<p><strong>It's all about money and power</strong></p>

<p>In modern world , almost everything happens according to money and power. So people and governments try to have money and power . Some people try to get those by force. We call them terrorists . And there are terrorist governments as well. There is a huge competition nowadays to be the richest or the most powerful.</p>

<p><strong>But why...</strong></p>

<p>Let's ask why those things happen. There is one simple answer. Greed.
It is one of the worst qualities one can have , greed drives people crazy. Never ending desires , anger , jealousy and suffering , everything above is happening because of greed . </p>

<p>So according to Buddhism, we have to get rid of greed , then only we will be able to create a better world than this. We have to make ourselves better first, if everyone thought it that way , the whole community will be better eventually, we can't change government, we can't change the world, only way we can change the way world works is to change ourselves. To do that Buddhism will help a lot. Everyone should follow the path to nirvana. If we all did this , those cruelty, terrorism and rudeness will fade away. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-15T11:34:36.277Z
2016-12-15T11:34:36.277Z
lasan
<hr>

<p>The significance of Buddhism is the same as it ever was. The modern age is nothing special unless we believe it is and belief is the problem according to the Buddha's teaching.</p>

<p>We have beliefs, opinions, religions  and assumptions that we cling to and they causes borders, wars and terrorism. </p>

<p>Buddhism ideally teaches us the difference between our assumptions and beliefs and What is arising in one's present moment experience. </p>

<p>Buddhists have beliefs of course but the idea is to understand the difference of what is and what is conceptual. This understanding is a big part of what will lead one to less suffering.The more we understand, the less greed, anger, ignorance and suffering we have until we are liberated.</p>

<p>Buddhism teaches that the purest truth is found in each one's individual experience and not so much in a system of government.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-15T20:23:48.393Z
2016-12-15T20:23:48.393Z
Lowbrow
<p>Buddhism has within it a vision for a perfect world. However Buddhism has never had the agenda to create a perfect world because Buddhism comprehends the majority of the world is immersed in ignorance &amp; the world is ruled by 'gods' (the tyrants) that hoodwink the people to finance via taxation, vote for, fight &amp; die in their wars (as shown in the top left triangle of the picture). </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/J9AVO.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/J9AVO.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>For example, most Western people cannot even see that it is their own governments &amp; their political allies that are financing &amp; arming the terrorists for economic &amp; political aims. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WkFLz.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WkFLz.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Xmfdq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Xmfdq.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Thus Buddhism states:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>170. One who looks upon the world as a bubble and a mirage, him the King of Death sees not.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>171. Come! Behold this world, which is like a decorated royal chariot. Here fools flounder, but the wise have no attachment to it</em></p>
  
  <p><em>58. Upon a heap of rubbish in the road-side ditch blooms a lotus, fragrant and pleasing.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>59. Even so, on the rubbish heap of blinded mortals the disciple of the Supremely Enlightened One shines resplendent in wisdom.</em></p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Dhammapada</em></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>For example, only last week did President Obama waive the US Arms Export Act so weapons of murder &amp; death could be freely sold to terrorists fighting for US goals in Syria. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/9elpW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/9elpW.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>December 8, 2016</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Presidential Determination No. 2017-05</em></p>
  
  <p><em>MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE</em></p>
  
  <p><em>SUBJECT: Presidential Determination and Waiver Pursuant to Section 2249a of Title 10, United States Code, and Sections 40 and 40A of the
  Arms Export Control Act to Support U.S. Special Operations to Combat
  Terrorism in Syria</em></p>
  
