according to the law and do not favor any power. Many ethnic Chinese tend to take a conciliatory attitude because they have a minority ethnic identity and respect Chinese cultural traditions. This should change. Take the Chung Tai Buddhist Group, for example: Even though they moved to build their temple, they would not tolerate the unfair treatment they received, instead using legal measures to find a fair solution to the problem. This is an admirable course of action. The Department of Justice is currently hearing the case against the city of Walnut. I am sure that ultimately this case will give ethnic Chinese and ethnic Chinese Buddhists a chance to tell their side of the story.