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54 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

is deliberately aimed at aggravating dissonant mental one-self and others. Therefore, the Buddha’s advice
states in individuals or society is false Dharma, no now would be the same as then, i.e. to be mindful in
matter what. On the other hand, blind attachment to exercising the obligations and interactions via these
one’s faith, one’s community, and even one’s teachers is medias so that they do not unnecessarily become an
also false Dharma. Likewise, hatred toward other faiths, added outlet for suffering to self and others through
other communities, and even other teachers are all false indulgence and instigation of afflictions
Dharma as well.
Indian society during the Buddha’s time was
Communication during the Buddha’s time was much strongly patriarchal whereas the approach today is
more personal than today. What would the Buddha to have gender equality. Would you say the Sangha
advice regarding the use of emails and social media? today is still very patriarchal and needs to change?

Aggacitta: They should be used with caution and Aggacitta: Perhaps. But to what extent? Some of the
discretion just as one would use fire or electricity. rules that the Buddha prescribed for bhikkhunis seem
Otherwise the consequences could be disastrous, e.g. to suggest that he considered them to be of lower status
the widespread exposure of the Sangha to smartphones compared to bhikkhus. I wonder if such rules give the
in Myanmar in recent years have resulted in tens of impression of a patriarchal” Sangha?
thousands of monks leaving the order. Seen from
another perspective however, this could be a good As the Saṅgha is a monastic community, it is natural
way of “separating the wheat from the chaff” so that that rules reflecting gender discrimination had to be
what remains are those with truly lofty aspirations for formulated to help preserve the chastity of its members.
liberation, after the opportunists have been weeded out. Equality in terms of gender, status or wealth would be
contrary to the Buddhist concept of kamma, as each
Min Wei: Thanks to impermanence, everything is individual is a unique product of complex causes and
subject to change from day to day, and from generation conditions.
to generation when technology has become such an
integral part of our lives. I believe that the Buddha Min Wei: The scenario of the Sangha community for
will never blame modern technology such as emails monks and nuns in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism
and social media, which in fact brings advancement to is quite balanced. They seem to be given an equal
human beings. importance and opportunities in some aspects.
For instance, there are large numbers of prominent
On the other hand, He will definitely advice us to make nuns and nunneries in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
the best use of it. As we know, internet is just a tool Singapore, and Malaysia. Thus, the patriarchal system
to connect with each other and it is also another new involves men being in authority over women is not very
platform to spread the Buddhist teachings. However, much practiced in Chinese Buddhism. In fact, Buddhist
one should be mindful and wise in using them so that nuns have played an important role in spreading
we do not fall into the trap of craving or addiction. Buddhism within the Chinese Mahāyāna tradition
without any discrimination. They have set good
Geshe Dadul: As with any action of body, speech, or examples for other traditions to follow.
mind, learning to become more conscious and aware
of the influence our words can have on oneself and Geshe Dadul: Change is constant. Our external
others is critical to our spiritual life and growth. Email circumstances and internal resources are in constant
and social media bring the capability of connecting flux, individually and collectively. Whatever specific
more widely and quickly with others. In that regard, changes required to support a stronger and more
remembering to pause, choosing words considerately compassionate community will also continue to evolve
and more thoughtfully, will bring more benefit to and will depend upon many variables. Therefore, for