General, Guest Bloggers

Ancient Wisdom Applies to Today and Tomorrow

May 4, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

Adin_Strauss_DSC1624During May 1 to 8 Social Security is joining forces with faith-based and community groups across the country to increase awareness about their programs and services. The theme for this Faith Week of Action is “Shining a Light on Your Lifelong Protections.”

One of the common misconceptions about Buddhism is that it is detached from the affairs of daily living.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The Buddhist tradition focuses on cultivating the wisdom to differentiate between short-term pleasure and long-term well-being, and the courage to make the best choices.

Among the ancient Buddhist teachings, we find detailed, practical advice on how to handle our money. One sutra, or teaching, advises us to “set aside one fourth of our earnings for times of need.”

Social Security is a solid partner that helps us to prepare for times of need — retirement, disability or the unexpected death of a family’s breadwinner. 

As a Buddhist, I believe that all of our lives are profoundly interwoven. As one of the great modern Buddhist thinkers, Daisaku Ikeda said, “Each form of life supports all others; together, they weave the grand web of life. Thus, there really is no happiness for oneself alone; no suffering that afflicts only others.”

I appreciate that Social Security provides this kind of protection for my friends, neighbors, and all my fellow Americans. I can relate to those who resent the deduction taken from their paycheck every payday.  However, I also know these contributions provide us with an essential foundation for the future.

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We must ensure their well-being and honor their much-needed contributions to our world.  Social security helps us to do just that. Register for Social Security’s Faith Week of Action online and learn how you can help spread the message about securing today and tomorrow.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
See Comments

About the Author

Adin Strauss, General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA

Adin Strauss, General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA

Comments

  1. Fatih

    The writers of this article should have said that Buddist teachings about the long term vs. short-term pleasures are thoughts from one tradition. Many other philosophies and religions say the same thing. Just talking about Buddism gives the impression that Social Security is endorsing it

    https://koltukyikama.web.tr/post_tag-sitemap.xml

    • Mitra S.

      In fact, you need to read books and it will immediately become easier, I know for sure. Therefore, I can say that it is imperative to think about not only reading information about the book, but also reading a review, an essay about the plot, and so on. For example about the excellent work Macbeth, you can look here https://studydriver.com/macbeth-tragic-flaw/ . I am glad that I found just here the data about it, I even wrote my essay for the university referring to these materials when I had to describe my favorite work.

  2. taking m.

    Great blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Great!.

    https://www.vogate.co.uk/product/aspergers-2-online-training-course/

  3. bill m.

    OK,OK SSfolks…Why are people who have not contributed one
    dime allowed to get SS???? This is a great insult to the
    ones who have paid into it all the working days!!!
    Get real folks and stop being so concerned about religion and try real hard to paying attention to our laws that have been on the books for years!

  4. mike b.

    August 22, 2016

    1. Contact Congressman Sam Johnson and the Ways and Means committee to complain about dishonest of Social Security Administration employees, who discriminate, retaliate and are unprofessional.

    2. I have been treated very badly by social security disability review staffs who deny every SSDA claim and forces most people to hire a lawyer.

    3. The lawyers and the Disability review committee for social security are conspiring to make a cottage industry for Social Security Lawyers.

    4. If you complain about social security discrimination, dishonest employees for SSDA and SSA employees with rude/unprofessional attitudes/behaviors then SSA retaliates!

    5. Contact the Ways and Means Subcommittee of Social Security Disability Benefits.
    6. The Chair is Congressman Sam Johnson from Texas. Mr. Johnson is running unopposed for re-election therefore SSDA believe they are too big to fail…

    7. Wrong, help me get the SSDA conspiracy and incompetent agency to work for the disabled and elderly.
    Social Security and the Ways and Means Committee Majority

    Kevin Brady

    Sam Johnson

    Devin Nunes

    Pat Tiberi

    • 1102 Longworth HOB
    • Washington D.C. 20515
    • P: (202) 225-3625
    • F: (202) 225-2610

  5. Lisa

    This post is from a guest blogger from the SGI who took part in a faith based awareness week partnered by SSA. (look at the header) Emphasis on guest, which as a non government official, gives him the right to blog about religion on a government page (or any other for that matter) just as much as it gives anyone else who is responding to this blog. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, sound familiar?

  6. Kevin C.

    The writers of this article should have said that Buddist teachings about the long term vs. short-term pleasures are thoughts from one tradition. Many other philosophies and religions say the same thing. Just talking about Buddism gives the impression that Social Security is endorsing it

  7. S T.

    How does anyone think this article promoted Buddhism? It promoted Social Security retirement, if anything.

  8. Chris

    I really liked the article and the insight it brought. Being an SSA retiree who strived to provide world class service to all, regardless of religious beliefs and all other differences that make us each an individual human being I am most appreciative and thank you. Sometimes it seems there is a tendency to forget we are all members of the human race and kindness can be life changing for all of us.

Comments are closed.