Here is some background about why I started the blog.
Ever since I was at University more than 20 years ago (I am 45 years old with a BA in philosophy) I have had an abiding interest in the Buddhism and Marxism, with their empowering messages of individual and communal salvation.
However, I had never really seen these two systems as compatible. Marxism's emphasis on the intellectual analysis of material conditions and Buddhism's focus on introspective, meditative insights into the nature of human suffering never seemed to me to have much in common.
At various times through my life I have regarded one of these systems as superior to the other. I have been disgruntled with what I saw as the narrow, materialist outlook of Marxism, whilst at other times I have dismissed Buddhism and its emphasis on karma and rebirth as a means of justification of the status quo and a ideological force of repression.
However, after recently reading more on the theoretical basis behind engaged Buddhism and more specifically the work of the great Thai monk Buddhadasa (a socialist but not a Marxist) , it struck me that it may the case that the gap between Marxism and the Buddhism are not be irreconciliable and the two could in fact be complementary and synergistic.
Whilst I believe ultimately that the insights of the Buddha were deeper and more profound than those of Marx (hence the blog title is Marxist Buddhism and not Buddhist Marxism), I think there is much that Buddhism can learn from Marx: While hungry bellies, material deprivation and poverty may be preventing spiritual fulfillment for people at one pole, consumerism, busyness and an ideology of greed, competition and selfishness may be preventing it at another.
There is quite a bit out there on the web regarding the relations between Marx and Buddhism, but it can be hard to find. So the purpose of this blog is to explore and promote efforts that have been made to synthesize aspects of these two great systems.
May all beings be liberated.
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