Islam not a militant faith: Dalai Lama

TimesofTibet.com ^ | Dec 9, 2003, 08:43 | IANS

[Walkingfeather]

As carl the greenskeeper would say...

SO I says... hey Lama Er how about something for the effort ya know....
and he says to me gungala dungula.... no... oongala... yea oongala dungala ....

Which means when I die I recieve TOTAL consciousness.....

So I got that going for me.....

[BikerTrash]

Your Mama Dali Lama!

Here's the real and only certain recipe for peace, (there's only two parts so try to keep up):

1. Never set out to hurt or kill anyone.

2. If someone is trying to hurt or kill you, kill them first.

Simple, eh?

[Sunsong]

"I agree with your above statement. But Buddhism is more of a way of thinking, than an adherence to Buddha himself. So, the inner struggle within a person's mind and soul, is the main function of practicing Buddhism, not outward acts upon the world. In that sense, the Dalai Lama is not an activist, but rather a thinker about ideals. Christianity calls for active participation in the faith, without it, it would have whithered on the vine. This is not true for Buddhism."

Interesting. But if you do not so much care about the outward manifestation or result then why do you care whether the Dalai Lama lives or dies?

I am not a Christian, though I love and appreciate Jesus. And I do agree with you that the Dalai Lama contributes to the world discussion and his view of fundamentalism has value. However, I don't see how his thinking is likely to transcend his belief system. What I mean is that *struggle* is central to Buddhist philosophy. But is struggle really necessary or helpful? I don't think that the Dalai Lama would ask himself that question because it is a fundamental belief for him. Just as he says that "*all* conflict should be resolved through negotiation". You and I have agreed that that is not true. Sometimes bashing a bad guy over the head is the way to resolve conflict.

[Air Assault]

He said violence could not be the answer to terrorism.
Conflict situations should be resolved through negotiations," he said.

If you believe this genius you'll either be dead or praying with your butt stickin' up in the air.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Sometimes he should be bashed in the head, I agreed with that.

But it appears you are not in agreement with the Lama on this point, right? You think strength is necessary here. It appears the Lama is being more intellectual than proactive in his approach.

As far as to the Lama's life expectancy, his fleeing Tibet saved his life. So, his refusal to stand up and fight the Chinese was actually a good choice for him, at the time.

It is up to each person to determine their own life's worth, and I firmly believe that the Lama, who sees himself as a simple monk, would have no qualms about leaving this planet for his reward.

[Sunsong]

"Sometimes he should be bashed in the head, I agreed with that."

Yes, we both agreed, but the Dalai Lama does not. And I'm not sure he could *allow* his thinking to consider it.

"But it appears you are not in agreement with the Lama on this point, right? You think strength is necessary here. It appears the Lama is being more intellectual than proactive in his approach."

No, I am not in agreement with him. I think the result also matters. In other words I don't see it as helpful or spiritual to remain *only* intellectual. Use your intellect by all means, but also use your heart, use prayer, use your intuition, your senses, past history, what outcome you want, the counsel of others, common sense etc. I think it is wise and good to be fully human and not to dismiss or discount the material world for the "intellectual world"

"As far as to the Lama's life expectancy, his fleeing Tibet saved his life. So, his refusal to stand up and fight the Chinese was actually a good choice for him, at the time."

Yes, but was it good for Tibet? And if the "outcome" does not matter... If only the inward struggle is to be considered -- then why be concerned at all if he lives or dies? Why be concerned with the result in terms of whether the Dalai Lama lives or dies but not be concerned with what happens to Tibet? Do you see what I mean?

"It is up to each person to determine their own life's worth, and I firmly believe that the Lama, who sees himself as a simple monk, would have no qualms about leaving this planet for his reward."

I'm sure that is true. But what is he doing for his country in the meantime?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Basically there is no longer a true Tibet, and there never will be. China has crushed it, and will not give up its hold.

Yes, the Lama is the leader of a nation in exile, and a religion. But, then you make it sound like his life is pointless, without Tibet. How could this be? There are leaders who live in exile, without ever returning to their home countries. Are their lives pointless? The Lama's life is tied spiritually to Buddhism, and his voice is important to the fate of Tibetans.

BUT, the Lama is always replaced in a new incarnation. This Lama will die, and the Lama will inhabit another child's body, and the faith will continue, with their new Lama. It's the very nature of the religion.

[Sunsong]

"Yes, the Lama is the leader of a nation in exile, and a religion. But, then you make it sound like his life is pointless, without Tibet. How could this be? There are leaders who live in exile, without ever returning to their home countries. Are their lives pointless? The Lama's life is tied spiritually to Buddhism, and his voice is important to the fate of Tibetans."

I'm not sure we are comunicating anymore. I have asked twice what I think is an important question but you don't seem to understand it, or you prefer to ignore it? Your position seems to be that in Buddhism, the outward manifestation in life doesn't matter...the "outcome" doesn't matter. Your position seems to be that all that matters is the inward struggle. And my question to you is this: If that is your belief, then why did you begin this discussion by asking me whether it mattered that the Lama is still alive? Your question to me and your statement that the "outcome" doesn't matter are not consistent with each other. Do you see what I mean? Either the outcome does not matter, in which case it is neither here nor there whether the Lama lives or dies or at least *some* outcomes matter :-) At least to you :-)

Is the Lama's life pointless? I don't know. This is a political site. In the political sense, as a leader, I think he has failed his country and his people. That is my opinion. I'm sure he (and you) could care less what I think :-) But that is my opinion because I care about the result. I care what the outcome is. Does that mean that his life is pointless? I don't know. But, for me, it means that he is the leader who lost Tibet and I would not look to him for advice as to how to run a country or whether to go to war or not. Does that makes sense?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

But, for me, it means that he is the leader who lost Tibet and I would not look to him for advice as to how to run a country or whether to go to war or not. Does that makes sense?

He was crushed by China. Hmmm... and that makes him a failure to his nation, perhaps. But, this doesn't make him a failure in terms of his religious significance. And he would see that as being paramount.

[Sunsong]

"He was crushed by China. Hmmm... and that makes him a failure to his nation, perhaps. But, this doesn't make him a failure in terms of his religious significance. And he would see that as being paramount."

That's fine. I'm turning in now, but I enjoyed our little discussion though I wish you would have answered my question :-)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

He left Tibet to save his life. That was the only goal in it.

[Sunsong]

I meant to reiterate that I don't separate the physical from the spiritual. I think that what happens physically is important and so I don't agree with those, such as Buddhists, who say that only the "spiritual" matters....or only the "intellectual" matters. Everything matters. Everything! At least to me :-)

good night...

[Lady Heron]

Oh look, an other person sticking their head in the sand, I am sure that will keep all of his followers safe. Isn't the sandbox full yet?