Esperanto, intended to be spoken as a second language only, is easy to learn. Although often ridiculed in English-speaking societies, it is still quite popular elsewhere. Especially so in minority cultures where the largest and most active Esperanto clubs may be found. That is so because they often tend to feel their own native language under threat for being globally abandoned.
More importantly to Buddhists however is the so-called Internal Idea of Esperanto as a means to bridge all cultures equally...a true sense of global equanimity. This concept carries with it a goal of fostering harmony all over the world. The general theme of Esperanto is therefor in keeping with basic Buddhist ideals. Esperantists would thereny seem pre-inclined to understand the Buddha's teaching. Yet very little of the Dharma has yet been printed in Esperanto.
Esperanto is very well suited to propagate the Buddha's Dharma into places where it otherwise has not reached. In just these places as where Esperanto is most popular Dharma books are very rare. In some few cases, Buddhist movements and distribution of Buddhist cultural literature are even officially proscribed. And yet of all potential readers in many such places, Esperantists make for receptive communicants due precisely to their special pre-inclinations described above.
To study a language, any language, for the purpose of spreading the Dharma is an historically sound Right Effort. The effect of even a single translation, over time, can multiply into tremendous good karma.
The whole point of Esperanto is to open many small doors. Why not help carry the Dharma through more of these? The reason for this invitation in English is that while there are in the world more Esperantists than you would suppose, very few of us are Buddhist. We, the Budhana Ligo Esperantista (Budhist League of Esperantists) very nearly even went silent in publishing circles until just this year. With recently revived efforts we now hope to do much better. The internet has made a difference in that we have always been scattered but now are able to coordinate via the web.
For comparison you might like to know that similar efforts by Esperantist in the Bahai faith have shown good effect in making inroads to other cultures. Surely the Dharma can do as well. We are hoping to carry the Dharma to more Esperantists. But to do a better job of that we are also hoping to introduce more Buddhists to Esperanto. Might you like to give it a try?
If you are Buddhist and ever have wished to learn a language, why not consider Esperanto? Esperanto is quite a bit easier than most since none of its rules have any exceptions. All verbs congugate exactly the same; all nouns pluralize the same; and so on. Let us put you in contact with the Esperanto club nearest you. And if you like, please visit our brand-new web site. Here is the link:
And below is a second link about Esperanto in general.