Bonus Episode: Zenanarchism

For this Bonus Episode, we share a talk presented at Nowhere Books in Chiang Mai, which was hosted alongside Yucca, the Research Director at Exile Hub.

We are including the following description which was prepared by event organizers:

Buddhism and anarchism, though originating in distinct realms—spiritual and political—share key commonalities that make for a thought-provoking intersection. Both reject coercive authority and hierarchical structures, emphasizing individual responsibility and autonomy. Buddhism, particularly Zen, encourages personal liberation through inner peace, mindfulness, and detachment from desire, while anarchism advocates for a free, non-hierarchical society based on mutual aid and voluntary cooperation. Both traditions emphasize non-violence and compassion, valuing simplicity and interconnectedness within communities.

However, notable contradictions exist. Buddhism’s focus on spiritual detachment and acceptance of suffering contrasts with anarchism’s drive for political resistance and material change. While Buddhists aim to alleviate suffering through personal transformation and mindfulness, anarchists see suffering as rooted in unjust social systems that require active resistance. Additionally, the hierarchical nature of some Buddhist communities contrasts with anarchism’s emphasis on egalitarian, horizontal structures. Despite these differences, the overlapping values of personal freedom, non-violence, and community-based ethics make the relationship between Buddhism and anarchism a fascinating area of exploration.

The talk was presented at Nowhere Books, a “third culture” Chinese language space whose cultural activities include lectures, publishing, curation, theme camps and other programs. It was part of a series called the Digital Humanities Un, an initiative sponsored by digi-cnx, a local Chiang Mai network committed to dialogue and research on how digital technologies are impacting both people and our planet. Many thanks to Dev Lewis for his role in helping to arrange the talk.