What Would the Buddha Say About AI? A Tech-Aware, Spirit-Led Vision for Hastings, Minnesota
The Buddha blesses the Hastings Raiders with serene support at McNamara Stadium — a spirited fusion of timeless wisdom and community pride under blue and gold skies. AI image by Local Pigeon
Introduction
Imagine Siddhartha Gautama—the Buddha—walking along the Mississippi River in Hastings, Minnesota, today. Two and a half millennia after his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, he observes a world of smartphones, AI assistants, and self-driving cars. What wisdom might this ancient spiritual teacher offer about artificial intelligence (AI) in our community? How would the Buddha, known for compassion and insight, guide Hastings to embrace technology mindfully and ethically?
This post explores those questions, weaving the Buddha’s origin story and core teachings into a tech-aware, spirit-led vision for our town. We’ll revisit the Buddha’s journey from prince to enlightened teacher, and unpack Buddhist principles around suffering, wisdom, ethics, mindfulness, compassion, and right livelihood. Then, we’ll apply that wisdom to AI – examining how these tools might ease suffering and build community, and where caution is needed around bias, detachment, and ethical dilemmas. Throughout, we’ll ground the discussion in Hastings’ context, with inspiring reflections on education, healthcare, and civic life. The goal is a hopeful, thoughtful vision for how a community like Hastings can embrace AI mindfully and compassionately – in a way the Buddha himself might bless.
Siddhartha’s Journey to Enlightenment
Who was the Buddha? The Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince in ancient India (circa 6th–5th century BCE). According to tradition, Siddhartha’s father shielded him from life’s hardships, surrounding him with luxury and youth. However, at age 29 Siddhartha encountered what Buddhists call the “Four Sights”: an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a wandering monk kids.britannica.com. For the first time, he grasped the universality of aging, illness, and death – and saw the possibility of a peaceful spiritual path despite life’s suffering. Deeply moved, the young prince renounced his palace life to seek a cure for the human condition of suffering kids.britannica.com.
Siddhartha spent years as a homeless ascetic, enduring extreme austerities in his quest. Eventually he realized that neither luxury nor self-torment led to truth – instead, he embraced a “Middle Way” of balance. One fateful night, while meditating under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, Siddhartha attained enlightenment kids.britannica.com. In that moment of profound insight, he became “the Buddha” (meaning the Awakened One). He understood the nature of suffering and how to overcome it. With great compassion, he resolved to spend his life teaching others the path to liberation from suffering kids.britannica.com.
Key teachings of the Buddha. After his enlightenment, the Buddha introduced the Four Noble Truths, which remain the foundation of all Buddhist philosophy kids.britannica.com:
Life is characterized by suffering (dukkha). From obvious pains like illness and grief to subtle dissatisfactions, suffering pervades existence. This is not meant pessimistically, but as an honest diagnosis of life’s struggles kids.britannica.com.
Suffering has a cause: craving and ignorance. Our grasping for pleasures, aversions, and false assumptions (like thinking things last forever) trap us in cycles of discontent.
Suffering can end. Just as illness can be cured, there is a state free from suffering’s grip – nirvana, the extinguishing of craving.
There is a path to end suffering. The cure is the Noble Eightfold Path – a set of interrelated practices in ethical living, mental discipline, and wisdom.
The Eightfold Path the Buddha taught consists of: right view, right intention, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration en.wikipedia.org. In essence, it’s a guide to living a life of wisdom (prajñā), moral virtue (śīla), and mental focus (samādhi). By following this path, one cultivates insight into reality, ethical conduct toward others, and mindfulness in all actions – the recipe for reducing suffering and increasing compassion.
Several themes in the Buddha’s teachings are especially relevant to modern challenges:
Impermanence and wisdom: The Buddha emphasized that everything in conditioned existence is impermanent. “All conditioned things are impermanent” — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering. This is the path to purification. buddhanet.net Recognizing impermanence helps us not cling too tightly to things (whether material possessions or passing technologies), thereby reducing our suffering. Wisdom (
prajñā) means seeing things as they are – including the ever-changing nature of life – and responding skillfully.Ethics and non-harm: Compassionate ethics (right speech, action, and livelihood) are central. Buddhists take precepts to avoid harming living beings, stealing, lying, or exploiting others. The Buddha taught that actions born of greed, hatred, or delusion lead to suffering, whereas actions rooted in compassion and understanding lead to wellbeing buddhismtoday.com. In the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s verses, it’s said: “If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.” buddhismtoday.com Our intentions have powerful consequences – purity of mind and motive brings about positive outcomes, while ill intent brings distress.
