Dharma of the Founders: Buddhism within the Philosophies of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Elihu Palmer
Ryan Nicholas Aponte (Author), Charles E Yonkers, Georgetown University (Degree granting institution)
Scholars have long recognized the significance of the Founding Fathers' religious views and the teachings Buddhism, but never have they provided a comprehensive comparison. While some scholars continue to label these pivotal figures as fervent Christians, a more prevalent reflection is to assert the influence of deist and Enlightenment philosophy. However, such dichotomy fails to examine the Founders outside their assessment of Christianity. The interest in and connection with Eastern religions has been established among prominent Hellenistic and Enlightenment philosophers, yet such parallels have not been elaborated upon regarding the Founders they impacted. Buddhist literature often analyzes the affinity of the Dharma with the American intellectual landscape, but also provides insufficient reflection upon the figures so influential within the latter's development. With modern emphasis on religious pluralism, questions emerge regarding the universality of the Founders' philosophies. Essentially, this thesis argues that there is a strong connection between the Founders' philosophies, fundamental American ideals, and Eastern religious traditions
Thesis, Dissertation, English, 2012