Should nuns and monks be political?

Discussion of ordination, the Vinaya and monastic life. How and where to ordain? Bhikkhuni ordination etc.

Should nuns and monks be political?

Monks and nuns should remain silent on political matters - Dhamma only
12
52%
Monks and nuns should comment on political matters of the day
3
13%
Monks and nuns should only comment in extreme political circumstances such as war, brutal dictatorship etc
8
35%
 
Total votes: 23

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Ceisiwr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Ceisiwr »

DooDoot wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:15 am
clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:13 am In relation to the clip I agree that PC attitudes have become corrosive and stifling. Free speech should be the ideal, which in turn means all the other freedoms too.
I don't recall ever suggesting any wrong paths to you. :heart:
clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:15 amStraw man (as per usual for you). You accused him of holding certain views without knowing his views.
No. I accused him/her of the CM method of character assassination.

Sigh. You accused him of having certain views that aren’t in accord with the Dhamma despite not knowing his views. Do be a man and try to admit to a mistake instead of trying to save face.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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DooDoot
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by DooDoot »

clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:18 amYou accused him of having certain views that aren’t in accord with the Dhamma despite not knowing his views.
I know his views. His views are "because a monk is talking to a Nazi, the monk has zero validity". Buddhism does not support this manner of thinking.
clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:18 am Do be a man and try to admit to a mistake instead of trying to save face.
Is this comment sexist?
Last edited by DooDoot on Mon May 06, 2019 3:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Ceisiwr »

Yes, I listened to the clip that you recommended and i agree with the sentiment that PC attitudes and worry about causing offence have gone to far, hence why I said I support free speech and all the other negative freedoms with it. I fully support your right to say what you like (as long as it isn’t a direct threat etc) even if it’s ridiculous (or not) since sunlight is the best disinfectant or way to spread what is good.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Ceisiwr »

DooDoot wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:19 am
clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:18 amYou accused him of having certain views that aren’t in accord with the Dhamma despite not knowing his views.
I know his views. His views are "because a monk is talking to a Nazi, the monk has zero validity". Buddhism does not support this manner of thinking.

No. You accused him of having leftist views which you then claimed aren’t in accord with the Dhamma. You don’t know what his political beliefs are.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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DooDoot
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by DooDoot »

clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:23 am No. You accused him of having leftist views which you then claimed aren’t in accord with the Dhamma. You don’t know what his political beliefs are.
U are misinterpreting what i said. :spy:
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Ceisiwr »

DooDoot
Is this comment sexist?
Are you a woman nick? If not then it’s entirely relevant.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Ceisiwr »

DooDoot wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:23 am
clw_uk wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 3:21 am Yes, I listened to the clip that you recommended and i agree with the sentiment that PC attitudes and worry about causing offence have gone to far
Have you become a Nazi? :rofl:

Yes nick, I’m a gay Buddhist who is also a National Socialist :?


I didn’t misrepresent what you said. You accused him of having a set of beliefs and then attacked him by saying those views were not in accord with Buddhism despite you not knowing what his views are (and he subsequently stated he isn’t a leftist).
Last edited by Ceisiwr on Mon May 06, 2019 3:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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retrofuturist
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

OK, this topic has spiralled out of control and is moving to the Hot Topics section.

Please be patient while we clean up the off-topic chat.

:thanks:

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

Monks and nuns should be mindful, and teach the practice of mindfulness. It is OK to advise others how to live in harmony with others, and how to work for the greater good of society.

Politics looks outwards at society in general and at the behaviour of other people in particular. It thinks that suffering can be removed by manipulating external conditions.

Religion looks inwards at one's own actions, speech, and thoughts. It teaches that suffering can only be removed by removing the root causes, which lie within each individual. I can advise and instruct others on what is wholesome or unwholesome, what they should study, or how to meditate. That is one duty of a monk or nun, but I cannot remove the defilements of others; I can only remove my own defilements (that is the other duty of a monk or nun).

“Disregard the faults of others, things done and left undone by others,
but examine the deeds done and not done by oneself.” (Dhp v 50)

“As a lovely flower that is beautiful, but scentless,
the well-spoken word of one who does not practise is fruitless.” (Dhp v 51)

“As a lovely flower that is beautiful and fragrant,
the well-spoken word of one who practises it bears fruit.” (Dhp v 52)

“As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made, even so,
many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal.” (Dhp v 53)
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seeker242
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by seeker242 »

Monks and Nuns should do what they feel is appropriate.
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mettafuture
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by mettafuture »

Absolutely. If they wish to be. The Buddha told lay followers to be "accomplished in ethical conduct and encourage others to do the same" (AN 8.26). The Buddha likely gave monastics similar instruction. Personally, I can't remain silent and detached when I know someone's politics are causing harm to others.
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Jerafreyr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Jerafreyr »

mettafuture wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 1:45 pm Absolutely. If they wish to be. The Buddha told lay followers to be "accomplished in ethical conduct and encourage others to do the same" (AN 8.26). The Buddha likely gave monastics similar instruction. Personally, I can't remain silent and detached when I know someone's politics are causing harm to others.
The Buddha was an anarchist.
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retrofuturist
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Jerafreyr,
Jerafreyr wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 1:12 am The Buddha was an anarchist.
On what basis do you come to that conclusion?!

It's hard to envisage how an anarchist could devise a set of rules as complex at the Vinaya, but by all means explain your position.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
SarathW
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by SarathW »

anarchist.

synonyms:

nihilist · insurgent · agitator · subversive · guerrilla · terrorist ·
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Jerafreyr
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Re: Should nuns and monks be political?

Post by Jerafreyr »

retrofuturist wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 1:14 am Greetings Jerafreyr,
Jerafreyr wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 1:12 am The Buddha was an anarchist.
On what basis do you come to that conclusion?!

It's hard to envisage how an anarchist could devise a set of rules as complex at the Vinaya, but by all means explain your position.

Metta,
Paul. :)
I can only answer that with a question.
What sort of laws do you think the Buddha would enforce for worldlings?
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