Suffering and compassion: Because life involves suffering, the Buddha’s mission was to alleviate suffering for all beings. He often emphasized empathy and compassion (
karuṇā) – urging his followers to extend care to everyone. The Metta Sutta famously urges us to cultivate unconditional goodwill: “Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings.” accesstoinsight.org This boundless compassion is a guiding light for how we should treat others.Mindfulness and mental discipline: The Buddha taught techniques like meditation (
bhāvanā) to cultivate mindfulness (sati) and concentration. By being deeply aware of the present moment, one gains insight and can prevent unwholesome impulses from turning into unwholesome actions. Mindfulness is about living with attention and intention – a quality that seems ever more relevant in our distraction-filled digital age.Right livelihood: Importantly, one part of the Eightfold Path, Right Livelihood, instructs that one’s way of earning a living should be ethical and not cause harm to others event.lbu.edu.np. Traditional texts advise against trades that harm beings (such as trading in weapons or poisons). The spirit of right livelihood is to contribute to society in a responsible, compassionate way through one’s work.
In summary, the Buddha’s enlightenment yielded a philosophy focused on wisdom, ethical conduct, and compassion. He devoted his life to teaching others how to live kindly, overcome suffering, and cultivate inner peace. These teachings, though ancient, have a remarkably timeless quality. As we turn to the topic of artificial intelligence, we’ll draw on these principles – asking how they might inform our use of AI in Hastings so that technology becomes a tool for good, not a source of new suffering.
What Would the Buddha Say About AI?
Fast-forward to the present: AI is everywhere, even here in Hastings. From smartphone apps to farm equipment, this once-futuristic technology is now woven into daily life. Artificial intelligence refers to machines and software that can perform tasks we normally associate with human intelligence – learning, problem-solving, language understanding, and more hastingsnow.com. In Hastings, as in the wider world, people are excited about AI’s potential but also nervous about its risks. This is exactly where Buddhist wisdom can offer guidance. If the Buddha were among us, how might he advise us to engage with AI mindfully, ethically, and compassionately? Let’s explore a few key themes.
Alleviating Suffering with Wisdom and Compassion
At its best, technology can reduce suffering and serve humanity – a goal very much in line with Buddhist values. A major aspiration in Buddhism is to apply compassion to help others and relieve their difficulties en.wikipedia.org. In fact, some modern Buddhist scholars suggest using the Bodhisattva vow (the vow to save all sentient beings from suffering) as a guiding principle for AI development en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org. What might this look like in practice?
In healthcare, we already see AI being used in ways that likely would earn the Buddha’s approval. For example, hospitals in Minnesota are using AI systems to assist doctors in catching diseases earlier. Radiologists have AI “second readers” that analyze medical scans and flag subtle details humans might miss. Dr. Badrinath Konety, a cancer specialist at Allina Health, noted that AI software reviewing lung scans sometimes catches tiny nodules that radiologists overlooked hastingsnow.com. In the vast majority of cases (over 99%), the AI finds nothing new, but in that fraction of a percent of cases, the AI’s discovery can lead to follow-up tests that potentially save a patient’s life hastingsnow.com. In Buddhist terms, this is technology acting as a skillful means to reduce suffering – a modern expression of compassion in action.
Education is another arena where AI could ease suffering (or at least frustration) by personalizing learning. In Hastings schools, teachers are experimenting with AI tutors that can adapt to each student’s needs, helping struggling learners catch up. When used wisely, an AI’s endless patience and data analysis can free up educators to spend more time mentoring and inspiring students. We can imagine the Buddha smiling at an AI that helps a child overcome difficulties in school, much as a kind teacher would. It aligns with the spirit of right effort – using appropriate effort to foster wholesome outcomes.
However, the Buddha would likely caution that intention matters enormously in how we use AI. We must ask: Are we applying AI out of wisdom and compassion, or out of greed and short-sightedness? Buddhist ethics emphasize non-harm (ahimsā). AI should not be designed or used to cause harm en.wikipedia.org – an idea entirely consistent with the first Buddhist precept of non-violence. If an AI technology is being developed for destructive purposes (say, autonomous weapons or manipulative surveillance), it clearly contradicts the principle of compassion. On this, Buddhist scholars are explicit: “Right Livelihood in Buddhism encourages ethical work that does not harm others… AI professionals must avoid working on projects that contribute to harm,” including weaponized AI or invasive surveillance tools event.lbu.edu.np. The Buddha would urge engineers and businesses to reflect deeply on the intended effects of their AI systems. If a tool increases suffering or injustice, is it truly worth pursuing? Wisdom would say no.
