Another murderous rampage has killed 9 people in the US. It maybe just another example of how the 'modernism' based on 'individual freedom' is slowly destroying the society. Whenever a US president tries to ban the use of household guns, the Rifle Association (which is a powerful lobby), opposes it. Even Barack Obama pledged he will do something about it but I suspect he would be allowed to do so.
The 'Right to own' guns mentality does not take into account that such guns can fall into the hands of kids (which happens frequently and ends up in murderous ramapges at schools) or people who suffer from mental illnesses or even the people cannot control their anger (which could happen to anybody really). In short, the 'Right to own' guns doesn't take into account it's impact on the society. It is blind to that. In SL also, we can see the 'rights' groups (NGOs) operating on the same concept, who are often funded by the US and Western European countries.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Dimensions of a 'National Economy'
It is apparent that the present economic crisis is not just a temporary case of mismanagement but an outcome of the fundamental flaw of the Liberal economic policies. It re-iterates the need to form an alternative economic policiy which is not based on both the Capitalism (which is failing) and socialism (which has failed).It is high time that we defined what is a 'national economy' ( i hope one of these 'economists' would come forward and write a book on the topic). In my view, the following 3 criteria would form the fundamentals of a national economic policy.
1. It would be based on the Buddhist concept of 'contentment' (Santhrushti)-- The Kensian economic policy starts with saying that economy is an effort to match the limited resources with the unlimited human needs.
This flawed philosohphy has resulted in an unprecendented income gap and huge environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. Rather, the basis should have been 'limiting human needs to suit the limited resources'.
2. It should take the 'economy' as an inherent component of the 'culture' and 'politics'. In other words, it should not be an 'abstract' economy.-- The liberal economic policies fail to identify the impact on some 'economically sound' ideas on the environment and culture. This sometimes results in forming a negative impact when u take the holistic picture into account. For example, when they say that the tax revenue by Alcohol is essential, they fail to identify the cost incurred for treating the patients who suffer from alcohol incurred illnesses, or the total man-hours lost by an untimely death of a person from such an illness.
It is totally blind to the social impact of alcohol, which could in turn hurt the economy (the education of a child disrupted bcos of an alcoholic parent, is a loss to the economy). Another example is the hailing of the 'foreign revenue' gained by the Sri Lankan house maids in the middle east (slave trade).
3. It should be mindful of the environment and its resources and should have a financial value to the 'continuity' of resources. -- In a way this can be included in 1 and 2 above. However, this cannot be stressed more as we are faced with a situation that the earth is becoming un-inhabitable for humans and all other living beings, due to the present economic policies. We have to be mindful of the 'continuity' of resouces and not just on 'utilizing' resouces. Our ancestors built houses using clay and colonut leaves exactly bcos of this. In the last few centuries, we have built houses with concrete and cement.
Now we are faced with a situation where we don't have enough sand to build houses, and we are scraping the river beds for sand. I don't think we can go back to Clay houses. But maybe we can build houses that are not too extravegant and which use less resources to build. (or maybe form 'apartment villages'). Another example would be using public transport whenver possible to lower carbon emissions and traffic jams. The 'national economy', should have the 'environment' at its heart but not as a seperate component, rather an intrinsic thread that binds all beings not non living things together.
The 'National Economy' would not eradicate the income disparity. The 'equal society' is a eutopia that cannot be realised in the human realm. There will always be rich and poor in the society. However, it will bring down to income disparity level to a bearable and acceptable level.
1. It would be based on the Buddhist concept of 'contentment' (Santhrushti)-- The Kensian economic policy starts with saying that economy is an effort to match the limited resources with the unlimited human needs.
This flawed philosohphy has resulted in an unprecendented income gap and huge environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. Rather, the basis should have been 'limiting human needs to suit the limited resources'.
2. It should take the 'economy' as an inherent component of the 'culture' and 'politics'. In other words, it should not be an 'abstract' economy.-- The liberal economic policies fail to identify the impact on some 'economically sound' ideas on the environment and culture. This sometimes results in forming a negative impact when u take the holistic picture into account. For example, when they say that the tax revenue by Alcohol is essential, they fail to identify the cost incurred for treating the patients who suffer from alcohol incurred illnesses, or the total man-hours lost by an untimely death of a person from such an illness.
