President of the Buddhist Lodge political bias

Tecksuan SG

Two local Chinese evening tabloids (Xin Min and Lianhe Wanbao) both reported last night the President of the Singapore Buddhist Lodge , Mr. Li Mu Yuan took a swipe at Mr. Low Thia Khiang, the leader of the Workers Party, candidate for Aljunied GRC. Mr. Li openly criticised Low Thia khiang in relation to his decision and motive to contest in Aljunied GRC. He also openly praised BG George Yeo for his contribution to the religious community here.

Mr. Li has the right to express his opinion in his personal capacity, but the newspapers both reported him as ‘President of the Buddhist Lodge’. This partisan political stand by a religious leader is NOT good for the Buddhist community.

What will happen if the leaders of other religious groups were to do likewise expressing their partisan political views openly? This will drag religion into politics.

realization SG

Will give and unfair advantage / disadvantage :(

Almond Cookies SG

I saw in newspaper also. I think he should not make any comments due to his position as a political leader.

He can have the ability to swing votes to PAP.

Almond Cookies SG

Taiwan many famous fashi.

Imagine this, a Fashi endorse a candidate on the eve of president elections in Taiwan saying he is honest and capable.

He can have some effect on the electorate.

Reliigous leaders should refrain from doing this during elections.

Taiwan elections results can be very closed.

bohiruci SG

anyway i dun support Buddhist lodge one .true Buddhist take a non-partisan stand

if Buddha is doing such thing supporting Magadha kingdom or other kindgom ,Buddhism will have disintegrate and never stand till now

Almond Cookies SG

Today is the first time I voted. I have a nice experience. Thumbs up the voting is fast 5 mins n I am out of polling station.

bohiruci SG

Any Mr Li Wu yuan only the Head of Singapore Buddhist Lodge and only the responsible person for only 10% Buddhist Community in Singapore .The way he say disappointed the whole Buddhist Community consist of Tibetan Buddhism practitioner ,Mahayana and Theravada Followers .He should retire soon and let Singapore Buddhist Lodge have an early election!!!!!!

Almond Cookies SG

Wow u are a rational buddhist.

shanfan SG

k. This somehow has made me decided not to go S Buddhist Lodge register for chaodu. Still have other temples to go to.

laurence82 SG

separation of state and religion is very important

Almond Cookies SG

separation of state and religion is very important

Yes. If not singapore have christian party, muslim party,hindu party ... ... Singapore become next vatican.

Dawnfirstlight SG

I believe all Buddhists are mature enough to decide for ourselves who to vote and not listen to just what someone has said. If Buddhists can understand Buddha's profound teachings , I believe we can think better than anybody else rather than listening to one's opinion even though that someone is from the same religion. We judge for ourselves what Li Mu Yuan said was true or false.

I feel that what he said had no impact at all. It is just like anyone who are free to voice their opinion.

realization SG

I feel that what he said had no impact at all. It is just like anyone who are free to voice their opinion.

Agree about this for Buddhists who are younger in age.

However the older set of people - let's just arbitrarily say those from 50 years old onwards - tend to be trusting of anything that appears in newspapers or which comes from the mouth of "authorities". Hence, to specifically name politicians and give specific opinions about them would actually interfere with the democratic process. On the eve of the elections, publishing something like that will have certain impact. How huge the impact, I don't know.

An Eternal Now SG

By the spirit of kalama sutta, I trust Buddhists would exercise their own discernment, analysis and considerations rather than blindly following the words of others, even presidents of buddhist associations, even if he is a teacher, leader, or the Buddha himself.

bohiruci SG

No, Buddha is an Best example of Neutrality to Politics

When the minister of a certain kingdom ask Buddha when is the best time to attack another kingdom to expand and that other kingdom has weak in their defences ,Buddha point out the virtues of Ruling a country with Virtues .In fact i Beseech all leader of nation to read the advice given by Buddha

It is in the Sutra of Benevolent King Protection of Nation Prajna Paramita Sutra

Ren Wang Hu Guo Bo Re Bo Ruo Mi Jing

Aik TC SG

I think it is rather easy to say people are matured enough and will not blindly follow what other have to say. The hard true is, not all are that mature or are that well informed or are able to analyze and come up with well informed decision. It is precisely these group of people and those who are undecided or who have certain inclination that the message are targeted at, to make them come up with a decision the way he wants these people to take. Well, this Mr. Li may think of himself as some well respect Buddhist, and that his words would carry some weight to influence fellow Buddhists in their voting decision. By the way, this is the first time I have heard of him anyway.

Dawnfirstlight SG

The result shows that what Li Mu Yuan said had little or no impact. It is better that someone advised him not to get involved in politics as it will put Buddhism in bad light. Religious figures should not get involved in politics.

sinweiy SG

i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.

and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.

see:-

http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html

http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Avvdha75X.OeKjZeBZSxT2aCG7J_;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjM3ODg4MgRfcgMyBGZyA2ZwLXlpZTgEbl9ncHMDMARvcmlnaW4Dc2cueWFob28uY29tBHF1ZXJ5A0dlb3JnZSBZZW8gYnVkZGhpc3QEc2FvAzE-?vc=&p=George+Yeo+buddhist&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=fp-yie8

ask if u prefer "working" under a Real buddhist (selfless in nature) thinking "boss" or a "new and unfamilar" one, i think most will choose the former and tend to "protect" the current situation that is more "comfortable" to him/her. it's just human nature. actually i dun quite "like" GY, but after some search on him and buddhism, i reduce the "dislike". this is also bias nature again. guess to him a new and unfamilar boss need to show the selfless nature to win more true buddhist support.

read Low Thia Khiang office got ch'an calligraphy saying that no matter what happens in the surroundings, one should not be distracted and stay calm inside. if Li Mu Yuan know he's inspired by ch'an, think he'll also stop criticising. its like that wan. one say won't bias, but somewhere in heart still got bias wan.

http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873

ps: btw i'm thinking this GE really is "heating" up the enviroment with the collective "dislike" energies, literally! :( pls reduce the hatred karma and unite as one people. our goal is pureland type of singapore and true happiness is prority for Singaporean and all earth people.

Almond Cookies SG

i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.

and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.

see:-

http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html

http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873

Yah. True.

realization SG

i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.

and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.

see:-

http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html

http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873

Can always rely on Sinweiy to drag us back to talking about Dharma :)

AMTF /\

That said, I do think that if democratic processes are already in place for citizens to choose one way or the other, then Buddhists still have the responsibility to vote taking into account the good of the larger community. To be apathetic and not take part in the decision-making process, is to also make a decision in favour of not doing what is kind and compassionate.

I do agree with TS and a few others that religion and secular life should preferably be kept separate. Once high profile religious leaders get openly involved in politics, things can get complicated. Paradoxically, religious sentiment can also become a tool to incite people to be immoral.

Thankfully though, Buddhists all over the world have for the most part shown themselves to be peace-loving people. AMTF.