On Buddhist Democracy, Freedom, and Equality
	Written by: Venerable Master Hsing Yun Translated by: John Balcom, Ph.D. Published by: Buddha's Light Publishing ISBN: 0-9715612-7-3 4.75x7.4, 64 Pages, paperback Price: $6.00

The Buddha lived in a time and place very different from 21st-century America. Nevertheless, his teachings embodied many of the ideals held dear by Americans.

Buddhists take refuge in the Triple Gem, comprised of the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (his community). Venerable Master Hsing Yun sees in the Triple Gem the ideal of democracy. The principles of relationship within the Sangha, for instance, were democratic: Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan (Chinese Zen) Buddhism had been a woodcutter before being appointed Patriarch. Decision-making in the monastic sangha is based on democratic principles, and disputes are settled by the impartial code set down in the Vinaya, the Buddha¡¦s rules for monastic life.

As for freedom, this is embodied in the Five Precepts, the summary of Buddhist morality. ¡§Although there are five precepts,¡¨ the Master writes, ¡§they are based upon a single principle: not infringing on someone else¡¦s rights. Only by respecting the rights of others can there be true freedom.¡¨

Finally, the Master writes, by respecting the lives of all sentient beings we are practicing true equality. Since Buddhism teaches that all beings have a Buddha Nature, how can we fail to recognize that they have ¡§the right to an equal and respected life¡¨ and that ¡§none should be harmed lightly¡¨? To recognize this is to practice true equality.

Over 2,500 years ago, then, the Buddha articulated ideals that are still extremely important to us. By providing a closer look at the Buddha¡¦s teachings, Master Hsing Yun demonstrates the compatibility between Buddhist teachings and modern American life.