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Politics and Buddhism
enko
Explorer
I am from Australia and am not aware of any politicians who are buddhists.
Are there any in other similar western democracies such as the UK, USA and Canada?
Is it possible for a buddhist to have right wing political leanings? I would think not.
Who are some influential buddhists in public policy debate in the west and/or are they underrepresented for some reason?
These questions have always intrigued me
0
Comments
If that Rick Santorum was running up here, he would be laughed off the podium.
In Australia we have our first atheist prime minister which even for a secular country like ours is quite progressive.
Its easy to name celebrities who are buddhists but politicians are a different story.
Compassion, interdependance, respect for all living things as ways of living need a political voice because we all know there is little coming from todays leaders. If buddhists continue to stand on the sidelines and shy away from activism or political involvement are they not relegating themselves to being ineffective bystanders at least in this realm.
There's been quite a controversy in Thailand in the past couple of years about monks becoming directly involved in politics. But, monks being involved is one thing, Buddhists in general is quite another.
I think some keys points for a Buddhist involved in politics are:
-To try to see all sides of an issue and have compassion for all involved.
-To understand that nothing lasts including whatever improvements you are working for.
-That suffering exists in the world. While we can and should seek to relieve the suffering of others we can't save everyone.
I don't know, I'm not an expert, these are just some things that come to my mind.
For myself, I've come to the conclusion that politics is too much about power and influence and not enough about helping people or doing the right thing. I think by working to make myself a happier, more compassionate person and inspiring others to do the same I may make a smaller difference but a more legitimate and lasting one.
Many young people today aren't getting into politics as a way to change the world but are seeking out NGOs instead.
from what i know of thailand there has been some unrest over recent years so why if monks see injustice can they not speak out? in some ways perhaps they are even more qualified then lay people....obviously i dont know much about monastic life and rules etc.....however i would suggest the monks in burma can be credited for contributing to some of the recent change in their country and have definitely been a visible face to the repression of a brutal regime
In Thailand, I don't see it that way because I feel they are on the side of the "bad guys".
And perhaps that's why monks need to stay out of it. Their involvement with nefarious parties could hurt Buddhism.
After living over there for a couple of years, and traveling throughout the country for long summers for maybe 15 years before that, I think we have to remember that the vast majority of monks are not at all well educated. Most are from upcountry, tiny villages and did not even complete high school. They may well know Buddhism, but political issues require knowledge far beyond Buddhism.
NGO's do a great job and these are admirable pursuits
i understand the frustrations with the political system but it is still the most visible and far reaching platform for getting out a message and setting an example
HHDL obviously was a very active political activist
i have also travelled through Thailand but these insights you have do help put things in perspective as to whats happening there
I think Google will have a better memory than my own.