Dalai Lama image Courtesy of The News Journal/Suchat Pederson
The Dalai Lama, in a lecture in Philadelphia today, told a group of about 2,000,
Things are not black and white. Things are relative. Things are interdependent. When we look at a situation we have to consider all the factors.
Many world disasters, including war, including the Iraq war, are due to lack of this holistic nature (looking at all the factors.) Like Saddam Hussein-- ending things for him. "Reality is not that simple.
Of course, I have great respect for, in fact, I love President Bush, because he is very frank, very straightforward. His intentions are good, but some of his policy in spite of his sincere motivation and right goal, and some of his method becomes unrealistic because of lack of understanding about reality.
He went on to explain,
"You cannot look in one direction. In order to see reality, (you) have to see in three or four or seven dimensions" and that this applies in the economical field, political field and international relations."
The main message the Dalai Lama presented was the idea of aiming for world peace through inner and outer disarmament. He explained that to reach a point where nations would outwardly disarm, people must first inwardly disarm, by becoming compassionate, not just with friends, but with all people, including those perceived as enemies.
About 2000 people attended the event at the Kimmel center. Upon finishing his talk, he was presented with a large birthday cake which was shared with all the attendees-- a Dalai Lama cake.
Courtesy of The News Journal/Suchat Pederson
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com and is a columnist with Northstarwriters.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
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-While I'm registered as a Democrat, I consider myself to be a dynamic critic of the Democratic party, just as, well, not quite as much, but almost as much as I am a critic of republicans.
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When George was just a candidate, he claimed his favorite philosopher was Jesus Crist.
As President, W has NOT much in common with The Prince of Peace-the other name for Jesus- who promised it is the Peacemakers who are the children of God-NOT those that bomb, torture or occupy others.
JC called poiliticians foxes-meaning they only care about themselves.
A little history:
In 1968 Chicago Abbie Hoffman spoke to the children of the '60's who had planned on spending the night in a city park after their long day of 'lobbying' at the Democratic Convention.
Mayor Daly sent word to Abbie that the multitudes were not welcome in his park and the cops were on the way in.
Before the Chicago mob with badges clobbered the heads of the children of the '60's, Abbie stood at a microphone and quoted Christ: "I send you out like little lambs into a wolves den. Remain as harmless as doves and cunning as snakes."
If the doves had consulted Webster's, they first would have had a laugh at the two words cunning is sandwiched between.
Then they would have learned that cunning means one must be skillful, clever, sly, crafty, and do things with skill and ingenuity.
To be cunning is to be attractive; cute and cleverly proficient.
The doves lacked cunning and thus got there heads clobbered and many hippies were transformed into yippies which requires a baptism via billy-clubs.
One reason the '60's Peace and Justice movement failed is because it lacked SPIRITUAL DEPTH!
Not much has changed since 1968, for power continues to resort to violence and nonviolent resistance takes cunning.
Not much has changed in many western churches which cling to the traditions of man and refuse to EVOLVE into a transformation of heart and mind to WAKE UP and see that God already indwells EVERYONE, which was the message Jesus was all about.
2,000 years ago The Cross had NO symbolic religious meaning and was not a piece of jewelry.
When JC said: "Pick up your cross and follow me" everyone back then understood he was issuing a POLITICAL statement, for the main roads in Jerusalem were lined with crucified agitators, rebels, dissidents and any who disturbed the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces.
The term 'Christian' was not even coined until the days of Paul, about 3 decades after Jesus walked the earth a man.
Jesus, while never a Christian, was a social, justice, radical revolutionary Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up against the corrupt Temple authorities and challenged their job security by teaching the people they did NOT need to pay the priests for ritual baths or sacrificing livestock to be OK with God; for God LOVED them just as they were:
Sinners, poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Roman Military Occupation.
What got JC crucified was disturbing the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces by teaching the subversive concept that Caesar only had power because God allowed it and that God preferred the humble sinner, the poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Roman Occupation above the elite and arrogant.
It has been said that as in Israel, Iran, or America: the people of the land are much better than the leadership they currently live under.
Humor and Nonviolent resistance is anathema to Big Brother for Big Brother only understands violent force.
"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends...I believe that as soon as people want peace in the world they can have it. The only trouble is they are not aware they can get it...You're just left with yourself all the time, whatever you do anyway. You've got to get down to your own God in your own temple. It's all down to you, mate …All we are saying is give peace a chance…All you need is love…Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one."-John Lennon
by
Eileen Fleming (150 articles, 54 quicklinks, 267 diaries, 584 comments)
on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 3:20:47 PM
John Lennon also said imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us , above us only sky. It's a known fact, that President Bush opens each session with a prayer, something, Billy or Obama would never do. I thought we gave Saddam several chances to come clean, if he was so innocent then why did he keep breaking the deadline? Didn't we go to the UN for help and received NOTHING? Peace Talks, with Terrorist, who are we kidding. Now Obama said the war would be over in 16 months , now he wants to go to Iraq and talk to the Generals. You think they may talk to him, or give him more information than they gave Bush? Now the news media is letting us now we are winning the war in Iraq.
