1.Why have we chosen to be inspired by and to commit to the wide tradition of Buddhism?

Historically the various traditions of Buddhism have promoted a lived path of self-education of meditation, wisdom, compassion and non-violence that is put to social account. As Buddhists, a number of us have initiated the community of BigSkyFreedom but by no means do we conceive of it to be a Buddhist community for Buddhists or those planning to convert or follow this specific religio-spiritual path. It is Buddhist in a loose of way of embodying some of its values, principles and spiritual techniques. But, we feel that these in fact transcend traditions and doctrines – that they are our primordial nature (our Buddhanature) or are always-already a part of our shared human heritage. Like in Buddhism, BigSkyFreedom is about the liberation from all suffering and the cultivation of love and of joy.

In this light, BigSkyFreedom is for and open to all.

2.Why have we chosen to be inspired by and to commit to the wide tradition of Anarchism?

There are many, many forms of Anarchism. We share a number of our precepts and principles with some of them - with others we do not. What matters to us, and what inspires us, is that, from a perspective of historico-political commitment and involvement – Anarchism is about the FREEDOM,EQUALITY FOR ALL, LIBERTY, RESPECT and DIGNITY of the INDIVIDUAL - particularly, freedom from oppression and violent control. It is an openly conceived DEMOCRATIC tradition or 'doctrine'. One really can’t define it. Its ideas, differences and values are always being discussed and negotiated. No one can own, control or destroy Anarchism. This open conversation on freedom and democratic rights suits our intentions well, as the main mission of BigSkyFreedom is that of LIBERATION – both inner and outer.

There is always a risk, sometimes a huge liability, about using the words 'anarchist' and 'anarchism' to talk about a group and its members or an event with its participants. Many of these same people would not know about anarchism or would hesitate to identify with or would even outright reject that label or term. The obvious reason for this is that the images that usually pop into the public consciousness when they hear the words, 'anarchist' and 'anarchism' are unpredictable, radical, sectarian, fringe political groups bend on creating chaos, mindless violence for violence’s sake, widespread destruction and blanket-statement rejections of civilization. In our mind’s eye we instantly see old-style 19th century 'terrorist' bomb-throwers or contemporary disaffected youths in black, vandalizing, rioting, looting and battling security forces in burning urban settings. Also, throughout the last century state political propaganda machines, whatever their ideological bent, have convinced the vast majority of people that this is what Anarchy IS and MEANS and that it can only ever BE THIS and MEAN THIS.

Anarchism is a wide and diverse politico-philosophical tradition. There have been and still are Anarchist positions and movements that are violent and revolutionary. Almost all political traditions have to deal with this issue [Communism, Socialism, NeoLiberal-Capitalism etc…]. There are many kinds of values within the Anarchist and Libertarian traditions [Social, Individualist, Right/Left/neither Right nor Left etc.]. Many of them are in direct opposition to one another.

BigSkyFreedom, as a community, takes its inspiration from the values and politics of Anarcho-Pacifist/Buddhist/Christian movements throughout history.

BigSkyFreedom is a group with Pacifist values – it has no violent intent or consequences.

We mean to emphasize this.

By committing itself, loosely, to an Anarchist position, BigSkyFreedom is not choosing to court scandal or controversy. BigSkyFreedom is not engaged in partisan politics or is not there to take sides on specific issues. BigSkyFreedom is not interested in entering a public debate on Anarchy or Anarchism with other political parties or organizations – even with other Anarchist/Libertarian ones. Our statements and value commitments lie in our practice. We are interested in making 'Anarchism' work for us in the way we want – and we are free to do so.

BigSkyFreedom is Anarchist in position of forwarding fundamental freedom, democracy and dignity based on the core values of Satya & Ahimsa laid out below.

If 'revolution' is what we are aiming at, we want the only kind worth having – the 'Inner Revolution' that comes from the opening of people’s hearts. By advocating this position that transcends political divide, BigSkyFreedom is making a political intervention into the public space and this involvement is the political act to which we are committing.

3.Why have we chosen to be inspired by and to commit to the tradition of Anarcho-Buddhism?

One definition of Anarchism is that it is that which advocates freedom in sense of the concrete and vital possibility for every human being to bring to full development, all their talents, capacities and powers and to turn them to social account. It is a real, not ideal, freedom that produces the real 'results' of social and spiritual wealth. BigSkyFreedom assents to and affirms this definition.

The Buddhist dimension to this Anarchism lies in how we see this definition being actualized in the world. We feel that the only real way to bring this about is not by instigating political-economic revolts or just advocating laudable progressive social activism but by freely and democratically working for the 'Inner Revolution' of the individual. People have to discover the wisdom and compassion and power within themselves. They have to still their minds and open their hearts to truly care for themselves and for others. They can then embody these values and share these realizations with others. We feel this is the real path to free and heal the world. As Gandhi said, we have to be the change we want to see in the world. The world is the mirror, the reflection of our views, choices and values. It is our projection for which we are responsible. If we don’t like what we see, we have to change it ourselves - by changing ourselves. We cannot expect others to change while we remain the same. Nor can we expect others to do this work for us. It is the responsibility that comes with our freedom.

With this view, Anarcho-Buddhism is part of a long tradition of politically committed pacifism and spirituality we see in the examples of the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi, King, Thoreau, Emerson, Tolstoy, Dorothy Day and the Quakers and peace traditions around the world and throughout history…. Speaking truth to power and pointing us to our innate perfection.

Movements within this tradition have been attacked, destroyed, imprisoned, exiled, ridiculed and dismissed. However, this tradition, its inner truth, always persists, always arises anew, phoenix-like, to return and challenge us all to be better – to be perfect. It arises to return, again and again.

BigSkyFreedom is a community making a conscious effort to walk this path.

To inspire to awaken to reveal

NOW, you do NOT have to be a Buddhist or an Anarchist to participate in our community. You do not have to identify yourself as either. We are not advocating these values and ideas as an ideology we insist others adopt. Rather, our community reaches out to touch other’s hearts using these positions as a methodology.

Our practice, our silent meditation sit (the FREEDOM SIT) constitutes the condition for the possibility of this free space where people can come together to discover and feel these truths together. The FREEDOM SIT is an EVENT – a singularity in time and occasion where something both new and timeless is experienced and shared by all. Participants can then take this insight, this energy and introduce it into their involvements with others. This is how our community works and benefits our world.