Editing SG33SHS-T (section)

=== 32. The Middle Way Advocates Internationalism Rather Than Nationalism ===

For all the above reasons, Revitalized Buddhism passionately declares, “Toward internationalism, rather than nationalism!” To this, nationalists will likely object. Even Soviet Russia, which aims to prioritize production, cannot refrain from maintaining a formidable military in the current state of the world, where nations still find it necessary to possess strong armaments. Therefore, ideals like internationalism can be nothing more than a faint mirage. From the beginning, then, we are well aware that the path to achieving complete internationalism is still a distant dream. However, this is precisely why we cannot find any basis for rejecting internationalism but rather believe in the necessity of vigorously promoting it.

Furthermore, nationalists will view internationalists as unpatriotic individuals who ignore their homeland and may seek on that basis to exclude them. We, on the contrary, see nationalists as short-sighted individuals who bring harm to their own country. Patriotism does not lie solely in blind loyalty. Buddhism teaches, “One who abandons gratitude and acts without seeking reward is the true benefactor.”<ref>While I am not able to confirm this, it is possible that this quotation comes from the ''Sei shinji donin kyō'' 清信士度人経 (''Sutra on the Pure Faithful Helping Others'').</ref> “Acting without seeking reward”<ref>''Mui'' 無為 (Ch. ''wuwei''), sometimes translated as “actionless action,” is an important Daoist principle.</ref> refers to truth—to selflessness. The sage Nanshū also said, “If you do not possess the spirit of dedicating oneself to the nation by walking the path of righteousness, international relations should be avoided altogether.”<ref>Saigō Takemori, ''Saigō Nanshū ikun'' 西郷南洲遺訓 (''The Testament of Saigō Nanshū''), Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin, Saigō Takamori Kō Hōsankai 特定非営利活動法人、西郷隆盛公奉賛会, [https://tinyurl.com/3u68pwnh accessed October 3, 2024], p. 8.</ref> Moreover, this is not about international compromise. It is precisely about the great path of world peace and mutual love among humanity. Therefore, internationalism should not contradict the true meaning of patriotism; rather, efforts to realize internationalism at the national level must embody the great bodhisattva practice by which “those who wish to become buddhas should help all sentient beings.” The fundamental aspiration of religion has been centered around beauty. For example, Nichiren’s assertion, “How could one not think of their country when they are fortunate enough to be born in this land?” reflects the content of his “thinking of the country,” which is about the truth of the homeland and not merely a nationalistic sense of patriotism. In the face of the Mongol invasion, he wrote:

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If it comes to pass that the Mongols draw near and our country meets its demise, it would be a lamentable affair. However, even in such a situation, if the people of Japan were to slander the ''Lotus Sutra'', they would surely fall into the Avīci hell without respite. Even if the Japanese were to exert force, the country would perish, but slandering the Dharma (committing injustice) would be even more despicable. It is comparable to using moxibustion to treat an illness and still resorting to harming others for personal gain. Though it may cause sorrow at the time, ultimately, it will bring joy later. (From ''Letter on Many in Body, One in Mind'')<ref>''Itai dōshinji no gosho'' 異体同心事御書. A contemporary translation of the same passage may be found at: [https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/71 “Many in Body, One in Mind,” Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism Library], WND I: 71, p. 618, accessed September 18, 2024.</ref>
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Words uttered with such composure are certainly not those of a self-centered nationalist. They exemplify internationalism. Furthermore, the act of the young Śākyamuni Buddha leaving behind his ancestral country and entering the mountains, and the words of Jesus saying, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”<ref>Matthew 22:21.</ref> were not about disregarding or being ungrateful to their homelands. On the contrary, they were firmly convinced that eternal benefits lie in the construction of a nation based on truth.

The current nationalist attitude displayed by Buddhists is truly a desecration of the sacred intentions of the founders and patriarchs of the religion. One of the reasons for the decline of religion is undoubtedly its nationalistic transformation. How can the authority of truth be upheld in a religion that has been coopted by the state? Even Gandhi taught that love for truth should be esteemed higher than love for one’s country. Religion should be the critic of the state. Religion should be the advocate of internationalism. That is true patriotism and the practice of moderation.