What would Obama do when Iran attacts Israel? American (Obama) thinks Iran is a "small country" we don't need to take them serious when they call Americans infidels. Sounds strange when everyone quotes Jesus as peace, love and happiness, but never quote him as he says in Revelation, "who to those who oppose Israel. Has Dalai Lama become our new god? Revelation also says beware of those in end times .... awww you already know....... God Bless America? America needs to Bless GOD
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don bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 206 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 8:30:59 PM
dear sir, you seem to be suffering from severe mistaken thoughts about Jesus and God...did he not say "blessed are the peacemakers" and Jesus himself never said anything about the" enemies'' of Israel, in fact he was persecuted by the Pharasies and other powers as one of them !!! why are you so angry about things you obviously do not really understand.
Regards the Dalai Lama he never said he was a god ,that is your mistaken view, but he does talk and walk peace and love ,what about you??
God bless the World...
by
donaldinho (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 12:02:12 PM
I adore the fact that the Dalai Lama is working from a place of forgiveness, heart and consideration of the whole. When considering the whole, he is absolutely right.
It's possible he may be lacking certain pieces of information. Such as:
Bush had the highest record of capital punishment of any governor in US History, while still governor of Texas. Those put to death---one person per week---included women, children and retarded citizens.
He giggled the words "I am a war president" on camera, in the movie Fahrenheit 911. To say such a thing is a broad confession of intent, but to giggle on the word "war" is even more of a confession.
And speaking of considering the whole, I must say I believe this is not normal. Nobody of sound mind laughs at the idea of war and takes pleasure in other peoples' pain.
I will never forget the sight of Bush laughing up his sleeve----nasty, triumphant and very smirking laughs/smiles----when walking to the microphone to announce the Iraq War escalation. I have seen him look elated at other peoples' pain, in a manic state of joy. Then he looks so deflated and upset when anything does not go his way: When Dems won office (not that I think Dems are The Solution, mind you. And I say that as a declared Democrat, myself).
I can only conclude that this is abnormal criminal psychology at work. Going to war based on lies, blatantly walking all over 900 laws, and planning only more of the same----is not a confession of good intent. Quite the opposite. This is a man who does not belong walking the streets, let alone with nuclear weapons in his hands. Talk about armed and dangerous. And...wanted for war crimes.
Lock him and his partner in crime, Cheney, safely away. Then, throw away the key!
Let the Dalai Lama be their visitor and teach them the rules of love. The problem is, to teach such love, a person must be receptive to it and really "get it" with their heart and soul. These men don't "get it". They are numbed out to the reality of spirit and kindness and ethic and respect. They truly don't perceive the divine and lovable part of life, which lives in each of us.
In other words, they are sick.
They are not the kind of material to work with and to teach love. Because with a soul that is informed in a backward way, no matter what the teachings and no matter what the words coming out of their mouths, they will never grasp even the concept, let alone the action and the caring.
That's my "take" on it. For whatever it's worth. I frankly don't see how it could be any other way. I am willing to challenge even psychotherapists about that. Any mental health professional who tells you these men are normal are in deep denial themselves, or else they lack knowledge of key facts. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, other times it will be the death of us.
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Kathryn Smith (97 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 410 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 12:55:31 AM
The crooks on Myanmar are awful and they cause a great deal of destruction to their nation and the innocent people.
The crook Bush is awful and he brings great destruction to the workd: 1.2 million dead Iraqis from civil strife due to the Bush war - a war based on a Bush lie; 5.0 million Iraqi orphans; tens of thousands of U.S. Soldiers injured or dead; wasted time in saving the planet from ruin due to his insane war.
Sorry, the Bush presidency is the world champion for destruction of humanity and the planet. He exceeds all other leaders.
by
Michael Collins (105 articles, 16 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 355 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 2:00:34 AM
For more information on the views of the Dalai Lama on western civilization, read his book, The Ethics for the New Millennium, Riverhead Books, 1999.
An excerpt from this book, emphasis added.
Now, many people, believing that science has ‘disproven’ religion, make the further assumption that because there appears to be no final evidence for any spiritual authority, morality itself must be a matter of individual preference. . . . And whereas in the past, scientists and philosophers felt a pressing need to find solid foundations on which to establish immutable laws and absolute truths, nowadays this kind of search is held to be futile.
Just think about it, and on the validity of those "unalienable rights" endowed by our Creator, upon which our democracy is founded, if God is dead. And ask yourself what guides the 9 Supremes?
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George Staropoli (5 articles, 3 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 3 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 9:23:43 AM
What? If I gots to love Bush to be spiritual count me out. If I gots to get hung up on Christianity count me out again. I like Spartacus. He led a slave revolt not revolting slaves. I don't think Abbie was telling us to go limp in Chicago. I agree with Saint Huey. He said, sometimes you can fight fire with water. Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire. Unfortunately the American culture is a culture of violence. It is ironic that John Lennon, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Malcom X, and Jesus were all murdered. I am noit so sure that I would advise the Sudanese to lie down. The American Indians had all the right ideas but no guns. Do we have to sacrifice our lives to be spiritual? I think villains need be opposed in every way by every means. I love Bush and Nancy Pelosi but I would rather have lunch with Bernadette Devlin
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robert braunstein (30 articles, 0 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 102 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 9:38:47 AM
First, Rob, a truly superb bit of reporting. Perhaps His Holiness is trying to be conciliatory re: Bush. I agree with your response to Ashin Mettacara. What if we were to say to him that Burmese Generals are the best thing for Myanmar's people? It would be rude, absurd, stupid, and insensitive, actually oblivious to the crimes and mistakes made by them, much as Bush has forced a war based on lies, bankrupted the USA, etc., so far beyond humble and simple mistakes....
