Libertarianism from a Buddhist Perspective

 Libertarianism from a Buddhist Perspective

📜 Introduction to Libertarianism

Core Belief: Every individual fully owns their own body, labor, and legally acquired property, referred to as "self-ownership."

Definition of Justice: As long as actions do not harm others, individuals have the absolute right to choose freely.

Role of Government: The government should act as a "night watchman," responsible only for upholding contracts, protecting private property, and maintaining peace, without intervening in personal choices.

Opposed Policies:

Paternalistic regulations (mandatory seatbelt laws, etc.)

Moral legislation (prohibiting prostitution, homosexuality, etc.)

Wealth redistribution (tax-funded support for the poor)

Core Question: If personal freedom is the sole principle, does it neglect responsibilities and care for others and society?

🪷 Buddhist Perspective: Emphasizes interdependent co-arising and compassion, denying absolute self-ownership.

1️⃣ "All phenomena arise in dependence; there is no independent essence."

The "Madhyamaka" states: "The phenomena that arise from causes and conditions, I say, are empty." Buddhism posits that life, property, and abilities are not solely individual possessions but results of interdependent conditions. Parents, society, and the natural environment are all essential; the "self" cannot exist independently, and self-ownership is not absolute.

2️⃣ "Aṅguttara Nikāya": Life is interdependent; one cannot be solely self-reliant.

The "Saṃyutta Nikāya" states: "If I have food but eat alone without sharing, this is called an evil deed." The Buddha pointed out that even if wealth is earned by oneself, it should be shared and used to benefit others, reflecting the Buddhist view that "property" should not be solely for personal use but should create merit and benefit sentient beings.

3️⃣ "Lotus Sutra": The Mahayana spirit emphasizes equality and mutual assistance among beings.

The "Lotus Sutra" repeatedly praises bodhisattvas for "relieving the suffering of the masses," reminding practitioners not to pursue self-interest alone but to take responsibility for saving sentient beings. Overemphasizing personal freedom while ignoring the poor or marginalized contradicts the spirit of the bodhisattva path.

4️⃣ "Upāsaka Precepts": Generosity is one of the precepts.

The text emphasizes that giving is fundamental to purifying greed and cultivating merit, stating: "If one acquires wealth, one should think of sentient beings and give to the needy." This shows that Buddhism believes that possessing wealth should actively involve helping others rather than viewing it as "absolute private property."

5️⃣ Compassion transcends contracts and consent.

Libertarianism emphasizes "voluntary contracts" as the sole standard for the legitimacy of actions. However, Buddhism argues that even with mutual consent, acts like voluntary prostitution or organ trading, if they harm body and mind or promote greed, hatred, and delusion, are still unwholesome. The "Brahma Net Sutra" teaches that "upon seeing others act wrongly, one should feel compassion and guide them away from evil"—not merely fulfilling others' desires is good but helping them to be free from suffering and to cultivate wholesome qualities is true compassion.

✅ Summary of Comparison

Libertarianism views individual freedom and property rights as supreme, while Buddhism sees sentient beings as interdependently co-existing, with individuals closely connected to society.

Buddhism centers on compassion, advocating that even if property is legally acquired, it should benefit all beings; viewing generosity as a good deed rather than as "unjust intervention" by the government or society.

Buddhism asserts that freedom should be predicated on "not harming oneself or others," emphasizing wisdom, compassion, and community responsibility rather than extreme individualism.