Theme Speech at the Dharma Meeting celebrating
Chinese Lunar New Year and Birthday of Maitreya Buddha
5th February, 2000 -
Chinese New Year Day of the Year of Dragon
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We should be concerned about the society and all sentient beings. The concrete application of such concerns is the solving of sentient beings' sufferings through practice in healing and practice in society. An important ingredient of practice in society is the concern for politics. We should understand that concern for politics does not mean involving in politics. To be concerned about politics is not the same as to be involved in politics. In truth, to be concerned about the society and the sufferings of sentient beings, in itself, is both a rational religious concept and a rational political concept. Therefore, to show concern about society and sentient beings, in a way, is also political. Ultimately speaking, religion and politics are not separable. The existence, development, and growth of religions involve obvious elements of politics. Therefore, we should not incorrectly think or identify "concern about society and concern about sentient beings" as involvement in politics. Only with a balance of politics, religion, teachings, and rational concepts can a society maintain its peace and stability. |
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