User:Wellington236/Robert Baker Aitken

Or Bob, as he liked to be called. (added)

It was actually a war prisoner who introduced him to Buddhism when he was in the Japanese interment camp for three years.

A guard at one of the internment camps let him borrow a copy of R.H. Blyth's book Zen in English Literature and the Oriental Classics. In of his books later on in his life, he described being so invested in the book that he was joyous even in those conditions. (added)

He also was a major inspiration for the ‘System Stinks’ movement, where they drew inspiration from his famous photograph protesting with a sign. In the picture the sign said 'The System Stinks' and was in protest of the Gulf Wars, while in his wheelchair. The photo was taken in Hawaii. (added)

Robert Aitken was a social activist through much of his adult life, beginning with protesting against nuclear testing during the 1940s. He was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, and became a strong opponent of the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. He was among the earlier proponents of deep ecology in religious America, and was outspoken in his beliefs on the equality of men and women. In 1978 Aitken helped found the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, an organization that advocates conflict resolution globally. In the discussion that led to the founding of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, most of the other people had less experience than him when it came to political activism. This gave him the most influence on what the organization should be about. Many of the first 100 people who were sent invitations to join were recommendations from Robert Aitken. He was also the guest speaker at the first two institutes that the Buddhist Peace Fellowship held. He did have anarchist beliefs, which is why even when he helped found the organization, he didn't take any control due to distrusting all authority or control even when it was his own. (added)

The reason he and others formed the Buddhist Peace Fellowship was for buddhists to go into political activism. He was the first president of the organization and was the guest speaker at the first two institutes that it held. Most of the other founders had less experience than him when discussing issues about America arming themselves after Vietnam or other issues. Many of the first 100 people who were sent invitations to join were recommendations from Robert Aitken. (added)

He was the son of a war enthusiast, a rebel and a loner in the 1930s and 40s before the war. (added) When he was introduced to Zen practices and anarchism by R.H. Blyth and the idiosyncratic English library, it's what set him up for pursuing buddhism and peaceful activism down the line.

He was also investigated by the FBI due to his vocal opposition to the and support of left leaning issues during the 40s and 50s in the midst of the Cold War. This was due at least in part, to his vocal opposition against the government and support of left leaning ideas.

Bob was an anarchist, which is why even when he helped found the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, he didn't take any control due to distrusting all authority or control even when it was his own.

Because he was against the war in Vietnam and against the arming the military, he decided to not pay his percent of taxes that went to the Defense Department of the U.S. (added)

He was working on his fourteenth book before his passing. (added)

He retired in 1996 and spent some of his final years in Palolo, Hawaii where he could be looked after and interact with some of his students. (added)

Aitken would write for 2 hours each morning and even read aloud his work to make sure it was distinctive style for his books. (added)