Before we jump to any conclusion, let us understand one thing that it is easy to showcase oneself in a good manner in peace times but the true picture of oneself is revealed in turbulent times. Covid-19 is one such example of turbulent times and we are witnessing “odd” reactions of individuals to communities to political parties to governments across the globe. But for this article, I will restrict myself to politics only.

There is chaos everywhere, political parties are blaming each other, and governments of different nations are fighting against each other. In the times when we need brotherhood, we are not witnessing brotherhood in these times but what we are witnessing is that everyone is eyeing it as an opportunity to become more powerful. From power grab to curbing human rights have become rampant during the Covid-19 crisis.

If we look at India, there is chaos to bring migrant workers back to their home state. Is it really a nation where we cry for one nation, one grid and one nation, one Aadhaar card? Why have states failed to own their own countrymen? Why can not a state government take care of citizen from any other state? What we are seeing right now is a Punjabi, Marathi and Bihari but not Indian. But then Dr Ambedkar had already warned us that we are not a nation in a true sense and earlier we recognize that better for us.

There is a cry behind Muslims gathered for namaz and Brahminical media to society made them the reason of Covid-19 spreading in India. But no one is questioning ministers going to temples or having marriage parties in their home nor anyone is questioning Sikhs who went to Nanded Sahib. Why only certain castes or religions only have to prove their loyalty toward India? Why questions on dedication to India soil is raised to certain castes and religious groups only?

Among all these, there is hope, Sikkim. Sikkim with zero cases of Covid-19 is the only state who managed to keep Coronavirus away from its boundaries. Co-incidentally Chief Minister of Sikkim is a Buddhist. It is important to notice because I think the religious teachings of a person have an enormous impact on its work life.

The four noble truths of Buddha: suffering, the cause of suffering, the possibility of freedom from suffering, and the eightfold path to freedom. The first noble truth perceives the problem. The second noble truth identifies the primary cause of suffering as ignorance. Ignorance gives rise to greed, hatred, and the delusion, the three passions that keep suffering in motion. The third noble truth announces a possible cure. The fourth noble truth provides a healing prescription in the form of the eightfold path.

In addition to the four noble truths, two wings of Buddhism are wisdom and compassion.

To my understanding, CM of Sikkim followed the same philosophy of four noble truths and wisdom and compassion. He didn’t ask any migrant to leave and kept the fraternity above all. There is no single news, not even in social media about the Punjabi, Bihari, Bengali, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu or Christian in Sikkim. In news about Sikkim, it’s about Sikkim and people only.

One more interesting thing to understand is about the faith of Sikkim people in their Chief Minister, which is a rare phenomenon in India. My wife is from Sikkim and she is staying with me in Punjab. She has a faith that if she will ask for help, the Chief Minister will not disappoint her.

Now, if someone is raising eyes on China as a Buddhist country, then I think those people should read Babasaheb Ambedkar to understand the basic difference between a communist and a Buddhist. Buddha’s political philosophy stands for fraternity both in peace times and turbulent times.

Some might argue that there is an inherent problem of trying to blend religion with politics. But the reality is, religion and politics go side-by-side. Both survive together, kind of feeding each other. One can not keep religion away from politics or politics apart from religion. Especially in a country like India, it would be foolishness to even think about that.

Buddha taught equality way before any social reformer, opposing the Chaturvarna system. He formed Sangha to encourage social solidarity and interaction and maybe in the times of Covid-19, we could learn the importance of solidarity from Sangha. Buddha did not set any successor but asked to follow the Dhamma – rule of law. Forming Sangha and advising to follow Dhamma, he established and paved the way for the democratic system in which spirit of consultation and members of the community had rights to decide on important issues. Are we seeing such in practice at present?

Buddha’s political philosophy in today’s world is as important as it was more than 2500years ago if only we will have courage and intelligence to understand his message. We must not only learn from that but put in practice – have compassion toward living beings.

Author – Mukesh Kumar