[vn-families] The Buddhist Contribution to Good Governance and Development

[Pham, Quoc Binh]

Cha`o qui' vi.,

Ba`i na`y co' nhie^`u y' kie^'n hay, a'p du.ng cho ca'c vi. la~nh dda.o,
ca'c ba^.c la`m cha me.\.

Cha`o

28.5, Vie^.t Li.ch: 4886, Pha^.t Li.ch: 2551, Ta^y Li.ch: 2007, DDinh
Ho+.i

Pha.m Quo^'c Bi`nh
http://vmdd.tech.mylinuxisp.com/buddhism/

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Source: 
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119043

Zen master: Love, compassion the key

Vietnamese-born Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh Monday reflected
on power, its abuse, and on the power of love and compassion
to transform persons, families, corporations and national
governments.

"We may become victims of our own power," he warned gently,
"if we don't have a spiritual life. If you look around us,
you will see many famous people or powerful people who have
become victims of their own power and suffer deeply."

When we ourselves suffer, he explained, carefully and caringly,
we carry that suffering to others, whether we are leaders in
a government or a business, or fathers or mothers in families.

He stated simply that all decision makers  whether in political
or economic arenas  should take spiritual care of themselves and
their families and loved ones first, as part of their spiritual
exercise of loving their countries and the world.

By taking care of themselves, regularly and seriously, they
become more healthy, loving and wholesome so as to run their
countries smoothly and work openly towards solving all problems.

"With the practice of mindful walking and breathing, they can
transform their government, the parliament into a kind of family,
where people can listen to each and learn from each other,
and work with harmony and compassion."

"A good leader should be free from anger. They should be always
knowledgeable, ready to love and forgive others," said Mr. Hanh,
adding that the abuse of power might destroy a country.

The Zen master made the statements Monday morning at United
Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok in his keynote speech
addressed to Buddhist leaders from 61 countries participating
in the Fourth International Buddhism conference organised by
Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University in Bangkok. The gathering
was to mark the world Visakha Puja Day falling on May 31.

Mr. Hanh began his group in Vietnam, but moved to France and was
exiled for many years by the communist government. He lives in
what he calls Plum Village Monastery in southern France. He
dresses in black to differentiate himself from traditional
Vietnamese monks, although he still uses the title "Thich,"
usually translated as "Venerable".

His speech was entitled "The Buddhist Contribution to Good
Governance and Development." The Zen master said that the
ultimate goal of national development and ruling a national
government was to bring real happiness to the people.

A leader is likely to abuse his power if his spirit is not
strong enough. A healthy spirit can be obtained by regular
exercise based on Buddhist teaching emphasising love, wisdom
and avoiding anger.

Leaders who take regular spiritual exercise including mindful
breathing, walking meditation and the application of basic
Buddhist precepts will find themselves happier, said Mr Hanh.

In his 50-minute address, he told of teaching peacemaking,
love, compassion and respect to police and prison guards,
and to western politicians -- as well as Buddhist audiences --
as a means of helping them and their countries to find their
ways to peace. (TNA)