Here is the blog post content:
The Buddha’s Quietism: Why True Buddhism Rejects Modern Activism
Many believe Buddhism demands social action, but a closer look reveals a profound quietist tradition focused on inner stillness rather than world-changing upheaval.
In contemporary discourse, Buddhism is often celebrated for its perceived alignment with progressive social activism. We see “Engaged Buddhism” championing climate action and social justice, with figures like Thích Nhất Hạnh cited as proof of this tradition. However, philosopher Ian James Kidd argues that this modern interpretation diverges significantly from the historical teachings attributed to the Buddha.
The core of traditional Buddhism lies not in reforming the impermanent world, but in the disciplined withdrawal from it. While the “Engaged Buddhist” sees compassion as a mandate to alter political and social conditions, the classical Buddhist outlook views the socio-political sphere as a realm of “burning” attachments. The Buddha’s silence on political issues was not an oversight, but a philosophical stance: systemic change is ultimately futile because social conditions are impermanent. Pouring energy into reforming a transient world is, in Buddhist terms, “heedless.”
Kidd highlights the superiority of the monastic life—the Sangha—as the true refuge for the spiritually serious. Unlike the chaotic world of “worldlings” driven by craving, the Sangha offers an intentional community governed by rules (Vinaya) designed to weaken the ego and its desires. This environment necessitates a withdrawal from the world, akin to the parable of the tortoise who retracts its limbs into its shell to escape the jackal. The goal is to protect the self from the corrupting influence of social entanglement.
Furthermore, the Buddha’s ethical guidelines, such as “Right Speech,” explicitly discourage the lowly topics of political gossip, war, and social strife. The ideal disposition is one of humility, contentment, and non-attachment—traits that stand in stark contrast to the ambition, divisiveness, and anger often fueling political activism.
Ultimately, the traditional Buddhist path is a “quietist” journey toward release (moksha), not reform. While the modern world urges us to “save the planet,” the Buddha’s ancient wisdom suggests that true liberation comes from saving oneself from the attachments that bind us to a burning world.
No Comments