Wot Tha . . . ?

[Perknose]

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/20/close_encounters_of_the_buddhist_kind

Religious ideology expressed in extreme fervor, like political ideology expressed in extreme fervor, no matter how well meaning, never seems to end well. D:

 

[Schadenfroh]

Are these fighting monks?

The 2nd picture is cool, but looks very similar to some photos from the 1930s in Europe. Although, I know their intentions are quite different

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Religious ideology expressed in extreme fervor, like political ideology expressed in extreme fervor, no matter how well meaning, never seems to end well. D:

Hatred never ends well.

 

[JSt0rm]

whats the problem here? Of all the religions on the planet I only respect the older ones (Hindu and Buddhism). They are the only ones who are not out there trying to imposing their beliefs on me. I respect that.

 

[Drako]

Damn those murderous Buddhists!

Oh wait, nevermind :hmm:

 

[JSt0rm]

lol. Listening to npr last night a odd story struck me. Christians were worried about islamic law being set up in the north of iraq (I think it was). So they talked about how this was going on and then they began fighting with each other over whos belongings would get on the truck first to gtfo. Lol. I thought Christianity was about helping each other? It seems to me that these invented religions of control (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) do nothing to ascend people to a higher level. They just keep them not thinking. I find it amazing we cant shake these relics.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Damn those Budhists pickets funerals...oh never mind.........

 

[JEDIYoda]

JSt0rm--- lol. Listening to npr last night a odd story struck me. Christians were worried about islamic law being set up in the north of iraq (I think it was). So they talked about how this was going on and then they began fighting with each other over whos belongings would get on the truck first to gtfo. Lol. I thought Christianity was about helping each other? It seems to me that these invented religions of control (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) do nothing to ascend people to a higher level. They just keep them not thinking. I find it amazing we cant shake these relics.

So how long have you been trying to ascend??????????????????????

 

[Moonbeam]

My guess is that if something attracts millions it's because it either appeals to the ego or somehow touches the soul. Let us hope it is the latter in this case. Just the act of meditation, itself, seems to me to be anti ego.

 

[Scotteq]

..."who farted?"

 

[JSt0rm]

So how long have you been trying to ascend??????????????????????

I dont try. I dont question why. I have a purpose in life and feel enriched by my work. I would say I'm in the top .01% when it comes to meaning and fulfillment.

 

[DesiPower]

 

[BoberFett]

I can see how a religion which has moderation as a basic tenet would scare a hyperpartisan moron.

 

[trenchfoot]

I totally admire the logistics and human effort that went into creating such spectacular scenes.

I noticed the painted layout markers that positioned each indiviual in the first pic and marvelled at the scope of the effort it took to assemble both gatherings.

And LOL at Schadenfroh for his reference to the similarity of that rally to those of the reich. Funny.:thumbsup:

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

D:

I can see how a religion which has moderation as a basic tenet would scare a hyperpartisan moron.

That's the surface...there are deep-seated issues here that have festered for decades.

 

[Perknose]

I can see how a religion which has moderation as a basic tenet would scare a hyperpartisan moron.

I'm glad you were able to admit your fear. :thumbsup:

 

[Carmen813]

Wasn't it Robin Williams who said that he liked how Buddist's protest? Self-BBQ?

"Making you deal with your shit."

 

[JSt0rm]

Wasn't it Robin Williams who said that he liked how Buddist's protest? Self-BBQ?

"Making you deal with your shit."

That monk was amazing. What a sacrifice and it worked. That was the first time violence was shown on the news in every home in America.

And then you think about this girl running down the street naked with her skin and clothes burned off by napalm and then you ask what is it that we stand for?

 

[JSt0rm]

How steeled would you mind have to be to remain in this pose?

 

[Scotteq]

The gesture was enough, but I think it was the comments of Madame Ngo Dinh Nhu that *really* pissed everyone off.

"all the Buddhists have ever done for this country is to barbecue a monk"

"Let them burn and we shall clap our hands."


Within the year, the US sponsored a Coup D'etat (Nov 1963) which topped the government of South Vietnam and put General Minh in power. Not that he was much better...

 

[iGas]

Wasn't it Robin Williams who said that he liked how Buddist's protest? Self-BBQ?

"Making you deal with your shit."

It wasn't Robin Williams that said that originally.

It was Madam Nhu (self proclaimed first lady of SVN, a Roman Catholic convert so that she can marry into Roman Catholic dictatorship power) that said she will provide the match for the next monk that want to BBQ himself. Almost all government positions (well over 95&#37 were held by Catholic leaders while the Catholic population were less than 10%, and Buddhist were over 70%.

Madame Nhu's response to Thich Quang Duc BBQ -- SVN call her the Dragon lady.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Within the year, the US sponsored a Coup D'etat (Nov 1963) which topped the government of South Vietnam and put General Minh in power. Not that he was much better...

The Communists ended up taking over, which did not help in the religious persecution department. Still many issues, even today.

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/05/07/vietnam-religious-freedom-denied

Two Hoa Hao Buddhists self-immolated in 2005 to protest religious repression and detention of their leaders.

 

[iGas]

Then the Communists ended up taking over, which did not help in the religious persecution department. Still many issues, even today.

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/05/07/vietnam-religious-freedom-denied

Commie didn't take over till after Nguyen Van Thieu. Thieu was an American (the evil Lyndon Baines Johnson) puppet.

Thieu didn't complete grade 10 education, and a Roman Catholic convert for the power rise, he was originally in the Viet Minh Commie party, then join the VNA junta in the south and also joined the murderous Can Lao secret police/black shirt party that was setup and headed by the murderous Ngo Dinh Nhu (Diem brother).

It has been said by many American observers, if Diem were the American president, Nhu would be the head of the CIA, FBI, and have complete control of congress as well as 100% of the media.

These are the kind of bastards that the American put into power & supports all over the world because they seems to be sympathetic to the Christianity faith.

PS. The Vietnamese Commies learned a thing or two from the oppressive dictatorship SVN & American to apply on their citizens presently.

 

[Scotteq]

I don't believe it was "Pro Christian" so much as "Anti~Communist" in those days. The US Government would have supported Bozo The Clown (besides merely acting like they *were* Bozo) if they thought he could maintain control and fight the Commies.


In this particular case, Bhuddists (being non~partisan, and believing in Peace and moderation in all things) were caught in the middle of the old "anyone who isn't for us, is against us" line from Nhu's government...

That whole:

1. I will be mindful and reverential with all life,
I will not be violent nor will I kill.

...idea tends to get in the way of encouraging the populace to go to war and keep one's government from being overrun by "The Reds".

"Life and limb are precious to every living being and nobody has the right to destroy the life of another
for any reason. But we know that human beings kill others individually and collectively in the name of
human rights, religion, peace, nation, race, culture and population control- all assumed good purposes.
Hatred, jealousy, power, greed, ill will, selfishness, cruelty, callousness, pride, ignorance are incentives
that provide and drive one to commit panatipata. This is a deviation from the Noble Eight Fold Path -
Right understanding, thought and action."

 

[BoberFett]

I'm glad you were able to admit your fear. :thumbsup:

Good comeback. If you were five.