I know very little about politics but I know a good government should work for the people and not for self-benefit. A party’s power is not a privilege like that of antiquated kings. A party in power is here empowered by the people to serve the people and not the other way round. It may all seem naive, and some tell me there’s no perfect governance where we can have win-win situations. I’m aware of that. I’m not looking for a perfect solution to all our problems but simply action based on believable sincerity to truly serve.
In history, we learnt that an excellent ruler does not necessarily have to be advanced in years. The greatest emperor of the Han dynasty, who was one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history (Emperor Wu of Han) ascended the throne at 15. Queen Elizabeth the 1st, who led the Great Britain to it’s only golden age ascended the throne at 25. Have we forgotten how we detest it when some use age as authority to mock us with their salt versus rice idiom? Didn’t we fight through our youth to disprove this misleading saying with our proven capabilities? Age is just a number, not a measure of wisdom. Maturity does not always tag with age but always with wisdom. With sincerity, maturity and wisdom, one will be the best for the people.
My vote is not for me. Like many Singaporeans, I have a fairly good life. My vote will be for the underprivileged and needy, no matter how small or insignificant it will be. I want to see a more caring and balanced government who has us at heart. I’m sure you too.
Reminds me of a saying,
“Let them eat cake.”
To be frank, I’ve not much interest in politics.
It’s not that I dun care, but “care” can come in so many ways. And having worked in both big & small organisations, I’ve come to understand that even for one single matter, it is so different to different people,
as each and everyone of us often already have a fixed point of view, whether we acknowledge it or not.
I felt I’ve learnt much from this GE, though I’ve personally not said much. Afterall, I’ve close to zero knowledge on such matters.
For one thing, it’s “interesting” to note, that those who lived in better-off areas, will probably have less contact with those not as well-off. Probably just like how Buddha, when he was a prince, did not know what was old age, sickness and death. And hence, it is hard for them to comprehend the discontent of others.
Sometimes, just hearing 2 people “discussing” about the recent GE, is like watching 2 people “fighting” in different dimensions.
We are not asking for perfection,
just better listening, understanding and actions.
But in the end,
this is our country,
our responsibility,
to do what we can, with what we have,
for people around us.
This is an independent nation,
which relies on the interdependence of its people.
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Politics affect the way people lives. From the choices we make for ourselves and lives under a set of operating conditions approved by a parliament, a simple change can make man or break them. It can foster the growth of Dharma or hamper the growth of Dharma. Even meat has politics too especially when one’s country is into farming and part of the nation’s revenue depends on it as well. Any nation who boycott the supply chain may cause unhappiness on a national scale. Therefore it is important that a government is well represented by people from different walks of beliefs becos some beliefs have ceilings which people dun dare to bypass. For Buddhist, the sky’s has no limits becos only when it’s unlimited are you truly free.
If u subscribe to an ideology that either you are with us or else you are against us. There is no way such an attitude can have a breakthrough becos every help given to those who are not in your league sends a conflicting signal that you endorses the ideology of the people whether directly or indirectly. In Buddhism, come whatever devil, demons, monsters, ghosts, beasts, the path of enlightenment is open to all. What makes devil and demons evil is not becos they are devils and demons. Rather the line that differentiate good demons and bad one is on which path are you on and heading towards. A demon who picks up the dharma and abide by the laws of Dharma and itĆ¢ā¬ā¢s practice becomes a good demon which eventually see oneself shedding the demon image and eventually into a Buddha, one becomes.
In politics, any capable team with the support of people may eventually become a government. What makes a good govt and bad govt? The motivation and the direction that one takes concludes the type of life the people will lead whether in weal or woe. Different govt believes in different ways and quantum in caring for their people. When a party have members that are not from the same party, the same mentality of not one of us is against us automatically falls into place. They may bicker and fight but if the reason is for the good of the people, they are on the same path but they expresses their concern differently becos they simply have different concerns. Like what the Dalai Lama put across, whether u have a belief or not, everybody can do well with a little bit more of compassion.
It’s difficult to be a leader,
but that’s no excuse to be complacant either.
Actually all suffer,
if none is able to look past one’s own point of view.
There’re those who do not understand other’s sufferings,
there’re those who do not understand one’s own sufferings.
one question though that came into my mind,
how does one draw a line that doesn’t divide?
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because we so frequently draw them without realising.
When there’s no line. You dunno how to begin it and end it within a certain mental construct that aims to be applicable to all. This world is constructed from our minds where we are the actual architect of our own samsara and our own nirvana. May all be free.
Which is why the Buddhas do not discriminate. Unceasingly they work for the liberation of all without feeling tired, like a sun whoĆ¢ā¬ā¢s rays penetrate every crevices without restraint, without discrimination towards gender, race, attributes, religions, nationalities and even our moral inclinations nourishing all. Whether we be a light to others or darkness, itĆ¢ā¬ā¢s a choice.
(H)
When there’s no line, you need not think of where to begin something that is different. Just start with equanimity. If we keep thinking we need a ‘beginning’ to know how to end an error, it just don’t make sense. E.g. Do we have to kill to repent? Or to simply not kill?