The Anarchist, the Punk Rocker and the Buddha walk into a bar(n): Dharma Punx and Rebel Dharma

Abstract

Punk rock is known for its frenetic energy. Its aggressive, anger-driven music is born from the seething cauldron of discontent. Anarchism is the ‘ideology’ that often underpins punk, but anarchism exists beyond punk in its drive to create a new social order fuelled by discontent at the current systems. There exists a large self-identifying anarchist group within the wider punk subculture, but it is only one group within a myriad of understandings of punk. Not all anarchists are punks; not all punks are anarchists. On first glance, Buddhism, as an ancient practice of mindfulness intended to lead the individual into an awareness of the nature of being through calming activities such as meditation, appears incongruous with anarchism and punk. However, a shift away from understanding Buddhism as a religion and an examination of the purposes behind Buddhism, punk and anarchy reveal a synchronicity. This has culminated in the creation of groups such as the Dharma Punx (US) and the Rebel Dharma (UK), which this article will explore and outline.