Buddhist Theocracy

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“The tongue is like a sharp knife, it kills without drawing blood; words in the hands of
someone skilled can do more damage than a weapon in the hands of a warrior.”

Siddhartha Gautama

Buddhist Theocracy is a authoritarian centre, culturally right ideology. Buddhism originated in India, based on the teachings, of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Gautama Buddha. A Buddha is one who is said to be awake to the truth of life. The core of Buddhists beliefs are centered on the four noble truths, the noble eight-fold path and the five precepts.

Personality

Buddhist Theocracy is typically calm and "zen", often seen meditating. This can be shown by either the ball floating, generic chi symbols around the ball, or closed eyes. Artists are encouraged to use the standard Buddhism stereotypes.

Stylistic Notes

Make Buddhist Theocracy with a touch of Tibetan stereotypes in personality, and make him sound like the Dalai Lama.

Beliefs

Four noble Truths

The Buddha's first and most important teachings are the Four Noble Truths.

1. Life often—in fact almost always—involves suffering.
2. The reason for this suffering is that we want things to be a certain way.
3. The way to cure suffering is to rise above this desire.
4. The way to rise above desire is to follow the Noble Eight fold Path, practices which help us change our minds and understanding .

Noble Eight-fold Path

The Buddha told people to follow a special way of life called the Noble Eightfold Path if they want to understand the Four Noble Truths. These are:

1. Appropriate views. Know and understand the Four Noble Truths
2. Appropriate thought. Turn your mind away from the world and towards the Dharma
3. Appropriate speech. Tell the truth, don't gossip, and don't talk badly about others
4. Appropriate conduct. Don't commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life
5. Appropriate livelihood. Earn your money in a way that doesn't harm anyone
6. Appropriate effort. Work to make your mind more good and less evil
7. Appropriate mindfulness. Remember the Dharma and apply it all the time
8. Appropriate meditation. Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality

Five precepts

Buddhists are encouraged to follow five precepts, or guidelines. The Buddha taught that killing, stealing, having sex in a harmful way, and lying are not signs of skill.

1. I will not hurt a person or animal that is alive.
2. I will not take something if it was not given to me.
3. I will not engage in sexual misconduct.
4. I will not lie or say things that hurt people.
5. I will not take intoxicants, like alcohol or drugs, causing heedlessness

Cycle of Rebirth

Saṃsāra means "wandering" or "world" and refers to the cycle of rebirth and the cyclic nature of all life and existence, which is a fundamental concept in Buddhism and other Indian religions. Saṃsāra is considered unsatisfactory and painful, perpetuated by desire and ignorance, leading to karma. Liberation from saṃsāra, called nirvana, is the central goal of Buddhism.

Rebirth involves beings experiencing a succession of lifetimes as various forms of sentient life, from conception to death. In Buddhism, this process does not involve a soul or permanent self due to the doctrine of anattā (no-self). Instead, consciousness (vijñāna) continues as a continuum, undergoing rebirth based on karma. Rebirth can occur in six realms of existence: three good realms (heavenly, demi-god, human) and three evil realms (animal, hungry ghosts, hellish). The quality of one's rebirth is influenced by their karma, as well as the merit accrued by family members on their behalf.

Karma refers to actions that drive saṃsāra, the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Good (kusala) and bad (akusala) deeds produce seeds in the unconscious that mature in this life or future lives. Intent (cetanā) is crucial in generating karma, and actions of body, speech, or mind all contribute to karmic outcomes. Karma affects the form of rebirth, realm of rebirth, social class, character, and major life circumstances. It operates like natural laws without external intervention.

A notable aspect of karma in Buddhism is merit transfer, where one can transfer their good karma to others, such as living family members and ancestors, often through charitable acts (dāna). This concept, though controversial, has roots in ancient Buddhist practices and is still common in modern Buddhism.

