Engaged Buddhism

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Comment by Sahishnu (Joy Marston) on August 17, 2008 at 2:15pm

Yes we plan very carefully before taking engaged action, however we live in the moment with the breath, and listening and openness bring change to planned paths.We breath in the need and breath out the response always relying on Amida and our sanga for strength and guidance.

Comment by Robert McCarthy on May 23, 2008 at 2:59pm

Engaged Buddhism, grounded Buddhism, political Buddhism- some day we may not need an adjective, maybe not even a noun. To be socially active is to be political, to be socially active is hopefully also to be grounded. Engaged Buddhists are much closer to many of today’s activist groups than to other religions, many other Buddhists, much closer. Many such groups turn to the metaphysical for inspiration and direction. They act in compassion to create a good world for all beings aboard this planet. Deep ecologists, practical ethicists, shamanic travellers, feral activists, engaged Buddhists- touched by spirit, working in affinity, trying to show love, to heal, to understand, to create. Journeying from the showplace of consumer culture to an unknown destination- a destination less important in life than living the journey well.
How uniquely empowered and how uniquely disempowered are we when we act in the name of Buddha? We learn skills to see our natures, our endless egotism, to find compassion. But we also need to make practical choices about causing suffering, about honesty, don’t we? We have chosen a story through Dharma that helps empower us as it limits our choices, our human condition strengthened and imprisoned by language, by thought. It is from the same manifestation of spirit that we choose to call Buddhism, that others call deep ecology, ethics… We are the same, share passion, experience and spirit, differ in belief- it’s really about managing to turn our hearts, to let go of hunger, to remain strong.
In building new communities to live and act through, can we see if Dharma has become dogma? To act is to make choices; there will be a time when right way increases the suffering of the day for beings that do know this Buddha. Is that the day that Dharma is dogma? How do we choose action, how do we choose how to choose? How do we choose which person to open to in trust and affinity in joining in action with? And to choose who not to trust to share our action with?
Western Buddhists usually have, or can choose to have, material well being, comfort and safety, myself very much included there. Our faith is seldom, if ever, tested by brutality and inflicted suffering. Suffering that exists within this world without choice to leave, without a known ending, for countless unknown beings. How is engaged Buddhism to respond? For me, words come far more easily than the total renunciation that is a unique strength of Buddhism and the hardest of medicine. A renunciation where we may walk in suffering barely imaginable, but very real and without a known ending.
Communities themselves do not change our values, our heart- so much more it is the act of personally opening or turning to the community that is really significant- whether that community be Amida pureland, American heartland or Adolf’s fatherland. Creating a loving community results in people choosing to turn to love. Engagement follows, while community nurtures.

Comment by Modgala Duguid on May 16, 2008 at 10:01pm

Yes - the pause does become more natural and helps us stop being so carried away by the engagement that we lose sight of the bigger picture and wiser consequences. Yet it comes so naturally that it helps create a different space, even in the midst of chaos.

Comment by Alison Sigmon on May 14, 2008 at 2:16am

I agree with Modgala. In addition to being present, engaged Buddhism, for me, is a pause...a pause to consider the global implications (consequences) of an action. Obviously, this pause can't always be consciously taken such as in response to a crisis situation, but I wonder about that. Is it possible to integrate the Buddhist principles so deeply into one's being that the "pause" of sorts becomes automatic and unconscious? Yes, I feel, and that said, is it possible for that energy to then feed the collective unconscious of a group as in a "good goes around" type thing?
Well, yes, however, I think it has to start with the individual deciding to interact with the world in a way that promotes engagement. This isn't an easy thing to do in a space filled with mountains of distraction, but when one does act purposefully, meaningfully, and with an eye to consequence (aka Buddhist precepts), one can literally feel the tension leave a room that was previously filled with angst and ire; everyone starts breathing again. This isn't always easy either and that's why the sanga is so important as well as practice and meditation; we are reminded to breathe so we can help others breathe... (and smile :-)

Comment by Modgala Duguid on May 12, 2008 at 8:50am

I think it i a mix of day to day and planned actions. Day to day means that what i do is influenced by what I have learned from Buddhism - how and whether I should do certain things and how much i might say to a particular person, in a particular situation etc. all the time calling amida to help me be a bit more wise and compassionate.
In taking part or planning particular actions there needs to be a lot of thinking about possible consequences so is this a good action to take, is it wise to do anything are there wiser and possibly more practical actions possible.
These are just a few initial thoughts and this is a great discussion idea'LoveModgala

Comment by Diane Cadman on May 12, 2008 at 8:10am

My understanding of engaged Buddhism is is a complex mix of the day to day impact of applying those principles in everyday situations and more intentional and planned actions for change of many kinds. I am finding that the first often leads to the second. I would find discussion of how best to proceed in such engagements very helpful. Diane

Comment by Kaspalita on May 11, 2008 at 4:07pm

Thanks Marie, much of the engaged work we do is in association with other Buddhists, and even non-Buddhist groups who sometimes have the same causes/ideals as us.

Sahishnu, yes it's curious isn't it - we say that we must be engaged to get beyond self, but I'm sure even this isn't a pure motivation, the path begins with a selfishness of some sort, I think.

I think there is some room for discussion about what form Engaged Buddhism should take-obviously altrusim and compassion are wonderful virtues in and of them self, but the vow of the bodhisattva is to lead all beings to enlightenment -

How does, and should, material aid fit into this scheme?

Comment by Sahishnu (Joy Marston) on May 10, 2008 at 1:54pm

I cannot envisage true Amida Buddhism being anything other than engaged. It is so easy to see none engaged Buddhism becomming all about self. I Amida Buddhism There is self and the other with which we need to engage, self and Amida, self and the world, etc
Namo Amida Bu
Sahishnu

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