Bhikkhu Bodhi has mentored for many the role monastics might assume in advocating for Dhammic principles in social and political spheres.
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@Vstakan @Bhikkhu_Jayasara
I appreciated the âblack armbandâ, thank-you Bhante @Sujato (and/or whoever did it), though I see it has already been changed. Itâs natural to experience the pain of grief when witnessing forces of division & hatred manifesting instead of compassion and wisdom (and I mean this in a far broader way than in terms of which party won the elction)⌠The pain reminds me to look deeply into my own heart/mind, to remain committed to practice every moment to root out the forces of greed, hatred and delusion within. To cultivate compassion & wisdom, to cultivate moment by moment the conditons for liberation.
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thanks for posting this!
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âas a monk I canât be political⌠but then let me talk about politics and my viewsâŚoi.â
This is pretty much sums up the point I have been trying to make. At least he admits it before he begins. I respect Bhikkhu Bodhi for his scholarly work, I wouldnât have the access to the suttas I do without him. I even agree with the organization he helped create and donated to it in the past, I think itâs a good thing, but for me he has become far too involved in politics. Thats fine though because he does his own thing quite separate from his dhamma work⌠well until recently. Iâm not sure how I feel about his newest sutta book incoming.
The trouble with opening our mouths and speaking - even a little - is that we can get pigeon-holed or we can pigeon-hole ourselves and create our own world from this. So do we keep quiet. Do we block up our ears when someone opens up about how they feel and what they think is important to them? No. We listen. Take that person within that moment, then let them go and allow them the chance to be something else the next time we speak, allow ourselves the chance to see something else in them next time.
The trouble with this kind of discourse is that itâs written and recorded and you can scroll up and see what we said in the past. But what we said in the past isnât us now. It might be, but it doesnât have to be.
Letâs be kind. Letâs be present. Letâs keep being kind and present even as we disagree but also as we agree; so our agreement doesnât solidify and stop us from being present or kind in the future.
If this was supposed to be easy - interacting with each other - then the Buddha wouldnât have bothered with some of the aspects of the 8 Fold Path! But theyâre there precisely because this is so often, so difficult.
Moreover, the trouble, as I see it, and with respect, is not that some monastics are political or not political. It is that monastics find it necessary to be openly judgemental about how other monastics are political or not political enough, when these monastics are in all important respects, keeping their virtue pure. This is all I ask of âmyâ Sangha, that they keep their virtue as purely as possible and they make some attempt to meditate. If they feel that for them, being kind and teaching and encouraging others to be kind brings them into, what one may term a more publicly political sphere, then fineâŚwonderfulâŚmay they influence the world to be kinder, more open, more inclusive and generous. As monastics, they will be seen and heard in a way that lay people may not be, and so the good they can do can be immense. If they are at the other end of the spectrum, and they wish to stay within their monastery and grow their hearts in goodness and peace and love and wisdom and simply spend their time going withinâŚwonderful. May they succeed. Because that is afterall what we want for all beings. Well, I do. I want all beings to be able to have the chance to meditate and find peace and truth and release. So Iâm so happy when they do it or aim for it so ardently. Because when I see such people, their peace spills out of them and infects me and others around them and it inspires me like nothing else does, encourages me to practice and helps me to interact with myself and others. Even being within the grounds of a monastery where beings are meditating with power is incredibleâŚthe feeling of peace is tangible, healing and nourishing.
Buddhist monasticism is big enough to hold all kinds of virtuous monks and nuns. 
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Thatâs perfectly fine. However, I didnât. The thing is that, as I said before, it is just fine and maybe even commendable to an extent to express such sentiments as a matter of your own opinion and not present them as a view of the entire community. I mean, I regard myself as part of the SC community, I think you are part of the SC community too. Being part of a community, especially a community of fellow Dhamma farers, means your opinion is heard and taken into account. In other words, I would be perfectly fine with the black design if we had been asked to vote about this (I have no doubts the majority of people would have voted for the black design) or would have had the option to switch it off or change it to a cheerful MAGA design. Itâs not the opinion in and of itself that is puzzling me, it is the way this opinion is presented to us. Just to be perfectly clear. I feel no anger or resentment, I have deep respect for all of you great people, and I wish you the very best. Itâs just this way of bringing in politics that I think will not be benificial for all of us.
