08/11/2026
Who Can Be a Diplomat?
History shows that diplomacy has never belonged only to ambassadors with flags, titles, or state credentials. Sixteen centuries ago, between 429 and 433 CE, Bhikkhunī Devasāra Therī led a delegation of Sri Lankan nuns across the Indian Ocean to China. Through the establishment of the fully ordained Bhikkhunī lineage via dual ordination, she carried out one of the earliest recorded acts of non‑state, women‑led diplomatic engagement — grounded not in royal seals, but in moral authority, institutional continuity, and cross‑cultural service.
Today, a parallel form of quiet diplomacy is unfolding in Canada.
Initiated by Visita Sirin Leelaratna, founder of the Buddhist Embassy and longtime organizer of Vesak in Ottawa, federal e‑petition e‑6893 gathered more than 3,100 Canadian signatures. It was formally tabled in the House of Commons on May 8, 2026, by MP Jenna Sudds, calling for May to be designated nationwide as Buddhist Heritage Month. This milestone builds on an official proclamation by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and advancing provincial legislation in Ontario.
Together, these efforts reveal modern soft power in practice:
✨ Civic engagement — Mobilizing communities through democratic participation and public institutions.
✨ Cultural and interfaith presence — Building moral authority through mindfulness programs, public service, interfaith initiatives, and Vesak celebrations on Parliament Hill.
✨ Institutional standing — Securing legal recognition so Buddhist traditions can contribute meaningfully to the public square.
Comparable non‑state models — including the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and the Aga Khan Development Network — show how religious and cultural organizations can develop global influence through ethical consistency, institutional permanence, and practical service rather than territorial sovereignty.
In this expanded sense, a diplomat is anyone who carries a tradition across borders with integrity, builds bridges through service, and secures the civic standing needed to be heard.
Devasāra Therī did it by sea. Contemporary practitioners do it through petitions, proclamations, public service, and patient community‑building.
Canada’s recognition efforts are more than a celebration of heritage. They demonstrate that ancient models of non‑state religious diplomacy remain vibrant and vital in a modern, multicultural democracy.
What do soft power and cultural diplomacy mean to our community?