Nirvana

The primary goal of the Buddhist path, especially for monastics, is to end the cycle of rebirth by attaining nirvana. This involves overcoming the kleshas (mental afflictions). The Noble Eightfold Path is the most well-known method to achieve this, though other paths are mentioned in the Nikayas. Achieving right knowledge (sammā-ñāṇa) and right liberation (sammā-vimutti) are crucial for reaching nirvana. Nirvana means "blowing out" or "extinguishing" and represents the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Early texts describe it as a state of self-control leading to the end of rebirth. Later texts often equate nirvana with the concept of anatta (no-self) and complete emptiness. Some texts describe nirvana in stages: realizing emptiness (no soul), signlessness (nirvana cannot be perceived), and wishlessness (not even desiring nirvana).

Nirvana is described as complete liberation, enlightenment, ultimate happiness, fearlessness, and freedom. It is marked by emptiness and the realization of non-self. While the ultimate goal is liberation from saṃsāra, many lay Buddhists focus on accumulating merit through good deeds, donations, and rituals to secure better rebirths, rather than directly seeking nirvana.

Dependent Arising

Pratityasamutpada, or "dependent arising," is a Buddhist theory explaining the nature and relationships of existence. It asserts that everything is interconnected and nothing is independent, except nirvana. All physical and mental states arise from other pre-existing states and give rise to subsequent states. This concept is rooted in causal conditioning, meaning causality underlies existence, not a creator god or a universal self (Brahman). Causality in Buddhism is understood as conditioned arising, where phenomena are produced by multiple causes across lifetimes. For example, karma in one life affects rebirth in another.

Buddhism uses the theory of dependent arising to explain the cycles of suffering (dukkha) and rebirth through the Twelve Nidānas (twelve links). These links describe a chain reaction: ignorance (Avidyā) leads to karmic formations (Saṃskāras), which lead to consciousness (Vijñāna), and so on, culminating in old age, death, sorrow, and pain (Jarāmaraṇa). Breaking these links can lead to liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.

Non-Self

In Buddhism, the doctrine of anattā (Pali) or anātman (Sanskrit) asserts that there is no unchanging, permanent self, soul, or essence in phenomena. The Buddha and later philosophers like Vasubandhu and Buddhaghosa support this view by analyzing the person through the five aggregates and showing that none of these components are permanent or absolute. This idea is illustrated in texts like the Anattalakkhana Sutta.

A related concept is "emptiness" or "voidness" (Skt: Śūnyatā, Pali: Suññatā), which has various interpretations across different Buddhist traditions. Early Buddhism describes the five aggregates as void, hollow, and coreless, as seen in the Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta. In Theravada Buddhism, it means that the five aggregates are empty of a Self.

Emptiness is especially important in Mahāyāna Buddhism, notably in Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka school and the Prajñāpāramitā sutras. Madhyamaka philosophy holds that all phenomena lack any inherent nature (svabhava) and are "empty" of independence, refuting contemporary theories of svabhava.

The Three Jewels

All forms of Buddhism revere and take spiritual refuge in the "three jewels" (triratna): Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Buddha

While all Buddhist traditions respect the concept of Buddha, their interpretations vary. In Theravada Buddhism, a Buddha is someone who has achieved enlightenment through personal effort, ending their cycle of rebirths and unwholesome mental states, thereby becoming morally perfected. Despite some human limitations, such as physical ailments, a Buddha possesses immense psychic powers and profound wisdom. Theravada primarily recognizes Gautama Buddha as the only Buddha of the current era. In contrast, Mahāyāna Buddhism features a vast cosmology with numerous Buddhas and holy beings (aryas) in different realms. Mahāyāna texts revere many Buddhas, such as Amitabha and Vairocana, viewing them as transcendental beings who can be contacted for spiritual benefit. In this tradition, a Buddha is seen as a "spiritual king" and "protector of all creatures," whose existence spans countless eons. Shakyamuni's life and death are often understood as a skillful manifestation of a long-enlightened being still available to teach through visionary experiences.

Dharma

The second jewel, Dharma (Pali: Dhamma), refers to the Buddha's teachings, which reveal the true nature of reality. These teachings are practical guides rather than beliefs to cling to, likened to a raft used for crossing over to nirvana. Dharma also represents the universal law and cosmic order, embodying the ultimate truth and reality of the universe.

