Have you ever experienced racism in Buddhism? What do the suttas say about racism?
I live in Canada and there is a monastery in the US I would like to go to but I don’t want to set foot in that country due to its treatment of Hispanics. Hispanics are the main target of hate crimes in that country. Yes, I understand illegal immigration is a problem, but instead of separating kids from their families why not just deport them. I am Hispanic I don’t feel comfortable going there. Am I wrong for feeling like this?
You can’t be wrong for feeling one way or the other. It is up to you to understand why you feel this way and to what extent it is in your best interest to act on that feeling. We are only liable for what we choose to do with these things.
I for example don’t feel comfortable about big cities - too many human beings and too little nature in one place - and choose to act on that feeling in the sense I avoid as much as possible unnecessary visit to such places!
I am therefore liable for the consequences of that choice, which to me aren’t that painful at this stage.
In regards to your question about racism and EBTs I am unaware of any serious discriminating stance against one specific race or ethnicity. I however remember there is somewhere a record of Buddha advising monks to avoid a specific place deemed inhospitable… Unfortunately I can’t pinpoint it right now and I may be wrong!!
Have a look at what the Buddha is recorded to have said in the AN10.54 on the topic of how one is to evaluate himself / herself the sort of people and places to be visited:
‘I say that there are two kinds of country: those you should frequent, and those you shouldn’t frequent.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
Take a country of which you know this: ‘When I frequent this country, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’
You should not frequent that kind of country.
Take a country of which you know this: ‘When I frequent this country, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’
You should frequent that kind of country. ‘I say that there are two kinds of country: those you should frequent, and those you shouldn’t frequent.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘I say that there are two kinds of people: those you should frequent, and those you shouldn’t frequent.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it? Take a person of whom you know this: ‘When I frequent this person, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’ You should not frequent that kind of person.
Take a person of whom you know this: ‘When I frequent this person, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’
You should frequent that kind of person.
‘I say that there are two kinds of people: those you should frequent, and those you shouldn’t frequent.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.”
MN 98 possibly makes a point on the irrelevance of racial thinking.
While the differences between these species
are defined by their birth,
the differences between humans
are not defined by their birth.
Not by hair nor by head,
not by ear nor by eye,
not by mouth nor by nose,
not by lips nor by eyebrow,
not by shoulder nor by neck,
not by belly nor by back,
not by buttocks nor by breast,
not by genitals nor by groin,
not by hands nor by feet,
not by fingers nor by nails,
not by knees nor by thighs,
not by color nor by voice:
none of these are defined by birth
as it is for other species.
In individual human bodies
you can’t find such distinctions.
The distinctions among humans
are spoken of by convention.
The media pushes their own agenda… if you wish to beleive it and allow them to scare you, then thats up to you… But, there have been “hate groups” against a lot of people… Ben Shapiro cant even visit to speak at a university without a 150 police presence for protection, but he still does it. Others couldnt show support for the president without a hate crime acting against them, but there are millions that still show their support. Police officers are denied service at local businesses because of rhetoric pushed by the media, but they still do their job everyday amd are appreciated by their communities.
I see plenty of Hispanic people living their normal day to day lives without any harassment from anybody.
Statistcally more Hispanics live day to day without incident than with one. But if you wish to live in fear of what MIGHT happen, then thats up to you. FYI, my wife is Hispanic…
The media pushes their own agenda? So the article isn’t true? LOL Ben Shapiro also pushes his own agenda…Obviously not every single Hispanic person is a victim of an attack, but even the president has referred to Mexicans as rapist and “bad hombres”. The number of Hate crimes against Hispanics is up. It is not exactly that I fear something might happen, I just don’t want to go to a place that views Hispanics like trash.
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If posting to the Watercooler category please take particular care to make sure your post belongs there. As noted above, this forum is about Early Buddhist Texts. We do, nevertheless, have a Watercooler category for more informal, relaxed, light-hearted exchange. We still encourage that posts to this category are related to the Dhamma, but this is not a fixed rule and an amount of leeway is allowed for other topics. However, there is no leeway with regards to the guideline that all posts to the Watercooler must be of a friendly, light-hearted and harmony-promoting nature. The Watercooler is a place to support each other and make connections, not to prove a point or for heated debate. Threads that stray from this category’s purpose will be moved, closed or deleted.
What the suttas say about racism: its a world view specifically rejected by the Buddha at great length. The best reference is the Vasettha Sutta which specifies that animals can know each other by their “markings”, but with people, there is no exterior sign which tells you anything of value about them (whether they are good, bad, friendly, not).
I would think that would also extend to generalizations and judgements about people based on nationality or geographical location.
I live in California and my wife is hispanic. I think you are misinformed about the realities of living here, friend. There are 14 Million hispanic people in California, more than any other state, and the main victims of violent hate crimes are Sikhs.
I lived in California for a long time. I am very familiar with the place. Not all Americans are like that but to deny that is certain attitude towards Hispanics right now is a simply a lie. Anyways I appreciate the Americans proving my point. You will be happy to hear I won’t be going there any time soon. Neither will most Hispanics that are not starving, fleeing violence or right wingers.
Hello again folks, just to reiterate please keep discussion to the question of “what do the suttas say about racism.” If the continues to veer into territory that neither fits the theme of the forum, nor conforms to the guidelines it will be permanently closed.
Calling the kettle black? My post got deleted also. No one was being prejudice here. You called the link I posted about hate crimes garbage, that reflects your mind more than anything. And thank you moderators for allowing these racist to sabotage the thread.
