Trump -- from a Buddhist Perspective

I am a liberal who grew up in the 50's and 60's.  That being said, it took me a while to deal with my feelings over the outcome of the recent election in America.  While I am appalled at the majority of the statements and opinions that came out of Donald Trump's mouth during the campaign, his supporters and his selection of advisors, I realize that it's time for me to look at it from a Buddhist perspective.


Gautama Buddha (also known as Shakyamuni - "Sage of the Shakyas") preached the Lotus Sutra prior to his death and stated to his followers that it was the most important of all his teachings.  His primary point was that ALL beings are endowed with a Buddha nature and can find it within themselves.  Unfortunately, many people go through life not knowing or understanding this important concept.

The 20th chapter of the Lotus Sutra tells the story of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging.  This monk would bow to each and every person he met and say “I would never dare disparage you, for you are all certain to attain Buddhahood!” (The Lotus Sutra, trans. Burton Watson, p. 267).  In return, he was heaped with abuse and scorn by the people he encountered..  They thought, "Who is this person to say he will not disparage me?"  No matter what happened to him, Buddha Never Disparaging continued his practice of acknowledging the Buddhahood of everyone he met.

How does this apply to  me here and now in the 21st century?  It is a longstanding tradition in Buddhism that actions are more important than class, race, gender or status.  While I may not like anything at all that Donald Trump stands for, he still has a Buddha nature, no matter how deeply buried.  Our culture, indeed even Trump himself, has mired itself in the "us vs. them" mentality that separates and divides us.  The Buddhist concept of the oneness of self and environment shows how false this is.  We are not separate from our environment or each other.  

My solution is this:  through chanting, I change myself.  As I change myself, I stand up and take action to change my environment.  

So. . .  Mr. Trump. . . while I will not slander you and I will honor your Buddha nature, it's time to fight for the changes I want to see.  I will Never Give Up!