Sangha

The third jewel is the Sangha, the monastic community of monks and nuns who follow the Buddha's discipline. This community provides optimal conditions for spiritual growth and preserves the Buddha's teachings. The Sangha is crucial for maintaining and passing down the Dharma, acting as a "field of merit" for laypersons who support them through donations. Additionally, the Sangha includes the āryasaṅgha, or "noble Sangha," referring to those who have attained any stage of awakening, such as bodhisattvas, arhats, and stream-enterers. These holy beings are highly revered in all Buddhist traditions.

Variants

Jainism

Flag of Jainist Theocracy

Jainist Theocracy is a school of thought that believes Jainism should be the main religion of a nation. Jainism is a Dharmic religion, believing the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living things (including plants and animals) as much as possible. Like Hindus and Buddhists, Jains believe in reincarnation. This cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is determined by one's karma.

According to Digambara Jains, there are seven tattvas: the sentient (jiva or living), the insentient (ajiva or non-living), the karmic influx to the soul (Āsrava, which is a mix of living and non-living), the bondage of karmic particles to the soul (Bandha), the stoppage of karmic particles (Saṃvara), the wiping away of past karmic particles (Nirjarā), and the liberation (Moksha). Śvētāmbaras add two further tattvas, namely good karma (Punya) and bad karma (Paapa).

Mahāyāna

Mahāyāna is a denomination of Buddhism. Mahāyāna emphasized selfless life which practices not only individual nirvana but also aid for mankind. Thus it emphasized Bodhisattva 'swhich seek truth on above and aids mankind on below as an ideal human . Also it presented six pāramitās as virtue of six pratices which Bodhisattva should practice to reach nirvana.

Mahāyāna is dominant in China, Korea, Japan.

Śūnyatā

Śūnyatā is a thought which posits that every phenomenon and existence has no fixed and unchanging independent substance.

Mādhyamaka

Nāgārjuna theoretically systematized Śūnyatā and created Mādhyamaka which sees at centrist perspective. Mādhyamaka is a wisdom which rectifies wrong view biased on extreme and correctly sees truth of centre.

Mādhyamaka emphasized that because everything occur depending on connection thus it cannot have independent attribute, and does not exist as substance. Also it saw that because everything occurs by assemble of connections and exists temporarily until the connections disperse, everything is neither present nor absent. Like it, Mādhyamaka asserted that everything stays in position of centre and not both extremes of prescence and abscence.

Vijñapti-mātra

Vijñapti-mātra appeared criticizing Mādhyamaka which sees everything as Śūnyatā without substance as an extreme nihilist theory. Vijñapti-mātra means that every phenomenon exists only as an effect of mind.

Vijñapti-mātra saw that every pain occur from wrong mind which sees the world self-centered. Thus it had asserted that when someone eliminate dizzy consciousness which is self-centered and obsesses about the self, they would gain wisdom which can see every truth. Vijñapti-mātra emphasized Yoga as a practice method for cleaning mind, and called these Yoga ascetics as Yogachara.

Theravāda

Theravāda is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism.

Greco-Buddhism

Greco-Buddhism is a cultural syncretism between Hellenistic Culture and Buddhism that happened between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD in Gandhara, (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan) While the Greco-Buddhist art shows clear Hellenistic influences, it shows no clear influence on Gandharan Buddhism beyond Aesthetics.

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is a sect of Buddhism. It is part of Vajrayana Buddhism

Vajrayāna

Vajrayāna or Esoteric Buddhism is a WIP

Zen Buddhism, Chan Buddhism (China)

Zen Buddhism is Buddhist thought of school originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the Chan School, later spreading to Vietnam (Thiền), Korea (Seon Buddhism), and Japan (Japanese Zen). The term "Zen" comes from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word "chán", which is derived from the Sanskrit word "dhyāna", meaning "meditation." Zen emphasizes self-restraint, meditation, and insight, aiming to perceive one's true nature as Buddha-mind and express this insight in daily life for others' benefit. It values direct understanding through spiritual practice and interaction with a knowledgeable teacher, de-emphasizing mere knowledge of scriptures.

