So, is anyone interested in politics? Any active political participants? How does your Buddhism affect your politics, if at all? For those of you in the U.S.,do you prefer any particular candidate in the upcoming presidential election?
So, is anyone interested in politics? Any active political participants? How does your Buddhism affect your politics, if at all? For those of you in the U.S.,do you prefer any particular candidate in the upcoming presidential election?
Hi, LozangK. I think that the idea of politics seems to clash fundamentally with some Buddhist concepts. That said, I think someone who considers themselves "Buddhist" would probably align themselves more socially liberally. As far as economics goes, it could easily go either way. On the one hand, Buddhism's argument for compassion and simple living would lend itself to socialistic economics. On the other hand, the emphasis on freedom would make someone have more of a libertarian outlook. I myself have a more libertarian political outlook, but I think that some institutions like public health care are beneficial to a society and help to decrease suffering (which is really the point, isn't it?). How about you?
Myself I'm not actively involved in politics. I tend to hold liberal political views, and vote Green unless there is a Democrat whom I feel I can back. I intend to vote for Barack Obama if he wins the nomination. If Mrs. Clinton is the nominee I may need to do some serious evaluation before deciding between her and Nader.
There does indeed seem to be a disparity between Dharma and politics...especially the negative aspect of politics which has driven most people in this country to apathy. But politics does not have to be about mundane bickering and cardboard candidates. It can be a means for us to make a positive difference in a civil society. Whether it's meaningful or samsaric is up to each one of us. We can not participate at all, which is certainly a valid choice, or we can do it mindfully, with a pure movitivation, and make it meaningful.
