Buddha in the Time of Trump

[JudyM]

Last edited Fri Dec 2, 2016, 02:55 PM - Edit history (1)

...During our brief morning practice, I took in some of the Shambala teachings which, reduced to their simplest possible form, emphasized human goodness. “Humanity at the core is complete, good, and worthy” are the first words you read on the website of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, a well-known Tibetan Buddhist teacher, scholar, and marathon runner...

He further writes that “the Shambala tradition believes in the inherent wisdom, compassion, and courage of all beings. It holds that these noble qualities are ultimately more stable than aggression and greed.”...

Goodness and compassion have been on my mind since March, when I confidently predicted that “Donald Trump won’t be the next president of the United States” because the “better angels of our nature” would prevail. The “better angels” phrase appeared at the end of Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address, delivered just before the start of the Civil War, in 1861.

I thought the good angels would prevail at the ballot box, and that Americans would not bestow the awesome powers of the presidency on a broken, angry man like Donald Trump.

...The better angels abandoned us, and suffering continues apace. I look back at my uncharacteristically optimistic March column, and think of the famous final line of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, “The Sun Also Rises:” Wasn’t it pretty to think so?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/11/25/buddha-time-trump/rtRN31X2sAlc1d1kB2MlxJ/story.html

A sad truth. Anyone else finding equanimity more challenging than usual these days? Finding refuge in the DU sangha...

[Nitram]

1. From a Buddhist point of view, Trump will fall under his own weight.

We can't help anything by getting angry or upset. On the contrary, that clouds our vision and is counterproductive. Look at the situation with clear eyes and do what you can without staking your psychological well-being on the outcome. Despair and disappointment in defeat are as fruitless as wild ecstasy and joy with success.

[JudyM]

3. As with many, worry about the planet is my main concern, because it will likely be irreversible.

If ever there was a time for Right Action on a global scale, this is it.

[Tobin S.]

2. My naturally introverted personality is telling me to go even further inward now days.

I can't watch the news right now. It's even difficult to come to DU and read the political forums.

However, I read a good article about how Trump is actually a great teacher in disguise. He is the pure embodiment of the inflated ego. There appears to be nothing more to the man. The article says that we should somehow honor the great sacrifice his soul has made to bring us this glaring example of what can happen to someone when the ego is allowed to reign supreme. If you believe in karma, it may take Trump thousands of lifetimes to work out the karma he has created in this one. The runaway inflated ego of Trump is so out of hand and over the top that even some Republicans were appalled by his behavior.

If Trump is ever turns around the lens and takes a good honest look inward, it will probably destroy him. But, for now, he thinks he is somehow profoundly better than the rest of us- a god among mortals. There is a lesson to be learned here.

[JudyM]

4. I get no comfort from thinking about his own karma, but that article is right about his transparent

self-involvement being a good teacher. Gluttony, greed, complete self-absorption. We are all so lucky to have more insight, I assume, whatever our issues are. Why is it that 1/2 the country doesn't see or doesn't care about that in him?

I hope your strength grows, same for all of us. We need to keep encouraging our Dem leadership to be warriors like they've never been before.

[Tobin S.]

5. "Why is it that 1/2 the country doesn't see or doesn't care about that in him?"

I think this is one of those times where the saying "Only in America" rings true. We live in a very egocentric culture. When was the last time you saw a blockbuster film in this country that sang the praises of humility? Look at how we worship pop stars and athletes. Our music and literature are devoid of depth for the most part. You really have to dig deep to find honesty in this country. People who are deeply committed to telling the truth are vilified. Our politics is filled with partisan megalomaniacs who really don't care about what is right for our people and our environment. Reality is sacrificed at the hands of religious zealots in our schools in half of the country.

So, when I think about it, I come to the conclusion that we might actually be lucky that half the population can see that Trump is a terrible person. I personally think that is going to become apparent to more people as the Trump years unfold. More people will learn that lesson...unfortunately the hard way and while negatively impacting not only the rest of the country, but the rest of the planet. Hopefully we will come out of the next four years a much wiser nation.

[JudyM]

6. Interesting, I hear you. This is something to look forward to.

[Warpy]

7. Read up on Ashoka

There might be hope for Orange Caligula, also.

[JudyM]

8. Nice thought, hadn't read about him before. I hope it doesn't require the deaths in war that moved

Ashoka. A person needs to be able to be self-reflective for such insight and transformation to take place, though. With his tweeting and all the other self-oriented distractions (as well as potential mental/emotional challenges), do you think there's much chance Trump would change?

[Warpy]

9. Most likely a snowball in hell's chance

but it's always there. No one is completely one dimensional.

[Maraya1969]

11. I remember what happened to the Tibetan Buddhists. What China did to them was horrific.

They lost their country. But they did not lose their compassion. If you have never seen the movie, "Kundun" I highly suggest it. It describes the reality of what they suffered.

And this story from His Holiness The Dalai Lama:

"One Tibetan monk... who had spent more than 18 years in a Chinese prison labour camp... told me that on a few occasions he really faced some danger. So I asked him, 'What danger? What kind of danger?', thinking he would tell me of Chinese torture and prison. He replied, 'Many times I was in danger of losing compassion for the Chinese.'"
- The Dalai Lama



I am one who freaks out and gets mad and yells all over this board sometimes. But when I get back to my basics I can feel peace.

There is always good in every bad. Everything that happens is there to help us achieve enlightenment.

"When the horse runs on wheels and the iron bird flies, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth. And the Dharma will come to the land of the red men."

Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The prophecy was made more than one thousand years ago.

[Maraya1969]

12. This statement from Gandhi brought me some comfort

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always." -- Mohandas K. Gandhi

[JudyM]

13. Oh yes, that's an encouraging, larger perspective statement. Thank you for sharing that!