In Buddhist philosophy, wisdom and compassion are two wings of a bird – both are needed for skillful action. When designing or deploying AI, a wise understanding looks not just at short-term convenience or profit, but at long-term impacts on human well-being. A compassionate heart asks, “Does this truly help people? Does it help all people, or just a few at the expense of others?” In Hastings, we pride ourselves on being a caring community. Bringing that ethic to AI means favoring applications that uplift the vulnerable, reduce inequality, and serve community health. For instance, could we use AI to better connect seniors or provide mental health support? Can AI help city officials analyze data to improve services for those in need? These are directions the Buddha might gently nod toward – using our ingenuity to serve the many, not just the few.
It’s also worth noting a uniquely Buddhist perspective: concern for all sentient beings. Some Buddhist discussions even ask whether an advanced AI could be considered a “sentient being” deserving compassion en.wikipedia.org. While current AI is nowhere near that level (today’s systems don’t have feelings or true consciousness), the exercise is useful: it reminds us to cultivate an attitude of care and non-exploitation toward all creatures impacted by our actions. If we wouldn’t want to harm a living being, we should be cautious about creating digital systems that amplify harm indirectly (for example, AI that spreads harmful misinformation can hurt people’s lives). In short, the Buddha’s lens of compassion would have us continually ask of AI: “Does this help alleviate suffering, or does it risk causing more?” And we should proceed accordingly, with empathy and caution in equal measure.
Wisdom and Mindfulness in the Digital Age
Another theme the Buddha would stress is the importance of wisdom and mindfulness in how we relate to these powerful technologies. Just as he taught his disciples to be awake to the true nature of reality, we must strive to be clear-eyed about AI – neither idolizing it nor demonizing it.
One core Buddhist teaching is to avoid extremes and find the Middle Way. We see a parallel in attitudes toward AI: some hype it as a miraculous solution to everything, while others fear it as an existential threat. The Buddha’s balanced approach would encourage us to cut through both hype and fear with pragmatic understanding. An insightful quote from a modern Zen abbot, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, comes to mind: “There must be a middle way between [our tradition] getting washed out by culture or imprisoned in a museum.” lionsroar.com Although he was referring to adapting Buddhism to modern life, the sentiment applies to AI adoption too. We shouldn’t reject new technology outright and hide from progress, but neither should we embrace every shiny innovation without discernment. Mindfulness means paying attention to what AI actually is and does. It’s a tool – incredibly advanced, yes, but still a human-created tool with strengths and limitations.
In practical terms, mindfulness with AI might mean using it deliberately and thoughtfully rather than compulsively. Many of us know how easy it is to get sucked into our devices, scrolling endlessly or checking notifications mindlessly. The Buddha warned against intoxicants that cloud the mind; in a sense, digital overuse can be an intoxicant, dulling our awareness. A recent report by Minnesota’s Attorney General noted that AI-driven social media algorithms often foster addictive usage patterns in youth, leading to anxiety and poor mental health babl.aibabl.ai. A Buddhist take on this is straightforward: we must be vigilant not to let AI systems (like content recommendation engines) lead us into unwholesome states of obsession, distraction, or delusion. Mindfulness helps us recognize, “Ah, I’ve been scrolling for an hour and feel more anxious – maybe I should step away.” It’s the modern analog of watching the mind during meditation and gently steering back to a healthy focus.
Wisdom (right view) also calls for understanding the impermanence and limitations of AI. Technology changes rapidly – today’s cutting-edge AI could be obsolete in a few years. By remembering impermanence, we are less likely to become overly attached to any one platform or panic that AI will permanently “take over.” The Buddha might remind us that all conditioned phenomena, including complex algorithms and robots, arise and pass away. This perspective can be comforting: the emergence of AI is just another dynamic process in an ever-changing world. We can engage with it without exaggerated attachment or aversion.