You have your opinions, I have mine. We could discuss them here publicly, but first I think it would be inappropriate since the primary goal of this website is somewhat different. Second I think you would agree political discussion tend to become polarizing and toxic on both sides, and this is something everyone would like to avoid.
Okay, so one last bit of political discussion 
Thatâs a prime example of what I call âpolarizing and toxicâ, asaccording to this logic I am now representing forces of division and hatred and whatnot. Not that I agree in everything with the Republicans or Trump personally, but I think this is hugely oversimplifying things. I saw inordinate amounts of hate, greed and delusion on both sides in this presidential campaign. I saw a lot of hate, greed and violence among Trump supporters, I saw a lot of hate, greed and violence among Hillary supporters. I donât think both candidates are good people (no, itâs not because Hillary is a girl; no, donât letâs discuss why I think sheâs a bad person too ) I donât think their political programs are 100% true or 100% wrong. What I do think is that both parties represent both forces of hate and forces of compassion (much love, so compassion). I think that ascribing exclusively negative characterics to one side only is the least constructive perspective and the least successful foundation for a meaningful and fruitful dialogue between the two sides possible. Why do we tend to describe things this way? I donât know, possibly because of the rich Dualist tradition in the Western cultures, possbily, because it is easier to think this way and politics thrives on over-simplifications, possibly because of the strong apocalyptic flavour of the Christian tradition the majority of us were born to. I respect your opinions, even if I think some of them are wrong and some of them are very wrong. Please, please try to respect my opinions. And please try to overcome this us-them dichotomy, no matter who you support, Trump or Clinton.
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Even with the differences of opinions over the last day or so here, I have just that much more respect and appreciation for everyone here. I think itâs great that we can air these differences out at the Watercooler, and itâs just very cool to reread the posts today to sense the level of mutual respect. Perhaps the Watercooler is doing what it is designed to do, in part, which is to provide a place and space for this kind of dialogue, very separate and distinct from the rest of SC. Iâm grateful for all of you, and very glad for this forum.
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Exactly what I posted about in the other threadâŚ
Well said @Vstakan and Iâm glad you are willing to be open about this. There is room in the Dhamma for everyone.
I also agree with my friend @anagarika . This discourse is important for an all inclusive community.
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Dear @ Vstakan
Oh gosh perhaps I should not have posted at all or somehow been clearer in what I said. So in the hopes of clarifying and with apologies for anything I said that was hurtful to youâŚ
You have your opinions, I have mine. We could discuss them here publicly, but first I think it would be inappropriate since the primary goal of this website is somewhat different. Second I think you would agree political discussion tend to become polarizing and toxic on both sides, and this is something everyone would like to avoid.
I totally agree!!! I donât tend to get involved in political discussions at all, nor in politics in general to be honest. Itâs just not my interest or my path in this life. Actually SC is the only blog I go to, and thatâs because I often find the discussions about EBTs here fruitful.
according to this logic I am now representing forces of division and hatred and whatnot.
Oh gosh, not at all! I should have been more aware when posting on a thread entitled âthe electionâ might make it sound like this but please note âin a broader wayâ in what I said:
'pain of grief when witnessing forces of division & hatred manifesting instead of compassion and wisdom (and I mean this in a far broader way than in terms of which party won the election)
We are certainly in agreement here:
I saw inordinate amounts of hate, greed and delusion on both sides in this presidential campaign. I saw a lot of hate, greed and violence among Trump supporters, I saw a lot of hate, greed and violence among Hillary supportersâŚI think that ascribing exclusively negative characterics to one side only is the least constructive perspective and the least successful foundation for a meaningful and fruitful dialogue between the two sides possible.
But I would not even want to describe it in terms of âboth partiesâ. I have the same feeling (unpleasant) when I look inside my own heart-mind and see those forces (greed, hatred delusion) operating. So really my point was about the inspiration to practice, but obviously that must not have come through⌠
BTW, I would have been distressed to open up the site and see a banner with either Hillary or Trump on it, or either of their slogans, etc. I would have felt it was extremely inappropriate. To me the black armband was a symbol of sadness, which is what I feel about the division & polariziaion in this country. But after reading this discussion thread, I agree itâs best that it was taken down.
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful article by Ven.Bhikkhu Bodhi, joy to read, as always.
