The "Free Tibet" Question - A New Perspective
Yesterday, I watched a documentary about the Tibetan people and their history of the last 50 years.
What really struck me was one monk's statement. He referred to the ancient Hindu/Jain/Buddhist concept of Karma. Every action has a consequence, and ones present situation is a consequence of past actions of this and previous lives. The monk mused that he must have done some pretty bad stuff in his previous lives, and that today, I this current live, he's working it off. There is no point in lamenting about it, one just has to accept what is and try to make the best of it.
The documentary also mentioned, that Buddhists believe, that the spirit of an animal will eventually incarnate as a human. As a consequence, Tibetans have a deep love and respect for animals.
I would like to invite you compare this attitude to the one prevalent in the culture influenced by the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). There, the teachings suggest that the humans are "the crown of creation", and that "God gave humans dominion over the rest of creation". As a result, Jews, Christians and Muslims display an utter disrespect and thoughtlessness towards not just animals, but the whole creation - even most other human cultures and humans. Jews feel they are God's chosen people. Muslims kill those that don't believe their flavor of Islam. And Christians conveniently forget, misinterpret, or just simply ignore Jesus' commandment to "love your neighbor".
Let's look at the situation of the Tibetans from the "Tool of the Universe" perspective, which suggests that the Universe is utilizing humans to continue the development of the creation:
There is this group of people living in this remote, isolated area between the Himalayas and China. Among them developed a spiritual community and understanding that values the rest of the world. They accept what is, and try to make the best of it. Much of the rest of the world's population still lives in the spiritual Dark Ages, and behaves accordingly - destroying the planet and everything that's on and in it. If you were the Universe, what would you try to do to help the rest of the world? I would try to find a way to spread the understanding of the Tibetans across the globe.
The Chinese invasion has accomplished exactly that! The Dalai Lama, of whom hardly anybody knew 50+ years ago in the western world (the part, that needs enlightenment the most!), today is a household name. Buddhism since has spread across the globe.
Disclaimer and clarification: What the Chinese have done to the Tibetans - and continue to do - is disgusting and deplorable! However, we are not innocent either: If we were not so stuck in our spiritual development, such major crisis would not be necessary. Secondly, Buddhism is not the end of the spiritual journey, but just a first step.
What really struck me was one monk's statement. He referred to the ancient Hindu/Jain/Buddhist concept of Karma. Every action has a consequence, and ones present situation is a consequence of past actions of this and previous lives. The monk mused that he must have done some pretty bad stuff in his previous lives, and that today, I this current live, he's working it off. There is no point in lamenting about it, one just has to accept what is and try to make the best of it.
The documentary also mentioned, that Buddhists believe, that the spirit of an animal will eventually incarnate as a human. As a consequence, Tibetans have a deep love and respect for animals.
I would like to invite you compare this attitude to the one prevalent in the culture influenced by the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). There, the teachings suggest that the humans are "the crown of creation", and that "God gave humans dominion over the rest of creation". As a result, Jews, Christians and Muslims display an utter disrespect and thoughtlessness towards not just animals, but the whole creation - even most other human cultures and humans. Jews feel they are God's chosen people. Muslims kill those that don't believe their flavor of Islam. And Christians conveniently forget, misinterpret, or just simply ignore Jesus' commandment to "love your neighbor".
Let's look at the situation of the Tibetans from the "Tool of the Universe" perspective, which suggests that the Universe is utilizing humans to continue the development of the creation:
There is this group of people living in this remote, isolated area between the Himalayas and China. Among them developed a spiritual community and understanding that values the rest of the world. They accept what is, and try to make the best of it. Much of the rest of the world's population still lives in the spiritual Dark Ages, and behaves accordingly - destroying the planet and everything that's on and in it. If you were the Universe, what would you try to do to help the rest of the world? I would try to find a way to spread the understanding of the Tibetans across the globe.
The Chinese invasion has accomplished exactly that! The Dalai Lama, of whom hardly anybody knew 50+ years ago in the western world (the part, that needs enlightenment the most!), today is a household name. Buddhism since has spread across the globe.
Disclaimer and clarification: What the Chinese have done to the Tibetans - and continue to do - is disgusting and deplorable! However, we are not innocent either: If we were not so stuck in our spiritual development, such major crisis would not be necessary. Secondly, Buddhism is not the end of the spiritual journey, but just a first step.
Labels: Applying spirituality, New Approach
posted by Thomas | 6:31 AM
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