buddhism and anarchy

topic posted Fri, August 12, 2005 - 5:26 PM by  jessica
Share/Save/Bookmark
Advertisement
As an anarchist who advocates for social change, naturally I found myself attracted to the philosophy of Buddhism. Anarchy seeks to build a society without hierarchy, including sexism, racism, beautyism, ageism, etc. It is through these hierarchies that create the societal problems we face on a local, national and global scale.

Yet, it seems that Buddhism is the foundation of anarchy. How can we possibly create an anarchist society if we cannot be whole, healthy individuals? How can we eliminate hierarchy if we cannot control our anger and/or not live our lives dominated by our egos? Besides, it seems that a Buddhist community wouldn't need to work to build anarchy, because by living by Buddhist principals, naturally there anarchy would exist.

It seems to me there might be room for a new "sect" of Buddhism revolving around these ideas. I don't understand how Buddhism can support hierarchies in governance, because it seems that many of those hierarchies are egos manifesting themselves into the public sphere.

I am just beginning to study Buddhism, but it seems that people in "1st world countries" (especially the U.S.) are not connecting their lifestyles to the suffering of people around the world. For example, many wealthy people are now into yoga and Buddhism, yet they don't see how consumerism and capitalism are causing huge amounts of suffering in "developing" nations and on the natural world. It seems that by applying the laws of karma, that Americans are collecting a lot of bad karma because we are causing so much suffering.

Thus, it seems that in this day and age, there is a natural intersection between anti-globalization activism and Buddhism, as well as working on other progressive issues such as sexism, racism, etc.

Does anyone know of any resources that may discuss these ideas?

thanks! solidarity from the southwest,
Cienega
posted by:
jessica
Tucson
Advertisement
Advertisement
  • Re: buddhism and anarchy

    Fri, November 11, 2005 - 4:16 AM
    Great post. From what little Ive so far learned about Sangharakshita, who founded the Western Buddhist Order, which is where Ive been learning to meditate and begun a study of Buddhism, his vision for the FWBO was little less than a new way of living - integrated, involved, and based on love, not competition for survival.

    If you fancy reading anything about the FWBO - try here:

    www.fwbo.org/

    I think that Sangharakshita would have very much liked a quote which I came across from Buckminster Fuller recently:

    You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller

    On finding it, I immediately placed this quote at the top of a list of quotes related to a newish artistic and social community based here in Birmingham UK, but hoping to connect with like minded individuals and networks the world over. We have a tribe here if youre interested in checking us out:

    tribes.tribe.net/projectx

    Also, Ive been on tribe a few months now and have joined quite a few tribes Ive found interested in new ways of living. Check you my profile if you wanna ..

    Rich
    Xx
  • Re: buddhism and anarchy

    Sat, November 12, 2005 - 4:19 PM
    I would agree with you Jessica, It seems that Buddhism does inform an anarchistic social sturcture, but in my mind, i have to wonder: "Am I agreeing with this because I am aversive toward the authoritarian power structures in place in our country today? Does my aversion to authority inform my approach to the idea of anarchy?"

    I simply suggest that, if we strive too strongly toward an ideal, we are trapped as much as if we were not striving at all. That being said...

    Yes, anarchy seems to be the natural social order, at a ground level. But I also feel that human beings have a tendency toward some kind of structure. I am thinking of Hakim Bey and his "Temporary Autonomous Zone" (google it, i'm sure it's easily available) He suggests that this anarchistic social climate will manifest, but is always thwarted by some order or power structure.
    I would suggest that, with awareness, we are capable of manifesting social structure/heirarchy in order to motivate and, in essence, 'get things done'. Where I see our society tripping up is that we have become so attached to the structures that we made, and now we've forgotten that we created them. If I may, The 'macrocosmic ego'.
  • Unsu...
     

    Re: buddhism and anarchy

    Sun, November 12, 2006 - 7:21 PM
    I totally agree with your succinct observations. Anarchy is only achievable by enough people embracing the ethics of personal responsibility. I do not think that Buddhism points to Anarchy, I think they are kind of integral - one begets the other. I am sure you are not the first to see the relationship, but that is reassuring, because it illuminates the biological tendency for Buddhism and Anarchy as a viable reality. However, pedants and purists of both schools will quibble over the finer details of what is Anarchy? Many people thinking that Anarchy is a pure state rather like they expect enlightenment to be pure. I say aspire, go for it. The two are noble politics, we might not get there, but getting close will make a better world. Also, if you wrote a book entitled, "Anarchy and Buddhism, The Zenarchist Hanndbook," it would definitely sell!
  • Re: buddhism and anarchy

    Thu, May 1, 2008 - 1:49 AM
    Good thoughts. I am more of a Taoist than a Buddhist, but I can certainly respect your positions (Though it seems you are not visiting tribe anymore). Anarchism tends to be a very misunderstood philosophy. The problem with using the word is that the powers that be have done their best to redefine that word, and instead of envisioning a society based on mutual contract, cooperation, and decentralized/autonomous federalism based on mutualism it now means chaos disorder and destruction....this is really just a fear based reaction to surrender.
    • Re: buddhism and anarchy

      Thu, May 1, 2008 - 5:58 AM
      The problem is that anarchy defined is not at all what anarchy the movement is about. This is where I have trouble. For me the anarchy movement will never work until they choose a proper word that defines the intention correctly. Also, historically speaking, anarchy was done in the manner of the meaning of the word and the new age anarchists have missed the lessons of failure therein.
      • Re: buddhism and anarchy

        Thu, May 1, 2008 - 11:57 AM
        Noam Chomsky (Who besides having been voted worlds top intellectual thinker in a European poll, also identifies himself as an Anarchist), uses the term "Libertarian Socialist". I think using that word helps escape the wrong perception that is created by the term Anarchy, and does describe the position pretty well.

        Anarchists are not necessarily against rules. They are against hierarchy. The issue of enforcing rules can vary depending on whether you are talking about individualist or collectivist branches of the philosophy. Proudhon felt that collective self defense against rapists and murderers was justified. What he was advocating was not "every man woman and child for themselves".

        Anarchists oppose state socialist dictatorships. They are against the centralization of power.

        Anarchists oppose democratic centralism. However, they have practiced forms of democracy, even representative democracy, but its a "bottom up" democracy where unions and district collectives form unions and elect non permanent union representatives (In the case of syndicalism), whose decisions can be overturned by super majority vote and who can be recalled at any time. Delegates have no power to contract popular will.

        Anarchists support the right "not to associate". When you join collective society, you give up some degree of personal autonomy in exchange for fellowship. People should be able to do anything they wish to themselves in their own space and its nobody elses business. Society is not justified in controlling your actions, but they are justified in self defense even collective self defense if you prey on the weak.

        Anarchists believe that rent is robbery, and are opponents of every form of "usury" and interest based economy. Anarchists advocate land stewardship instead of private property or state property.

        Many Anarchists were Atheists, but there have been examples of religious Anarchist groups, such as Leo Tolstoy who sometimes called himself a Christian Anarchist....I see no reason why eastern philosophy would not also be compatible.

        These are some but not all of the historic Anarchist perspectives. Obviously its not what most people think of when they hear the word, so maybe Libertarian Socialism is a better choice.


Recent topics in "Engaged Buddhism"