Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Can members of Buddhist communities and / or Buddhist communities on behalf of all their members support authoritarian, totalitarian, non-democratic regimes while inside countries with such regimes? Indeed, on the one hand, all such regimes are based on lies, violence, corruption and theft, which fundamentally contradicts the principles of Buddhism. But, on the other hand, such regimes may even support or, at least, not repress Buddhists and / or Buddhist communities, using such relationships with Buddhists as imitation of patriotism and religiosity, and thereby distracting public opinion from their dirty deeds. That is, can Buddhists / Buddhist communities turn a blind eye to the dirty deeds of such regimes in exchange for their support, or, at least, their loyalty? Does this contradict the tantric samayas and the bodhisattva vow?
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Unfortunately we've all got to survive in this imperfect world and that includes Buddhist communities. This is samsara.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Buddha sat and looked inside. Mara's play was around, challenging, flattering, demons of all kind.
Buddha sat and looked inside. He did not react and nothing could stain what he discovered.
ps Was there democracy?
Buddha sat and looked inside. He did not react and nothing could stain what he discovered.
ps Was there democracy?
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
I don't know, what did the Buddha do when he lived in a non-democratic society?Viach wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 3:20 am Can members of Buddhist communities and / or Buddhist communities on behalf of all their members support authoritarian, totalitarian, non-democratic regimes while inside countries with such regimes? Indeed, on the one hand, all such regimes are based on lies, violence, corruption and theft, which fundamentally contradicts the principles of Buddhism. But, on the other hand, such regimes may even support or, at least, not repress Buddhists and / or Buddhist communities, using such relationships with Buddhists as imitation of patriotism and religiosity, and thereby distracting public opinion from their dirty deeds. That is, can Buddhists / Buddhist communities turn a blind eye to the dirty deeds of such regimes in exchange for their support, or, at least, their loyalty? Does this contradict the tantric samayas and the bodhisattva vow?
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Of course, since then nothing has changed, right?PeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:29 amI don't know, what did the Buddha do when he lived in a non-democratic society?Viach wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 3:20 am Can members of Buddhist communities and / or Buddhist communities on behalf of all their members support authoritarian, totalitarian, non-democratic regimes while inside countries with such regimes? Indeed, on the one hand, all such regimes are based on lies, violence, corruption and theft, which fundamentally contradicts the principles of Buddhism. But, on the other hand, such regimes may even support or, at least, not repress Buddhists and / or Buddhist communities, using such relationships with Buddhists as imitation of patriotism and religiosity, and thereby distracting public opinion from their dirty deeds. That is, can Buddhists / Buddhist communities turn a blind eye to the dirty deeds of such regimes in exchange for their support, or, at least, their loyalty? Does this contradict the tantric samayas and the bodhisattva vow?
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
OK, I'll spell it outViach wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:22 amOf course, since then nothing has changed, right?PeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:29 amI don't know, what did the Buddha do when he lived in a non-democratic society?Viach wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 3:20 am Can members of Buddhist communities and / or Buddhist communities on behalf of all their members support authoritarian, totalitarian, non-democratic regimes while inside countries with such regimes? Indeed, on the one hand, all such regimes are based on lies, violence, corruption and theft, which fundamentally contradicts the principles of Buddhism. But, on the other hand, such regimes may even support or, at least, not repress Buddhists and / or Buddhist communities, using such relationships with Buddhists as imitation of patriotism and religiosity, and thereby distracting public opinion from their dirty deeds. That is, can Buddhists / Buddhist communities turn a blind eye to the dirty deeds of such regimes in exchange for their support, or, at least, their loyalty? Does this contradict the tantric samayas and the bodhisattva vow?
The Buddha lived in a profoundly undemocratic and, by today's standards, unjust society. He spent almost zero time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
The Dharma has, over the centuries, flourished in profoundly democratic and, by today's standards, unjust societies, and most great practitioners and teachers of the Dharma have generally spent very little time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
So if we, today, find ourselves living in profoundly undemocratic and unjust societies, the Dharma in no way requires us to do anything about them, because those issues do not lead to liberation.
