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

[Erik Hoogcarspel]

curt schreef:

> 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?
>>  
>>
> __

And he got enlightenend only after having a meal. No meal, no 
understanding and no bodhi. So seeing that everybody has a decent meal 
would be the first step in spreading Buddhism.

-- 


Erik


www.xs4all.nl/~jehms