When you think of the Buddha, what comes to mind? Maybe the image of a serene meditator, sitting cross-legged, standing, or lying down in one of the classic postures that have been sculpted and painted so many times. Or maybe a radiant person in monk’s robes in a forest, sitting under a tree, peacefully teaching and discussing the Dharma. These images are the most celebrated, but the historical teacher we call the Buddha did much more than meditate and teach. The Buddha and the monks and nuns he trained advised kings and local authorities, debated social issues with members of many different groups, and created a complex and remarkably stable intentional community that survives to this day. If anything, the creation of the monastic order may have been more politically and culturally impactful than the psychological and spiritual techniques he taught. In this practice guide, we’ll explore the Buddha’s teachings on healthy society and wise governance, including his surprisingly modern views on caste, economics, and empire.

...