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 it is really easy... just do the right and honest thing. Yes, that means telling your interviewer that the job does not fit, or that you really don’t want that type of job... You are one of those that I would not have hired because of your attitude... and probably dishonest about it at that...
Have done so in the past and even in retirement continue to try to be as honest as I can...
It’s only interesting to you because it is a foreign thought... That should actually disturb you a bit...
If you’re honest, the Golden Rule will be abided without any thought...
Yes, ‘right thing’ and ‘honest thing’ are all fine and good, but you haven’t yet provided a scenario where doing either is completely independent of the Golden Rule.
You mentioned the point about the job interview. Even there, you choose to refuse to take up the job after having realised that you’d be a misfit, BECAUSE you are either afraid your incompetence will be found out, and get punished, or because you might cause serious damage to the company and its people, by making a mistake, both of which are completely governed by the Golden Rule even if you do not wish to acknowledge the same.
What I hoped would be interesting was that I was expecting to get from you a situation where the Golden Rule failed. Nothing for me to be disturbed about, really.
Actually, the Golden Rule would always suffice also...so, relax and be nice to your friends... They are complimentary.
Exactly. I’d still continue to emphasise that it solely suffices, when it comes to moral choices one is confronted with.
Heh, well it still depends upon your friends and what they thing is the Golden Rule... Seems it just might depend upon interpretation rather that doing what is right... Oh well, it almost always works... I think you are right in “your” decisions - it’s just that when you have to depend upon others, things go astray... Have a good one...
When you have to depend upon yourself to make the moral choice, you can always make the wrong decision... There has to be a higher authority than yourself...
I am honestly trying to find a situation where what you said applies. If you can come up with one, please share it with me, so that I can test if the Golden Rule can work on it, or fails completely.
Have a great day!
I am honestly trying to find a situation where what you said applies. If you can come up with one, please share it with me, so that I can test if the Golden Rule can work on it, or fails completely.
Have a great day!
It really does not matter (You are making a decision upon your beliefs of the Golden Rule) - you can NOT make those moral decisions on your own, otherwise we have a wild mix of decisions made by different people depending upon their own beliefs, yes? That is ultimately why moral decisions have to depend upon higher authority...
The Golden Rule strongly tends to influence judgment towards the direction of altruistic behaviour, without providing much room for ambiguity. To that end, decisions made by applying the rule will not be too varied, if at all.
Sorry, that is way too optimistic. It will never be a universal standard and I think that you understand that. Think of applying the same rule in Iran? Enough of this banter... You and I both know that anytime people make the rules, it can never be sustained. Feel free to apply your logic to other discussions...
The problem with Iran is precisely the fact that its people are ossified with a barbarian theology that prevents them from applying the Golden Rule both amongst themselves, and with others.
The fault in their ideology is that it is stuck on Old Testament morality, where archaic, tyrannical rules are allowed to dominate over any application of the Golden Rule. Hence such barbaric punishments as stoning, amputation and decapitation. It took Jesus to change that in the Middle East, with a basic philosophy which was the Golden Rule.
That said, I agree this has been a long, winding discussion amounting to not much.
Good day!
Yes, you are right there... and wrong on the validity of the discussion (you made many great points). It was a valid and interesting discussion. The outcome of both methods seem to be the same as long as civilized people are involved.
Thanks for the your input... Cheers...
Your insights were informative, too.
Thanks for the discussion!
Thanks for that... you could have been much more definitive..heh... Have a great time with your philosophy..(not bad as it goes...wish all would abide actually)...
Enjoyed our discussion and wish you the best...
Thanks, and the same to you too, Deagle!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.