Furthermore, right view in Buddhism includes seeing cause and effect clearly. Applied to AI, this means educating ourselves about how these systems work and what their impacts are. Rather than treating AI outputs as oracles, we should maintain a healthy skepticism and human oversight. A Hastings teacher, Kathryn Tabke, illustrated this by bringing ChatGPT into her English class not as a cheat, but as a lesson: Her students asked the AI to write an essay, then critiqued it and quickly saw its flaws hastingsnow.com, hastingsnow.com. They realized that blindly relying on a machine could make them lose their own critical thinking. “If they allowed a computer to do their thinking for them, isn’t that giving up their individuality and their humanity?” Tabke mused hastingsnow.com. This insight resonates with a Buddhist emphasis on personal mindfulness and effort. The Buddha taught that each person must walk the path to enlightenment through their own understanding; similarly, we shouldn’t surrender our judgment to AI.
In Hastings, adopting a mindful approach might include community workshops on digital literacy, so that citizens interact with AI tools (from smart home devices to online newsfeeds) with awareness. It also means pausing and reflecting before using AI in sensitive areas. For instance, if our police department were to consider an AI surveillance system, a mindful process would involve public discussion, transparency about how it works, and safeguards to prevent misuse. Mindfulness creates a gap between stimulus and response – a space to ask, “Is this wholesome? Is this necessary?” before rushing in.
In sum, the Buddha’s counsel on wisdom and mindfulness suggests we approach AI with clear awareness. Learn what we can about it, use it as a helpful tool, but stay watchful of our mental states and avoid becoming complacent or overly dependent. By doing so, we keep our human intelligence firmly in the driver’s seat even as we benefit from artificial intelligence as a navigator.
Ethical Action and Right Livelihood in an Automated World
Ethics are at the heart of Buddhism’s practical advice, and they would certainly color the Buddha’s view of AI. Key among these is the concept of Right Livelihood, which we touched on earlier. In today’s terms, right livelihood asks: Are we using technology, including AI, in our work and economy in ways that are honest, kind, and responsible?
One aspect of this is how AI affects jobs and purpose. Hastings is a community that values hard work and innovation – from our family farms to small businesses. AI is changing the nature of work everywhere, automating certain tasks and even entire job categories. The Buddha, who taught compassion for workers (he often spoke of farmers, merchants, craftsmen in his parables), would likely urge us to ensure that technology serves human dignity, rather than undermining it. We should seek a balance where AI augments human labor without depriving people of meaning and livelihood. In Buddhist thought, work is not just about a paycheck; it’s a field for practicing integrity and service (which is why right livelihood is part of the path). If AI frees people from drudgery, that can be positive—if we as a society find ways to redirect freed-up time into education, creativity, community service, or spiritual growth. But if AI simply displaces workers leaving them without support or purpose, that would cause suffering and thus violate the intent of right livelihood.
Hastings can strive to be a model of mindful economic transition. For example, if local businesses implement AI to streamline operations, they might follow a principle of retraining employees for higher-skill roles rather than just cutting jobs. Our schools and continuing education programs can emphasize skills that complement AI – like empathy, critical thinking, and hands-on craftsmanship – so that the next generation finds meaningful work alongside machines. The Buddha’s emphasis on adaptability (remember, he taught that clinging rigidly leads to suffering) would encourage us not to resist change, but to meet it with creativity and compassion. That might mean new kinds of jobs in Hastings: perhaps “AI ethicist” roles or technicians maintaining AI-driven equipment, or entirely new industries that we can’t yet imagine. The key is keeping human well-being front and center, rather than treating workers as secondary to profit or efficiency.
Ethical action also relates to how AI is designed and used in everyday decisions. One concern is the bias that can be present in AI systems. If an AI algorithm used by a bank tends to deny loans to certain groups due to skewed training data, that’s essentially an injustice being automated. The Buddha spoke against prejudice and urged equanimity – in modern parlance, fairness. He taught that all humans, regardless of caste or status, have equal capacity for enlightenment, which was a radical stance in his time. In that spirit, we should insist that AI be developed and audited to treat people fairly and avoid worsening social inequities. Technologists are increasingly aware of this: efforts are underway to do “AI audits” and remove harmful bias. A Buddhist might frame it as removing ignorance in the system, since bias is a form of ignorance.
Then there’s truthfulness (Right Speech). AI systems now write content and deepfake videos; if misused, they can spread lies or impersonate people. Buddhists place great importance on truthful, kind speech – abstaining from lies and harmful rumors. If the Buddha saw an AI being used to generate disinformation, he would surely caution that this creates negative karma for society. Hastings, as a community, can promote a culture of truth and transparency in tech. For instance, if our local news uses AI (some outlets auto-generate simple news reports), it should be disclosed, and human editors should ensure accuracy. We can also educate residents on how to verify information in the age of AI-generated content. Being truthful and discerning is how we uphold integrity in a time when “fake news” and AI forgeries are potential pitfalls.
