tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post3765444540031719145..comments2024-02-24T00:41:37.836-08:00Comments on The Buddha Diaries: A Shameful StoryPeter Clothierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-2406775569286590902007-09-15T09:56:00.000-07:002007-09-15T09:56:00.000-07:00Gotcha, Mark. Good point. But here's the questio...Gotcha, Mark. Good point. But here's the question: is it okay for people to do bad things just because they really, deeply, sincerely BELIEVE they're doing right (let's say, for a topical example, Bush's war)? Or do we need to expect them to go deeper into their motivation?Peter Clothierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-37290846655628259802007-09-14T20:59:00.000-07:002007-09-14T20:59:00.000-07:00I'm not saying that it is right or trying to justi...I'm not saying that it is right or trying to justify his actions, but I think a lot of people act out of what they think is the best coarse of actions, which is often a very closed-minded way of thinking. Such is the way of the fundamentalist Christian and people like the Chaplain of the prison. I just think it's important to maybe try to understand that people aren't acting in ways they think are malicious. The Chaplain, I'm sure, was acting in a way he thought was proper and good. That may not be the truth in actuality, but he wasn't trying to hurt these people. In his mind, he was doing the right thing. I just don't want to outright condemn people who were, in their own minds, trying to help people.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072259264111848667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-85721465368512895152007-09-14T17:32:00.000-07:002007-09-14T17:32:00.000-07:00Peter, you've said it perfectly. That is what I wa...Peter, you've said it perfectly. That is what I was reluctant to say. This is occurring in Thailand right now, too, with missionaries who honestly believe that they must spread their message to the "primitives". <BR/><BR/>Somehow, that puts spirituality on the same level as propaganda. <BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Peace, <BR/><BR/>~Chani<BR/>http://thailandgal.blogspot.comthailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-13152435038186670252007-09-14T11:47:00.000-07:002007-09-14T11:47:00.000-07:00If that's so, Mark, it seems to me a very arrogant...If that's so, Mark, it seems to me a very arrogant form of charity--and therefore, perhaps, no charity at all. If you're thirsty for that water you have found so restorative (Buddhism, say, in the case of these prisoners) and I respond to your need instead with a mug of (good, Christian!) beer because I claim certain knowledge that it's better for your soul, is this an act of charity? <BR/><BR/>Or consider the missionary zeal of those 19th century colonists. In their view, perhaps, they were doing those "primitive" folks a favor by converting them from their heathen ways and beliefs. But just because those missionaries so fervently BELIEVED that they were doing good, does that make it so? How much ancient, sacred human wisdom was sacrificed in this way, and lost to future generations! <BR/><BR/>Of course, there's much more to be said on this topic... Always.Peter Clothierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-59833675869091883242007-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:002007-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00Not to justify the actions of the Chaplain, but fr...Not to justify the actions of the Chaplain, but from his perspective, he WAS being charitable. If you think that the eternal soul can only be saved through Jesus Christ and there is a program steering people from that goal, it is right in the Chaplain's eyes to get rid of that program. While we don't share that person's views, I think it's important to try and understand the actions nonetheless.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072259264111848667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-69195748703864673182007-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:002007-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:00I just signed the petition. The video was really e...I just signed the petition. The video was really excellent, very smart and well done.robin andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390482190562312928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-70071435799170281312007-09-14T09:02:00.000-07:002007-09-14T09:02:00.000-07:00I would like to read that book also, once it's rel...I would like to read that book also, once it's released. It's a good thing the program was reinstated. I could say *so* much more. :)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Peace, <BR/><BR/>~Chani<BR/>http://thailandgal.blogspot.comthailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.com