Zen teaching incorporates elements from various Buddhist traditions, emphasizing meditation practices and Mahāyāna concepts like Buddha-nature and the Bodhisattva-ideal. It draws from Sarvastivada meditation, Yogachara, Tathāgatagarbha sūtras, Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, Huayan school, Prajñāpāramitā literature, and Madhyamaka thought, shaping its apophatic and sometimes iconoclastic nature.

Dhyāna

Zen Buddhism emphasizes dhyana or meditation, particularly sitting meditation called "zazen." It originated in India and was introduced to China by translators like An Shigao and Kumārajīva. Early Chinese meditation texts, such as the Anban Shouyi Jing, Zuochan Sanmei Jing, and Damoduoluo Chan Jing, influenced Zen practice.

In Chinese Buddhism, dhyāna refers to various meditation techniques, including mindfulness of breathing, body impurities, loving-kindness, contemplation on the twelve links of pratītyasamutpāda, and contemplation on the Buddha. These practices aim to focus and purify the mind, supporting the development of dhyana stages.

The early traditions of Chan didn't rely on fixed methods for teaching meditation but used heuristic methods to point to the true nature of the mind or Buddha-nature. This approach is exemplified by the story of Śākyamuni Buddha holding up a flower silently. Early Chan rejected traditional meditation techniques, emphasizing a sudden and direct approach focused on the nature of the mind, equated with Buddha-nature. This meditation method is without preparatory requirements or moral prerequisites and aims for enlightenment in one undifferentiated practice.

Common Contemporary Meditation Forms

Zen meditation, known as zazen, involves various sitting positions like lotus or seiza, often using the dhyāna mudrā. A cushion on a mat or a chair may be used. To calm the mind, Zen students count breaths, focusing on both exhalations and inhalations, up to ten, repeating as needed. Attention is on the energy center below the navel, promoting diaphragmatic breathing. The goal is smoother, deeper, and slower breathing. Silent Illumination and shikantaza are common forms of sitting meditation in Zen, emphasizing awareness of the totality of phenomena or "just sitting."

Kōan contemplation involves stories or dialogues illustrating non-conceptual insight, with the practitioner striving to be aware of the totality of phenomena. The Japanese Rinzai school formalized kōan introspection with standardized curriculum and private interviews. Nianfo chan, or recitation of the Buddha's name, is another Zen meditation form. Early Chan masters advocated binding the mind to one Buddha and exclusively invoking their name. Nianfo chan continued in Chinese Chan and Japanese Ōbaku schools, also practiced in Vietnamese Thien.

Bodhisattva Virtues and Vows

Zen Buddhism, being a form of Mahayana Buddhism, follows the bodhisattva path centered on practicing "transcendent virtues" or "perfections" and taking bodhisattva vows. The six main virtues include generosity, moral training, patient endurance, energy, meditation, and wisdom. The Avatamsaka sutra is a key source for these teachings, presenting the levels of the bodhisattva path. Early Chan works, like Bodhidharma's Two entrances and four practices, and later figures such as Zongmi, emphasize the significance of pāramitās in gradual cultivation.

Zen practitioners formalize their commitment through ceremonies, taking refuge in the three jewels, bodhisattva vows, and precepts. Various sets of precepts, such as the five precepts, "ten essential precepts," and the sixteen bodhisattva precepts, are adopted in Zen. These commitments are often made in initiation rituals, marking individuals as formal Buddhists, a practice open to both monastics and lay followers.

Chan training in China may include fasting (zhai), especially on uposatha days ("days of fasting"). Some Chan masters, like Hsuan Hua, have undertaken extended fasts for merit generation, such as a 35-day fast during the Cuban missile crisis.

