On Being Pro or Con

Designed by NandanG

Whether one takes or advocates a vaccine or does not is irrelevant to the Path to liberation in so far as the physical act is meaningless. It is the attachment or aversion to  the vaccine that actually and significantly matters. No one can say for certainty whether the vaccines are helpful or harmful any  more than anyone knows for sure that  anything happened yesterday. Both are constructs of the mind, many the ego. Most people are not interested in THE truth, they are interested in A truth, one which supports their narrative of an imaginary reality of karmic origin. The Buddha explains that as far as health or the lack of it is concerned is usually based on the fear of death. The fear of death is related to the erroneous belief that there is core essence of  the individual that survives after death. The choice to be fearful is a senseless act of dukkha creation.

The true nature of the human mind, the egoic mind, is that  most people don’t want  to know the  truth, they are interested only in ”their truth,” as if truth were somehow personal. No one owns reality, it just is. Most people are interested in a narrative and so ignore truth. That narrative is a delusional fiction. This is called ignorance — the state of mind that  ignores what is obviously present. 

There is a key aspect to the Dharma teachings that some fail to mention because they assume everyone is on the same page. That key aspect of the Buddhist perspective regards the nature of the self and one's relationship with the world. It is rooted in the concept of not-self (anatta) and the understanding that the self is an illusion.

"That which affects the world does not affect me, but only my circumstances."

Buddhadharma teaches that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul (atman) that exists independently. Instead, the self is a constantly changing, conditioned phenomenon, a mental construct that arises due to the interaction of various factors. In other words, the self is impermanent and lacks an intrinsic, unchanging essence.

Buddhism also emphasizes the interconnected nature of all things. Everything in the world is interdependent and connected, and there is no isolated, separate self. This interconnectedness means that what happens in the world affects everything within it, including individuals.

The thought, "That which affects the world does not affect me, but only my circumstances,” suggests that the true self (in the Buddhist perspective, the lack of a fixed, independent self) is not fundamentally impacted by the events and circumstances in the world. It is not swayed by external factors or events. However, what does change are the individual's circumstances or conditions. These external factors, such as the environment, societal conditions, and personal experiences, shape and influence a person's life.

From a Buddhist standpoint, realizing the illusion of a permanent, unchanging self can lead to a sense of detachment from personal circumstances and a development of equanimity. This means that, while an individual may still engage with and respond to the world and its challenges, they do so with a deeper understanding that their ultimate well-being is not tied to external events or outcomes.

The thought, "That which affects the world does not affect me, but only my circumstances,” underscores the idea that, from a Buddhist perspective, the self is not as solid and independently existing as it may appear. It encourages individuals to move beyond a narrow focus on self-interest and to develop a more balanced and equanimous relationship with the world and its changing circumstances. It does not imply indifference but rather a deeper recognition of the interconnected and impermanent nature of reality.

According to Buddhist teachings, the circumstances or external conditions in which one finds themselves are not the primary factors that determine liberation (nirvana). Instead, liberation is predominantly an internal and individual process that depends on one's mental and spiritual development, understanding, and realization. However, external circumstances can influence and facilitate this path in certain ways. 

Buddhism places significant emphasis on the internal factors that lead to liberation, such as one's understanding of the Four Noble Truths (suffering, its causes, cessation, and the path to cessation), the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path (right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration), and the development of wisdom (prajna). The 6, 8, 10, 12, or 20 Paramis are just  different ways of grouping the eight-fold Path and contain the same practices.

Liberation is often described as a state of freedom from suffering and the cycle of birth and death (samsara). It is not contingent on external circumstances such as wealth, social status, or material comfort. Even in adverse conditions, one can progress on the path to liberation by cultivating inner virtues and wisdom. Pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine are simply ways of promoting dukkha, a suffering being.

While liberation is primarily an internal process, external circumstances can play a supportive or hindering role. A favorable and supportive environment may make it easier for individuals to practice and study the dharma. On the other hand, oppressive or challenging circumstances may make the path more difficult but not impossible to follow. We  are conditioned to create or find challenges where none exist. We rename them “problems.”

