Buddhism and Poilitics
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Hi all
Would like to hear everyone's view on Buddhism and politics. Politics mean specifically the ways of running the country, not your office politics.
I like to hear your views more than Buddhism's views.
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last week i kena 3 stab @ the backs.
Well, learn not to have anger i guess.
Not everyone is perfect.
i can do something to avoid the situation .. maybe.. -
there are so many other racial and cultures and religions in a country, if apply religious views with politics, think it might not look fair to others. perhaps some might say they use rojak religious values all mix together to politics or ruling a country, but again, there will not be smooth agreeement because some may like this some like that, some don't like this and that.
if it is with no "label" that works towards serving a political agreement or compromise that serves to benefit people, then perhaps things might have a good chance to work out well. the key perhaps is common sense and harmony.
but first we still have to get the basics correctly.
well, just a cent worth of thought..... -
Earthling82 asked a very good question.
Buddhism strives for the betterment of all beings, its goal is to achieve a complete cessation of suffering by all beings and to let each and every single being attain enlightenment, bar none.
Politics on the other hand, strive to achieve a collective improvement and stability of soicety as a whole. If a minority has to suffer for the betterment of the majority, then so be it.
To this extent, Buddhism and politics do not mix at all.... However I should think that the mono-theistic religions and politics can go hand in hand pretty well... Both are about the establishment of an absolute power base, both seek to use kindness as rhetoric, and both do not rule out persecution of dissenters... -
heh paiseh.. i misread office politics.. not mindful enuff...Originally posted by earthling82:Hi all
Would like to hear everyone's view on Buddhism and politics. Politics mean specifically the ways of running the country, not your office politics.
I like to hear your views more than Buddhism's views.
Asoka implement some buddhism belief into the way he govern the country and brought peace and harmony to his empire.. according to history..
but in this era, there are many diverse beliefs, religions, races... and people who are ignorant... tolerance still has a long way to go... -
Politics can be 'buddhicised', but buddhism cannot be 'politicised'Originally posted by earthling82:Hi all
Would like to hear everyone's view on Buddhism and politics. Politics mean specifically the ways of running the country, not your office politics.
I like to hear your views more than Buddhism's views.
Buddha did give advises to kings on ruling the country -
Thank you all for the response.
I'm quite disappointed by the lack of reference to local (singapore) politics in this discussion. I presume most are still unaware of the happenings, esp during the elections period. There is much injustic occuring at the national level. Sometimes when I encounter ppl who are being left out of the system, my heart goes out to them. But I reckon that as long as the bulk of sporeans remain apathetic to local politics, this will just go on and on.
Sometimes when I pay tax, I do not know if my money will go out to helping Burmese druglords in their blood money. If this claim is true, Spore will only suffer from collective karma in a matter of time.
I have the privilege to meet some of the more awakened and motivated Sporeans, some of them very religious, who believe in common progress for all. Buddhism is a logical religion. It encourages logical undertstanding and reasoning. I hope more more Bodhisattvas can come up and fight for the welfare and progress of this society at a higher level. Let the truth empower the ppl of spore -
Hi beyondreligionOriginally posted by Beyond Religion:Earthling82 asked a very good question.
Buddhism strives for the betterment of all beings, its goal is to achieve a complete cessation of suffering by all beings and to let each and every single being attain enlightenment, bar none.
Politics on the other hand, strive to achieve a collective improvement and stability of soicety as a whole. If a minority has to suffer for the betterment of the majority, then so be it.
To this extent, Buddhism and politics do not mix at all.... However I should think that the mono-theistic religions and politics can go hand in hand pretty well... Both are about the establishment of an absolute power base, both seek to use kindness as rhetoric, and both do not rule out persecution of dissenters...
Thank you for the compliment. U made some observant remarks too.
Any system in this world is never perfect, complete. Which is why the Buddha mentions Dukha. Being so, similarly no political system is perfect and comprehensive. But that doesnt mean we should not improve on existing situations.
Lord Buddha did mention a way for the world. A solution that would center on mankind, his environment and society. This is the path of the Middle Way, noble 8-foldpath. By ensuring a good balance of all things in life, progress can be made.
This country is severely displaced and inbalanced. We have gross 1-sided views (Thanks to our 140th Straits Times) and the opression caused by elitism and money politics. Despite all that I believe that no man is evil. All we need is a gradual awakening, one and all, to bring back progress and happiness for the nation. -
Just watched V for Vendetta. Food for thought
Must watch!
But no la, i have nothing against the government, in fact i usually show support for our government as it has made singapore achieved a lot, or bcos i'm still too ignorant about the politics of singapore - since im still young and not legal to vote, anyway.