Buddhism in the Material World

Fire can extinguish fire, but water is usually more effective and less destructive. Still, we almost never learn that lesson, do we? So, when there’s a battle over turf between two Alpha males of almost any species, the only solution is to thump our chests and prepare to do battle, winner take all, mostly bragging rights and reproductive rights. That’s the way it’s always been and the way it is today—often. But what if the females were to simply say ‘no’? there’s food for thought.

After all, it only takes one male to impregnate a hundred females. They would just have to decide and let the blokes know the new rules of the game. Sound unrealistic? But that’s how horses were tamed, albeit selected by humans overseeing the process. The one horse that left his genes for the next 5000 years was the tame one, not the Alpha male beating his chest. And many tribal humans preferred lofty reaches, safe and secure, over green valleys that they would have to fight for—forever, something Homer gave the Persians credit for, deserved or not, if I remember correctly.

Buddhists simply declared the right to renounce right here right now, no apologies, this after generations of rishis showed how it could be done individually, with quite favorable consequences. So, the same might work for a group, united and vocal, about their intents and purposes, if not much volume in their voices. Sure, a heartless despot could slaughter them mercilessly, and they have. Tibetan monks self-immolate to this day. But the despot is the one who lives in fear—and hatred. The victim is usually free to live another day, or millennium. The choice is ours.