Jundo: An Election Endorsement-Non-Endorsement

[Jundo]

In America there are elections this week, here in Japan last week, and other places at other times. I have my preferences, for sure! But I have been told that Zen Buddhist teachers should not be political, and should not tell people whom to vote for. Maybe so. There are wonderful, sincere Buddhists whose views may differ on social issues, left and right Buddhists and Buddhists between, and all mean well. Various good Buddhists will interpret our Precepts in their own good ways, looking for a better world.

So, I will not suggest to anyone who to vote for as my unique Buddhist insight.

However, I do feel that the Precepts, Wisdom and Compassion point all Buddhists in certain directions. So, I will say this ...

Vote for kindness and caring, not for hate and division. Vote for those seeking peace, avoiding violence, all while defending the innocent. Vote to make this world cleaner, not for those who will continue its pollution and the resulting harms to health and life. Vote to aid and feed those in need, vote for fairer opportunity. Vote for all people to be treated with respect, vote for tolerance of our differences. Vote in hope that all people of this world have a safe place to sleep, sufficient food on their table (and in this modern world) a chance at education, medicine and assistance when someone needs. May we all be truthful and civil, speaking gently even when we disagree, and may our leaders stand for those values, not their opposites. Vote for those who value solid evidence, science, studied expertise and honesty, not rumor, conspiracy, quackery, false memes, fabrication, fake cures and hucksters, ignorance and innuendo. Vote for those who will make things better, not worse.

No candidate will ever fix all the problems of this world. Yet, some candidates will make things better, some will expand the problems.

Sometimes the choice is more obvious than other times.

I heard someone foolishly assert that "one vote or voice cannot do anything," so why bother? Maybe so. Yet 1000 individuals joined together can do something, and 1,000,000 "just one voices" joined together can truly work change. VOTE! Do not be disengaged, for then part of the responsibility for the problems is on you.

So, whatever you do ... vote, work and help bring change for the better.

That is my Zen Buddhist endorsement-non-endorsement.

Beyond all preferences, encompassing all directions ...

... sometimes the choice is nonetheless clear.
. tsuku.jpg

[Matt Johnson]

Illusion of choice...

https://youtu.be/Mw7Sfq3QuDw?si=4t4RAKkJy6QZ8L3L

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[johns]

Well said Teacher. Here in the US, this has to have been the most tiresome, disappointing election I can remember. I had thoughts of writing in my cat for my vote, lol. Metta to the US and may there be peace.

Gassho,
John
SatToday/LAH

[Jundo]

Well said Teacher. Here in the US, this has to have been the most tiresome, disappointing election I can remember. I had thoughts of writing in my cat for my vote, lol. Metta to the US and may there be peace.

Gassho,
John
SatToday/LAH

Oh, if you do that, you might as well be voting for hate and division, continued pollution, uncaring and tax breaks for the billionaire, conspiracy, quackery, false memes, fabrication, fake cures and hucksters, ignorance and innuendo. Vote for whom you wish. Nobody is telling you how to vote. But voting for your cat is a vote.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Paco]

Illusion of choice...

https://youtu.be/Mw7Sfq3QuDw?si=4t4RAKkJy6QZ8L3L

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

Seems like charlatanism. Having lived under both of the current candidates policies, I can say there is a complete difference in how regular people are affected by who wins this election. Not only here in the US but worldwide. Just today one candidate was threatening the EU and NATO that their support for Ukraine would have to end. Our Sangha members in Ukraine would definitely notice the change.

If it didn't matter who won and we had no real choice, billionaires would not be spending the equivalent of a small nation's GNP on the campaign of their candidate of choice.

Gassho,
Paco
Sat/lah
and voted

[Matt Johnson]

Seems like charlatanism. Having lived under both of the current candidates policies, I can say there is a complete difference in how regular people are affected by who wins this election. Not only here in the US but worldwide. Just today one candidate was threatening the EU and NATO that their support for Ukraine would have to end. Our Sangha members in Ukraine would definitely notice the change.

