From the Declaration of Independence we read,"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Please notice that "Life" comes first. Buddhism too embraces life first!
In the preamble to the Constitution, we read, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union... insure domestic Tranquility...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America". Similarly, in Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism we read,"If you care anything about your personal security you should first of all pray for order throughout the four quarters of the Land".
According to the great sociologist, Max Weber, "On the basis of the belief in legitimacy, there are three ideal types of rulership: traditional, charismatic, and legal rulership."
Traditional leadership (rulership) is the belief of the people in a traditional routine, the most important aspect being patriarchalism. This is the rulership system of monarchs.
"The second type of leadership is termed charismatic rulership whereby charisma is rationalized through methodical and codified means, it is called 'virtuoso charisma. '" This is the leadership rationale in the Soka Gakkai fascism, and Trumpism.
Lastly, there is legal leadership which is most often based on a constitution or other impersonal laws. Pure Democracy, Republicanism and even Communism are examples of a legal leadership, according to Weber.
The type of leadership taught in the Lotus Sutra and by Nichiren, is a type of legal leadership. It is a system based on the Buddha's Law whose constitution is the Lotus Sutra and whose articles are the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Those who most closely demonstrate a bodily reading of the Lotus Sutra are leaders. Nichiren teaches that, should these persons be priests, they are to be High Ministers to the secular leader whose authority too, is based on a bodily reading of the Lotus Sutra
When examining one's own power compared to the power of the Buddha and Law, it is impossible to fail to acknowledge that our power alone is indeed limited. Whether in the religious or in the secular realm, a team can accomplish more than an individual and an individual with a tool can accomplish more than one without a tool. Were our power not limited, we could, by our own power, obtain Buddhahood but according to Nichiren Daishonin, we require both the help of others [the Buddha, the Law, and good friends in the dharma] and the hindrances of others [those who obstruct our faith and practice]. Believing that we can utilize our power alone to attain Buddhahood is a shallow mechanistic approach to Buddhism, denying others assistance and the utility of a tool. It also deprecates the Gohonzon thinking that the paper and ink of the object of devotion is inferior to the flesh and bones of the human being. In the secular realm, millions have given their lives for the sake of ink and paper, ie: for the Constitution of the United States. How much more so in the realm of Buddhism where, "Since the Law is supreme, the Person is worthy of respect; since the Person is worthy of respect, the Land is sacred.", not the other way around.
I was talking to Greg today about the constitution. It was written, we concluded, by men who looked upon their fellow patriots as rational, thinking, good hearted individuals. Unfortunately today, there are people who have lost their minds, from the President down to the lowliest of his followers and those too on the left are itching for a fight. For better or worse, we too are armed to protect the Buddha and his children. We both have Jewish friends named Mossberg. I have a Glock 17, 9mm, a 45, and 10 shot 22 (I sold my AK47 , now with some regret). He also has a 357 Magnum. Nichiren teaches in Establishing the Correct Teaching for Peace of the Land:
ReplyDelete“Good man, in the age of impurity and evil after I have passed away, the nation will fall into devastation and disorder, men will plunder and steal from one another, and the common people will be reduced to starvation. Because of hunger, many men at that time will declare their determination to leave their families and become monks. Men such as these may be called shavepates. When this crowd of shavepates see anyone who is attempting to protect the correct teaching, they will chase after him and drive him away, or even kill him or do him injury. That is why I now give permission for monks who observe the precepts to associate with and keep company with white-robed laymen who bear swords and staves. Even though they carry swords and staves, I would call them men who observe the precepts. But although they may carry swords and staves, they should never use them to take life.”
correction...preverted... .
DeleteRIGHT RIGHT!
ReplyDeleteGREG'S comment with "prevented" changed to "perverted"...
ReplyDeletei like this because it is relevant to todays insanity. anything can be perverted in this world...as we see. the constitution is what makes america unique, however, it was written for those right think humans. due to the perversion of real buddhism and even the preparatory teachings i.e. islam, christianity etc....what we have is WRONG THOUGHT.
Other people share a different view: "These laws were made by white, cisgender men who enslaved other human beings and never intended to include a vast sum of Americans – like women and people of color" - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/amy-coney-barrett-bad-choice-women?CMP=share_btn_tw - Amy Coney Barrett went to my all-girls high school. I hope she's not confirmed
ReplyDeletethey fled england because of a class system and a search for freedom.
DeleteActually, Washington freed his slaves but in 1799. Jefferson not. Ben Franklin was President of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society so, not all of the founding fathers believed in slavery and it is reported that although Washington did have slaves at the time of the writing of the Constitution, he was already struggling with the institution according to many.
ReplyDelete