In an era increasingly defined by geopolitical tension, rapid technological shifts, and ecological instability, the search for a sustainable and peaceful path forward has never been more urgent. Professor Asoka Bandarage, a distinguished scholar with a PhD in sociology from Yale and a deep-rooted commitment to Buddhist philosophy, recently delivered a seminal lecture titled “Non-violence, Ecology and Social Justice: A Global Perspective.” Hosted as part of the Ahiṃsā – Nonviolence in Global Perspective series by the University of Hamburg and Kyoto University, her discourse provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the crises of our time and, more importantly, a roadmap for collective transformation.
For the Global Sri Lankan community, Professor Bandarage’s work resonates deeply. As a community often caught between the rich heritage of our motherland and the fast-paced, techno-centric environments of Australia, the UK, and North America, her call for a “Middle Path” offers a vital bridge between tradition and modernity.
The Hidden Reality of Structural Violence
Professor Bandarage began her lecture by expanding the common definition of violence. While direct physical violence, such as war and crime, is easily identified, she highlighted the more pervasive and often invisible “structural violence.” This refers to systemic harm embedded within social institutions that prevents individuals from meeting their basic needs and exercising their rights.
According to Professor Bandarage, structural violence manifests in three primary ways:
- Environmental Violence: The destruction of planetary life support systems. She noted that between 1970 and 2020, wildlife populations plummeted by a staggering 73%. With one million species threatened with extinction and one in three people lacking access to safe drinking water, the degradation of the environment is not merely an “issue” but a form of systemic assault on life itself.
- Economic Inequality: The concentration of wealth has reached extreme levels. Citing data from Oxfam International, Professor Bandarage pointed out that the richest 1% of the world’s population now controls more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. This inequality is a fundamental driver of poverty and social instability.
- Militarism: Global military spending has surged to approximately $2.9 trillion. This massive diversion of resources from human services to weaponry represents a normalization of violence in global diplomacy.
The Techno-Capitalist Paradigm and the AI Challenge
A significant portion of the lecture was dedicated to what Professor Bandarage terms the “techno-capitalist paradigm.” This is a worldview where technology and market forces attempt to subsume all aspects of human life and nature. She offered a critical look at how the “attention economy”, driven by algorithms and unregulated Artificial Intelligence, is subtly transforming human consciousness.
The Professor raised an existential question: Are we becoming “dependent servants” of technology? As AI begins to shape our desires, beliefs, and even our biological systems through synthetic biology, there is a risk of “cognitive surrender.” This, she argues, is a form of violence against human autonomy and creativity. For the Global Sri Lankan community, many of whom are tech professionals in modern workspaces, these insights are particularly relevant as we navigate the benefits and pitfalls of the digital age.
The Three Poisons: A Buddhist Diagnosis
Drawing from her background as a student of Buddhism, Professor Bandarage identified the root causes of this global crisis as the “Three Poisons”:
- Greed (Lobha): The insatiable desire for material possessions, fueled by the false belief that external things bring lasting happiness. Modern advertising is built upon this psychological manipulation.
- Hatred (Dosa): The aversion and conflict that arise when greed-driven desires are thwarted.
- Ignorance (Moha): A fundamental misunderstanding of the laws of nature, or Dhamma.
Professor Bandarage emphasized the concept of Interbeing, a term coined by the late Thich Nhat Hanh. This concept teaches that nothing exists in isolation; all phenomena are interdependent. The “domination paradigm”, which pits humans against nature and “us” against “them”, is a direct result of ignoring this fundamental truth.
The Middle Path: Navigating the Growth Crisis
As a solution to the “unbridled growth” of modern capitalism, Professor Bandarage proposed the adoption of the Middle Path. This is not a call for a return to a primitive state, nor is it a passive acceptance of the status quo. Instead, it is an ethical framework for balance and moderation.
The Professor distinguished between human needs and human wants. While needs must be met for human dignity, “insatiable wants” lead to ecological collapse. Her “Middle Path Equilibrium Curve” illustrates that after a certain point, increased consumption actually leads to a decrease in well-being and happiness.
For the community, this could mean embracing “community economics” and “bioregionalism”, supporting local food sovereignty and small-scale, sustainable businesses. Whether you are looking for property back home through eLanka Property or sourcing traditional goods via the eLanka Shop, the principle of conscious, balanced consumption is key.
The Power of 3.5%: Satyagraha for a Modern Age
One of the most inspiring segments of the lecture focused on social change. Professor Bandarage introduced the “3.5% rule”, a finding from research on hundreds of non-violent movements. The rule states that no government can survive a mass uprising when at least 3.5% of the population is actively and non-violently mobilized.
She invoked the spirit of Satyagraha (Truth Force), popularized by Mahatma Gandhi. Non-violent resistance is not just more ethical; it is statistically twice as effective as violent campaigns. This “Truth Force” relies on moral conviction and inner strength to challenge systems of structural violence.
Socially Engaged Mindfulness
Finally, Professor Bandarage called for a shift in how we practice mindfulness. In the West, mindfulness is often marketed as a simple stress-relief tool for individual productivity. However, true Buddhist mindfulness (Sati) must be integrated with morality (Sila) and wisdom (Panna).
She urged practitioners to move beyond “sitting on their cushions” and to apply their awareness to collective social engagement. This “socially engaged mindfulness” means being aware of the suffering of others and taking compassionate action to address the root causes of inequality and environmental destruction.
Conclusion: A Call to the Global Sri Lankan Community
Professor Asoka Bandarage’s lecture is a profound reminder that the crises we face, whether in Colombo, Sydney, London, or Toronto, are deeply interconnected. By embracing the Middle Path and fostering a culture of partnership over domination, we can contribute to a more peaceful and just world.
As eLanka continues to serve as a digital hub for our community, we are proud to share these “good news stories” of intellectual and spiritual leadership. We encourage our readers to reflect on how these principles can be applied in their own lives and businesses.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NuLCfKlnPk&t=645s
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