Dalai Lama is "personification of evil"

[Phoenix1304]

[QUOTE The good Lama has been vehemently intolerant to other religious sects, just as he expects the world to open up its collective door to HIS brand of theology. Seems even though he is the "top dog" he is still as petty, jealous, and demanding... very similar, in fact to that uncool god of the old testament... go figure

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE FACTS, Tarka.

Touche![/QUOTE]

I'm sorry, 'vehemently intolerant to others' is simply not born out by the 'facts' that I'm aware of. In the DL's latest book " "Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World" His Holiness the Dalai Lama argues that religion is not a necessity for pursuing a spiritual life. Rather he proposes a system of secular ethics that transcends religion as a way to recognize our common humanity and so contributes to a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect." http://dalaila.ma/sqdkpL Doesn't sound too intolerant to me. Maybe he's intolerant of the beliefs that cause people to abuse and slaughter one another in the name of their God, country or genetics.

He seems to very much want to rise above the petty man-made absurdities of religion and find what unifies them. That is wisdom.

And another thing, if life is so sweet in Tibet, I wonder why 11 monks chose to immolate themselves last year in protest over the occupation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15799562

Can you imagine what it would take to do something like that?, any of you? those that say the Tibetans are better off under Chinese rule, you haven't got a clue have you? Go grab some more popcorn and sling it at someone else you'd like to sneer at, make you feel important and 'better than'.

Excuse me, I'm upset, I feel like howling every time I think about the atrocity of the Tibetan invasion. The world did nothing, but of course we can barge into Iraq and Libya in the name of democracy and protecting human rights. Yeah, right.

I believe in free speech, transparency and open, intelligent debate, but I haven't watched any of the videos presented here yet, while I adhere to no religion, I do consider myself spiritual and the DL has a cherished place in my heart and at this moment, despite what I like to think of as my 'open mind', I'm just feeling too sickened by and disgusted at some of the material on this thread including the original subject header. I don't apologise for that, or for being so predictable as to be shocked by it, and, to be honest, it's highly unlikely that I will allow those of you bent on seeing evil where none exists, to take me where you want to go.

[Second Son]

You sound vey much like a Buddhist. Enjoy your path. I will enjoy mine. You claim no spiritual affiliation... but let's face it... the spirituality you speak of is thick with Buddhist teachings.

Of course you are upset.

The truth doesn't upset me, however, because unlike you, I TRULY adhere to no religion. I have many friends who talk just like you do about being religiously neutral, but have photos of the DL in their living room, every book he's ever written in their study, and Tibetan prayer flags hanging all around their house.

A hint, Pheonix. If your home decor is similar to the above mentioned, you may have a religious affiliation after all... just saying.

Peace

[BestLion]

Posted by Second Son (here)
You sound vey much like a Buddhist. Enjoy your path. I will enjoy mine. You claim no spiritual affiliation... but let's face it... the spirituality you speak of is thick with Buddhist teachings.

Of course you are upset.

The truth doesn't upset me, however, because unlike you, I TRULY adhere to no religion. I have many friends who talk just like you do about being religiously neutral, but have photos of the DL in their living room, every book he's ever written in their study, and Tibetan prayer flags hanging all around their house.

A hint, Pheonix. If your home decor is similar to the above mentioned, you may have a religious affiliation after all... just saying.

Peace

YES! I've seen the same thing with many people. Even atheist have their Evolution religion which they uphold Darwin just as strong as a Christian does Jesus.
Ive also noticed many people who have been raised in a Christian environment tend to slide over to Buddhism....Buddhism tends to offer more of an inner peace in this life. Then the Christian belief of walking on eggshell in order to not go to hell.
Yeah so if your Buddhist just state it..or state you like many things about it..I am not religious, but I will say many aspect of Buddhism is appealing.

[Second Son]

I forgot to mention the immolation thing... read CAREFULLY, because I know EXACTLY what cause such behavior...

ORGANIZED RELIGION.