It is totally blind to the social impact of alcohol, which could in turn hurt the economy (the education of a child disrupted bcos of an alcoholic parent, is a loss to the economy). Another example is the hailing of the 'foreign revenue' gained by the Sri Lankan house maids in the middle east (slave trade).
3. It should be mindful of the environment and its resources and should have a financial value to the 'continuity' of resources. -- In a way this can be included in 1 and 2 above. However, this cannot be stressed more as we are faced with a situation that the earth is becoming un-inhabitable for humans and all other living beings, due to the present economic policies. We have to be mindful of the 'continuity' of resouces and not just on 'utilizing' resouces. Our ancestors built houses using clay and colonut leaves exactly bcos of this. In the last few centuries, we have built houses with concrete and cement.
Now we are faced with a situation where we don't have enough sand to build houses, and we are scraping the river beds for sand. I don't think we can go back to Clay houses. But maybe we can build houses that are not too extravegant and which use less resources to build. (or maybe form 'apartment villages'). Another example would be using public transport whenver possible to lower carbon emissions and traffic jams. The 'national economy', should have the 'environment' at its heart but not as a seperate component, rather an intrinsic thread that binds all beings not non living things together.
The 'National Economy' would not eradicate the income disparity. The 'equal society' is a eutopia that cannot be realised in the human realm. There will always be rich and poor in the society. However, it will bring down to income disparity level to a bearable and acceptable level.
The 'Third World' mentality
Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso told the following story, in one of his talks.
A group of educational phsychologists did the following experiment. At the beginning of the year they divided a class into two based on previous year's results in the following manner. The student who got the best results was put to Class A and the second student into Class B and the third student again in to Class A and so on. The two classes were completely equal, the only difference being one class was called A and the other was called B.When the end of the year results were out, the Class A students had done much better than the Class B students, and the Class B students had performed very poor. The students in class B thought they were 'class B' students and thought like 'class B' students and they finally became 'class B' students.
Likewise, we call ourselves 'third world countries' (of course it is the so called 'first world' countries who started calling us 'third world'). Even our media personnel just repeat this as parrots without ever thinking about it. In the end, we think like the 'third world' and finally we become the 'third world'. It is true that the Western countries have better economies than us, but still we are better than them in some aspects. I think we should make a concious effort to stop using this rubbish, and advice others not to use such terms.
A group of educational phsychologists did the following experiment. At the beginning of the year they divided a class into two based on previous year's results in the following manner. The student who got the best results was put to Class A and the second student into Class B and the third student again in to Class A and so on. The two classes were completely equal, the only difference being one class was called A and the other was called B.When the end of the year results were out, the Class A students had done much better than the Class B students, and the Class B students had performed very poor. The students in class B thought they were 'class B' students and thought like 'class B' students and they finally became 'class B' students.
Likewise, we call ourselves 'third world countries' (of course it is the so called 'first world' countries who started calling us 'third world'). Even our media personnel just repeat this as parrots without ever thinking about it. In the end, we think like the 'third world' and finally we become the 'third world'. It is true that the Western countries have better economies than us, but still we are better than them in some aspects. I think we should make a concious effort to stop using this rubbish, and advice others not to use such terms.
Alcohol, Cigarettes and Cultural Imperialism
It is said that the British used to throw cigarette packs along the railroad, which the Sinhalese youth would pick up and use. Also, popularizing alcohol was a priority during the colonial rule. We have dutifully carried forward that practice even after the so called independence and now one of the highest alcohol consuming countries in the world.Western imperialism has 3 aspects. Political, Economic and Cultural (including knowledge). There are those who consume alcohol and/or cigarettes and at the same time show very patriotic/nationalist views.
These ppl would be against the political and/or economic imperialsim, yet they are cultural slaves. Cultural imperialism is maybe the most powerful aspect of the Imperialism of the Western Christian Modernity. To fully liberate from Western Christian modernity's imperialism, one has to liberate one from all 3 aspects of imperialism. If the majority of the Sinhala Buddhists can give up alcohol and/or cigarettes, that would be a move that would trigger reversing of cultural imperialism. Other communities too, would then get influenced by such a move and would follow that example.
