Disrespecting Your Religion. Part One – Where Your Morals come from?

First time when I heard the Carl Marx famous quote “Religion is the opium of the masses”, it makes me awfully angry. For my excuse, I was a teenager back then and just like any teenager, it didn’t take much to make me angry. I thought “if there is no religion, then where our moral come from? How arrogant Carl Marxx was”. I was actually felt insulted he (and his followers, including JVP back then) not believing in the same values that I have brought up with. My Religion is the ultimate good of all things.

But later I came across the question, are we good because of our religion?

When every time we talk about Sri Lanka, majority of people who happened to be Buddhist, bring up the impotency of Buddhist Culture we been having for past couple of thousand years and how that make Sri Lanka the wonderful country it is today and how terrible it used to be before Buddhism was introduced.

This is a common argument every religion make. Without their religion, the world will be immoral terrible place. And immediately after that statement, they claim the exclusive copyright of my morals. That is where fun starts. Some religions start to sell their moral value with discount prices while some give it away with numerous financial incentives. Some take more radical approach and fly planes in to buildings and that sort of things. While We Sri Lankans take kind of deferent approach; and typically use identity and cultural blackmailing, with occasional vandalism.

The story says when the son of Emperor Ashoka, Mahinda, introduced religion to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan king, Tissa was chasing after a deer like a hungry dog. It is quite possible the king was engaged in recreational hunting that day, taking the advantage of moon light. But I don’t think the king was running after a deer quite desperately like the story tries to paint it out. I’m absolutely sure Tissa knew no humans able to outrun a deer and no hunter can shoot while running. So when next time a monk say this story, just before he go and have lunch with rice and curry chicken, I want to tell the monk, “no, it is not terribly immoral thing for a king to engage in recreational hunting”. After all King Tissa must be very athletic, with extra time on his hand and quite safe country for him to run around, which is the kind of moral I would desperately like to see in our current leaders.

The story does not mention anything immoral like killing first born babies, raping virgins, or killing children. So I assume, Sri Lankans were very intelligent and moral people even in the absence of Buddhism, and Buddhism have nothing to do with you not killing your neighbor or not raping your sister today.

Next comes the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments. After Jews follows Moses, his long difficult journey, Lord gave Moses the Ten human moral guidelines, at the Mount Sinai. Jew’s book was not good enough for Christians, so later they wrote down a deferent book, but regardless of the book, they all consider without those Lord’s guidelines; the whole world will be immoral terrible place. If that is the case, before Ten Commandments was given by the Lord, in the absent of religious moral guidelines, those followers of Moss’s should have been some sort of rapist, raping each other's daughters, killing their neighbors while performing adultery. But I do not believe possibly that is the case. If they were immoral in the absent of religious guidelines, none will be able to make that long difficult journey.

So it is impossible to buy the argument judaeo-christians are some sort of immoral group of people that we all have to be extremely careful of, because in the absence of their religious guidelines, they all may burst in to some sort of murders.

Not only Judaism, and Christianity, Islam also comes with good set of moral values. Respect your parents, do not kill your children, do not commit adultery, be honest, etc.. I do agree they are extremely good morals we all would like to seen in a person. I’m willing to bet my house on, in an absent of Quran, none of my Muslim friends will not turn in to some sort of immoral, child killing, dishonest adulteress. Because I know for sure they are not that sort of people. They all have sense of morality and responsibility by nature.

It is not only humorous, but also humiliating, when those religious leaders suggest our morals come from religions and in the absence of it, we all will turn in to immoral bunch. In reality, even those most extreme religious leaders, careful enough to pick most suitable teachings from their books and even after that, interpret according to current situation. As an example, no religious leader with a bit of a commonsense will not say anything remotely appealing to slavery or raping virgins, no matter how much of those are encouraged by their religions, because we are the society have better sense of morality than the one in those old religious books. There is nothing wrong with they pick and choose from their books and ignore large some of text in that process.. Matter of fact, I’m quite happy they do that.

Then where does moral come from?

