"The world remains beset by so much human suffering, poverty and deprivation. It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalized." - Nelson Mandela
Relieving human suffering was perhaps the deepest prayer of Shakyamuni, the original historical Buddha in ancient India, as well as Nichiren Daishonin, the Japanese founder of our SGI Buddhist practice in the 13th century. One of the main reasons I was attracted to a Buddhist practice was to relieve my own considerable emotional suffering. Over time, I slowly came to realize the benefit of helping others -- that it was actually the most important way to polish my own Buddha nature.
So, when I speak about creating peace from a Buddhist perspective at different religious denominations, I can empathize with the many people I meet who express their frustration at the seeming lack of compassion on the part of people in positions of authority.
I think this situation is exacerbated by the extreme divides that currently exist between people of different faiths, political affiliations and sexual preferences. Buddhists believe that we all exist because of our relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. It is because of this, that treating others with compassion and dignity is so important. After all -- we are all connected.
Too many leaders act solely for the benefit of the most wealthy and powerful at the expense of disenfranchised members of society or people who are not like them. They are acting out of ignorance of the fundamental premise that all people have the potential to be Buddhas, enlightened individuals who make a difference in the world. In other words, every living being is deserving of respect. Shouldn't this be the litmus test that every leader employs when making decisions?
I have to admit to struggling with this at times. I have to resist the urge to reduce people whose opinion I don't agree with to shallow labels instead of trying to understand their point of view. I am a work in progress!
Another universal truth is the strictness of the simultaneity of cause and effect. How would religious and political leaders behave if they understood that their very thoughts, actions and deeds will absolutely determine the quality of their own future inner lives? That there is no escape from this reality. This has revolutionized my own leadership perspective.
Ikeda stated in his multi-volume series, The New Human Revolution, "Let's remain convinced that each of our efforts to treat everyone we come into contact with understanding and compassion will make a profound difference in the world. It is exactly through making these efforts every day that we can reignite and maintain our inner confidence in the future."