The Buddha – The Social-Revolutionary Potential of Buddhism is written by Trevor Oswald Ling. He was born in England in 1920 and during The Second World War he went to India to become a Baptist clergyman. Instead he became a student of Sanskrit, Pali and Classical Indian Literature and he had a distinguished academic career in India and England. This book was written with the intention to shake its readers into awareness of the social-revolutionary potential of Buddhism. It has two major themes. Firstly it argues that the Buddha’s message is intrinsically social, political and progressive. Secondly it implies that the message of the Buddha despite of the age, it offers us a workable guidance towards the future
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The Buddha – The Social-Revolutionary Potential of Buddhism
What is the social-revolutionary potential of Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that has been practiced for over two and a half millennia. It has influenced millions of people around the world and has had a significant impact on culture, art, literature, and politics. Buddhism’s social-revolutionary potential lies in its teachings, which promote peace, non-violence, compassion, and wisdom.
Buddhism teaches that all beings are equal and that suffering is an inherent part of life. It also teaches that the cause of suffering is attachment, and that through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, one can achieve enlightenment and liberation from suffering. These teachings have the potential to inspire social change and revolution.
One example of Buddhism’s social-revolutionary potential is the role it played in the civil rights movement in the United States. In the 1960s, Buddhist leaders like Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama supported the movement and promoted non-violent resistance as a means of social change. Their teachings helped to inspire civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who was influenced by Thich Nhat Hanh’s concept of “engaged Buddhism.”
Buddhism has also played a role in political revolutions in countries like Tibet, where the Dalai Lama has been a key figure in the struggle for independence. The Dalai Lama has promoted non-violence and compassion as means of achieving political change and has been a powerful advocate for human rights and freedom.
Overall, Buddhism’s social-revolutionary potential lies in its teachings of non-violence, compassion, and wisdom, which can inspire individuals and communities to work towards social change and transformation.
