Social application of buddism

Tanda

Hi all

Somewhere in the internet I gathered that Martial arts like Karate and Kungfu are results of cross pollination between Buddhism and the then prevailing martial arts traditions. It is amazing to see how a karate expert can crash a pile of bricks by banging his head while keeping his head undamaged.

I was wondering if a simillar possibility exists to cross pollinate Buddhism with Civil administration, Management and even politics and combating terrorism. Buddhism's goal of Nirvana seems to be drawing us away from the worldly imperatives which somehow seems to be a far faraway goal. And
considering the meditational efforts and sacrifices involved and the huge baggage of learning new and unlearning the existing understanding, the trade-off seems to be missing. ( I have enrolled for a Goenka's Vipassana Course anyway and hope fully will be doing it in mid Aug.)

federica

Buddhism can - and is - applied to every walk of life.
There is no "outside Power" governing, leading, declaring or laying down the rules.
There is no responsibility to any upper force, so we govern ourselves and apply Buddhism - and all it entails - to every step we take for ourselves.
If it conforms with the Eightfold Path and the 5 precepts - and providing we understand them and see their meaning - then there isn't anything in a grey area that cannot be practised or followed through these.

SherabDorje

Engaged Buddhism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Engaged Buddhism refers to Buddhists who are seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice. Finding its roots in Vietnam through the Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Engaged Buddhism has grown in popularity in the West.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism

Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Organisations: Fo Kuang Shan
Buddha's Light International Association


Due to rapid changes in society brought forth by technological advancements of the modern era, unsettling conditions are always a factor influencing the world surrounding us. It behooves us, therefore, as Buddhist practitioners of the Mahayana tradition, to shoulder the responsibility of providing answers to this dreary but true state of affairs. As such, we hereby solemnly declare the following...

http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/hsing_yun.htm

Mind and Life XX Conference
Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems:

A public dialogue between Economics, Neuroscience and Contemplative Sciences

http://www.compassionineconomics.org/

Tanda

Thanks you Federica.

Thank you SherabDorje for your leads and links. Frankly, though Vipassana meditation in particular and Buddhist philosophy in general is appealing to me the monastic orientedness is a put off for me. I am glad that somewhere some people are already working in this direction. More personally I am disheartened by the reality that ethics and market or Power politics seem to be mutually exclusive except for sporadic episodes like Mahatma Gandhi or Infosis. Some of my own troubles are due to defeats in my stand for ethics. And I am bothered by the persisting doubt that vipassana may only help me manage my sanity and not give me courage, stamina and tact that is required in my fight.

Hope this forum will say something that will brine me more comfort.

Thanks once again

Unlikelybdst

Tanda wrote: »

And I am bothered by the persisting doubt that vipassana may only help me manage my sanity and not give me courage, stamina and tact that is required in my fight.

Courage, stamina and tact should naturally come to you as you get to know your mind much better through the practice of vipassana. By illuminating and eliminating defilements of the mind, you will see "good", desirable qualities rise to the top. All you have to do is be patient and keep working on it, for it will take time.

justme

I would be thrilled to see more Buddhist involvement in social problems here in the U.S. I live on the fringe of the Bible Belt (the southern U.S states where Christianity is especially dominant), and the number of local Buddhists is quite small. Still, I really wish that there would be more grass roots attempts at resolving social ills--volunteering to help poverty, educating the illiterate, etc. But the number of Buddhists in the area is gradually increasing, and perhaps we'll see more social engagement as time goes on.

Tanda

Thank you UNLIKLYBDST and JUSTME.

The way I understand it martial arts have been devoloped perfected ans systematised that one who practises it most probably acquire the skill that are demonstrated by the existing pros.

I wish to see that simillar sets of tested and proven skills exist or somebody is working in this direction. As of now one can choose to follow one's path of righteousness and if the market or polity or military does not accept it ones has to accept defeat or perish. I abhor both options.