  <p><em>I hereby: determine that the transaction, encompassing the provision of defense articles and services to foreign forces, irregular forces,
  groups, or individuals engaged in supporting or facilitating ongoing
  U.S. military operations to counter terrorism in Syria, is essential
  to the national security interests of the United States.</em></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/08/presidential-determination-and-waiver-pursuant-section-2249a-title-10" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Presidential Determination No. 2017-05</em></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LKPuE.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LKPuE.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>The terrorists are funded by US political allies &amp; both the USA and the terrorists have caused a refugee crisis in Europe from lands (Libya &amp; Syria) destroyed by the USA, NATO, its Wahhabi allies &amp; the terrorists. Yet most Western people still believe the terrorists are Muslims that hate the West. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/9hbXu.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/9hbXu.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2sqRm.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2sqRm.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>Al Qaeda’s Abdelhakim Belhadj poses with US Senator John McCain. McCain’s lobbying would play a part in securing Al Qaeda and its
  affiliates with sufficient arms to overthrow the secular government of
  Muammar Qaddafi in Libya. Soon after, these terrorists and their
  weapons would find their way to Syria via NATO-member Turkey.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/u85Oj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/u85Oj.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ywoRE.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ywoRE.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>There are even Western Buddhist monks (<a href="https://buddhistglobalrelief.me/2016/11/09/a-trump-presidency-need-not-be-the-end-times/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>) that greive when the war maker Hilary Clinton loses the election in favour of Donald Trump who at least said America should not be supporting wars in Syria &amp; the Middle East. One of the rationales of this monk was Mr Trump did not support abortion for women. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>Posted on November 9, 2016 by Bhikkhu Bodhi</em></p>
  
  <p><em>It was with feelings of shock and dismay that early this morning I woke up to learn that Donald Trump had been elected president of the
  United States.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/SzGse.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/SzGse.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KJuHc.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KJuHc.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>When people are so easily fooled like this, including by Western Buddhist monks, change cannot occur &amp; danger cannot be escaped.</p>

<p>Since as Buddhists we cannot make war, we must prepare for the worst &amp; learn to let go.  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>The Dhamma-Sacca of Samatha-Vipassana for the Nuclear Age</em> </p>
  
  <p><em>The nuclear age form of Dhamma prepares all people to face the events of our nuclear era: events of war and events of peace. It also
  prepares us for the general events in the daily lives of human beings.
  In the case of war, if nuclear war occurs, what sort of Dhamma will
  enable the mind to face such horrible dangers and punishment? With
  peace, what knowledge is needed regarding this situation in which
  there is still this nuclear age kind of peace?</em> </p>
  
  <p><em>Nowadays, what are people doing that we call this "The Nuclear Age"? They can go up to the moon, circle it, land on it, and come back to
  earth. They can send vehicles to look at, explore, and go beyond the
  planets.</em> </p>
  
  <p><em>Obviously, this kind of progress leads to strange and powerful results. In Dhamma language, we call these results atimahantaramana
  (ati, extreme; mahanta, great; aramana, things known or felt, things
  which strike or make contact). They are sense objects that powerfully
  strike the mind in the form of dukkha (suffering). Why don't we take a
  happier view of the situation? Because that's impossible. Material
  progress that leads people to be infatuated with sensual pleasure and
  stimulation blocks the way to peace. Even though we may be enjoying
  some delicious sensual pleasures now, such sense experiences support
  and increase defilement (kilesa), especially the defilement of
  selfishness. With selfishness reaching extreme levels, there's no
  peace in sight. Therefore, we can see only these undesirable things
  that we have created.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>In this nuclear age, such dangers can come at any time. Although we may have parents and children, it's as if we had no one. Then who will
  help us? What will help? I think that Dhamma will help us, which means
  the Buddha will help us.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Realize aniccam, dukkham and anatta (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self). Realize sunnata (voidness,
  selflessness), tathata (thusness), and then idappaccayata
  (conditionality). Penetrate to these realizations with every
  exhalation and inhalation - that's the most important issue. That's
  what's best, having Dhamma that keeps one calm and quiet in all
  circumstances.</em></p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.buddhadasa.com/naturaltruth/samatha1.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Samatha-Vipassana for the Nuclear Age</em></a></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-15T05:35:02.507Z
2016-12-15T10:14:35.730Z
2016-12-15T10:14:35.730Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>i would like to know the answer to the question from your point of view:
what is the significance of buddhism in this age of terrorism, tyrannies and insolence?  </p>

<ethics><modern-world>
significance of buddhism in this age of terrorism tyrannies and insolence
# significance of buddhism in this age of terrorism tyrannies and insolence

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-12-15)

i would like to know the answer to the question from your point of view:
what is the significance of buddhism in this age of terrorism, tyrannies and insolence?