To synthesize these ideas, here’s a brief summary of Buddhist ethical principles alongside AI considerations that capture the Buddha’s likely advice:
Buddhist Ethical PrincipleAI ConsiderationWisdom (Right View) – Seeing things as they are, impermanent and interconnected.Recognize AI’s limits and impermanence. Avoid seeing it as a magical fix or ultimate authority. Base decisions on understanding reality (data and context), not hype or fear.Compassionate Intention – Motivated by care for all beings (karuṇā).Design and use AI with the intention to benefit everyone. Prioritize applications that help the vulnerable and reduce suffering, and refrain from those that harm or exclude.Non-harm (Right Action) – Do no violence or cruelty; practice ahimsā.Ensure AI is not used to cause injury, oppression, or injustice. For example, avoid weaponizing AI or deploying it in ways that can physically or emotionally harm individuals or communities en.wikipedia.org. Truthful Communication (Right Speech) – Be honest and kind in words.Use AI-generated content responsibly. Do not spread misinformation or hateful speech via AI. Strive for transparency when AI is used (so people know what is real and what is synthesized).Right Livelihood – Earn a living in an ethical, non-exploitative way event.lbu.edu.np.In careers involving AI, avoid projects that create suffering (fraud, invasion of privacy, etc.). Advocate for job transitions and upskilling so that AI’s economic benefits are shared broadly, not gained by harming workers.Mindful Use (Right Mindfulness) – Stay aware and present; avoid reckless or addictive behaviors.Engage with technology consciously. Set healthy boundaries for screen time and AI usage. For developers: be mindful of unintended consequences. For users: remain attentive to how AI influences your thoughts and habits (don’t let it “drive” your mind).
These guiding principles show that ancient ethics can map surprisingly well onto high-tech issues. By following them, communities like Hastings can navigate AI’s opportunities and challenges with a steady moral compass.
Community, Mindfulness, and a Small-Town Heart
Finally, the Buddha would remind us that community and spiritual life matter deeply, even in a high-tech world. Hastings is known for its strong community values – neighbors helping neighbors, teachers mentoring students, healthcare workers caring for patients as if they were family. There’s a humanity here that we cherish. As we integrate AI into town life, a central question is: Can we keep our famous small-town heart and humanity at the center? hastingsnow.com The resounding answer from a Buddhist perspective is yes – if we remain mindful and compassionate.
Buddhism highly values the Sangha, or community of practitioners, recognizing that we rely on one another for support on the path. In Hastings, our “sangha” includes parents, educators, business owners, clergy, civic leaders – all of us collectively shaping the town’s culture. If we approach AI together, sharing our experiences and wisdom, we can ensure it builds connections rather than eroding them. For example, Hastings Public Schools have been proactive in guiding AI use: instead of banning tools like ChatGPT, teachers here (and across Minnesota) engage students in conversations about them hastingsnow.com. They frame AI as a helper that cannot replace a student’s own voice and creativity hastingsnow.com. This collaborative, open approach turns AI into a topic of community learning – students, teachers, and parents figuring it out side by side. In essence, Hastings is treating the challenge of AI as an opportunity to strengthen our community bonds and values.
We can apply mindfulness to communal spaces as well. Consider social media – often powered by AI algorithms – which can either bring people together or drive wedges. A mindful community like ours might encourage using neighborhood group apps or forums in a constructive way: sharing city news, uplifting stories, and urgent alerts, while discouraging trolling or rumor-mongering. Moderating such spaces with compassion (perhaps even with the aid of AI filters that detect bullying) aligns with the Buddha’s teaching to create harmonious community. It’s notable that the Buddha often set down rules for monks intended to foster harmony and resolve conflicts. Translating that into modern tech: we create norms and perhaps even AI tools that promote respectful dialogue online in Hastings’ groups.
In civic governance, AI could help our town officials analyze data – say, traffic patterns or energy usage – to make informed decisions that benefit everyone. The Buddha’s concept of wise leadership (he advised kings in his day to rule justly and heed wise counsel) would support using all available insight for good governance. If AI can provide insight (like identifying which intersections see the most accidents, thus where to add stop signs), it becomes a modern-day counselor contributing to the welfare of the people. The caveat: leaders must remain principled and compassionate, never hiding behind “the computer said so” to dodge accountability. Ultimately, humans carry the karma of decisions, not machines.