Anyway, glad to see you took the time to hear the Dalai Lama as well as tell us all about it!
Sincerely,
Stephen Fox, Managing Editor, Santa Fe Sun News
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Stephen Fox (79 articles, 2 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 443 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:22:45 AM
Thanks, Rob! I love the Dalai Lama, and I love this article! (Still working on loving Bush, though. I'll let you know what that happens - where are you gonna be, next lifetime?)
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Meryl Ann Butler (47 articles, 52 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 412 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:44:26 AM
"Of course, I have great respect for, in fact, I love President Bus, because he is very frank, very straightforward. His intentions are good, but some of his policy in spite of his sincere motivation and right goal, and some of his method becomes unrealistic because of lack of understanding about reality."
I think loving people who hate us is healthy and productive, though i have a lot to learn about it. I wonder how deeply the Dalai Lama has looked into Bush's soul or his record, that he can say his intentions are "good". I believe Bush might actually believe his intentions are good, but if there's a way to objectively measure such a thing, I doubt they would register as "good"- imho
by
Better World Order (4 articles, 434 quicklinks, 30 diaries, 932 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:45:29 AM
The Dalai Lama demonstrates how very closely Buddhist teachings are related to the teachings of the Christ Jesus.
"The message from the Spirit of truth is always essentially the same. Only the names, places, times and cultural influences change. In fact, there are remarkable similarities in the life and deeds of the Christ and the Buddha, and if you are interested in those similarities, please read Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, by Marcus Borg et al, or Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers, by Thich Nhat Hanh, or one of the many other books on the subject. There are also many books that point out the similarities and compatibilities of all religions, because they were all derived and inspired by One Source." -- Joseph J. Adamson, in Memoirs of a Prodigal Son of Man.
On his web site, Adamson acknowledges that Bush may actually believe he is "doing the right thing" and "doing God's will," as Bush claims. But Adamson bluntly tells the truth, that Bush actually serves "Mammon" and the wealthiest few, at the expense of everyone else.
These, for me, are wise words. Who on the left is not guilty of modifying his or her perception of reality based on beliefs? For example, we want to believe that the greedy, immoral, illegal invasion of Iraq is the source of all our current economic woes, but is this justified? Reality is complicated.
JC also preached loving one's enemies and "turning the other cheek" so this is not a new concept. No one who sincerely believes this claims it is easy to do. I have far too much ego. But I sometimes remind myself it is not the person of George W. Bush I detest, only the words and deeds.
Most of us manage to convince ourselves we are good people with good intent, and rationalize all our actions. Often this is not enough (see the proverb about "the road to hell"). An ability and willingness to see the bigger picture is key. Perhaps even a brief reflecion on these points could result in a more civil tone of debate on OEN.
by
Maxwell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 273 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 12:26:50 PM
It is very true that we all should use a civil tone in debate, with as much respect as possible. Otherwise, we simply offend, and provoke retaliatory responses.
I think it's wise to acknowledge that those we think are wrong may have good intentions, but it's also wise to point out why we think they are wrong.
This is crucial now, more han ever before, because those who are actually wrong, like George W. Bush, Osama bin Laden, Ehud Olmert, and many other proud and militant people who believe they are good Christians or Muslims or Jews, BELIEVE they doing the "right" thing.
I read the riot act to several unsuspecting City employees at City Hall in Muskogee,Oklahoma(they promote that terrible son:Okie From Muskogee Merle Haggard) A woman had written a letter saying there was no"pride" in this town bec there was no display of Americans Flags..I told about 6 people,what my idea of pride was and we did not need to promote ocupation for oil...I am glad I said what I said but I came from aplace of anger ...I believe it is better to say something than nothing,but I believe Jesus and the Dalhi Lama could have done a bettter job..Of course even they could have faled to change minds..What should I do to improve??Keep quiet til I acheive enlightenment?? Jean
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mcmahon (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 14 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 12:50:15 PM
The Dalai Lama, in his position, must speak in a kind language no matter what's the subject. So me let me interpret what he actually means refering to GW Bush, president of a 300-million people advanced country:
"GW Bush, on his 8th year as president of the US, almost hitting 60 in age, does not comprehend reality. That's because reality consists of many dimensions instead of one, or none. "
This is from, of all people, a humble spiritual leader of the high remote land of Tibet.
A 3 year old child already comprehend that reality consists of multi-dimensions. So the Dalai Lama is saying GW Bush is either like a 2 year old child, or his brain has gone incapacitated.
The French has a way to deal with such incapacitation. The chop the head off.
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TomK (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 233 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 1:42:19 PM
