[Buddha-l] Re: Diversions, distractions and off-topic discussions

[curt]

I agree very strongly with this, and I also think that this is raises a 
basic issue with respect to "mindfulness". One of the quick and dirty 
ways of summarizing what the Buddha taught, is that he taught people 
about the necessity to see things "as they are". For the Buddha himself, 
at least according to tradition, the turning point in his life came when 
he became aware of how much suffering existed outside of his comfortable 
Palace. It is almost as if that story were intended to speak directly to 
those of us today who live relatively privileged and comfortable lives 
while there exists so much suffering all around us. Of course, I also 
agree that from that basic understanding it is necessary to move on to 
understand the causes of poverty and oppression and violence and to seek 
to cut off their roots.
- Curt

Benito Carral wrote:

>  For  example,  why does half of world population live
>on  less  than two dollars a day? If we don't know why,
>we   won't   know   what  to  do  about  it.  And  here
>corporations,  US  Government,  US  Treasury, IMF, WTO,
>globalized  media,  and  other forces come to play. For
>example,  where  do  the resources we spend go? What is
>being done with such resources?
>  
>