A message from some one else...

A Special Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama

My dear brothers and sisters,

I am writing these words in response to repeated requests from many people around the world. Today, we are passing through an exceptionally difficult time due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to this, further problems confront humanity such as extreme climate change. I would like to take this opportunity to express my admiration and gratitude to governments across the world, including the Government of India, for the steps they are taking to meet these challenges.

Ancient Indian tradition describes the creation, abiding and destruction of worlds over time. Among the causes of such destruction are armed conflict and disease, which seems to accord with what we are experiencing today. However, despite the enormous challenges we face, living beings, including humans, have shown a remarkable ability to survive.

No matter how difficult the situation may be, we should employ science and human ingenuity with determination and courage to overcome the problems that confront us. Faced with threats to our health and well-being, it is natural to feel anxiety and fear. Nevertheless, I take great solace in the following wise advice to examine the problems before us: If there is something to be done—do it, without any need to worry; if there’s nothing to be done, worrying about it further will not help.

Everyone at present is doing their best to contain the spread of the coronavirus. I applaud the concerted efforts of nations to limit the threat. In particular, I appreciate the initiative India has taken with other [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] countries to set up an emergency fund and an electronic platform to exchange information, knowledge and expertise to tackle the spread of Covid-19. This will serve as a model for dealing with such crises in future as well.

I understand that as a result of the necessary lockdowns across the world, many people are facing tremendous hardship due to a loss of livelihood. For those with no stable income life is a daily struggle for survival. I earnestly appeal to all concerned to do everything possible to care for the vulnerable members of our communities.

I offer special gratitude to the medical staff—doctors, nurses and other support personnel—who are working on the frontline to save lives at great personal risk. Their service is indeed compassion in action.

With heartfelt feelings of concern for my brothers and sisters around the world who are passing through these difficult times, I pray for an early end to this pandemic so that your peace and happiness may soon be restored.

With my prayers,

Dalai Lama


This can be found here ...
https://savetibet.org/in-message-on-covid-19-pandemic-dalai-lama-says-it-is-natural-to-feel-anxious/

Not my content not my words not even my site so all glory - fame credit and so forth goes over there.
Force continue to be with us all.

This actually made me somewhat ill reading..

India has been treating Muslims and other minority communities horrible throughout this crisis, with their government itself encouraging violence. Muslims have been beaten, killed, or otherwise openly tortured both in their homes and while out in public. Business owners have had their shops robbed, vandalized, or otherwise destroyed through arson or improvised explosives. Their environmental policy is corrupt beyond measure, with certain officials being quoted as saying "Dilution is the solution to pollution". The majority of the populous is also severely psychotic, believing their their shit filled; toxic "holy" river will cure them of both disease and the burden of reincarnation.

Their caste system which has been in place for millennia is a further extension of these policies and cultural acceptance of psychotic governance.

The llama variation of Buddhism itself has a dark, corrupt, violent past; of which the Dali llama sits upon the pinnacle. For the reverence that many people hold him and his flavor in Buddhism in, it seems that the actual history and practice of said organization remains largely unknown or otherwise ignored.

I really could not be more disappointed that this is the role model people choose to follow, especially given our current crisis.

The way I see it, it's their country and it's not our place to decide how they go about their daily lives.

That being said, we could be aware that Kohadre is not wrong. I'd be careful with putting anyone on a pedastal wholesale. I was unaware of the extent of this.

Kohadre, how can we provide support to our marginalized communities?

Deimos wrote: The way I see it, it's their country and it's not our place to decide how they go about their daily lives.

I disagree.

The problems their country has generated do not stay within their borders.

Their pollution affects the health of the overall worldwide community. Their violence destabilizes the greater worldwide community. Their psychosis of religion also infects others who may otherwise be of sound mind and logical capacity.

Out of sight, out of mind is a failed policy which has caused too much damage already.

Challenge :

Can you post a encouraging word from some one you do find worth passing? Currently ?

Building up - not tearing down.

