Posted on 07/11/2010 9:09:05 PM PDT by Lorianne
The Dalai Lama has sent a message of support for Armed Forces Day, which is next Saturday. In it, he writes of his admiration for the military. That is perhaps not so surprising. As he explains, there are many parallels between being a monk and being a soldier – the need for discipline, companionship, and inner strength.
But his support will take some of his western admirers by surprise, not least when it comes to his thoughts on non-violence.
Attitudes towards violence in Buddhism are enormously complex. There are some traditions that argue aggression, and killing in particular, is always wrong. But there are others which argue that killing can be good, when executed by a spiritually skilled practitioner who can do so with the right motivation. Tibetan Buddhism falls squarely into the latter tradition, and previous incarnations of the Dalai Lama have been such practitioners. The 13th, for example, modernised the Tibetan army.
What the present Dalai Lama argues, in his message of support, is that violence and non-violence are not always what they seem. "Sweet words" can be violent, he explains, when they intend harm. Conversely, "harsh and tough action" can be non-violent when it aims at the wellbeing of others. In short, violence – "harsh and tough action" – can be attitudinally non-violent. So what should we make of that?
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Sorry, but I don’t thing you are confused, just pursuing the wrong course in life... You’ll get there but not by studying Buddhism...
Yes, you’re right...and it is up to you to make the correct decision. Really a pain I know, but it has to be your decision...
You need to bother with the Golden Rule, because your choices made in the present affect your options available in the future.
I’m not confused in general. Your contradictory posts do confuse what it is you are trying to say though. That was my point. If you don’t state what you think it’s just a guessing game.
Well, just how does that occur?
You gauge the “cost and benefit” of every decision you wilfully make.
Sorry, I really did think that my points were clearer... Maybe it’s just that I assumed that Christianity was the default and did not have to elaborate... Was not trying to be obtuse...
Well, yeah, that is life isn’t it? That also pertains to your character... Every decision you make reflects on your character and is exposed to those that are close to you...
OK then. Have a good night.
You too... Thanks for the conversation...
Exactly.
You need to worry about what other perceive of you, precisely because how they perceive you, affects your choices again.
The Golden Rule, and that’s all there is.
No, the difference is that you do the right thing without worrying about what anyone thinks about you! You do see the difference don’t you? If you really go through life trying to please others, you will only fail in pleasing yourself (as they say). Pleasing yourself is the MOST important thing - by doing the right thing, you will be happy and the heck with what everyone else thinks... In the end, all will love you for being yourself and true to your self - (honest, and truthful).
And no, this has nothing to do with the Golden Rule that you seem to love... It is about being honest and true to yourself! You will be surprised how much those around you will care about you if you are truthful and “YOU”... You will be way too popular for our own good...heh...
When the other people aren't there to worry about what they think about you, you invent a "personal god" to play that role for you, in your life.
Ah... you missed the point entirely! YOU are the one to be pleased by doing the right thing. That is the satisfaction that only comes to those that do the right thing with no one around... ie, for yourself. It has nothing to do with anything other that you - you have to finally understand that making the right decisions are inspiring to YOU...
Yes, but when you feel pleased for “doing the right thing”, does that end just there? When you “do the right thing” do you not do it in the hope that it will also please your personal deity, if you are religious?
Heh... Well, many decisions in life have little to do with your “deity” as you say... Really, you need to get over that part of it...God will help you if you believe, but if you are struggling, do things on your own. The difference at this point is that you do what is right and work toward the other - which you do not want to go right now...
Either way, there is right and wrong in most daily decisions. They may be only job decisions or they may be decisions that relate to Right or Wrong. You will know the difference and make the correct choice. Even on Job decisions, you can make the correct decision with help (praying helps).
Really what I am talking about is your day to day life. Live it honestly and speak honestly, and you will find a real difference in how you are accepted. Tell the truth even if embarrassing... Your co-workers will respect you and accept you. You will build connections that will last a lifetime if you get the reputation of honesty...
I don't believe Buddhism negates all reality of God, or concepts we might use to communicate that reality, personal or otherwise. One could call the underlying reality of the universe, compassion or generosity, "God" for example.
And compassion nourishes every thing. Non-duality doesn't negate a personal experience of compassion either. It calls us to a more accurate realization of wholeness or connection. But then so do some experiences of the divine.
I wasn’t being specific about any particular religion, but yea, I agree with most of what you’ve said.
Try and name some of those decisions which you make, where you do so, completely ignoring how they might affect the relationship between you and your “personal deity”, and are simultaneously completely independent of the Golden Rule.
This is getting interesting!
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