Saturday 13 April 2013

Mind Creates the World

When I think of anarchy, I think of a way to relate to the world around me. Whether it be religion, politics or any other aspect of the external circumstances I find myself in. To me anarchy means the ability to think for oneself, rather that rely on others to think for me.

My understanding of Buddhist theory is, that the mind of an individual creates the world. If the mind ceases, the world ceases. This is also my understanding of actual reality based on my own observations. The first verse in Buddhist text called the Dhammapada says:


"Mind precedes created things; Mind’s their chief, from mind they spring. With tainted mind who speaks or acts, Pain trails that man like the wheel trails ox-tracks."


The Buddhist theory also states that everyone is responsible for their own actions. If you do something wrong, it is your fault. The same principle applies if you do something good, it is your merit.

Anarchistic approach to Buddhism is to see for oneself if these teachings hold true or not. If they turn out to be a bunch of lies, then off with Buddhism. According to the Pali Canon, the Buddha himself encouraged people to make up their own minds.

Another method an anarchist uses when studying Buddhism, is to actually practice what the Buddha said, and not just talk about what the Buddha said. You can talk about these teachings your entire life and never put them in any use. How on earth could you ever find out that way?