Compassion Under Pressure

Compassion Under Pressure: A Buddhist Perspective on Taiwan's Existential Struggle 

Taiwan has long been a disaster-prone land, primarily because its strategic location at a global crossroads has made it a constant target for ambitious powers. From the partial occupations by the Netherlands and Spain to the fifty-year Japanese colonial period from 1895 to 1945, the island's history is one of shifting rulers and persistent insecurity.

My father was born in 1929, an era of deep turbulence. He lived through the end of World War II and the subsequent transition to the rule of the Nationalist Party (KMT), which arrived from China after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1949. This period was marked by high-pressure governance and the tragic massacre of Taiwanese people. For decades, the CCP has never wavered in its intent to conquer Taiwan, despite Taiwan maintaining its own independent government and military, functioning entirely outside of Beijing’s jurisdiction.

I was born about nineteen years after the Chinese Civil War, and I grew up in the shadow of these threats. When I turned twenty, I was drafted for two years of mandatory military service. During that time, the tension was so high that I lived with the constant fear that I might actually die in the military.

The Isolation of an International Orphan

Taiwan's situation remains precarious. Our seat in the United Nations has been replaced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and as of 2026, we have only twelve diplomatic allies. We are treated like international orphans. The CCP uses its vast market for economic coercion, forcing other nations to follow their "One China" principle. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues its intimidation through frequent incursions. Even in the arena of sports, our national flag is prohibited from being displayed, and our athletes are forced to compete under the name "Chinese Taipei". With Xi Jinping signaling that the military should be ready for a potential invasion by 2027, the pressure has reached an all-time high.

Understanding the Roots of Collective Karma

It is natural to feel resentment or fear when being bullied on the world stage. However, through the lens of the Dharma, we see that the Buddha’s own people, the Shakya clan, were also destroyed in a war. Despite the Buddha’s attempts to mediate, he recognized that he could not block the collective karma that had ripened. The clan had previously been a group of fishermen who slaughtered a great number of fish; that ancient seed eventually bore fruit.

I believe Taiwan’s current struggles are also tied to such collective karma. What happened in the past is done; what we did before is unknown to us now. What truly matters is our attitude today and how we actively work to improve things. The only way to resolve such a cycle is to cultivate compassion to dissolve the hatred in our hearts.

Role Models of Compassion

Practicing compassion during an existential threat is the ultimate test of practice. We have powerful role models for this:

• The Buddha and Devadatta: The Buddha’s cousin, Devadatta, tried to murder him multiple times. Yet, the Buddha held no hatred toward him, viewing him as a teacher who helped him perfect his patience.

• The Dalai Lama: Despite the massacre of Tibetan people by the CCP and his forced exile, the Dalai Lama remains a role model of compassion. He does not hold resentment toward the oppressors; instead, he provides the best possible example for his compatriots on how to maintain dignity and peace in the face of suffering.

Conclusion: Changing the Dynamic through Good Deeds

 Luke Lin 2/16/2026