Of course we might decide that we want to do something about the societies we live in. Perhaps. But there's no Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
No. There's Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so. Namely, the commandment not to lie. Today, Buddhism has become the state religion in many non-democratic states. Therefore, Buddhists in these countries are responsible for working closely with such regimes. For they cannot but lie supporting such regimes.PeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:28 amOK, I'll spell it out
The Buddha lived in a profoundly undemocratic and, by today's standards, unjust society. He spent almost zero time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
The Dharma has, over the centuries, flourished in profoundly democratic and, by today's standards, unjust societies, and most great practitioners and teachers of the Dharma have generally spent very little time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
So if we, today, find ourselves living in profoundly undemocratic and unjust societies, the Dharma in no way requires us to do anything about them, because those issues do not lead to liberation.
Of course we might decide that we want to do something about the societies we live in. Perhaps. But there's no Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Really? In which autocratic countries is Buddhism a state religion?Viach wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:51 amNo. There's Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so. Namely, the commandment not to lie. Today, Buddhism has become the state religion in many non-democratic states. Therefore, Buddhists in these countries are responsible for working closely with such regimes. For they cannot but lie supporting such regimes.PeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:28 amOK, I'll spell it out
The Buddha lived in a profoundly undemocratic and, by today's standards, unjust society. He spent almost zero time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
The Dharma has, over the centuries, flourished in profoundly democratic and, by today's standards, unjust societies, and most great practitioners and teachers of the Dharma have generally spent very little time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
So if we, today, find ourselves living in profoundly undemocratic and unjust societies, the Dharma in no way requires us to do anything about them, because those issues do not lead to liberation.
Of course we might decide that we want to do something about the societies we live in. Perhaps. But there's no Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
e.g. BhutanPeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:02 amReally? In which autocratic countries is Buddhism a state religion?Viach wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:51 amNo. There's Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so. Namely, the commandment not to lie. Today, Buddhism has become the state religion in many non-democratic states. Therefore, Buddhists in these countries are responsible for working closely with such regimes. For they cannot but lie supporting such regimes.PeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:28 am
OK, I'll spell it out
The Buddha lived in a profoundly undemocratic and, by today's standards, unjust society. He spent almost zero time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
The Dharma has, over the centuries, flourished in profoundly democratic and, by today's standards, unjust societies, and most great practitioners and teachers of the Dharma have generally spent very little time worrying about these issues, because they do not lead to liberation
So if we, today, find ourselves living in profoundly undemocratic and unjust societies, the Dharma in no way requires us to do anything about them, because those issues do not lead to liberation.
Of course we might decide that we want to do something about the societies we live in. Perhaps. But there's no Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Bhutan, with its population of about 750,000? You're clearly starting with the world's most urgent issues here. Any others?Viach wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:08 ame.g. BhutanPeterC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:02 amReally? In which autocratic countries is Buddhism a state religion?Viach wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:51 am
No. There's Buddhist commandment requiring us to do so. Namely, the commandment not to lie. Today, Buddhism has become the state religion in many non-democratic states. Therefore, Buddhists in these countries are responsible for working closely with such regimes. For they cannot but lie supporting such regimes.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Why is this in the Engaged Buddhism forum? It does not meet the criterion for that forum at all.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Your response suggests to me that you have not grasped the point of the subforum. Which is about practising Buddhists engaged in Dharma activities through social and political action. It’s not an invitation to critique particular governments.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Now you’re just being silly
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Surprise surprise.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Russia, the devoutly Buddhist country where Dharma practitioners plays an important role in government.
Re: Buddhism in non-democratic countries
Russia is non-democratic country where corruption thrives, political repression, political killings and torture in prisons.Those who participate in such a government and call themselves Buddhists only dishonor Buddhism.