With metta from white and cold Latvia,
Rudite
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Man, if only all the people in the US could talk like we can! @Anagarika made a good point, the watercooler is a cool place to hang out around 
@Linda Sorry for misunderstanding you, my bad 
I think it is partly because I so got used to being called really-really nasty names on the Internet just because I donât share someoneâs political opinion I automatically perceive things in that way when I come across a truly awesome person like you on a Dhamma forum. This is definitely something to work on on my part. It is so great we share this feeling of resentment because people canât be accept the facts and prefer bickering each other insteadâŚ
At the same times, all the points I made in that comment are still valid and, I think, important, just donât take it personally 
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Hey guys,
Thanks for keeping it cool around here. I appreciate all youâve said. I havenât been saying anything because, well, if I get started âŚ
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You are awfully judgmental for someone who claims to be a practicing Buddhist.
I believe itâs a small minority of the electorate that is full of hate or negative views. Most are just ignorant and naive and uninformed⌠the victims of talk shows and reality shows and social media and thinking about their own needs and those of their familiesâŚPeople are overwhelmed with their lives and and many are desperateâŚ
Tens if not hundreds of millions of people have lost good jobs which have gone abroad and now are out of work or working in low paying jobs with no prospects like fast food and chain storesâŚ
As in the case of Brexit and the rising nationalism in Europe and elsewhere⌠Many people in developed countries are scared and donât know who to blame⌠and so voted for a shyster whom they naively believed could save them⌠bring back the jobs, and hope for their childrenâŚ(There is no way Trump can do what he promises.)
Trump is right that the Chinese have used the West unfairly âŚstolen huge amount of intellectual property and jobsâŚAnd there has been far too much immigration⌠The US has accepted a million legal immigrants a year for ages. Many are now on welfare or Medicaid. Add to this the illegal immigrants⌠And to promote diversity Americans have favored such people in their children, giving them a better chance to get into a good university or get a good jobâŚitâs a recipe for social instability and resentmentâŚbut it came from well-meaning people.
The adoption of robots and AI and devices that will replace the work of millions âŚand global warming and the resultant ecological disasters and mass migrations will make the current instability seem paltryâŚ
I absolutely disapprove of Trump and the rhetoric of the Republicans but this is a global phenomenon that will only increase as the global troubles increase.
How will your own country react?
Given how judgmental you are hereâŚHow will you?
I suggest you take a look at the graciousness, patience, compassion, tolerance and kindness with which President and Michelle Obama have faced a man and party who seek to dismantle all the good, important work they have accomplished in the last 8 years, and rethink your judgmental preachy attitude.
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To clarify this was a response to someone early on who made some very judgmental comments about Americans⌠I wasnât responding to Sujato⌠though it is appearing here just now after his comment⌠I meant to reply to someone up above.
Remember the 2nd Sutta in Majjhima Nikaya, Sabbasava Sutta? In that Sutta, as you would know, Lord Buddha has discoursed 7 ways to abandon Taints.
We all know that the 4th way is to abandon taints by Enduring, AdhivÄsanÄpahÄtabbaÄsava. What is a short period of 4 years when compared to the suffering that we have endured in this Samsara?
This doesnât mean to say we shouldnât help minimise suffering of others. We could offer more support to organisations like Global Buddhist Relief (of Bhikkhu Bodhi) , Suttacentral (to spred the Good Dhamma which is really needed at these times) & other non-government organisations such as Climate Council in Australia & other international organisations such as Oxfam. In my view, that way we could be of more help!
May all beings be well & happy!
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Very true! Like, I had to endure 8 years of the Democratic presidency, before that I had had to endure 8 years of George W. Bush (this is where my opinion about the man outweighs my political views), and donât even get me started on Putin. Come on, folks, itâs just eight four years!
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Hey guys,
Letâs take it easy on ourselves and others if we appear or have been âjudgementalâ⌠Letâs not judge the judgemental or even judge the judgementalism of those judging the judgemental 
If thatâs you⌠donât worry⌠no judgement 
Feel the love folks⌠LoveâŚLoveâŚLove⌠
OhâŚand if I am, have been or will be judgemental⌠just send me some love back? Huh?
Lots of 
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Thatâs a great thought Kay. No judgment, of course 
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@Sila
I have not found a way for responses to show up under the appropriate post (if anyone is successful with this, please tell me; Iâve tried different things). But If you use the @ and the personâs name at the top or within the message it will clarify whose post youâre responding to.
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