--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I make a distinction between Buddhism…" description: "\"I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B' and buddhism with a small 'b'. Sri Lanka has the former, in which the state uses Buddhism as a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/sulak-sivaraksa-43687_aim_i-make-a-distinction-between-buddhism-wi_295340.jpg" --- # I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B'… ![“I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B' and buddhism with a small 'b'. Sri Lanka has the former, in which the state uses Buddhism as an instrument of power, so there are even Buddhists monks who say the Tamils should be eliminated. Thai Buddhists are not perfect either. Some Thai…” quote by Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/sulak-sivaraksa-43687_aim_i-make-a-distinction-between-buddhism-wi_295340.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/sulak-sivaraksa-43687_aim_i-make-a-distinction-between-buddhism-wi_295340.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/sulak-sivaraksa-43687_aim_i-make-a-distinction-between-buddhism-wi_295340.jpg) > “I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B' and buddhism with a small 'b'. Sri Lanka has the former, in which the state uses Buddhism as an instrument of power, so there are even Buddhists monks who say the Tamils should be eliminated. Thai Buddhists are not perfect either. Some Thai Buddhist monks have compromised with the kind and possess cars and other luxuries. In many Buddhist countries, the emphasis is on being goody-goody, which is not good enough. I am for buddhism with a small 'b' which is non-violent, practical and aims to eliminate the cause of suffering..” [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguishes between institutional Buddhism used for power and personal, non‑violent practice aimed at ending suffering. **In simple terms:** State Buddhism is political; personal Buddhism is compassionate. Key Takeaway Practice Buddhism as personal, non‑violent path. Themes religion politics ethics violence Mood concerned hopeful Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - social activism - interfaith dialogue - education - policy reform Key Concepts state power personal practice non‑violence suffering Questions to Reflect On - How can individuals maintain pure practice? - What safeguards prevent religion from becoming political? A Different Perspective Institutional Buddhism can corrupt true teachings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Be good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-good/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Buddhism Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism-small-2833236/) [Buddhist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhist/) [Buddhist monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhist-monk/) [Buddhist Monks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhist-monks/) [Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Emphasis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emphasis/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Good Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-buddhism-1860478/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Instruments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instruments/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monk/) [Non violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-violent/) [Not good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-good-enough/) [Not perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-perfect/) [Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect/) [Practicals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practicals/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sri lanka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sri-lanka/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thai/) [Thai Buddhist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thai-buddhist-2833238/) [Thai Buddhists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thai-buddhists-2833237/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [“Wouldn't it be great if health-care plans included a list of Buddhist monks among the network providers?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/wouldn-t-it-be-great-if-health-care-plans-included-a-list-of-buddhist/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [“Buddhist monks who had practiced more than ten thousand hours of meditation, researchers at the University of Wisconsin measured significantly higher levels of gamma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/buddhist-monks-who-had-practiced-more-than-ten-thousand-hours-of/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I can't tell how moving it is to open my email and see a picture of 1,500 Buddhist monks and nuns in the Himalayan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/i-can-t-tell-how-moving-it-is-to-open-my-email-and-see-a-picture-of-1/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [ “The trains \[in a country\] contain the essential paraphernalia of the culture: Thai trains have the shower jar with the glazed dragon on its… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-trains-in-a-country-contain-the-essential-paraphernalia-of-the/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [You haven't partied until you've partied at dawn in complete silence with Buddhist monks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-diaz/you-haven-t-partied-until-you-ve-partied-at-dawn-in-complete-silence/) [Cameron Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-diaz/) > […the interesting thing was that the Roman Catholic monks and the Buddhist monks had no trouble understanding each other. 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Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Meditation led to decreased density of the amygdala, a physical change that was correlated with subjects’ self-reported stress levels—as their amygdalae got less dense,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stossel/meditation-led-to-decreased-density-of-the-amygdala-a-physical-change/) [Scott Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stossel/) ## More by Sulak Sivaraksa > [It is not a Buddhist approach to say that if everyone practiced Buddhism, the world would be a better place. Wars and oppression begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/it-is-not-a-buddhist-approach-to-say-that-if-everyone-practiced/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [Buddhism is not concerned just with private destiny, but with the lives and consciousness of all beingsAny attempt to understand Buddhism apart from its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/buddhism-is-not-concerned-just-with-private-destiny-but-with-the/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [We have more than enough programs, organisations, parties, and strategies in the world for the alleviation of suffering and injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/we-have-more-than-enough-programs-organisations-parties-and/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [The use of market values and technology as a social barometer has devalued the worth of individuals, rendered irrelevant the quality of their lives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/the-use-of-market-values-and-technology-as-a-social-barometer-has/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [People seeking to live spiritually must be concerned with their social and physical environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/people-seeking-to-live-spiritually-must-be-concerned-with-their/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [True development must be in harmony with the needs of people and the rhythms of the natural world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/true-development-must-be-in-harmony-with-the-needs-of-people-and-the/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [Capitalism brainwashes us through advertising and the skewing of priorities … We need economies that promote human values, seek to limit suffering, and are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/capitalism-brainwashes-us-through-advertising-and-the-skewing-of/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) > [Radical transformation of society requires personal and spiritual change first or at least simultaneously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulak-sivaraksa/radical-transformation-of-society-requires-personal-and-spiritual/) [Sulak Sivaraksa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) [Explore all 9 Sulak Sivaraksa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulak-sivaraksa/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B' and buddhism with a small 'b'. Sri Lanka has the former, in which the state uses Buddhism as an instrument of power, so there are even Buddhists monks who say the Tamils should be eliminated. Thai Buddhists are not perfect either. Some Thai Buddhist monks have compromised with the kind and possess cars and other luxuries. In many Buddhist countries, the emphasis is on being goody-goody, which is not good enough. 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