**Tags:** ethics, modern-world


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-12-15. Score: 3

**It's all about money and power**

In modern world , almost everything happens according to money and power. So people and governments try to have money and power . Some people try to get those by force. We call them terrorists . And there are terrorist governments as well. There is a huge competition nowadays to be the richest or the most powerful.

**But why...**

Let's ask why those things happen. There is one simple answer. Greed.
It is one of the worst qualities one can have , greed drives people crazy. Never ending desires , anger , jealousy and suffering , everything above is happening because of greed .

So according to Buddhism, we have to get rid of greed , then only we will be able to create a better world than this. We have to make ourselves better first, if everyone thought it that way , the whole community will be better eventually, we can't change government, we can't change the world, only way we can change the way world works is to change ourselves. To do that Buddhism will help a lot. Everyone should follow the path to nirvana. If we all did this , those cruelty, terrorism and rudeness will fade away.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-12-15. Score: 1

---

The significance of Buddhism is the same as it ever was. The modern age is nothing special unless we believe it is and belief is the problem according to the Buddha's teaching.

We have beliefs, opinions, religions and assumptions that we cling to and they causes borders, wars and terrorism.

Buddhism ideally teaches us the difference between our assumptions and beliefs and What is arising in one's present moment experience.

Buddhists have beliefs of course but the idea is to understand the difference of what is and what is conceptual. This understanding is a big part of what will lead one to less suffering.The more we understand, the less greed, anger, ignorance and suffering we have until we are liberated.

Buddhism teaches that the purest truth is found in each one's individual experience and not so much in a system of government.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-12-15. Score: 0

Buddhism has within it a vision for a perfect world. However Buddhism has never had the agenda to create a perfect world because Buddhism comprehends the majority of the world is immersed in ignorance & the world is ruled by 'gods' (the tyrants) that hoodwink the people to finance via taxation, vote for, fight & die in their wars (as shown in the top left triangle of the picture).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/J9AVO.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/J9AVO.jpg)

For example, most Western people cannot even see that it is their own governments & their political allies that are financing & arming the terrorists for economic & political aims.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/WkFLz.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/WkFLz.jpg)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Xmfdq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Xmfdq.jpg)

Thus Buddhism states:

> *170. One who looks upon the world as a bubble and a mirage, him the King of Death sees not.*
>
> *171. Come! Behold this world, which is like a decorated royal chariot. Here fools flounder, but the wise have no attachment to it*
>
> *58. Upon a heap of rubbish in the road-side ditch blooms a lotus, fragrant and pleasing.*
>
> *59. Even so, on the rubbish heap of blinded mortals the disciple of the Supremely Enlightened One shines resplendent in wisdom.*
>
> [*Dhammapada*](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/index.html)

For example, only last week did President Obama waive the US Arms Export Act so weapons of murder & death could be freely sold to terrorists fighting for US goals in Syria.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/9elpW.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/9elpW.jpg)

> *December 8, 2016*
>
> *Presidential Determination No. 2017-05*
>
> *MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE*
>
> *SUBJECT: Presidential Determination and Waiver Pursuant to Section 2249a of Title 10, United States Code, and Sections 40 and 40A of the
> Arms Export Control Act to Support U.S. Special Operations to Combat
> Terrorism in Syria*
>
> *I hereby: determine that the transaction, encompassing the provision of defense articles and services to foreign forces, irregular forces,
> groups, or individuals engaged in supporting or facilitating ongoing
> U.S. military operations to counter terrorism in Syria, is essential
> to the national security interests of the United States.*
>
> [*Presidential Determination No. 2017-05*](https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/08/presidential-determination-and-waiver-pursuant-section-2249a-title-10)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/LKPuE.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/LKPuE.png)

