I will do my best to help you with your questions. I hope my answers are helpful enough for your purposes.

I do not find a problem with influencing the political views of people with whom I have contact because political views are an expression of someones inner morality and ideals. I believe it is my job as a monk to help others see a more compassionate and beneficial way to live. One’s morality and ideals would normally change once they have more insight into themselves. For instance, maybe someone is in a lot of inner pain, and as an expression of this pain they have many aggressive tendencies. This may then line up with having politcal views in favor of war or killing. Then, after one has visited the temple and perhaps talked to a monk or heard a Dharma talk, they may have been given some understand about their condition. They realize their pain and are able to heal it. After this experience they might see all people are equal, not good or bad, and thereby would rather support politicians who would try to advert a war. This would be an example of one’s political views changing through contacting us.

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The first step of the Buddhist path is the cultivation of virtue and ethic. As a foundation of Buddhist practice, one is encouraged to practice the 5 precepts (also called the 5 mindfulness trainings). These 5 trainings are a way for us lessen our harmful impact on ourselves and our environment. The trainings are:

1. Not killing / Protection of life

2. Not steal / Respect for property

3. Not engage in sexual misconduct / Sexual responsibility

4. Not lying / Honest communication

5. Not to use drugs or alcohol / Mindful consumption

The precepts are original given in the form of action in which we will refrain from doing, for instance not to kill. As we practice not killing, eventually the opposite arises in us and we begin consciously protecting and respecting life. Through our practice, we start to become aware of the intricate connectedness of all things. We see that that our actions create results, and those results affect us. When we become more mindful of this fact, it becomes harder to cause any sort of external harm because we know that we are also hurting ourselves. A personal example I can give is from a time that I vaccuumed my bedroom. When I finished, I looked into our hallway and noticed it was also dirty. Then I looked into the bedrooms of my fellow monks and they were dirty as well. Although I only wanted a clean room for myself, I knew that if the rooms of the others monks were dirty, that dirt would be brought into the hallway and eventually end up back in my room as well. Cleaning the rooms of the other monks was the best way to ensure that my room stays clean as well. I hope you understand what I mean.

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3. This question is not so black and white for me. I do not see a “should” or “should not” in the answer. Nothing is so absolute. There are many factors involved to be able to answer such a question. I would first ask what is the goal of the monk? If the monk wishes to attain liberation then I would encourage them to study and practice and meditate. I would not encourage them to be a part of time and energy consuming political affairs. If that monk wishes to be of social use and to benefit others, then I would be more inclined to encourage them to look into politics. I personally believe that monks have a very high moral standard and are more concerned with greater good and less concerned with the 8 winds (Gain/Loss, Pleasure/Pain, Fame/Disrepute, Praise/Blame). There are also examples of monks such as the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama who are quite socially active and have gained an incredible amount of public support due to the depth of their understanding and purity of their hearts. Monks serve as role models for human beings and I believe that they can benefit many beings if they are in a position to be seen and make decisions. I would only hope their practice is strong enough to support their aspirations :)

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4. This is an age-old problem for many monks throughout time. We are somehow social renunciates but also somehow still a part of the society. The recent protests of the monks in Burma and Tibet is one example of how monks attempt to correct social problems. We can also communicate well with the community as we deeply trusted members of the society. The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, during and after the time of the Vietnam War, made great strives to bring about social resolution in his country. Writing books, forming groups, giving talks, informing others of the situation, and teaching understanding amongst people were some of the ways that he raised support. Sometimes we are successful and at other times not, but I would say that it is very important for monks to continue their practice in the most desperate times. As I have said, our actions affect those around us, if we fall into hatred and bias then we are of no use to ourselves and of no use to others. With a firm mind and altruistic intention we can do many things and have great power. The ultimate outcomes however are up to our karma.

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Happy New Year Brother, good luck with your report.

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In the Dharma,

Brother Hue Chuyen

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