We have been trying to give up these habbits for decades based on the advise given by Western Medical science or Western social science without any results. These 'sciences' again focus on the individualistic view based on Jeudo Christian chinthanaya, which is useless in making a difference in the way people think, of a society based on Sinhala Buddhist chinthanaya. Instead, we should expand the practice of pansil as a social standard and use it as a base on giving up these two vicious tentacles of Jeudo Chrisitian Cultural imperialism. Are we ready to do that yet?
These ppl would be against the political and/or economic imperialsim, yet they are cultural slaves. Cultural imperialism is maybe the most powerful aspect of the Imperialism of the Western Christian Modernity. To fully liberate from Western Christian modernity's imperialism, one has to liberate one from all 3 aspects of imperialism. If the majority of the Sinhala Buddhists can give up alcohol and/or cigarettes, that would be a move that would trigger reversing of cultural imperialism. Other communities too, would then get influenced by such a move and would follow that example.
We have been trying to give up these habbits for decades based on the advise given by Western Medical science or Western social science without any results. These 'sciences' again focus on the individualistic view based on Jeudo Christian chinthanaya, which is useless in making a difference in the way people think, of a society based on Sinhala Buddhist chinthanaya. Instead, we should expand the practice of pansil as a social standard and use it as a base on giving up these two vicious tentacles of Jeudo Chrisitian Cultural imperialism. Are we ready to do that yet?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Prof. Nalin De Silva's Facebook group
You may join Prof. Nalin De Silva's facebook group at,
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71732050518&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71732050518&ref=ts
Kamma or God's Will ?
Once upon a time there were two men. One man was a real crook. He would lie and take advantage of others. He would spread violence for no reason. He wouldn't take responsibility for any of his stupid actions. Yet, he was a firm believer of God and would not forget to thank God after every speech he made. He would 'praise the Lord' all the time. A real life example of such a man is former US president George W. Bush.
The other man though, was a kind and compassionate person. He would opt for reconciliation rather than conflict. He would not take revenge for those who tortured and harassed him for no reason, even if he could. He would build a nation, uniting different elasticities. He would be seen as a role model all around the world. He would be admired for generations to come. Yet, he would not pray or thank God. In fact, he would not even believe that an almighty God exists. A real life example of such a person is Nelson Mandela (he's a Marxist).
One day, both these men are driving their cars in the opposite direction. Their cars collide head on. Assuming that there is only heaven or hell to be born after death, who goes to heaven? Who goes to hell?
The other man though, was a kind and compassionate person. He would opt for reconciliation rather than conflict. He would not take revenge for those who tortured and harassed him for no reason, even if he could. He would build a nation, uniting different elasticities. He would be seen as a role model all around the world. He would be admired for generations to come. Yet, he would not pray or thank God. In fact, he would not even believe that an almighty God exists. A real life example of such a person is Nelson Mandela (he's a Marxist).
One day, both these men are driving their cars in the opposite direction. Their cars collide head on. Assuming that there is only heaven or hell to be born after death, who goes to heaven? Who goes to hell?
Quantitative Reality and Qualitative Reality
These days Theravada Buddhist Bikkhus too sometimes talk about a reality. However, it is different from the 'Reality' in Western Science and in Western Knowledge system.The Jeudo Christian Chinthanaya is based on the notion that there is an Objective Reality (this comes from the idea of an abstract God, independent of the world, in the Jewish culture).
This is where the terms 'objective' and 'subjective' come from in the English language. This Objective Reality, according to Jeudo Christian Chinthaya, exists independent of the five senses and the mind. Western Science is a quest to understand the Objective Reality. This is an Objective, Tangible, in other words Quantitative Reality. However, it is impossible to show that there is an Objective (Quantitative) reality without using the mind, thus showing that there is no Objective Reality.
The Reality that Theravada Buddhists sometimes talk about is a Qualitative Reality. In early Buddhism, there was no mention about a reality but 'Sammuthi' and 'Paramartha'. Yet, Buddhists now talk about a reality and maybe its due to the influence of Jeudo Christian culture. However, this reality is not a Quantitative (objective) reality. Rather, it is a Qualitative reality. It is Anichcha, Dukkha and Anaththa. In essence, what this Qualitative Reality says is that there is no (objective) Reality. This Qualitative reality cannot be explained using words (concepts) or by using the mind (thinking). Instead, it is experienced by bhavana and ultimately liberating from the mind itself.
