tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post2299977165837747170..comments2023-11-09T14:15:40.111+02:00Comments on Fatima and Ahmed's Son: "Hey Preacher Man!"Ridwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16758153484699728802noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-80935774809037580402008-03-22T10:21:00.000+02:002008-03-22T10:21:00.000+02:00Dade my brother I always look forward to your inpu...Dade my brother I always look forward to your input and couple that with frequent trips over to your blog! Thank you for your always constructive and thoughtful input here.<BR/><BR/>You question above made me think what else the Dalai Lama could do and I went to read on his website.<BR/><BR/>I think that he is taking the only option that fits with his cause. Even though I disagree with the notion of default non-violence there is very little he can do now.<BR/><BR/>His insistence on not calling for independence is, as he says, an option not to worsen the relations between China and India.<BR/><BR/>And, he sees it as a realistic appraisal of what would happen if he called for independence.<BR/><BR/>He does not want to loose more lives on top of the tens of thousands that died when China invaded Tibet.<BR/><BR/>Still, he speaks of cultural genocide. I think eventually he will have to see that genocide as violent and wonder if his people are not being eliminated.<BR/><BR/>A very complex arena no doubt.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for making me think Dade.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>RidwanRidwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758153484699728802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-57744438945441585702008-03-21T23:44:00.000+02:002008-03-21T23:44:00.000+02:00Thanks for your explanation, Ridwan. I have defin...Thanks for your explanation, Ridwan. I have definitely learned a lot from you, and I appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>As you know, I'm an avid reader of your blog. I look forward to reading it most days.Dade Cariagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431049944346345893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-4297322964032619662008-03-21T21:37:00.000+02:002008-03-21T21:37:00.000+02:00Thanks for the link Nunya I will take a look at it...Thanks for the link Nunya I will take a look at it.<BR/><BR/>I forgot to say above that when he accepted the the United States Congressional Gold Medal (17 October 2007) I was hoping he would refuse it for every innocent Iraqi that had to die as a result of that body's involvement and sanction of the war on innocents.<BR/><BR/>And even though I also say above that I do not think he is a CIA agent it is important to note that the CIA did fund his movement in the 1960s (he admitted so much).<BR/><BR/>The CIA also helped train resistance fighters for him in the US.<BR/><BR/>This makes me question his stance of nonviolence. Keep in mind that he has also said that violence may be permissible in some cases (to save Buddhism for example).<BR/><BR/>In 2001 he also said: "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."<BR/><BR/>He is, of course, mostly thought to be a proponent of living in harmony and peace.<BR/><BR/>But harmony and non-violence cannot be about bending principles so far back that it defeats the purpose of justice.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>ridwanRidwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758153484699728802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-66397583633506967312008-03-21T21:31:00.000+02:002008-03-21T21:31:00.000+02:00Thanks for your comment Dade. My understanding is ...Thanks for your comment Dade. <BR/><BR/>My understanding is that he is not the latest incarnation of Buddha but the embodiment of one of the forms of Avalokiteśvara as preferenced in Tibetan Budhism.<BR/><BR/>The lineage of the present Dalai Lama (#14) is traced back through previous Dalai Lamas (tulku).<BR/><BR/>But that said I recognize that non-violence is mostly inseparable from his spiritual life.<BR/><BR/>But brother I am focused on his political relevance which is different and clearly at odds among<BR/>Tibetans in occupied Tibet who do not seem to be favouring his non-violent accomodation of China.<BR/><BR/>That the Dalai Lama will want Tibet to be nominally independent is a major problem.<BR/><BR/>But even as he speaks of non-violence he has hardly sought to stand against the war in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>Instead he is uber-US friendly. He garners great support from the West, like PM Gordon Brown today, and Nancy Pelosi today too.<BR/><BR/>His message and methods are at odds in my opinion. This includes the manner that he smoozes with Hollywood money types to sell his brandname.<BR/><BR/>I am not a fan of the Dalai Lama, obviously.<BR/><BR/>During apartheid we did not hear one peep from him.<BR/><BR/>I do not think he is a CIA agent as some have said. I do not think that he uses the money he raises selfishly.<BR/><BR/>Though I have seen the man's security detail and saw the 5star hotel he stayed in during a visit to PDX. Made me wonder just a little about his earthly detail.<BR/><BR/>Even Gandhi, who I also have no great love for, was no Dalai Lama in terms of the lavish detail that follows his global ministry.<BR/><BR/>That aside, I find his political methods uncompelling.<BR/><BR/>In fact, I am in the camp that believes Tibet's future must be seen as independent of the Dalai Lama.<BR/><BR/>He is starting to recognize that even as he is trying to convince Beijing to meet with him.<BR/><BR/>As far as his religious role is concerned that is a matter between believers of Tibetan Budhism.<BR/><BR/>But just like I do not accept the role of some personages in Islam, I think there are those who do not see the Dalai Lama as central to the future of political independence in Tibet.<BR/><BR/>Nontheless brother, I hear your question.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>RidwanRidwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758153484699728802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-29297841569913783212008-03-21T20:51:00.000+02:002008-03-21T20:51:00.000+02:00timeline of buddhist history<A HREF="http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/tib_timeline.htm" REL="nofollow">timeline of buddhist history</A>nunyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833886980442919570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-22300104169487803652008-03-21T20:28:00.000+02:002008-03-21T20:28:00.000+02:00Ridwan,How can the Dalai Lama abandon peace throug...Ridwan,<BR/><BR/>How can the Dalai Lama abandon peace through non-violence? He is, by the Buddhist way of believing, the latest incarnation of Buddha. <BR/><BR/>DadeDade Cariagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431049944346345893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-11961527704197538752008-03-20T21:54:00.000+02:002008-03-20T21:54:00.000+02:00Yes he was Erica :0)And the Dalai Lama has been pi...Yes he was Erica :0)<BR/><BR/>And the Dalai Lama has been pimping him, or the other way around, for what seems like decades now.<BR/><BR/>The Dalai Lama is adept at selling 'eastern spirituality' to his western clients.<BR/><BR/>RidwanRidwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758153484699728802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36009958.post-76778072039208899052008-03-20T21:43:00.000+02:002008-03-20T21:43:00.000+02:00I like Richard Gere! Wasn't he the one who pimped ...I like Richard Gere! Wasn't he the one who pimped Julia Roberts out in that movie? LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com