Buddha - The Original Communist?

FairyFeller

This is just the seed of a thought that occurred to me the other day, okay a sapling as I've been thinking of it for a day or two.

Siddhārtha Gautama despite being born into all of his wealth realised that we are all equal, in my opinion he declared there was no real point in extreme religious devotion and that it could be detrimental. Gently tried to make people realise that we are all equal and should help each other out. There were people that could be supported in various roles (i.e. monks) by sharing things such as food and shelter and that would benefit society as a whole.

Like I say, it's just the beginning of an idea but I thought I would share it before I go to sleep zzzzzzz

Dakini

Didn't Jesus do the same, more or less? Except he wasn't so gentle, causing a real scene with the moneylenders.

The Dalai Lama says that communism (small "c" ) promotes the same spiritual values as Buddhism, and that he considers himself a communist by that measure. He's serious.

On the other hand, the Buddha depended on the wealthy elites around him for donations to support his community of monks, and as I recall from a discussion about this here, a couple of years ago, he advised people to make the most of their talents, as long as the rewards for hard work and talent were mindfully and constructively spent. (i.e. for spiritual endeavors and to help others)

He didn't reject making money: only attachment to money and material things. So I wouldn't say he's a true communist. But these days, even some Communists aren't true communists, what with the Chinese regime urging everyone to get rich (all the better for tax revenue).

Jason

There's definitely a communal aspects to the Dhamma, and especially the structure of the Buddha's monastic community, which I think ultimately stems from the cultivation and practical application of the four brahma-viharas.

There's a similar (and more explicitly communistic) spirit in Christianity, as well:

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-7)

Compare that to the maxim in Marx's Critique of the Gotha Program, "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need."

person

As @Jason says the Dharma and the Sangha have a strong communal aspect to them. Communism, with a big C, is a governmental and financial system so in that sense the Buddha wasn't about establishing a worldly governmental structure. But maybe as @Dakini says, the Buddha could be thought of as a small c communist.