Question
Hello, Kosen,
The future of France, or rather French society, frightens me. Since the attacks, and even before, there has clearly been an ethnic and religious divide in certain places, a phenomenon that seems to be growing with the large influx of migrants. On the other side, "native" French people commit racist or anti-Muslim acts.
Of course, the media and politicians do everything they can to make matters worse and play with fire.
People often say Zen does not mean cutting ourselves off from the world, everyday life, or society.
But is individual zazen enough, as people also say, to change all beings positively? Can one person's zazen really transform the world?
What do you think, then, of political engagement? Should Zen become political? Create a fraternal, peaceful organization?
Is Matthieu Ricard, as a political and media figure, an example?
See you very soon.
maxxime
Answer from Master Kosen
Politics belongs to the world of suffering, the world of passions synonymous with ignorance, attachment, and desire, producing in us three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion. This is precisely what we aim to heal through Zen teaching.
The essence of Buddhism is practicing dhyana, called "zazen" in Japanese, which heals the wounds of our opinions, mistakes, and karma because
it connects us to our inner Buddha, who is, among other things, deep peace and universal love.
Why, then, should we add vinegar to an excellent organic wine without sulfites?
I would say that what I claim are my political ideas are not really mine, because what I believe to be my ego lacks an autonomous self and is not self-sufficient. It is composite, not one.
This is why zazen practice is preferable for a monk to political opinions: it pacifies and brings all humanity together within one's Buddha practice.
It is the most powerful prayer and produces unlimited benefit for all beings.
Kosen