New To The Group--And More Than A Bit Shocked

[Guest guest]

I am new to this discussion group and am here by invitation as well--a most

gracious invitation, I must say, and one which I was pleased to accept. As

a student of Hinduism and Buddhism, there is no doubt in my mind that the

light of Dharma does indeed shine from the East, and we here in the

materially prosperous (but spiritually impoverished) West are greatly

blessed to be among its recipients.

 

However, I was quite shocked--to say the very least--by the vitriolic and

xenophobic tone of the post (unfortunately, one of the first that I read upon

joining) which was nothing less than a mindless attack on Europeans and

Americans in general. This is certainly not typical of a traditionally Asian

spiritual response to the West, along with its myriad problems, as far as I am

aware. The response to which I am much more accustomed is rooted in a genuine

compassion for all beings, and a heartfelt desire for the enlightenment and

emancipation of all. (The best discussion forum I currently belong to is made

up primarily of Asian Buddhists. It is interesting to be in the minority for a

change, and I happily find that I am in delightful company--and learning a great

deal.)

 

My thanks to Katia Romanoff who, at the risk of belaboring the obvious,

essentially pointed out that the all too human failings referred to by our

angry antagonist are universal in nature and not the exclusive preserve or

liability of those of any particular nation or culture. (In a backhanded -- an

no doubt unintended -- sort of way, this particular antagonist did a fairly

admirable job of demonstrating this fact himself.) As I understand it, the

"embracing" of ignorance (if it can be fairly called that) is not exactly a

racial or genetic trait, but the common lot of a humanity which suffers from

the illusory nature of maya and the false allurements of samsara, from which

we are all in need of liberation.

 

I am truly sorry that those who have seen fit to immigrate to the United

States or Europe from Asian countries have sometimes found themselves the

victims of prejudice and misunderstanding, which is indeed endemic to our

society. I have no idea what it must be like to experience the kind of

alienation and frustration that members of a minority race and culture often

undergo. On the other hand, perhaps those who fail to recognize their own

blindness while castigating that of others would do well to reconsider

whatever reasons they had for coming to the West in the first place. For all of

our faults and failings, we certainly do appear to be the "destination of

choice" for a great many people from other continents and cultures.

 

I do hope we can move on from this dismal business. (In any event, as an

individual I can certainly move on from it, and I intend to do so, by

whatever means necessary.) I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who

have borne the burdens of their hearts in bringing truth and spiritual

insight from Eastern religious traditions to those of us who would otherwise

remain in darkness. I have been given no reason to believe that this debt

can be discharged, however, by assuming a burden of false guilty and shame

which would be rejected for themselves, and quite rightly so, by those who

apparently seek to impose it on others.

 

"May all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of

happiness.

May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of

suffering.

May all sentient beings never be separated from the happiness

which is without suffering.

May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free from both

attachment and

hatred, holding some close and others distant."

 

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[passionate_freak]

Hi there,

 

Well, the religions are prevailing in the east among ordinary people but in the west the spirituality is prevailing. Just look around and you'll feel it.

People in the west donate generously, even the whole wealth of a life time but in our part of the world people are dreaming to reach the height of materialism.THis is the difference.

 

But, even the west too runs after the religion... ... ... running after the religion is bad in all aspects.... creats the differences... ... ... Don't try to be religious it's hazardous.

 

Marx said, Religion is just like the opium.

 

We all are with the nature of excavating the grave.............. we can be one of such people from the past. The Jesus is in us, the Krsna is in us...we need to explore it...we can be...just need the GUTS....and a light to the path... a guide...a mentor...and we can find it...