Buddhism and Politics: Citizens, Politicians, and the Noble Eightfold Path

by Victoria Stoklasa

What does it take to make political work a mission of peace? Victoria Stoklasa, author of SIGN IT INTO LAW and TRANSGENDER MARRIAGE RIGHTS IN TEXAS, presents an accessible guide to using the teachings of Buddhism to make the world a better place. By following the tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path, citizens and politicians alike can change their thinking and their actions to follow a middle path--no extremes, so suffering. This quick read continues Stoklasa's tradition of accessible political thought and common sense policymaking, and it serves as a complement to any campaign or election.

Here's what people are already saying about BUDDHISM AND POLITICS:

"Despite being neither an expert in Buddhism or politics, I came away enlightened by the content of this book...I urge you to read this book. Even if you haven't the slightest idea about Buddhism and perhaps a vague idea about politics, you will benefit from it." - Reed James, "Reed's Reads"

25 pages, ebook

First published October 6, 2013

About the author

Victoria Stoklasa earned a Master of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Policy from American Public University in 2012. Her thesis, “Improving Missouri’s Petition Initiative Process”, was abridged and published as the guest column “Missouri’s Flawed Initiative Process” in the Independence Examiner. Victoria’s political work includes serving as a board member for the City of Independence Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board. She worked with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s successful re-election campaign in 2012 as staging location director for the Jackson County Democrats office. In 2010, she and several other Missourians circulated the petition for Constitutional Amendment to Article X, Relating to State, County, and Municipal Taxes; the petition passed by popular vote. Victoria lives with her loving mate, Thaddeus Stoklasa. To learn more about Victoria, visit www.victoriastoklasa.com.

Reviews

[Victoria Stoklasa]

I wrote this book, and I'm pretty pleased with it. I've always been an advocate for mindful politics, and I wanted to share it with the world.

[Shawnda Blake]

Buddhism and Politics: Citizens, Politicians, and the Noble Eightfold Path by Victoria Stoklasa is a well-researched treatise on Buddhism as it applies to our current political system. This short book should be required reading for anyone entering (or already in, for that matter) the political arena.

This book is especially timely with the current upheaval brought on by government shutdowns and fierce division between political parties. In an era where politicians are commonly seen as corrupt (or corruptible), Stoklasa asks that they take a step back to look at what they are really working towards.

The author deftly incorporates the principles of the Noble Eightfold Path from Buddhism as a starting point for political reform. The main idea, I felt, was to eliminate suffering in any form. I am not Buddhist, and have very little background in this area, but I was struck by how much these principles could be applied by ANYONE in their everyday lives, not just in politics.

Buddhism and Politics is a well-organized, clear and concise guide to political reform. I love the author’s logical style of writing and I admire and applaud her passion for applying these techniques. I visited her website, a link is located at the end of the book, and was impressed to see she is practicing what she preaches by running for government office. That really solidified her credibility for me. She is not merely an academic commenting on how other people should do things, but she is out there in the arena herself.

[Snellopy]

What I know about Buddhism comes from kung fu movies, and since I'm not American I look at US politics as a source of humour because each camp points at the other and blames them for all the ills affecting the nation. Even with this lack of knowledge, Buddhism in Politics was interesting and informative. It's neither preachy nor partisan, and those who follow a different faith (or none at all) should have no qualms with the ideals espoused.

Buddhism in Politics suggests a point of view that seems so rare these days: advice on how a politician can help all their constituents, not just those making campaign donations. It does this without pointing fingers and denigrating the mud-slingers and name-callers. The scriptural quotations aren’t shoe-horned in, and examples flow naturally from them.

This is a well thought out book, pleasant to read and a great introduction into both topics. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Steven Schneider]

Buddhism and Politics: Citizens, Politicians, and the Noble Eightfold Path is an extremely well thought and well researched essay. It is refreshing to find a work dedicated to finding a path for people to help people through the political system. The focus on understanding other people, not letting anger and passion control motivations, and having the ability to compromise shows a way in which politics could be used for the benefit of the people to lesson suffering.

Whether or not it is feasible to believe politicians and citizens heavily rooted in politics will ever adopt this system does not diminish its wisdom.