A Buddhist Approach to Politics

Melvin McLeod, editor of Mindful Politics: A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place

“Buddhism is often misinterpreted as a quietist religion,” says Melvin McLeod, a prominent Buddhist, who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada. In addition to editing Mindful Politics, he serves as editor of the Buddhist magazine, Shambhala Sun. McLeod refers to the rich library of authors in his book as he discusses the need to take Buddhist concepts from the individual level, to the social level. This understanding, he says, is a distinct contribution of Western Buddhists to this ancient faith tradition. One of these concepts is “ego,” which an author in his book, David Loy, talks about as “wego,” or collective ego. The Dalai Lama, whom McLeod regards as a pre-eminent statesman, emphasizes the values of “universal responsibility” and interdependence in a world enveloped by globalization. Although many Buddhists in North America tend to be at the progressive end of the political spectrum, McLeod notes that Buddhism has no partisan philosophy; many Asian Buddhists are more conservative. Buddhism, he notes, stresses non-violence and non-aggression, but that is not the same as pacifism. What Buddhism does emphasize is a willingness to listen to the other, to put oneself in the other’s shoes. After 9-11, “why do they hate us?” was a proper Buddhist question because it sought to probe the reasons for the attack. One of the most important issues for Buddhism is forgiveness, which McLeod believes is difficult at the social and individual level. Buddhism emphasizes the need to get beyond tit-for-tat revenge. What Buddhism offers most uniquely to the world of politics, however, is a panoply of meditative practices which can probe beyond the superficial to the depths of reality, whether than reality is individual or social.

Religious Voices in the Anti-War Movement

Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor of Tikkun Magazine, a founder of the Network of Spiritual Progressives

Several religiously-motivated anti-war protestors

Two religiously-motivated counter-protestors

On January 27th, tens of thousands of protestors, opposing escalation of the war in Iraq, converged on Washington. Many were people of faith. The day began with an interfaith service at which Rabbi Michael Lerner preached the main homily. He talked about religion – any religion – calling people to the power of transformation. “We are not stuck in what is,” he said. So when political leaders tell us to “be realistic,” he said that the religious response should be “screw realism!” “Challenge the dominant paradigm of domination,” he said, and replace it with a paradigm based on generosity and love. This, he said, is realistic in today’s world. This segment then samples just a few of the religious voices assembled on Washington’s Mall, and two voices from the small counter-protest, where participants supported the Bush escalation. The contrast in messages is stark.

Interfaith Dialogue and the Buxton Initiative

J. Douglas Holladay, Co-founder of the Buxton Initiative, former Special Ambassador to South Africa

Alex Kronemer, Producer, PBS Documentary: Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet

Robert J. Woody, Co-founder of the Buxton Initiative, Deputy Chair of Northstar Financial Services

The Buxton Initiative is one of many grassroots efforts to promote interfaith dialogue at the local level. This interview takes place in Washington, DC at a dialogue of young professionals in their 20’s who had just watched the film, Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet, and were discussing it. The producer of the film was present, and discussed his conversion to Islam after growing up in a Jewish/Christian household. The organizers discussed the importance of facing differences, and talking them through, in an interfaith world.

Computer Technology and Biblical Studies

Rev. Richard Hong, technically savvy pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, NJ, and also the Church at the Crossroads in Englewood

“I have a ‘book bible’ but I never open it,” says Rev. Hong. “I use the Bible on line or on my palm pilot.” This technologically oriented pastor says that computers are revolutionizing the world of biblical studies. Many interpretations and the long history of biblical criticism are available easily on line at low cost. Both traditional and progressive Bible readers can be energized by what’s available, he said, and preachers find a wealth of riches for their ministry. It’s not likely, however, he concedes that a laptop will replace an actual “book” Bible in liturgical processions!