great video and song, but just a question: what do the word FREEDOM means for a buddhist? Because I find it the most abused word in western culture: in the name of FREEDOM we bombed nations, let students buy and use machine guns at school, and so on. Is it freedom? I think the real freedom for a buddhist is FREEDOM FROM KARMA. That's the reason why we practice after all: if we don't practice we live accordind to our karma, nothing more and nothing less. If we practice instead, we can live free from our karma.
Hi eds, I understand completely what you are saying but please allow me to say this: Freedom means choice. Not just to be Buddhist, but to be anything that you want to be, within reason. Another interesting point is that a day or two after the London bombings that came as a result of UK involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, SGI leaders were due to give a talk explaining why the political wing of the group in Japan (which is also NOT the political wing of the party according to the official line) had chosen to actually back the war. Hope I haven't caused offence. Chance Micheal Riley
Thank you CMR for your point: you did not cause offence at all, but made me think once again how poor country is mine (Italy) when political leaders do not give reason of their decision, but one day say YES, the other day say NO, and everything goes on as a TV serial. I hardly hope that the progress of kosen rufu will soon change this attitude from the basis, otherwise I can't see a way out of the crisis for my country (and I am afraid for all Europe). Thank you again my english friends for giving me the chanche to share opinions and suggestions. CDS (Carlo Del Sante) Fsay uno thing today and the contrary
great video and song, but just a question: what do the word FREEDOM means for a buddhist? Because I find it the most abused word in western culture: in the name of FREEDOM we bombed nations, let students buy and use machine guns at school, and so on. Is it freedom? I think the real freedom for a buddhist is FREEDOM FROM KARMA. That's the reason why we practice after all: if we don't practice we live accordind to our karma, nothing more and nothing less. If we practice instead, we can live free from our karma.
ReplyDeleteHi eds, I understand completely what you are saying but please allow me to say this: Freedom means choice. Not just to be Buddhist, but to be anything that you want to be, within reason.
DeleteAnother interesting point is that a day or two after the London bombings that came as a result of UK involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, SGI leaders were due to give a talk explaining why the political wing of the group in Japan (which is also NOT the political wing of the party according to the official line) had chosen to actually back the war.
Hope I haven't caused offence.
Chance Micheal Riley
Thank you CMR for your point: you did not cause offence at all, but made me think once again how poor country is mine (Italy) when political leaders do not give reason of their decision, but one day say YES, the other day say NO, and everything goes on as a TV serial.
DeleteI hardly hope that the progress of kosen rufu will soon change this attitude from the basis, otherwise I can't see a way out of the crisis for my country (and I am afraid for all Europe).
Thank you again my english friends for giving me the chanche to share opinions and suggestions.
CDS
(Carlo Del Sante)
Fsay uno thing today and the contrary
great point as always, our daimoku allows us to transform our karma so that we don't live in the suffering cycle
ReplyDelete