Mindful Politics: A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place (Paperback)

by Melvin McLeod (Editor)
Key Phrases: using shih, gross national happiness, loving speech, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sun Tzu, Chögyam Trungpa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This collection of essays on a Buddhist approach to politics is far-ranging. We see contributions from Buddhists engaged in politics, whether religious figures like the Dalai Lama and Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh or Zen student and political leader Jerry Brown, as well as a wide variety of Buddhist teachers and practitioners. McLeod, who edits two Buddhist periodicals and an annual anthology of Buddhist writing, skillfully organizes the diverse writings by using the categories that describe Buddhism's noble eightfold path. Contributions vary in quality. Nhat Hanh is clear as a Zen sitting-room bell; the precepts of his Order of Interbeing community are specific, and he can draw on decades of peace work to illustrate that what he says is not merely possible but has already been done. Scholar Rita Gross offers fresh insight about the anger of righteousness that often motivates political involvement. Other contributions are woolly or left over from the 1960s; bell hooks's use of leftisms ("imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy") draws on stale ideology. Margaret Wheatley does important work in community and leadership development, but should avoid writing bad poetry to express her views. Despite unevenness, this anthology usefully disputes Buddhism's reputation as apolitical. Buddhism is quiet but not quietistic. (Aug.)
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Product Description

Just in time for the crucial 2006 Congressional elections, Mindful Politics goes beyond right and left to get to the heart of what matters, and how everyone can participate in real political change. Mindful Politics is not a typical political book. It's not written at fever pitch, it doesn’t employ the usual good vs. bad binary, it doesn't get hung up on specific issues or policies, and it's not even specifically "American." Instead, this timely book addresses the less-discussed but more important aspects of politics, such as whether religion — any religion, including Buddhism — has something to offer politics. It also discusses how dealing with emotional issues can help the activist move beyond the particulars of legislation and policy, so that personal growth and effective advocacy can occur together. Noted editor Melvin McLeod offers a brief, contextualizing introduction for each of these essays.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (July 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861712986
• ISBN-13: 978-0861712984
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #527,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating, August 7, 2006

By	Joel T. Patterson (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not Buddhist, but I am very politically active, and that's why I decided to check out this book. 2006 looks to be a year of changes, probably because the powerful have become disconnected from reality, and a group of people who have questioned the "reality" and dared to think in new ways are pushing forward. The essays in this book encourage the reader to question assumptions... especially the assumption that Buddhists are above politics. The last, best essay by Sam Harris poses the most subversive question: would getting rid of the religion of Buddhism make the world a better place?

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buddha at War, December 5, 2006

By	David C. Warlick (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is excellent. My son ordered 3 Buddhist books at the same time for a term paper concerning war. This was far and away the best of the three. It is a collection of essays, some of which touch on war. The essays are well worth reading.