Humans have very delicate physical body without any sort of inbuilt protection mechanism. We have no venom, no long teeth, and no long nails or no camouflage. But we do have advantage in large collective numbers with strong connection. We care for each other. We feel extremely uncomfortable in absence of other humans around us. We have empathy. We help others in danger. We try not to break away from our social pack. We know without the protection of the pack, we cannot survive in this world or any other. We do understand that. Also we understand for us to receive that protection and accept in to the pack, we have to follow set of social responsibilities, call morals.

As technology advances, our pack expands beyond families, countries and continent and we help and protect each other. Not only humans, now we know, we must care about environment too, for us to survive. That makes our moral values expand beyond human species, to other species and even in to every bit of nature.

Bottom line is, you did not jump over to your neighbor’s house today and kill the whole family not because your religion told you not to do so, because you are by nature a good human being.

In a future post, I will try to write, how religion (no matter what religon it is) could make you jump over to your neighbor’s house and kill the whole family tomorrow. Unitl then, be a good.

13 February, 2008

Don’t believe in Santa Clause. He is a Lie!

I felt like crying. I felt like been cheated. I was shocked. Santa is a one giant lie! It was a one grand conspiracy, making me believe in that nice old man, looks after all the good kids in the world. Any of you knew it was a lie?

My friends laugh other day pointing their finger at me and holding their stomachs. I felt like crying. How can I not to believe in Santa? My mama told me about him. NASA and Norad tracks him every Christmas eve, and display Santa’s movement in their web site. They all make a fool out of me. I felt like cheated. I felt like crying.

I thought Santa is a nice old man lives in Northpole. He used to watch over me every single minute, am I been a bad or good boy, just like how Joseph Stalin used to watch over Russians. They told me, if I behave badly, Santa not going to like me anymore. I was scared.

I hated Grinch, the enemy of Santa, tries to steal Christmas from him all the time. Oh Boy! I hated him so much. Do you know Grinch was a lie too? Really, I mean guys, Do any of you knew all this is a queen-size lie?

Anyway, other day two nicely dressed gentleman knocked on my door. I opened it, brushing my teeth in the morning. They asked me "Who you believe in, Handsome Sir?", with smile on their faces, and holding a book with their hands.

I said proudly, "I believe in Santa Claus!", and how nice the Santa is, and how did I met him when I was young, and how my mama used to tell me stories about Santa and even I showed them the photo of him on my wall.

But then, at that minute, they told me “You cannot believe in Santa any more, Santa is for kids, and you are not a kid any more”. I asked them “WHY?”. They said, "Because Santa is a lie, and there is no Santa at all, Northpole is just an empty wasteland just like scientists says".

I felt like crying. I felt like cheated. My legs felt heavy. Tears came out my eyes. Why did they lie to me all this time? Why!

But those young gentlemen were so kind. They lift me up, sat me down on a chair and told me, “Don’t give up hope, you don’t want Santa, you are big now. You need God in your life”. I asked them “who is God?”, wiping out my tears.
They said, “He is the Savior! he is the Lord! he is the Creator!”. They fetched me a glass of water. I felt better.

They taught me everything. They said Satan is the enemy of God. He is so much worse than Grinch. Satan tries to steal the whole world from God. Jealous basted! They taught me how to talk to God. It was easy. I used to write letters to Santa before.

God is looking over me every single minute; he knows everything I think, everything I do, even in the bathroom. And if I behave badly, I will burn in hell forever after I die. Quite scary though, felt like living in North Korea, even without an escape after death. But I used to been a good boy before, with Santa. So I’m ok.

I’m so happy back again. I'm Smart! I'm not a Child any more.

26 January, 2008

Famous Buddhists

Here are some famous people around the world happened to be Buddhists. I don't know are they good buddhists or not. In the other hand, I even don't know is there such a thing as "Good Buddhist" or "Bad Buddhists".
Richard Grer said 'Western Buddhists in many ways are much serious Buddhists'. So I like to say here is a list of some famous serious Buddhists.

Lisa Simpson
My favorite Buddhist.
According to Indian reveals that she will be the "first straight female US President"

Steve Jobs
CEO & Founder, Apple, Pixar and a Cancer Survivor

Jennifer Lopez
She is intrigued by Buddhism after being introduced to the philosophy by Hollywood convert Richard Gere.