The intent was to share - as always, encouragement. Got any? Maybe a message from some one ... else ?

Edit : remember

Levels

... and not every body likes Star Wars.

Rosalyn J wrote: That being said, we could be aware that Kohadre is not wrong. I'd be careful with putting anyone on a pedastal wholesale. I was unaware of the extent of this.

Kohadre, how can we provide support to our marginalized communities?

I don't know the best way to provide; nor prioritize that which is most needed to our marginalized communities.

However,

I would address that task (if appointed) first by attacking the centuries worth of discriminatory policies and legislation which have demonized and/or otherwise given cause to discredit the concerns of these communities. Once that foundation of hate and intolerance is demolished and one based on unification* is built in it's place, can our society ever hope to truly prosper.

I use the term unification in the above sentence as well, because I believe we are now in a position where acceptance, tolerance, and the embracing of others are no longer enough. Acceptance implies having something to accept, and tolerance implying enduring something undesirable which would otherwise preferably be "removed".

A society can only ever be as rich as it's poorest citizen, and as successful as it's most disparate community. Provide people the means to provide for themselves, regardless of what you (metaphorical) believe that support should come in the form of.

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote: Challenge :

Can you post a encouraging word from some one you do find worth passing? Currently ?

The intent was to share - as always, encouragement. Got any? Maybe a message from some one ... else ?

Edit : remember

Levels

... and not every body likes Star Wars.

In the nature of the direction the thread has taken, compared to the direction intended; hopefully the three below will suffice.

*quite honestly - we as a family were listening over pizza to that very speech a few days ago - thank you for sharing it. It did my heart good and encourages me to see parallels in real life.

It is definitely a tricky situation is the sense of where does one draw the line. If we are to actually change aspects of their culture it couldn't be by force as that would just cause more problems. That's partly what I was getting at in my post, so I do apologize for not clarifying. We can only do so much, and forcing the change is something we cannot do without causing future problems.

Deimos wrote: It is definitely a tricky situation is the sense of where does one draw the line. If we are to actually change aspects of their culture it couldn't be by force as that would just cause more problems. That's partly what I was getting at in my post, so I do apologize for not clarifying. We can only do so much, and forcing the change is something we cannot do without causing future problems.

I appreciate you going into additional detail, so I suppose I will in the same spirit.

Force is somewhat of a spectrum of escalation, not dissimilar from other day to day events.

I.e; Forced to do as instructed (physical);
Forced to understand the consequences of your actions (intellectual)
Forced to deal with the consequences of your actions (penal)
Forced to deal with the consequences of others actions (victim / submissive).

To add further perspective to this post.

Unsuitable for 'human life to flourish': Up to 3B will live in extreme heat by 2070
Source: Climate change to force massive migrations

Summarized within spoiler tag for readability.



So, one way or another; we are forced to either resolve this problem before it becomes a problem, or we will be forced to deal with the consequences of allowing that problem to develop.

Not that the solution to the above problem requires violent force, but some form of force will be involved regardless of what choice (or lack of) solution we proceed forwards with.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I will agree with you on the fact that we will, in the given scenario of global warming, have to deal with it. I meant forcing more in a philosophical sense, if that makes sense. I guess a common example is when people use their belief systems to force/shame others who don't share their beliefs into either changing their beliefs or habits in general. That's what I mean when I say we can't just force change in that sense because if people aren't willing to accept the change then what will be the point? It could just cause more problems. Not saying change is bad, but I've seen people with the mindset of rapid change "on a dime" per say and some don't seem to understand the backlash. Without getting too much into it, it's political.

In this time of hardship and fear...Families have been spending unending amounts of time together...with bars closed people have slowed down their "social drinking"...with restaurants shutdown folks have had to cook at home...Even things like sneaking off to have affairs by saying "I have a business meeting" have been hindered more than any other time in history...companies are learning that the big office scenario isn't always necessary. Pollution has dropped below levels that we haven't seen in many years...essential workers are finally getting their due amount of respect. We've seen so many AWEmazing feats of selflessness that would not have otherwise been noticed if it weren't for how difficult things are getting.