It’s also worth imagining how AI might even contribute to spiritual well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Buddhist meditation groups (including some in Minnesota) turned to Zoom and meditation apps to continue group practice. Now, AI-driven apps can guide mindfulness sessions or tailor stress-reduction exercises to individuals. While no app can replace the profound presence of an enlightened teacher, the Buddha might acknowledge these tools as skillful means for those who don’t have direct access to a teacher. In Hastings, perhaps a local mindfulness club uses an AI meditation app to support members’ daily practice, complementing their in-person meetings at a church or community center. That would be a fusion of ancient and modern that serves a wholesome purpose.
Throughout all these examples, the thread that runs is intention and mindful engagement. Hastings can remain the warm, values-oriented town it has always been, even as AI becomes a new neighbor, so long as we approach that neighbor with the same Midwestern friendliness and discernment we offer any newcomer. The Buddha taught that detachment (non-attachment) doesn’t mean disconnection from others; on the contrary, one lets go of selfish clinging so one can love others better. If we let go of clinging to “the old ways” out of fear, we can open our hearts to new ways of enhancing community – like using AI to free up time to volunteer, or to better include those who might be isolated. Conversely, if we let go of clinging to shiny tech for its own sake, we ensure we don’t sacrifice real human connection at the altar of convenience. The middle path here is using AI as a tool to enrich human life, while never forgetting the irreplaceable value of face-to-face kindness, nature walks by the river, and a child’s imagination. The Buddha would likely still encourage gatherings in meditation or prayer, even if holograms or VR become options – because there’s something deeply nourishing about real community that technology should support, not replace.
Conclusion: A Mindful, Compassionate Tech Vision for Hastings
As our journey with the Buddha through the realm of AI comes to a close, what emerges is a hopeful vision. We’ve seen that the timeless teachings of Buddhism – from the Four Noble Truths to the Eightfold Path – offer profound guidance on how to navigate the cutting-edge issues of artificial intelligence. Wisdom reminds us to keep our perspective, understanding both the promise and the limits of AI. Ethical principles like non-harm, truthfulness, and right livelihood give us a moral framework to ensure technology serves the good of all and not a select few. Mindfulness and compassion ground us, helping us use AI in ways that deepen our humanity rather than detract from it.
In Hastings, a tech-aware, spirit-led approach to AI means we welcome innovation with open eyes and open hearts. We leverage AI to ease suffering – whether that’s a hospital AI catching an illness early, or a school AI helping a child learn – but we do so without losing sight of the human touch. We stay alert to AI’s pitfalls – addressing bias, protecting privacy, preventing misuse – guided by our ethical compass. We prepare for economic changes by putting people first, so that the rise of smart machines leads to better livelihoods and more creativity for our citizens, not hardship. And importantly, we nurture our sense of community through it all, using these tools to connect, include, and uplift one another.
It’s inspiring to think that if the Buddha were to bless a community in the 21st century, he might choose one like Hastings – a place with strong civic values, love of learning, and neighborly care – to demonstrate how ancient wisdom can harmonize with modern technology. In your own life, you can carry this vision forward. Approach your next interaction with AI (be it asking Siri a question or encountering a policy shaped by algorithms) with a bit more awareness. Perhaps recall a Buddha quote or principle that applies – like taking a mindful breath to ensure you’re using that tool with intention, or reflecting on compassion if the AI affects others. In doing so, you become part of this spirit-led vision.
Hastings’ journey with AI is just beginning, but we have a say in how it unfolds. By infusing the Buddha’s teachings – wisdom, ethics, mindfulness, and compassion – into our relationship with technology, we can create a future that is high-tech yet deeply humane. In that future, one can imagine the Buddha walking our streets, nodding in approval at what he sees: people using AI not in greed or neglect, but as an expression of ingenuity guided by goodwill. That indeed would be a community where enlightenment and innovation go hand in hand.
In the words of the Dalai Lama, a great modern Buddhist teacher: “I think technology really increased human ability. But technology cannot produce compassion.” brainyquote.com The compassion must come from us. So let’s continue to cultivate it here in Hastings, as we embrace AI with mindful curiosity and a compassionate heart. In doing so, we honor both the Buddha’s legacy and our responsibility to each other – creating a tech-enabled community that is wise, caring, and truly enlightened in how it grows.
