The Root of Social Problems : หน้า 13/91

THE ROOT OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS T HE ROOT OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS M any blame the scarcity of lasting happiness on the disarray of modern culture. Family breakdown, violent crime, suicide, deterioration of education, neglect of the aged, reliance on the welfare state and corruption are just some of the social ailments found all around the world. Some blame the changes of social attitudes and values that have given rise to double standards, separation of church and state, individualism or materialism. Often, however, we fail to see the connection between such problems and the neglect of our own minds. Most of us would recognize that our minds are in bad shape. We notice the stress and tension in our minds and realize that this must certainly not be the natural state of our minds. Looking for a scapegoat, we blame the problems of our mind on the social problems around us. However, according to the Buddhist approach, the mind is the starting point of all things. If our minds are in bad shape it means that we are lacking the practice of virtue and meditation. To blame mental problems on society is to put the cart before the horse because we believe that social problems arise because the mind is in poor shape and not the other way round. Improving the quality of the mind is clearly our first priority in the improving the social situation. Happiness and social harmony go hand in hand. As we have mentioned, the happiness on which social harmony depends can only come about where virtue and meditation are practiced in combination.