Whilst I would no where near call myself a Buddhist, if there was a religion / belief system I would choose over others Buddism would be it.
Reading the first few pages of Thich Naht Hanh's book, 'The Art of Living', published in 2017, with interest, one sentence in the very first chapter struck me.
'If the 20th Century was characterized by individualism and consumption, the 21st Century can be characterized by the insight of interconnectedness and by efforts to explore new forms of solidarity and togetherness.'
With 2020 having been consumed by COVID-19, does the worldwide aftermath effect of the virus match this vision of 'interconnectedness and solidarity?'
We can look back on the years 1900-2000 and after both world wars finished, see that consumption boomed, with people having more disposable cash and affording more luxuries like cars, technology, homes and holidays. This consumerism drives a gap between the haves and the have-nots. With COVID-19 having touched every single person on planet Earth in some way, is this the ultimate example of togetherness and solidarity? We stay home to protect each other, we wear masks to protect ourselves and each other and we stay socially distanced to protect each other.
Thoughts? Impeccable vision and foresight by Thich Naht Hahn or completely unrelated?
