Nelson Mandela Buddhist Lecture Page One

Mandela A Long Walk to Freedom A Buddhist Lecture

By Anthony "Amp" Elmore Sr.

On Christmas day Wednesday December 25, 2013 my wife, my brother who lives in a nursing home and myself watched the Nelson Mandela movie titled: “Nelson Mandela a long walk to freedom.” Being a Nichiren Buddhist I have my own Nelson Mandela story. On October 1, 2012 I had the opportunity to visit the South African Embassy and meet with South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. Ambassador Rasool was a South African freedom fighter who was born July 15, 1962. Nelson Mandela went to prison in 1964. When Nelson Mandela went to prison in 1964 Ambassador Rasool was only two years old. Ebrahim Rasool has a long history of involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle starting at High School and including leadership in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the African National Congress (ANC). He has had to make sacrifices like spending time in prison and being under house arrest.

Ambassador Rasool speaks of the time while in prison when he met Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela asked him about the youth movement against apartheid. You would have to meet Ambassador Rasool to feel the love, respect and reverence that he and the people of South Africa have for Nelson Mandela. Ambassador Rasool joined the African National Congress as a youth in South Africa. He grew up only with an image of Nelson Mandela in his mind. He met Nelson Mandela while in prison fighting against apartheid in South Africa.

On October 1, 2012 the Buddhist faith of Anthony "Amp" Elmore took him to the South African Embassy. Elmore discussed his plan called the "Safari Homecoming Celebration." Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool supported Elmore's idea and asked Elmore to give him 90 days to bring South Africa on board. Please click on the about picture to see a Video Elmore prepared for the South African Government.

On December 5, 2013 when Nelson Mandela died I watched very little on television. Being a Nichiren Buddhist I was more embarrassed and angered at Nichiren Buddhist than I was interested at watching the funeral and historic proceedings that were carried on television.

On our “Proud Black Buddhist Website” I mention the name Nelson Mandela many times. On Buddhism and Racism I mention the name Nelson Mandela. This is what is written on our Proud Black Buddhist Website. “ Racism is the greatest inhibitor of the growth Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism in America. Black people who practice Buddhism ask yourself this question; how is it that a Black man like Barack Obama can become the most noted man in history of human civilization? How can a Black man like Michael Jackson become the most noted and respected singer in the history of mankind? How is it that Black men like Tiger Woods become the best golfer in the world? Think about great Black people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela. Once upon a time Boxer Muhammad Ali was the most noted human on planet earth. Think about how a Black woman like Oprah Winfrey in one generation became a billionaire or look at Bill Cosby or Michael Jordan. The lists of achievements of Black people especially in America go on and on.”

It is a very, very sad commentary but I find that African and African American Nichrien Buddhist give more respect to a Daisaku Ikeda and a Japanese Priest who they do not even know than they give to a Nelson Mandela or a Dr. Martin Luther King who fought for their Freedom.

Please click on the above picture and check out the Vision of us at the "Proud Black Buddhist World Association." This is our vision from African and African American people. There is nothing in Japanese Buddhist organizations for Black People. View our Grand vision with South Africa.