The balance will always be restored by the Force.

I'm so fortunate for having found the Temple during this down time. It has allowed me to be laser focused on my studies, and it has provided me with a refreshing amount of support just by digitally mingling with like minded folks.

Overall, the hardships of this world push me ever closer to softness in my heart and mind.

~~May the Force be with yUs ALL

I'm not sure Tibetan Buddhism, or the Tibetan Government in Exile, has much to do at all with India, its society, or its government!?

The Dalai Lama isn't even part of the Indian legislature AFAIK?

That said, about a hundred years ago Tibet did have a lot of problems..... but that was a long time ago, in a rather poor and inhospitable part of the world.

Adder wrote: I'm not sure Tibetan Buddhism, or the Tibetan Government in Exile, has much to do at all with India, its society, or its government!?

The Dalai Lama isn't even part of the Indian legislature AFAIK?

That said, about a hundred years ago Tibet did have a lot of problems..... but that was a long time ago, in a rather poor and inhospitable part of the world.

I'd suggest re-reading the problems outlined in the referenced post.

The issue I had was the Llama's endorsement of India, given India's history of systemic corruption; environmental policy, and treatment of minority groups within the country. The post clearly outlines this, as well as provides material to support it's argument; so I'm not sure where your confusion about it's intent is coming from.

Kohadre wrote: I'd suggest re-reading the problems outlined in the referenced post.

The issue I had was the Llama's endorsement of India, given India's history of systemic corruption; environmental policy, and treatment of minority groups within the country. The post clearly outlines this, as well as provides material to support it's argument; so I'm not sure where your confusion about it's intent is coming from.

Oh, sorry I didn't and still don't see that in it. Here is how I read it;

Kohadre wrote: This actually made me somewhat ill reading..

No mention here.

Kohadre wrote: India has been treating Muslims and other minority communities horrible throughout this crisis, with their government itself encouraging violence. Muslims have been beaten, killed, or otherwise openly tortured both in their homes and while out in public. Business owners have had their shops robbed, vandalized, or otherwise destroyed through arson or improvised explosives. Their environmental policy is corrupt beyond measure, with certain officials being quoted as saying "Dilution is the solution to pollution". The majority of the populous is also severely psychotic, believing their their shit filled; toxic "holy" river will cure them of both disease and the burden of reincarnation.

No mention here. Seems to be about India specifically with no mention of Tibetan Buddhism or the Dalai Lama.

Kohadre wrote: Their caste system which has been in place for millennia is a further extension of these policies and cultural acceptance of psychotic governance.

No mention here. Seems to be about India specifically with no mention of Tibetan Buddhism or the Dalai Lama.

Kohadre wrote: The llama variation of Buddhism itself has a dark, corrupt, violent past; of which the Dali llama sits upon the pinnacle. For the reverence that many people hold him and his flavor in Buddhism in, it seems that the actual history and practice of said organization remains largely unknown or otherwise ignored.

No mention of connection to India, just seems to sit separately about Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.

Kohadre wrote: I really could not be more disappointed that this is the role model people choose to follow, especially given our current crisis.

No mention of connection to India, just seems to be about Tibetan Buddhism or the Dalai Lama separately?

So to me, you put two things together but make no mention of how or what the relationship is meant to be for you. I tend to try not make assumptions, so you simply might have not known...

BUT, I get it now you've explained it's his support of India which you disagree with. I guess he is referencing the factors which are important to his area of responsibility, being the Tibetan's living in exile within India, and as such they are his host and also suffer or benefit from the response to COVID-19 that India may or may not make. You can't assault the host of the house your staying at too much I suppose.... especially not for things not against his people directly, or for things he cannot influence in anyway. I guess it's just not the topic of the letter and it's also not a good idea to hate on everything bad about the world at every opportunity just like one can't be expected to preach what they believe in at every opportunity.