Politics

Robert Frost famously wrote that the world could end in two ways: in fire or in ice. In 2026, we are seeing both. We see the fire of greed burning up our norms, and the ice of hatred freezing out the vulnerable.

Is the Buddhist Path one of political engagement and activism, or one of disengagement and quietism? We'll look at some proponents of both views, then turn to how the early texts frame the issue.

What would the Buddha have told us about political involvement? We'll look at a couple of recent scholarly takes on this question that suggest political disengagement. Then we'll turn to some of the Buddha's political views, and how it…

How can early Buddhist practice help our effort for social change? We'll discuss ways that these teachings can impact our efforts towards making the world a better place, and ways that they might help make us healthier and more effective.

Did the Buddha feel that it was possible to have a just ruler or just government? We will look at the early Buddhist texts for an answer to this vexed question, and find several different possible answers.

King Aśoka was arguably Buddhism's most important political convert. We'll look at how his edicts were modern, enlightened, and inclusive, bringing to fruition a Buddhist approach to society and politics.

With the advent of "engaged Buddhism", Buddhism in the modern world has taken an emphasis on political involvement. We will look at some of the history of religious involvement in politics, with a particular focus on Buddhism, and ask how…

Here we'll look at what the Buddha had to say about politics and society. He had a very interesting approach and some unique insights to provide! This is my third YouTube video, so it's a bit rougher than some of the later ones. Apologies!