Chanting and Rituals

In Zen Buddhism, monasteries, temples, and centers conduct various rituals, ceremonies, and services accompanied by chanting of verses, poems, or sutras. Zen schools often have an official sutra book (kyohon) collecting these writings. Major Mahayana sutras like the Heart Sutra and chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra are commonly chanted, along with dhāraṇīs and Zen poems. The butsudan, an altar, is used for offerings to Buddha images, bodhisattvas, and ancestors. Ritual prostrations and bows are essential in Zen practice. Japanese Zen includes Mizuko kuyō ceremonies for those who experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.

In Chinese Chan, the "Rite for releasing the hungry ghosts" is practiced, though criticized by some for lacking a basis in Buddhist teachings. Repentance or confession rituals are widespread, like the Emperor Liang Repentance Ritual and Dogen's Shushogi. Other ceremonies may involve local deities and Buddhist holidays. Funerals are significant, serving as a common interaction between Zen monastics and the laity, with a considerable number of laypeople visiting temples for funeral-related reasons.

Esoteric Practices

In Zen Buddhism, practitioners may use esoteric methods like mantras and dhāraṇī for various purposes, including meditation, protection, invoking compassion, and during ceremonies. Examples include the mantra of Guanyin ("Kwanseum Bosal") and the Heart Sutra Mantra in Kwan Um school. In Chinese Chan, esoteric mantras have roots in the Tang dynasty, adopted from Chinese Esoteric Buddhism. Practices like the Śūraṅgama Mantra and esoteric rituals, such as the Mengshan Rite for Feeding Hungry Ghosts, continue in modern Chan monasteries. Shaolin monks in the eighth century practiced esoteric methods, influencing Korean Seon Buddhism. Korean Seon masters, like Hyujeong, were known esoteric adepts.

In Japanese Zen, the term "mixed Zen" describes the use of esoteric practices. Soto monk Keizan Jōkin introduced esoteric methods, influenced by Shingon and Shugendo. Menzan Zuihō, another influential Soto figure, practiced Shingon. In Rinzai Zen, figures like Myōan Eisai and Enni Ben'en were esoteric practitioners, incorporating rituals and lectures on esoteric Buddhism. Contemporary Japanese Zen commonly uses the Śūraṅgama spell during retreats and important ceremonies. Some Zen temples perform esoteric rituals like the homa ritual and the ambrosia gate ritual, associated with feeding hungry ghosts and ancestor memorials. Dharma transmission rituals in Zen often involve esoteric initiations.

Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren Buddhism is a school of Buddhism based on the teachings of the 13th century Japanese monk Nichiren Daishonin. He believed that the lotus sutra was superior to all other sutras. A prolific writer, he wrote over 400 letters, treatises, essays and lectures.

There are several Nichiren Buddhist groups, one being Soka Gakkai International (SGI)). There is an SGI political party in Japan, the Komeito, a welfarist party (although now it has less connection to the SGI and is more focused on Paternalistic Conservatism ). The SGI has often been accused of being a cult

How to Draw

Buddhist Flag

Flag of Buddhist Theocracy

This design is based on the International Buddhist flag, which has variants which depend on the region where it is used.

1. Draw a ball.
2. In six segments, split vertically along the ball, fill in the following colors from left to right:
   • Blue, yellow, red, white and orange ( International)
   • Green, yellow, red, white and purple ( Japan, known as Goshikimaku)
   • Blue, yellow, red, white and pink ( Myanmar)
   • Blue, yellow, red, white and lime green ( Laos)
   • Blue, yellow, red, white and maroon ( Tibet)
   • Blue, yellow, red, white and purple ( Nepal)

1. In the sixth segment, use the same colors horizontally from top to bottom in five segments.
2. Draw the eyes closed in a flat line and you're done!
3. Optional: If shading, you can draw the shadow disconnected and below the body to represent flotation.

Color Name		HEX	RGB
	Blue	#0000FF	rgb(0, 0, 255)
	Yellow	#FFFF00	rgb(255, 255, 0)
	Red	#FF0000	rgb(255, 0, 0)
	White	#FFFFFF	rgb(255, 255, 255)
	Orange	#FF7A00	rgb(255, 122, 0)

Thong Dhammacak (ธงธรรมจักร)

Flag of Buddhist Theocracy (Dharmacakra)

Theravāda Buddhists in Thailand use a yellow flag defaced by a red Dhammacakka. Note that it is sometimes paired with the international Buddhist flag.

