The Buddhist monarchs of old, from before Ashoka the Great and since, recognized generosity as a vital act of virtue. It was even one of enlightened self-interest, because it makes perfect sense to give in the context of a worldview that upholds karma and rebirth. The generation of merit in this life, and a favorable rebirth, are fueled by generosity. This ideology can be seen in the early economy of ancient Buddhism in northern India. The early Buddhist world was structured around a network of traders, financiers, and merchants who actively supported monasteries and sanghas. In turn, these monasteries would establish themselves in communities, offering services such as medical treatment and religious rituals (which were often intertwined), and sending out monks to teach the Dharma.

The new political age of US President Donald Trump has, perhaps unexpectedly even for some of his constituents, ushered in an American superpower whose behavior is more imperial (the Trump administration is perfectly serious about taking Greenland and Panama and annexing Canada) and more self-interested. Trumpian imperialism and realpolitik seems to possess dual mindsets: firstly, the exertion of power over, and threats against, others functions both as a virtue in itself in foreign policy, and as a domestic cudgel to save the country from perceived political enemies. Secondly, the Trump administration has made good on its intention to deny or withdraw what is seen as American largesse, not to only institutions within the US, but also other countries.

In a previous View, we highlighted the first aspect, that of American strength through imperialism and unrestrained exercise of power. Here, we attempt to discuss the second aspect, the radical reduction of financial support for various institutions in American domestic and foreign policy. It is doubtful whether the Trump administration believes in the idea of aid at all. The recent gutting of USAID has meant that the US will no longer wield the soft power visibility and prominence of being at the forefront of nations behaving generously during times of crisis. (NBC News) This is already evident in the wake of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March. Almost 3,000 people have lost their lives. (BBC News) In Myanmar, which has been torn apart by civil war, the military-led government’s effectiveness is compromised and has received aid from many countries in Asia: specifically, rescue teams from mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand have arrived to help the Burmese people. (Al-Jazeera)

The absence of the US has meant that Asian nations have to respond quickly and with more multilateral coordination. India, having hosted the most recent pan-Asian, ecumenical Hindu-Buddhist conclave in Thailand on 14–17 February, has dispatched two C-17 military transport aircraft to Naypyidaw with a field hospital unit and 120 personnel. They headed to Mandalay and established a 60-bed emergency treatment center. The encouraging trend of Asian nations joining hands could potentially provide a window for Buddhist organizations in Asia to draw closer, in a similar spirit to the vision of India’s Samvad initiative.

Giving money and supporting worthy causes do not need to only be for emergencies or humanitarian crises. Trump’s attack on higher education, which is seen by his administration as too “left-wing” or liberal, is a red flag for Buddhist studies institutions in the US. Prof. Jack Chia is Foo Hai Fellow in Buddhist Studies and an Associate Professor of History at the National University of Singapore. A Cornell alumnus, Chia has warned BDG that while the attacks are not explicitly anti-Buddhist studies—a relatively small and traditionally non-politicized corner of academia—he sees these cuts to tertiary education, some of them already ongoing while others are imminent or highly likely, as interconnected. It is part of the mindset that there are certain causes that are worth funding, and others that are not. For Trump and his followers, the humanities as a whole, and especially the way higher education is currently configured, fall into the latter category.

“First, the funding freeze on FLAS, Fulbright, and study-abroad programs drastically reduces opportunities for students to gain language proficiency and conduct international research essential to Buddhist studies,” Chia told BDG. “This severe limitation on access to primary sources, fieldwork, and cultural immersion undermines the foundational training required for scholars in the field. Ultimately, the lack of funding threatens to weaken the pipeline of future graduate students and diminish the global scope of Buddhist studies in the US.”

Chia also warned about the potential cut to the Title VI National Resource Centers (NRC) program. The program provides grants to establish, strengthen, and operate language and area studies centers, which is critical for courses and programs in linguistics and philology. “This potential cut will further weaken language training,” noted Chia. “Without NRC support, fewer universities will be able to offer specialized language courses in critical Asian languages, making it even more difficult for students to develop the linguistic skills necessary for advanced research, not only in Buddhist studies but in Asian studies more broadly.”

The arts and humanities have been in a precarious position for a long time now. For decades, many institutions that offer Buddhist studies programs have relied on a combination of government funding, enrollments, and private donations to sustain the operations of Buddhist studies centers, as well as the larger faculties they are typically under. Philanthropic organizations that support the cause of Buddhist studies need to examine how the Trump administration’s cuts could have knock-on effects on Buddhist studies initiatives across the US.

On the world stage, organizations both secular and religious with the fortune and privilege (and, most Buddhist leaders would argue, responsibility) to give aid to countries suffering from humanitarian crises, such as refugee flows, natural disasters, civil war, or disease and famine, have good and urgent reason to fill the vacuum left by the demolition of USAID. It is not a matter of geopolitics, although perhaps there is not much in our current context that can be left untouched. And inside the US itself, Chia has outlined how it is important to keep a vigilant eye on academic institutions with Buddhist studies programs that could be affected. Donors and supporters could come together to explore options to make up for the shortfalls.

In this volatile and often disorienting new world, there are some truths that remain constant: generosity and giving will always reinforce the work of the Dharma, whether it is for cultivating understanding of the Buddhist tradition or saving lives. It is not only for our own merit but also for the well-being of a wounded and hurting planet.

See more

As Trump guts foreign aid, China and others lead Myanmar earthquake response (NBC News)
Inside Mandalay: BBC joins rescuers searching for earthquake dead in Myanmar (BBC News)
Foreign aid rushed to earthquake-hit Myanmar as about 1,700 killed (Al-Jazeera)

Related news reports from BDG

Engaged Buddhism: INEB Launches Urgent Humanitarian Appeal in the Wake of Myanmar Earthquake
Delegates Highlight Non-Violence at Global Hindu-Buddhist Conference in Thailand

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Buddhistdoor View: Inner Freedom and Outward Resistance: Buddhism in Times of Tyranny

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