This is where the terms 'objective' and 'subjective' come from in the English language. This Objective Reality, according to Jeudo Christian Chinthaya, exists independent of the five senses and the mind. Western Science is a quest to understand the Objective Reality. This is an Objective, Tangible, in other words Quantitative Reality. However, it is impossible to show that there is an Objective (Quantitative) reality without using the mind, thus showing that there is no Objective Reality.
The Reality that Theravada Buddhists sometimes talk about is a Qualitative Reality. In early Buddhism, there was no mention about a reality but 'Sammuthi' and 'Paramartha'. Yet, Buddhists now talk about a reality and maybe its due to the influence of Jeudo Christian culture. However, this reality is not a Quantitative (objective) reality. Rather, it is a Qualitative reality. It is Anichcha, Dukkha and Anaththa. In essence, what this Qualitative Reality says is that there is no (objective) Reality. This Qualitative reality cannot be explained using words (concepts) or by using the mind (thinking). Instead, it is experienced by bhavana and ultimately liberating from the mind itself.
Marxism is a Religion
A famous quote of Karl Marx is "Religion is Poison". It is based on the same quote that China destroyed hundreds of Buddhist temples during the so called cultural revolution. The same concept droves the Marxists in Cambodia to destroy Buddhist temples and kill Buddhist Bikkus. It is important to note that, never has Marxists acted like that against the Catholic and Chistian shrines anywhere in the world. Only agaist Buddhism and Islam.
All of the so called 'prophercies' of Karl Marx have proven to be false. Marxism has never been practically implemented anywhere in the world. All basic concepts of Marxism have been disproved. Still, there are a substantial amount of Marxists around. They still 'believe' what Marx said, without really accepting the truth. It only shows a sign of a very dogmatic religion, which is also hell bent on destroying other religions.
In many ways, Marxism has many similarities with the 'Uchchetha Wadaya' which existed during Buddha's days. It accepts no existence after death and identifies Capital as the only source for every outcome that happens to a human. Marxism is a religion that tries to eliminate other religions.
All of the so called 'prophercies' of Karl Marx have proven to be false. Marxism has never been practically implemented anywhere in the world. All basic concepts of Marxism have been disproved. Still, there are a substantial amount of Marxists around. They still 'believe' what Marx said, without really accepting the truth. It only shows a sign of a very dogmatic religion, which is also hell bent on destroying other religions.
In many ways, Marxism has many similarities with the 'Uchchetha Wadaya' which existed during Buddha's days. It accepts no existence after death and identifies Capital as the only source for every outcome that happens to a human. Marxism is a religion that tries to eliminate other religions.
Purpose of Life
I asked some of my friends about their purpose of life. Majority said that they don't really have a purpose (or they haven't really thought about it) and they live cos they don't have any other option. Some said, they want to live a happy life with the family without being a burden to anyone or the society. A few had material goals such as earning money or building a nice house.
The Purpose of Life in the Sinhala Buddhist Culture is Nibbana. That is not to say, everybody should become Bikkhus and start meditating in a forest monoastry. The Buddha has laid down to Noble 8 fold path to Nibbana in such a way that it can be practiced both by lay people and Bikkhus. Of course, being a Bikkhu makes it easier to tread on that path. Yet, it may not be possible for everyone to attain Nibbana in this life itself (using the word 'attain' with Nibbana is incorrect cos its not a place or a concept, but there is no option but to use such a word to describe this).
Only a very few people would be able to reach at least the Stream entering (Sowan) state in this life itself. Yet, we recognise that this life is just one phase in Samsara. Therefore, it would be more correct to say the Purpose of Life in the Sinhala Buddhist Culture is to 'use this human existance to get as close to Nibbana as possible, so that it can be attained either in this life or in a next life, whenever all the conditions for Nibbana are satisfied'. In other words, letting go of the notion of 'me' and 'mine' (Sakkaya Ditti) as much as possible during this lifetime. The Purpose of Life differs with culture. In the Jeudo Christian culture, the purpose is to attain 'Individual Freedom' and the 'Pursuit of Happiness' (a.k.a. satisfying the sensual pleasures as much as possible).
As far as I know, the United States constitution defines the 'right for pursuit of happiness' for a human being. Simply put, the purpose of the Jeudo Christian Culture is the 'Freedom OF Desires' and the purpose of Sinhala Buddhist Culture (and other Theravada Buddhist cultures) is the 'Freedom FROM Desires'.