External circumstances can also be influenced by one's past actions and karma. Good deeds and ethical conduct can lead to more favorable conditions in one's current life, which may facilitate the practice of the dharma. However, the past is only one aspect of an individual's situation, and present choices and efforts are essential for spiritual progress.

The Buddha’s Dharma teaches that liberation primarily depends on internal factors, such as understanding, ethical conduct, and mental development. While external circumstances can influence one's practice, the core work of spiritual growth and realization lies within the individual. Buddhists are encouraged to cultivate inner qualities that lead to liberation, regardless of their external conditions.

That old straw debate on pro and anti vaccines is a good example of the process oof dukkha (suffering) and delusion fabrication. Whether one is pro-vaccine, anti-vaccine, or indifferent to either view or holds no view at all (the Middle Way as prescribed by the Buddha and all his disciples), the approach to the topic is the same: wisdom and compassion.

Compassion is a fundamental value in Buddhism. Disciples are encouraged to show kindness, empathy, and understanding toward all sentient beings, including those who hold differing views or beliefs. When dealing with COVID vaccine deniers or promoters, a compassionate approach would involve trying to understand their concerns and fears and responding with patience and empathy rather than judgment or hostility.

Buddhism promotes the cultivation of wisdom and understanding. In the case of COVID vaccine denial or anti-vaccine, Buddhists may support the scientific consensus on vaccines as a means to protect public health. Buddhism encourages the use of reason and evidence to make informed decisions, which aligns with accepting expert guidance on matters of public health.

Buddhism strongly advocates the principle of non-harming (ahimsa). In the context of COVID vaccine denial, a Buddhist may argue that getting vaccinated, as recommended by health authorities, is an act of non-harming because it helps prevent the spread of the virus and protects vulnerable populations. A vaccine denier may use the same arguments but projects from a different place. In the end we are  all interconnected. From this perspective, individuals who choose not to get vaccinated may affect not only their own health but also the health and well-being of others in society. Buddhists might argue that making choices that prioritize the welfare of all is aligned with the teachings of interconnectedness. Some accept the Dharmic view while others reject it. 

The Dharma encourages dialogue and open communication as a means to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings. Engaging in constructive conversations with COVID vaccine promoters and deniers, rather than resorting to anger or division, may be seen as a more constructive way to address the issue.

It's important to note that individual Buddhists may have diverse views on various contemporary issues, and there is no single "Buddhist" stance on topics like vaccine denial, COVID, or even if strawberries taste good. Instead, Buddhists, like people of other faiths and beliefs, draw upon their understanding of the Teachings to inform their personal decisions and responses to such issues.

In practice, the approach to COVID vaccine denial may vary among Buddhists, as it does among people of different backgrounds and beliefs. However, the core values of compassion, wisdom, non-harming, and interconnectedness can serve as guiding principles in addressing this and similar public health challenges.

The entire issue, like most issues, revolves around ignorance. In Dharmic terms, ignorance is a fundamental concept and one of the three poisons or "root defilements" that perpetuate the cycle of suffering (samsara). This ignorance is called "avijja" in Pali and "avidya" in Sanskrit. It refers to a specific type of delusion or lack of understanding, which is considered the root cause of suffering and the primary obstacle to enlightenment.

Ignorance is the failure to see and understand the true nature of reality. It involves misunderstanding the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and egoless nature of all phenomena. It often manifests as the mistaken belief in the existence of a permanent, unchanging, and independent self (atman). This belief in a fixed and separate self gives rise to attachment, aversion, and suffering leading to confusion about the law of cause and effect, or karma. Individuals under the influence of ignorance may engage in actions that create negative karma and perpetuate suffering.

It blinds individuals to the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. It obstructs their ability to recognize the truth of suffering, understand its causes, experience its cessation, and follow the path to liberation.

Ignorance is closely connected to other defilements such as desire, aversion, and delusion. It forms the basis for these defilements to arise, as it distorts one's perception and leads to unwholesome mental states.

In the Buddhist path, the eradication of ignorance is a primary goal. When one gains insight into the true nature of reality and understands the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and egolessness of all phenomena, they are said to have overcome ignorance. This insight is central to achieving enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering and wasting our limited time on meaningless argumentation and conflicts.