The atmosphere in Syria has undergone a striking transformation in recent weeks. The unexpected flight of former president Bashar al-Assad and the swift end to more than half a century of the al-Assad family’s rule has stirred hope and apprehension in equal measure among the country’s inhabitants. In Damascus, streets that once bore signs of conflict and despair now sparkle with lights and Christmas decorations, and the aroma of fresh pastries mingles with the scent of newly painted storefronts. Yet even as Syrians adjust to this new reality, many are keenly aware that the future of their country remains uncertain.

From the Christian quarter near the Eastern Gate of the Old City, adorned in festive cheer, to the reopened bakeries and shops lining the famed Street Called Straight, the mood is buoyant yet watchful. After years of war and state oppression, the people of Syria are stepping carefully into a realm of possibilities. Their warm but cautious smiles hint at the complexity of the moment. Many reflect on what it means to live without Assad’s authoritarian grip. They recall that Syria’s history, like that of so many nations, is a tapestry woven of diverse communities, multiple faiths, and overlapping cultural traditions. Now, with the old order gone, what will these threads form next?

Outside of Syria, there is hope for the millions of refuges who have fled the catastrophic conflict of the last 13 years. The director of the US Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare, Philip Wasielewski, remarked: “Millions of refugees may now return to Syria and this will relieve domestic political pressure on governments in Turkey and Europe, which have housed them for over a decade.” (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Similarly, Nikolas Gvosdev, a 2024 Templeton Fellow and the director of the National Security Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted: “Stabilization is important because European governments, under electoral stress, are hoping to begin a rapid process of repatriation of Syrian refugees. The migration crisis has been the single most important driver of instability in European domestic politics.” (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

In moments of great upheaval—when a brutal regime falls and the familiar landscape of political life disappears—Buddhism encourages both wisdom and patience. While Buddhism has never played a role in Syrian history, the universal messages found in its teachings can resonate well beyond its traditional borders. Today, global Buddhism—ranging from the Theravada traditions predominant in Southeast Asia, to Mahayana communities in East Asia, to Tibetan and Himalayan forms—thrives in diaspora. In some places, Buddhists find themselves promoting understanding in contested lands, quietly guiding individuals toward healing and reconciliation.

Syria’s demographic landscape has, for centuries, been a mosaic of religions and ethnicities. The fall of a dictator may open doors for renewed religious freedom and cultural revival. However, as residents celebrate Christmas and look forward to New Year festivities, some note the challenges that lie ahead. The recollection of atrocities committed in Assad’s prisons weighs heavily on their hearts. “We should be in mourning really, in solidarity with the families of detainees who were killed in prisons and with the families of those whose fate remains unknown,” said Carol al-Shahhaf as she walked through the Old City of Damascus. (Al Jazeera)

There is a sense that any jubilation must be tempered by acknowledgment of suffering and loss. This duality—hope and caution, joy and sorrow—mirrors the well-known Daoist and Chan story of the old farmer who lost his horse. The tale goes that a farmer finds himself in a series of fortunate and unfortunate events centered on a horse. His neighbors congratulate him for his luck when good fortunes arise, and offer condolences when misfortunes befall him. The old man’s response is always the same: “Who’s to say if it’s good or bad?” The story encourages us to hold our judgments lightly. What appears beneficial now might sow the seeds of future difficulty, and what seems disastrous today might pave the way for new growth and understanding.

For Syria, after decades of oppression and years of brutal conflict, the departure of a feared leader feels like a liberation. It may grant Syrians the opportunity to reconstruct their society on principles of respect and human dignity. But the lessons of history suggest that political vacuums can attract new forms of authoritarianism or reignite old conflicts. Already, questions arise about governance structures, the rebuilding of infrastructure, and the challenge of forging a national identity that honors the country’s cultural and religious plurality.

In Buddhism, the notion of impermanence (Skt: anitya) reminds us that nothing—no regime, no moment of celebration, no stage of grief—lasts forever. This truth can be comforting or disconcerting, depending on our perspective. For Syrians, understanding that this transitional moment is just one step on a longer path might help manage expectations. Even as some taste newfound freedoms, others worry about what form the new leadership might take. The very energy that topples one dictator could lead to chaos if not channeled into constructive dialogue, ethical leadership, and long-term visions of social harmony.

Facing these uncertainties calls for wise discernment (Skt: prajna) and compassion (Skt: karuna). Compassion is not mere sentimentality; it is an active force guiding people to acknowledge pain, remember the dead, support the marginalized, and strive for collective healing. Wisdom on the other hand asks that we remain humble and refrain from simplistic judgments. Syria’s newfound freedom could generate a renaissance of cultural exchange and religious coexistence. Or it might usher in a turbulent period of political fragmentation. The truth is, we simply do not know.

In recent history, many authoritarian regimes have fallen, each with its unique legacy. Some were followed by democratic governance, flourishing civil societies, and economic renewal. Others plunged into long cycles of instability. Within Syria, as Christians prepare for Orthodox Christmas and Muslims ready themselves for future celebrations, and as shops bustle with revived trade, it’s important to consider these various historical precedents. The old farmer’s horse story encourages patience and open-mindedness, reminding us that immediate outcomes do not predict distant futures.

At a time when international observers and local communities debate the next steps for Syria, voices from various faiths and walks of life call for a moral compass. How can people ensure that ethical principles guide the rebuilding process? One option: looking to the Buddha’s teachings on right speech, right action, and right livelihood. Another: seeking inspiration from the lives of spiritual leaders who have guided nonviolent transitions, such as the Dalai Lama, who has long advocated dialogue and compassion in the face of adversity. Although Buddhism is not traditionally enmeshed in Syrian society, its lessons are universal enough to offer useful frameworks for considering ethical governance and communal harmony.

It’s significant that in Damascus, some individuals openly speak about the future using the language of unity. “I’m sure that we, as Syrians of all backgrounds, can prove to the world that we are a people who love peace,” said Carol al-Shahhaf. (Al Jazeera)

Yet they also acknowledge trauma, loss, and the complexity of rebuilding trust. Such realism aligns with the Buddhist emphasis on seeing things as they are. Neither euphoric optimism nor grim pessimism serves the greater good. Instead, mindful awareness—observing the process, adapting as conditions shift—might help Syrians create structures that uphold human rights, respect religious diversity, and foster social coherence.

As the old Chan story teaches us, we cannot truly label the fall of one regime as wholly good or wholly bad. The future remains uncharted. But we can note that a door has opened, allowing fresh air into spaces long sealed off from public discourse. This new chapter might be approached as a ground for skillful means—an opportunity to integrate compassion, ethical reflection, and inclusive dialogue into Syria’s political and social fabric. The outcome, as always, is uncertain. Yet uncertainty can be fertile ground for learning, healing, and the careful, step-by-step cultivation of collective well-being.

See more

Christmas in Damascus is different this year, after al-Assad’s fall (Al Jazeera)
What’s Next for Syria, the Region, and the World? (Foreign Policy Research Institute)
Syrians in Europe at the heart of a two-way policy (Enab Baaladi)
Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family (AP)

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