Rational Nation USA

  N ot by-passing arbitrary judgments does a man become just; a wise man is he who investigates both right and wrong.   He who does not judge others arbitrarily, but passes judgment impartially according to the truth, that sagacious man is a guardian of law and is called just.   One is not wise because one speaks much. He who is peaceable, friendly and fearless is called wise.  A man is not versed in Dhamma because he speaks much. He who, after hearing a little Dhamma, realizes its truth directly and is not heedless of it, is truly versed in the Dhamma. T he Dhammapada: Verses 256 - 259

  Perusing the internet today i came across the following on the Buddha's teachings relative to political and economic theory. While rather lengthy it is worth the read. Lots of good stuff that could help the political and governmental leaders of the world. If they'd just read, meditate, and learn. But unfortunately their egos and reified beliefs get in the way. Springer Link - This chapter outlines doctrinal Buddhist political and economic theory including its notions about interstate relations, which are based on its unique understanding of the nature of reality. Some readers may be surprised to hear that there exists a theory of politics in Buddha’s teachings. But in fact, Buddha spoke extensively about politics, contrary to the assertion of Max Weber who famously asserted that Buddhism was “a specifically a-political and anti-political status religion.” Although the overriding goal of Buddha’s teachings is the liberation of individuals from pervasive suffering, Buddha consi...

  “Conquer the angry one by not getting angry; conquer the wicked by goodness; conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth. [Verse 223]” ― Siddhārtha Gautama, The Dhammapada

  235.   L ike a withered leaf are you now; death's messengers await you. You stand on the eve of your departure, yet you have made no provision for your journey! 236.   Make an island for yourself! Strive hard and become wise! Rid of impurities and cleansed of stain, you shall enter the celestial abode of the Noble Ones. 237.   Your life has come to an end now; You are setting forth into the presence of Yama, the king of death. No resting place is there for you on the way, yet you have made no provision for the journey! 238.   Make an island unto yourself! Strive hard and become wise! Rid of impurities and cleansed of stain, you shall not come again to birth and decay. 239.   One by one, little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should remove his own impurities, as a smith removes his dross from silver. 240.   Just as rust arising from iron eats away the base from which it arises, even so, their own deeds lead transgressors to states of woe. 244....

  The craving of one given to heedless living grows like a creeper. Like the monkey seeking fruits in the forest, he leaps from life to life (tasting the fruit of his kamma).   Whoever is overcome by this wretched and sticky craving, his sorrows grow like grass after the rains.   But whoever overcomes this wretched craving, so difficult to overcome, from him sorrows fall away like water from a lotus leaf. This I say to you: Good luck to all assembled here! Dig up the root of craving, like one in search of the fragrant root of the birana grass. Let not Mara crush you again and again, as a flood crushes a reed.   Just as a tree, though cut down, sprouts up again if its roots remain uncut and firm, even and again.  The misguided man in whom the thirty-six currents of craving strongly rush toward pleasurable objects, is swept away by the flood of his passionate thoughts.  [21]  Everywhere these currents flow, and the creeper (of craving) sprouts ...