Buddhist Political Issues?
Monday October 6, 2008
With one month to go in the U.S. presidential election campaign, I've been thinking of issues that might be of particular interest to Buddhists. Then we can explore how the presidential and vice-presidential candidates stand on these issues. Here's my list so far:
- Church-state. Does the candidate respect America's religious diversity, or will he or she be likely to impose personal religious views on all of us?
- Earth's environment. How does the candidate understand global climate change? Where does the candidate stand on protecting fragile wildlife habitation or the exploitation of resources like trees and water?
- War and violence. How strongly is the candidate committed to ending war and keeping peace? What about international arms sales and nuclear proliferation?
- Poverty and want. How does the candidate propose to help people who are slipping into poverty in these financially precarious times?
These are not exclusively Buddhist issues, of course, but they are issues that Buddhist teachings speak to most directly. Can you think of any others?
Comments
Barbara, that is a good list and I wonder how the candidates would answer questions around those points. Here in Seattle we have been studying developing boddhichitta and last week we had the take home assignment (sort of) of having compassion for Bush and the people who vote for Republicans. I can tell you that it has been difficult but if I separate the rank and file from the actions of a few of their leaders… but its difficult.
Thank you for your wonderful site. Keep it up.
srlasky
Right Speech
Seems to mean that we should not use false speech (tell lies or deliberately speak deceitfully), should abstain from slanderous speech, should not use words maliciously against others, and should not use harsh words that offend or hurt others.
It seems to me that all parties involved in the US election are doing these things and not following the Noble Eightfold Path.
On my list, inclusive of yours would be how to address and reignite the spirit of humanity that is within us, how can we as a nation of diverse people ensure that our policies, laws and concerns, never create harm and suffering for others and at the same time compassionately work for our collective benefit. I’d also include on the list the environment, but that would mean more than the air we breathe, but the culture we embrace, the economic trends, the respect of each person, treasuring all labor as worthy and somehow, someway creating opportunities for all to participate in uplifting the human condition in local or global ways. It seems that when people feel they don’t matter much, their world shrinks to include only what is immediately accessible, which is I, me, my and mine. Then the we starts to look like a threat. That needs to change, there needs to be more interaction with the citizenry and less informing them of what they will be doing. Lastly I would definitely want our elected officials to be reminded that we are their employers and our votes are not mandates for their own agendas. A return to public service with a global outlook.