The Purpose of Life in the Sinhala Buddhist Culture is Nibbana. That is not to say, everybody should become Bikkhus and start meditating in a forest monoastry. The Buddha has laid down to Noble 8 fold path to Nibbana in such a way that it can be practiced both by lay people and Bikkhus. Of course, being a Bikkhu makes it easier to tread on that path. Yet, it may not be possible for everyone to attain Nibbana in this life itself (using the word 'attain' with Nibbana is incorrect cos its not a place or a concept, but there is no option but to use such a word to describe this).
Only a very few people would be able to reach at least the Stream entering (Sowan) state in this life itself. Yet, we recognise that this life is just one phase in Samsara. Therefore, it would be more correct to say the Purpose of Life in the Sinhala Buddhist Culture is to 'use this human existance to get as close to Nibbana as possible, so that it can be attained either in this life or in a next life, whenever all the conditions for Nibbana are satisfied'. In other words, letting go of the notion of 'me' and 'mine' (Sakkaya Ditti) as much as possible during this lifetime. The Purpose of Life differs with culture. In the Jeudo Christian culture, the purpose is to attain 'Individual Freedom' and the 'Pursuit of Happiness' (a.k.a. satisfying the sensual pleasures as much as possible).
As far as I know, the United States constitution defines the 'right for pursuit of happiness' for a human being. Simply put, the purpose of the Jeudo Christian Culture is the 'Freedom OF Desires' and the purpose of Sinhala Buddhist Culture (and other Theravada Buddhist cultures) is the 'Freedom FROM Desires'.
Pornography and its role in Modernity
Pornography can be considered as a symbol of modernity. While it is very effective in addressing perhaps the most powerful human desire, the desire for sex, it also stresses one of the fundamentals of modernity. That is the intentention of satisfying sensual pleasures often disregarding its impact on the society and even oneself. While there were sexual depictions in the ancient world, they were cultural or religious symbols rather than symbols of sexual pleasure. Here are some facts about pornography.
1. Pornography is a $12-$13 billion-a-year industry-more than the combined annual revenues of the Coca-Cola and McDonnell Douglas corporations.
2. There are an estimated 372 Million porn web pages; 3% produced by the UK, 4% produced by Germany; 89% produced by the US
3. The average age of first internet exposure to pornography is 11 years.
4. 87% of convicted molesters of girls, and 77% of convicted molesters of boys, admit to the use of pornography, most often in the commission of their crimes.
5. At a 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two thirds of the 350 divorce lawyers who attended said the Internet played a significant role in the divorces in the past year, with excessive interest in online porn contributing to more than half such cases. Pornography had an almost non-existent role in divorce just seven or eight years ago.
While pornography has helped the US to suck money from the rest of the world, the biggest impact is on the cultures of other countries.
Ismalic Culture, Buddhist culture, Hindu Culture and Catholic culture are facing the biggest threat. Thus, pornography can be considered as a very effective weapon for the cultural imperialism of the Jeudo Christian culture.
Following is a good book on pornography and its close relationship with modernism. http://www.zonebooks.org/titles/HUNT_INV.html
1. Pornography is a $12-$13 billion-a-year industry-more than the combined annual revenues of the Coca-Cola and McDonnell Douglas corporations.
2. There are an estimated 372 Million porn web pages; 3% produced by the UK, 4% produced by Germany; 89% produced by the US
3. The average age of first internet exposure to pornography is 11 years.
4. 87% of convicted molesters of girls, and 77% of convicted molesters of boys, admit to the use of pornography, most often in the commission of their crimes.
5. At a 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two thirds of the 350 divorce lawyers who attended said the Internet played a significant role in the divorces in the past year, with excessive interest in online porn contributing to more than half such cases. Pornography had an almost non-existent role in divorce just seven or eight years ago.
While pornography has helped the US to suck money from the rest of the world, the biggest impact is on the cultures of other countries.
Ismalic Culture, Buddhist culture, Hindu Culture and Catholic culture are facing the biggest threat. Thus, pornography can be considered as a very effective weapon for the cultural imperialism of the Jeudo Christian culture.
Following is a good book on pornography and its close relationship with modernism. http://www.zonebooks.org/titles/HUNT_INV.html
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