The terrorists are funded by US political allies & both the USA and the terrorists have caused a refugee crisis in Europe from lands (Libya & Syria) destroyed by the USA, NATO, its Wahhabi allies & the terrorists. Yet most Western people still believe the terrorists are Muslims that hate the West.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/9hbXu.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/9hbXu.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2sqRm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/2sqRm.jpg)

> *Al Qaeda’s Abdelhakim Belhadj poses with US Senator John McCain. McCain’s lobbying would play a part in securing Al Qaeda and its
> affiliates with sufficient arms to overthrow the secular government of
> Muammar Qaddafi in Libya. Soon after, these terrorists and their
> weapons would find their way to Syria via NATO-member Turkey.*

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/u85Oj.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/u85Oj.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ywoRE.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ywoRE.jpg)

There are even Western Buddhist monks ([here](https://buddhistglobalrelief.me/2016/11/09/a-trump-presidency-need-not-be-the-end-times/)) that greive when the war maker Hilary Clinton loses the election in favour of Donald Trump who at least said America should not be supporting wars in Syria & the Middle East. One of the rationales of this monk was Mr Trump did not support abortion for women.

> *Posted on November 9, 2016 by Bhikkhu Bodhi*
>
> *It was with feelings of shock and dismay that early this morning I woke up to learn that Donald Trump had been elected president of the
> United States.*

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/SzGse.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/SzGse.jpg)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/KJuHc.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/KJuHc.png)

When people are so easily fooled like this, including by Western Buddhist monks, change cannot occur & danger cannot be escaped.

Since as Buddhists we cannot make war, we must prepare for the worst & learn to let go.

> *The Dhamma-Sacca of Samatha-Vipassana for the Nuclear Age*
>
> *The nuclear age form of Dhamma prepares all people to face the events of our nuclear era: events of war and events of peace. It also
> prepares us for the general events in the daily lives of human beings.
> In the case of war, if nuclear war occurs, what sort of Dhamma will
> enable the mind to face such horrible dangers and punishment? With
> peace, what knowledge is needed regarding this situation in which
> there is still this nuclear age kind of peace?*
>
> *Nowadays, what are people doing that we call this "The Nuclear Age"? They can go up to the moon, circle it, land on it, and come back to
> earth. They can send vehicles to look at, explore, and go beyond the
> planets.*
>
> *Obviously, this kind of progress leads to strange and powerful results. In Dhamma language, we call these results atimahantaramana
> (ati, extreme; mahanta, great; aramana, things known or felt, things
> which strike or make contact). They are sense objects that powerfully
> strike the mind in the form of dukkha (suffering). Why don't we take a
> happier view of the situation? Because that's impossible. Material
> progress that leads people to be infatuated with sensual pleasure and
> stimulation blocks the way to peace. Even though we may be enjoying
> some delicious sensual pleasures now, such sense experiences support
> and increase defilement (kilesa), especially the defilement of
> selfishness. With selfishness reaching extreme levels, there's no
> peace in sight. Therefore, we can see only these undesirable things
> that we have created.*
>
> *In this nuclear age, such dangers can come at any time. Although we may have parents and children, it's as if we had no one. Then who will
> help us? What will help? I think that Dhamma will help us, which means
> the Buddha will help us.*
>
> *Realize aniccam, dukkham and anatta (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self). Realize sunnata (voidness,
> selflessness), tathata (thusness), and then idappaccayata
> (conditionality). Penetrate to these realizations with every
> exhalation and inhalation - that's the most important issue. That's
> what's best, having Dhamma that keeps one calm and quiet in all
> circumstances.*
>
> [*Samatha-Vipassana for the Nuclear Age*](http://www.buddhadasa.com/naturaltruth/samatha1.html)


---

