i recently learned about the buddhist concent of dependent origination, which states that all phenomena arise in dependence with other phenomena. this was surprisingly similar to my idea of dialectical materialism, and it got me thinking about how buddhism could be reconciled/combined with a marxist world view. has anybody here read books or articles on this topic?

obviously not everything buddhists believe (reincarnation is an obvious example) is going to jive with marxism but that doesn’t mean it’s worthless to try to analyze one in terms of the other

Death to America

  • QueerCommie [she/her, fae/faer]@hexbear.net
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    20 days ago
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    Many critics of Buddhism, like Christianity, will point to its idealism and history, and I think applying dialectical materialism to the question is illuminating. The Buddha did grasp truth and enlightenment is a real thing, but the Buddha existed in a historical context where he had to appeal to Hindus and people in power wanted to gain from the teachings. While human society had to continue reproducing itself, only a small amount of surplus was available to enable people to seek the path. Those who accumulated the surplus became or funded monks, who gave treats of small pieces of semi true knowledge to keep the toiling masses happy (opium so to speak). Once socialism is established I pray unnecessary superstitions and beliefs will fall away as it is made materially accessible (once material needs are covered with minimal time). As humans suffer less materially and society lends towards good karma, may the bodhisattva vow come to fruition.