A sad thing Pheonix, really it is, but it not a lot different than a suicide bombing. Of course it goes without saying that in the true spirit of Buddhism they took no lives but their own, but this kind of absurdity will only EVER come from people who have been brainwashed by the same cult since infancy.

If you are howling mad, you should turn that anger in the right direction... towards organized dogmatic belief systems.

I have as much compassion as the next guy, but I still can't help but see the (slightly) sweet irony of a group who would set themselves on fire in the public square to protest China's religious intolerance, while they themselves are followers of a man who is also intolerant of others' beliefs. Insane... insane at a level which only seems possible for those who are already brainwashed and weak minded from early childhood.

[Phoenix1304]

Posted by Second Son (here)
I forgot to mention the immolation thing... read CAREFULLY, because I know EXACTLY what cause such behavior...

ORGANIZED RELIGION.

A sad thing Pheonix, really it is, but it not a lot different than a suicide bombing. Of course it goes without saying that in the true spirit of Buddhism they took no lives but their own, but this kind of absurdity will only EVER come from people who have been brainwashed by the same cult since infancy.

If you are howling mad, you should turn that anger in the right direction... towards organized dogmatic belief systems.

I have as much compassion as the next guy, but I still can't help but see the (slightly) sweet irony of a group who would set themselves on fire in the public square to protest China's religious intolerance, while they themselves are followers of a man who is also intolerant of others' beliefs. Insane... insane at a level which only seems possible for those who are already brainwashed and weak minded from early childhood.

I had a feeling someone might respond and equate self-immolation with suicide bombers and blame it on a weak mind, befuddled by dogma, and here it is...

In the Tibetan's case it is not a religious act, it's a desperate act - to die for people to pay attention to gross injustice. Ghandi's hunger strike is an outstanding example of this kind of heroism. For many Muslims it may be too, if the media tells me they're religious fanatics that's red flag enough for me. It's more about politics than religion. That said, Islamic law, like all the others, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, is the invention of men, who love to push their point of view on everyone else and create their 'isms', and too many people find it easier to let others do the thinking for them. Anyone truly connected to their spirituality would not abuse another. Circumcision? No way.

There is tragic abuse of children in the name of religion, but not all religious people are inculcated from childhood, in fact many of the most devout have turned to it late in life. Mostly Buddhism I grant you, it leads to a saner more peaceful life for many and I admire their discipline. Many roads up the mountain, the view over the top, however, is the same for all of us.

It is arrogant and presumptuous to assume that those who furnish their homes with symbols of their spirituality are brainwashed fools.

I do not adhere to any religion as I said and understand spirituality very simply, summed up in one word. Love. Difficult, I know, because there are so many ideas about what love is. Deep down I believe we all know, except perhaps the 6% that are psychopathic. Who sadly are actually running things because they are without compassion, or integrity and thus are easily able to manipulate more honest souls. But those honest souls are waking up, even to their own coerced corruption.

I challenge your facts, as do other excellent posts on this thread that have effectively levelled the accusations. You do not refer to them, but seem comfortable in your perspective that you know better. It's a bit of a stretch to say that 'a system of secular ethics that transcends religion as a way to recognize our common humanity and so contributes to a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect' is actually concealed Buddhism, but if you say so. I respect your right to your view.

That's ok. I wish I was so confident half of the time. But that's why you didn't see too many women burning men at the stake, or waging war, inflicting torture, or writing philosophical tomes. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's because they are stupid, women were gagged by religion so I'm no fan of it, but that conditioning, there for so long is still deep within the male and female psyche. We all need healing.

Balance and respect is what we need to work towards. And women need to find their voice which is why I have so much to say at the moment.

I'm drifting off topic, it's late, thanks for the discussion anyway..

[Second Son]

I believe it will be by listening to the voices of women that we will be able to turn this world around.

Thanks for your voice, Phoenix.

Peace.

[mahalall]

As pie'n'eal put it so sweetly
"What is in your heart?
What do you see?"

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an36avkbjUw

Avalokitesvara really lighted up London that week july/august 93 (94)