1. Draw a ball.
2. Fill it with yellow.
3. Draw a red Dhammacakka (Wheel of Dharma) on the middle.
4. Draw the eyes closed in a flat line and you're done!

Korean Buddhist Swastika flag

1. Draw a ball.
2. Draw a red swastika (卍 - not to be mistaken with the swastika of Nazism).
3. Draw the eyes closed in a flat line and you're done!

Relationships

Enlightened

• Chinese Theocracy - Fellow lover of spirituality and peace. Too bad they ruined it.
• Buddhist Anarchism - Not really a fan of anarchism, but other than that we're still great friends.
• Buddhist Socialism - The Dalai Lama the 14th is a Marxist!!
• Patriarchy - Yes, this is a respectable system.
• von Ungern-Sternbergism- Cause the Asuras,Barbarians and those hostile to the teachings to be reduced to dust, like dry grass consumed in a fiery blaze, swiftly bring about their eradication, their annihilation we pray.
• Deep Ecology Nice respect for the environment and a lot of you are Buddhists. Tone down on the New Age though, and some of you are hippies.

Unsure

• Hindu Theocracy - Your theology is similar to mine, but your caste system is extremely problematic. Also, you helped kick me out of India.
• Christian Theocracy - I do really appreciate Jesus' peacefulness. Aside from that, not really a fan.
• Reactionaryism - Some say I am like you, but, well you make me look bad. Ignore Ashin Wirathu in Myanmar!
• Death Worship - That Boy Ain’t Right.
• Manosphere - We both like patriarchy, but you're way too weird and are sometimes degenerate.
  • ahem

• • Well, not completely… The Eight Garudhammas are rules made by Buddha Himself, we will not abandon it just because you're "annoyed" by it. My progressive variants love you though.
• Sikh Theocracy - We're both very peaceful and dislike the Vedas, but why are you a feminist and why do you accept homosexuals?
• Esoteric Fascism, Nazism - You racist bigots! Stop stealing my artifacts! And you're giving me a bad reputation! Wait... you admire me?

Unenlightened

• Pol Potism - Oh... oh no.
• Maoism - You stole Tibet and exiled the Dalai Lama!
  • OK, AND? YOU ARE A REACTIONARY IDIOT!

• • How am I reactionary?

• • What is your belief on feminism?

• • Errrr.... awkward?

• Dengism - MY ARCHNEMESIS! Stop attacking me! And free my country!
• Ho Chi Minh Thought and Person Dignity Theory - Buddhist Butcherers that ruined Vietnam.
• Islamic Theocracy - Did you seriously have to help kick me out of India like that? The Tatmadaw will kick you out of Myanmar.
• Jihadism - Him, but somehow even worse! At least some of you hate this Muslim Murderer and Buddhist Butcherer.
• Tamil Tigers - Secular, barbaric, criminal, pillaging, perverted, terrorist that nearly destroyed us in Sri Lanka!
• State Atheism - Quit arresting and mocking people who don't buy into your pure materialist mindset.
• Revolutionary Progressivism - I am not a Nazi, the swastika came centuries before the Nazis.
• Communism - Why are most of you all atheist? Although the 14th Dalai Lama is a Marxist.
• Hindutva - Too violent although some of us murder Muslims.
• LGBTQ+ - You are feeding into Mara and earthly desires. Release yourself from your sexual cycle (although most of my modern western variants support you)

Gallery

Portraits

Alternative designs

• 
  Legacy Portrait
• 
  Jainist Theocracy

Comics and Artwork

• 
  "Theocracies compass" By Spade
• 
  By jxj101, Source
• 
  Original Infobox Image

Further Information

Wikipedia

• Buddhism
• Gelug
• Nichiren (Buddhism)
• Phowa
• Pure Land
• Vajrayana