If it didn't matter who won and we had no real choice, billionaires would not be spending the equivalent of a small nation's GNP on the campaign of their candidate of choice.

Oh yes, it is very easy for me as a Canadian to sit back and point out the problems in your system... it's exactly this rules based trading system which keeps my country afloat in relation to yours... Whenever America Rolls over in its sleep it crushes our economy... So yes, as a Canadian it matters greatly to me... But there's just not a darn thing I can do about it ...

I believe that we can be sure we are at an inflection point when the thinking of the American Left and the right start sound the same...

Noam Chomsky and Pat Buchanan, though on opposite ends of the political spectrum—both critique the American electoral system for being controlled by elite interests and offering limited real choice. They argue that both major parties maintain the status quo and pursue similar policies that benefit corporate and political elites over ordinary citizens. Despite their ideological differences, they converge on the belief that the system stifles genuine alternatives and narrows public discourse.

I think for genuine positive change to occur, people need to not be distracted (and there is a lot of intentional and organized distraction going on). Support or lack thereof for various wars around the world isn't going to matter very much in a world where American democracy no longer exists (or is trusted or believed).

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Paco]

Noam Chomsky and Pat Buchanan, though on opposite ends of the political spectrum—both critique the American electoral system for being controlled by elite interests and offering limited real choice. They argue that both major parties maintain the status quo and pursue similar policies that benefit corporate and political elites over ordinary citizens. Despite their ideological differences, they converge on the belief that the system stifles genuine alternatives and narrows public discourse.

matt

I agree with your assessment. Everything you said is correct in my opinion as well. Citizen's United needs to be overturned so that corporations are no longer seen as "people" and "citizens." Our election funding process is beyond corrupt. But it is not yet to the point that our vote does not matter at all. I have seen this thinking lead to not voting or throwing away votes all because the person believes it is all rigged. It is rigged to a point, a non-wealthy person would most likely never be able to run for national office. Our "leaders" are picked from a handful of elite families most of the time. But not always, AOC is an example as is Bernie Sanders.

But it is not to the point where we have zero choice or that our votes are pointless. Close maybe, but not yet and especially not in this election. I mean you no disrespect, your thinking on this is spot on. I just don't want Americans to get so discouraged they give up completely or don't vote or write in Santa Claus. I agree with Jundo that we have to use the votes we have to vote for less harm and not give up.

Gassho,
Paco
sat/lah

[Matt Johnson]

I agree with your assessment. Everything you said is correct in my opinion as well. Citizen's United needs to be overturned so that corporations are no longer seen as "people" and "citizens." Our election funding process is beyond corrupt. But it is not yet to the point that our vote does not matter at all. I have seen this thinking lead to not voting or throwing away votes all because the person believes it is all rigged. It is rigged to a point, a non-wealthy person would most likely never be able to run for national office. Our "leaders" are picked from a handful of elite families most of the time. But not always, AOC is an example as is Bernie Sanders.

But it is not to the point where we have zero choice or that our votes are pointless. Close maybe, but not yet and especially not in this election. I mean you no disrespect, your thinking on this is spot on. I just don't want Americans to get so discouraged they give up completely or don't vote or write in Santa Claus. I agree with Jundo that we have to use the votes we have to vote for less harm and not give up.

I think we are in agreement!

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[johns]

Oh, if you do that, you might as well be voting for hate and division, continued pollution, uncaring and tax breaks for the billionaire, conspiracy, quackery, false memes, fabrication, fake cures and hucksters, ignorance and innuendo. Vote for whom you wish. Nobody is telling you how to vote. But voting for your cat is a vote.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

I understand. I also make sure my thought isn't influenced by unsubstantiated claims and sound bites from either side.

[mdonnoe]

I cast my ballot last week, and a couple of days later, the California Secretary of State's Office sent me a little text (as they do every year), that my ballot was "counted." To be honest, I cried when I got that text.

