The letter urges Buddhists across America to “express your commitment and respect for the innate dignity and worth of all” by voting in the midterm elections on November 6.

Nearly 130 Buddhists teachers and leaders have signed an open letter to Buddhists across America in an effort to increase voter turnout at polling stations this election season.

The effort, Mindful Vote, was created by Buddhist leaders in partnership with Faith In Action, a nonpartisan faith-based group focused on community organizing for social change. The letter aims to reach thousands of Buddhists and inspire them to register to vote and engage their communities to do the same in time for the upcoming midterms elections on November 6.

Read the letter in full below:

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

This is a critical time in American society. As Buddhist teachers and leaders we recognize the importance of all who are eligible to participate in decisions that affect the well being of the whole. A mutual caring community is one of the central teachings of the Buddha.

Many have wondered what you can do at this divisive time. Across the country, tens of millions of eligible voters do not cast their vote – often because they don’t believe their voice matters!

We are joining together with Faith In Action, a NON PARTISAN group of churches, mosques, synagogues and faith communities to help make sure all who are eligible are supported to vote.

We joyfully encourage all in our communities who can help in these weeks ahead to connect with Faith in Action by clicking this LINK. There you will find support and training so that in your area you can help get people out to vote.

Express your commitment and respect for the innate dignity and worth of all. Help to empower the voice of the whole community as a truly important contribution.

You can really make a difference! Please join us.

With loving kindness, compassion and blessings,

Yours in the Dharma,

Jack Kornfield

Sharon Salzberg

Joseph Goldstein

Zoketsu Norman Fischer

David Loy

Sayadaw U Vivekananda

Lama Surya Das

Lama Palden Alioto

Thanissara & Kittisaro

Trudy Goodman

Bob Thurman

William Aiken

Chozen & Hogen Bays

Rev. Bup Hee

Lama Willa Miller

Oren Jay Sofer

Marcia Rose

Neesha Patel

Tara Mulay

Rodney Smith

Pamela Weiss

Sharda Rogell

Kamala Masters

Jill Shepherd

Bonnie Duran

James Baraz

Devin Berry

Anna Douglas

Spring Washum

Carol Wilson

Larry Yang

Kate Lila Wheeler

Susie Harrington

Wes Nisker

Eugene Cash

Chris Crotty

Dawn Mauricio

Gulwinder S. Singh

Temple R. Smith

Parwan Bareja

Phillip Moffitt

Noliwe Alexander

Andrea Castillo

Tere Abdala

Andrea Fella

Jim Willems

Mitchell Ratner

Eiko Joshin Carolyn Atkinson

Karl Brunnholzl

Kate Johnson

Melissa Myōzen Blacker, Rōshi

Arinna Weisman

Jules Shuzen Harris Sensei

James Myosan Cordova, Sensei

Alexis Santos

Rev. Edward Keido Sanshin Oberholtzer

John Tarrant, Roshi

Kanzan Bruce Fortin

Thanissara

Jundo Cohen

Pamela Ayo Yetunde

Gyokuko Carlson

Rev. Ronald Kobata

Tara Brach

Wendy Egyoku Nakao

Gil Fronsdal

Kenjitsu Nakagaki

Bhante Katugastota Uparatana Nayaka Thera

Sylvia Boorstein

Sojun Mel Weitsman

Judy Lief

Hozen Alan Senauke

Gina Sharpe

Konda Mason

Dharmacarani Vimalasara

Barbara Gates

Bhiksuni Thubten Chodron

Jeff Haozous

Mary Grace Orr

Lama Döndrup

Howard Cohn

Pat Berube, Lama Pat

Lama Stephen Gross

Leslie Booker

Matthew Brensilver

Kate Johnson

Diana Winston

Debra Chamberlin Taylor

Lynn Weinberger

Erin Treat

Erin Selover, MS

Shastri Nick Kranz

Madeline Klyne

Daniel Rothberg

Devon Hase

Chris Cullen

Melvin McLeod

Adin Strauss

Furyu Schroeder

Annik Brunet

Rev. Tenzen David Zimmerman

DaRa Williams

Gregory Scharf

Anne Cushman

Valorie Hutson

Ruth King

Karen Maezen Miller

Rev. James Ishmael Ford

Rev. Sumi Loundon Kim

Ed Sattizahn

Karma Lekshe Tsomo

Rev. Grace Schireson

Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison

Sensei Chodo Campbell

Jisan Tova Green

Rev. Rosan O. Yoshida, Ph.D.

Layla Smith Bockhorst

Eihei Peter Levitt

Rebecca Li

Myogen Kathryn Stark

Narayan Helen Liebenson

Flint Sparks

Harrison Blum

Sebene Selassie

Shaku Kengu