Posted on 03/08/2020 4:53:18 PM PDT by Ozguy1945
Buddhist Abbott the Venerable Phuoc Tan is a Vietnamese born refugee from communism.
While Buddhism is a very gentle religion, its gentleness is what gives it a surviving strength.
I wonder if The West can survive against totalitarian, atheistic, irreligious China and its astonishing economic success.
The small nation of Vietnam has been a neighbour of a massive China for thousands of years.
And survived.
The West would do well to learn from these kind, gentle, hardworking people.
“The West would do well to learn from these kind, gentle, hardworking people.”
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Huh? Become a Communist dictatorship and put dissenters in front of firing squads?
I think Ozguy is referring to Buddhism, not communism.
(Christian nations have become communist, too.)
The posed thought experiemnt question was:
“I wonder if The West can survive against totalitarian, atheistic, irreligious China and its astonishing economic success.”
As if Vietnam had survived in any state different than China. Just not something a person would wanna brag on, I’m saying.
I think you’re still confusing Buddhism with Communism. There is no connection.
Tell that to the Christians in Myamar, who have been persecuted by the Buddhist majority for a long time.
I am talking about those who fled communism.
I do think those who fled Vietnam to escape communism are people to learn from.
The Buddhists I know are not like that. Myanmar i different.
“I am talking about those who fled communism.”
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You should have said that instead of citing the country itself. People of all religions who escape a communist state probably all feel good about it.
“I think you’re still confusing Buddhism with Communism.”
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I hadn’t confused the two. However the writer seem to equate Vietnam itself with Buddhism, confusing them. According to explanation what it’s really about is people who have fled Vietnam - that’s good and they’re happy about it. So are the Taoists, Hindus, Christians, Muslim and folk religionists who also fled Vietnam.
But it was probably just poorly written.
I think the writer was suggesting that their Buddhist philosophy provided people with a resilience and viewpoint that aided their survival of and escape from communism.
There are unique things to learn from all of the great religions.
The same then could be said for any religious group that did the same - or of atheists who knew enough to get out of Dodge, for that matter.
I think the post was just an appreciation of what the writer had observed in his friend’s attitude and demeanor, and had perceived those to be related to the latter’s religion/philosophy.
(Not everything posted here is intended to start an argument.)
I hear the same excuse about Muslims.
I get and agree with your point. Well said.
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