It can be easy for my heart to give in to despair and hopelessness in the face of such adversity and hate in this election cycle, to feel both voiceless and hopeless, my voice lost among the millions also voting. But that's really a sort of nihilistic attitude, isn't it? To say that nothing matters, that the election won't change a thing, and that my vote, my voice, my dreams don't change the world? Oh, but they do! The famous Margaret Mead quote comes to mind: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

May my one vote, my one voice, this one person's dream, be counted. Be heard. Be what does matter. May I continue to live out my vows to save all sentient beings - including myself. May I, with all beings, be happy, and free from all suffering.

Gassho,
Michael

SatLah

[Matt Johnson]

Why not vote Jill Stein? She would have destroyed both of them if she was in the debates.

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Antonio]

In my perspective, an student of the way of Buddha, should not be involved in politics. Our mission should be to protect other beings and spread love in this world. Kings and kingdoms rise, fall and disappear but the Dharma remains.

Gassho
SatLah,

[Matt Johnson]

In my perspective, an student of the way of Buddha, should not be involved in politics. Our mission should be to protect other beings and spread love in this world. Kings and kingdoms rise, fall and disappear but the Dharma remains.

Hi Antonio, I know English is not your first language. But I thought this was a very interesting take of the issue of Buddhism and politics.

https://youtu.be/QXWzvqhh4WM?si=n6JlQ8U5kfC2P80a

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Jundo]

We walk a fine line, which I try to maintain strictly in this Sangha.

We do not overtly discuss political matters, specific candidates or the like. We leave politics at the door, and focus on the sitting and practice of Zazen.

That said, there are times when the Precepts and our teachings on Compassion and the Bodhisattva Vows call for comment on issues like gun violence, war, pollution and climate change which threatens life and health, protection of children and the poor in society, and the like. We see this, for example, in our ongoing reflections on the precepts for Jukai preparations.

Leaving politics at the door here generally facilitates our focus on sitting and dropping of arguments, debates and views. However, when we are done sitting, and get back into the world, we need some opinions and views, to take some stances and to work for some goals and ideals.

