Buddhism and Marxism

[aneerkoinos]

Here's what HH Dalai Lama says about Marxism:

"Q: You have often stated that you would like to achieve a synthesis between Buddhism and Marxism. What is the appeal of Marxism for you?

A: Of all the modern economic theories, the economic system of Marxism is founded on moral principles, while capitalism is concerned only with gain and profitability. Marxism is concerned with the distribution of wealth on an equal basis and the equitable utilization of the means of production. It is also concerned with the fate of the working classes--that is, the majority--as well as with the fate of those who are underprivileged and in need, and Marxism cares about the victims of minority-imposed exploitation. For those reasons the system appeals to me, and it seems fair. I just recently read an article in a paper where His Holiness the Pope also pointed out some positive aspects of Marxism.

As for the failure of the Marxist regimes, first of all I do not consider the former USSR, or China, or even Vietnam, to have been true Marxist regimes, for they were far more concerned with their narrow national interests than with the Workers' International; this is why there were conflicts, for example, between China and the USSR, or between China and Vietnam. If those three regimes had truly been based upon Marxist principles, those conflicts would never have occurred.

I think the major flaw of the Marxist regimes is that they have placed too much emphasis on the need to destroy the ruling class, on class struggle, and this causes them to encourage hatred and to neglect compassion. Although their initial aim might have been to serve the cause of the majority, when they try to implement it all their energy is deflected into destructive activities. Once the revolution is over and the ruling class is destroyed, there is nor much left to offer the people; at this point the entire country is impoverished and unfortunately it is almost as if the initial aim were to become poor. I think that this is due to the lack of human solidarity and compassion. The principal disadvantage of such a regime is the insistence placed on hatred to the detriment of compassion.

The failure of the regime in the former Soviet Union was, for me, not the failure of Marxism but the failure of totalitarianism. For this reason I still think of myself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist."

http://hhdl.dharmakara.net/hhdlquotes1.html#marxism

[LostInAnomie]

1. I absolutely agree.

It is a damn shame that Marxism will forever be equated with totalitarianism, and that most people are too ignorant to ever tell the difference.

[brainpan]

8. OK

Why is it a shame that people cant distinguish between Marxism and totalitarianism? Forgive my ignorance, but isnt Marxism totalitarian by nature?

[catbert836]

9. No, you're thinking of Stalinism.

See, when V. I. Lenin started his revolution in Russia, everything was very democratic, and he had plans for the Soviet union to be a people's democracy. But he died in 1924, and the man to take his place was J. V. Stalin. Stalin didn't believe in democracy, and was such a paranoid dictator that he had more Russian people killed than Hitler had during the Holocaust. So when communism's moment came to spread beyond Russia, it was Stalin's version of Marxism that spread to China, Korea, Vietnam, Cmbodia, Eastern Europe etc. rather than Lenin or Trotsky's democratic version.
So to answer your question simply, no. It's just humans misinterpreting it that has made it totalitarian.

[newswolf56]

2. Thank you for posting this. I'm astounded there's been...

...so little commentary, especially given how the realities of the global economy -- particularly the steadily worsened conditions of working families here in BushWorld -- are renewing the relevance of Marxism and Marxist thought.

I would also be especially interested in reading commentary on Marxism and environmentalism (yes I know the dreadful environmental record of the USSR and China but note the Dalai Lama's comments on how Soviet or Chinese tyranny is not Marxism). It would be especially interesting to read a speculative essay on Marxism and neoPaganism -- particularly since, at its core, neoPaganism is an attempt to reconnect spiritually with the Earth and Cosmos, just as Marxism is an attempt to recreate on a national scale the economic security of allegedly "primitive" peoples: societies that recognized personal property (tools, ornaments, musical instruments, weapons etc.) but nevertheless held all resources in common and thus (like a huge extended family) provided for all members.

This sort of reading I would make time for even if I were otherwise overwhelmed.

Edit: "no commentary" changed to "so little commentary."

[aneerkoinos]

3. Socialism & "gnostic" neopaganism

You might like this link, with tons of stuff:

http://www.gnostics.com/

IMO social(ist) and spiritual/philosophical evolution are two inseparable aspects of human dasein.

[aneerkoinos]

4. What kind of socialist is HH DL?

Based on underlining the importance of internationalism, I would say that he's a bloody Trot! :D

[Zorbuddha]

6. Everything in moderation

So, are you half Marxist, half Buddhist, and half bloody Trot?

[applegrove]

5. I am always for separation of church & state. n/t

[catbert836]

7. Which half of him is Bhuddist?

n/t