Although a “blessing” implies an external giver of a gift, democracy requires human effort to achieve and maintain. Recent events in Chinese occupied Tibet and the military junta crackdowns in Myanmar show that without dedicated people standing up for human rights, great suffering can occur. Zen Buddhists embrace democracy as a good form of government as it allows the expression of service and compassion without dictatorial controls or forced adherence to atheistic or theogistic dogma.
Still, without awareness and vigilance even democracies will embrace separateness and bigotry under the guise of national or economic security. Do American Muslims or Americans of Hispanic descent in Arizona feel the benefits of democracy? Buddhists will vote, peacefully protest, and support the human rights of all regardless of a government’s political philosophy.
Like a mist at dawn,
Governments will come and go.
Compassion is now.
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