Gassho, J
stlah

~~~~

PS - By the way, the following is for ZEN BUDDHISM HISTORY WONKS ONLY, but I happened to post it elsewhere when the topic came up.

I find it strange, and rather ill-informed on Zen Buddhist history, when folks say that Zen Masters must not make political and social statements under claim of some kind of "dharmic' authority or in their role as Zen teacher. That has not been the case through centuries of Zen Buddhist history in Japan, China, Korea and elsewhere. It is strange that people frequently criticize the Japanese monks before WWII for keeping their mouths shut (not all of them) as the world began to burn, but now criticize the monks for opening their mouths as the world burns again. We celebrate the great Zen Masters of the past who were advisors to Emperors and Shoguns on policies in their land and abroad, but in this modern age when we can choose our leaders, we say that the master may not advise. There would not be the great Zen monasteries without such folks .... Here is one, plentiful other examples in China, Korea and Vietnam (let alone politically involved Buddhist leaders elsewhere, from Tibet to Thailand, today and in the past) ...

[Rinzai Master] Musō Soseki and the Ashikaga: After Go-Daigo's Kenmu Restoration failed and Ashikaga Takauji became shōgun, like many other men of his time Soseki switched sides. He was ambitious and sensitive to power shifts, so he allied himself with the Ashikaga brothers, becoming their intimate and serving them well. He stayed with them for the rest of his long life, enjoying the support of both the shōgun and his brother Tadayoshi, who played a pivotal role in his career. Musō helped the two Ashikaga organize a network of Zen monasteries, the so-called Five Mountain System, and its subsidiary, the Ankoku-ji network of temples, across Japan. This helped create a national religious movement and solidify the shōgun's power.... Musō, together with Ashikaga Tadayoshi and a merchant named Shihon are considered responsible for the reopening of trade between Japan and Ming China. As a result of the trading mission, the construction of Tenryū-ji was completed. The Kyoto Five Mountain Zen temple network was being established.

BELOW, one of Muso Soseki's more policy oriented sermons, favoring one imperial faction over another ("Reflections on the Enmity Between Go-Daigo and the Shogun, Ashikaga Takauji'' (from 夢窓国師語錄 Musō Kokushi goroku)) ....

During the disorders of the Genkō period [1331–1334] the shogun, acting promptly on the court’s order, swiftly subdued the foes [the Hōjō regents] of the state, as a result of which he rose higher in court rank day by day and his growing prestige brought a change in the attitude of others toward him. Ere long, slander and defamation sprang up with the violence of a tiger, and this unavoidably drew upon him the royal displeasure. Consider now the reasons for this turn of events. It was because he performed a meritorious task with such dispatch and to the entire satisfaction of his sovereign. There is an old saying that intimacy invites enmity. That is what it was. Thereupon, the auspicious clouds of goodwill were scattered to the winds, and the august dragon [Go-Daigo] had to take refuge in the mountains to the south, where the music of the court was no longer heard and whence his royal phoenix palanquin could never again return to the northern court.

With a great sigh the military leader [Takauji] lamented, ‘‘Alas, due to slander and flattery by court ministers, I am consigned to the fate of an ignominious rebel without any chance to explain my innocence.’’ Indeed his grief was no perfunctory display, but without nurturing any bitterness in his heart, he devoutly gave himself over to spiritual reflection and pious works, fervently praying for the Buddhahood of Go-Daigo and subsequently constructing [in Go-Daigo’s memory] this grand monastery for the practice of great Buddha activity. . . .

The virtuous rule of Go-Daigo tennō accorded with Heaven’s will and his holy wisdom equaled that of the ancient sage-kings of China. Therefore the royal family’s fortunes rose high as reign and military power were unified. The phoenix reign inaugurated a new period of magnificence and splendor. Barbarians beyond the four borders were submissive and all within the borders were earnest. People compared his Yao-like reign to the wind, which always blows without end. Who, then, would have thought that his Shun-like sun would appear for only a moment and then immediately disappear behind the clouds? And what are we to make of it—was it merely a random turn of events? No, the fact that Go-Daigo expended all his karmic connections to this defiled world and straightaway joined the happy assembly of the Pure Land was not because his august reign lacked luck. It was because he caused the people so much suffering and distress. As a result, from the time of his passing right up to the present there has been no peace, clergy and laity alike have been displaced, and there is no end to the complaints of the people.

What I have expounded above is all a dream within a dream. Even though it actually happened, there is no use finding fault with what is past and done— how much less with what has happened in a dream! We must realize that a Wheel-Turning Monarch (cakravartin), the highest position among humans, is itself but something cherished in a dream. Even Brahmā, the highest king of the gods, knows only the pleasure of a dream. This is why Shākyamuni forsook the option of becoming a Wheel-Turning Monarch and entered the mountains to practice austerities. What was his purpose? To teach all people that the King of Awakening [Buddha] far surpasses the highest rank of human society. Although the four social classes differ, each member of them is like every other in being a disciple of the Buddha, and should behave accordingly.

I pray therefore that our late sovereign will instantly transform his defiled capacity, escape from the bondage of delusion, bid farewell to his karma-producing consciousness, and realize luminous wisdom. May he pass beyond the distinctions of friend and foe and attain the luminous region wherein delusion and awakening are one. May he not forget that the dharma transmission of Vulture Peak lives on and extend his protection to this monastery, so that without ever leaving this spot his blessings may extend to all living beings.

This is indeed the wish of the military leader [Takauji]. He bears no grudge toward Go-Daigo but merely wishes for him to develop favorable karmic causes, which is no trifling affair. The Buddhas in their great compassion will surely respond by bestowing mysterious blessings. In this way may the warfare come to an end, all the land within the four seas enjoy true peace, and all the people rest secure from disturbances and calamities. May [Takauji’s] military success pass on to his heirs, generation after generation. Our earnest prayer is that it should wash over all opposition.

[Kaitan]

I remembered that Aristotle said that politics is a natural extension of ethics, so based on that, I think someone that pursuits ethical behavior can be genuinely interested in politics. And I wouldn't limit politics to engage in elections but also activism, voluntary or selfless actions.

Gasshō

stlah, Kaitan