George Lucas
"I was raised Methodist. Now let's say I'm spiritual. It's Marin County. We're all Buddhists up here"

Tina Turner
"I'm not wise, but the beginning of wisdom is there; it's like relaxing into - and an acceptance of - things."

Harrison Ford
Actor, Carpenter
"Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice"

Angelina Jolie
Angelina tattooed a Buddhist Sanskrit prayer on her right shoulder.

Peter Norton
Creator of Norton Software.
Once a Buddhist Monk & spend five years in a Buddhist monastery.

Alanis Morissette
Bisexual Canadian singer, Seven time Grammy winner.
I used to love this girl and I still do!

Roberto Baggio
Italian footballer.
Always just a little outside of the box, practicing Buddhist in a country full of Catholics.

Kate Bosworth
Actress. Superman Returns,Bee Season,The Rules of Attraction.

Boy George
Good Old Crazy Homosexual Boy George!
Any one can be a Buddhist!

Goldie Hawn
"I practice Buddhist philosophy and contemplation but I don't know if I'm more of anything."

Michael Stipe
Lead Singer - R.E.M
"I'm not homosexual, I'm not hetrosexual, I'm just sexual"

Uma hurman
Actress, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction

Herschel Savage
Porn Star
Slept with all the pretty ladies and got paid for it! Enjoying Good Karma!

Ricky Martin
"Livin' la Vida Loca"

Jackie Chan
Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie. Study computers instead.

Bruce Lee
"Circumstances hell! I make circumstances!"

Jet Li
"Especially in the past eight years, the Buddhist thoughts shaped my ideology"

William Clay Ford
Executive Chairman of Ford
President, CEO, and COO of Boeing till 2006

David Bowie
English Grammy Winning singer
"I was a Buddhist mime songwriter and a part-time sax player."

Orlando Bloom
Actor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kingdom of Heaven, Troy, The Lord of the Rings, Black Hawk Down

Richard Gere
"Western Buddhists in many ways are much serious Buddhists than Tibetans are."

Steven Seagal
"I have no fear of death. More important, I don't fear life."

Tiger Woods
"If you can't laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at?"

11 February, 2007

Way Forward to Buddhist Taliban Sri Lanka

A new bill is about to be passed. A two year jail term or a fine of Rs. 100,000 is to be imposed on those found guilty of misusing the image of the Lord Buddha.

That is the most hideous illogical thing I heard in quite some time.

First of all, how would they plan to define the image of Buddha? Is Chinese laughing Buddha included in this? How about Japanese Buddhist images? How about almost naked bodhisattva images in India and Afghanistan?
First Buddhist statues created by Greeks whom never seen Buddha in flesh. Till then people used different symbols to represent Buddha, that practice till today. Even those statues we have today, still looks like Greek statues with soft manly body and curly hair.
How do they plan to prove each image of Buddha is really an image of Buddha?

Next, what is misuse? Misuse of 'Buddhist image' for gain political power? Or use Buddhist statues for collect money from poor people? Or use 'Buddhist image' for control people? Can a painter use Buddha's image in his painting anymore? Can I use a Buddhist statue as paperweight?

Who going to make the final decision of 'misuse or not'? There must be some kind of judicial body implemented for take that decision. Are they planning to implement religion police or similar institute in Sri Lanka? Isn't such a conceipt itself contradictory with very basic teaching of Buddha?

Buddha told to treat Dharma (his teaching) as equal and same position as himself once he was gone. So he was gone quite some time back and Dharma is the Buddha now. That means, 'misuse of Buddha's image' automatically equal to 'misuse of Buddha's teaching' too. Since who ever the person passes this bill and executes this law, violate and misuse Buddha's teaching of forgiveness and compassion, he himself viable to two year jail term or fine of Rs. 100,000 automatically.

Holy Crap! If this law executes, Judge, diffendant and accuser - all three parties should go to jail at the same time for misuse of Buddha.

Taliban demolished the Buddhist statues - they are just bricks and rocks. They are forgiven. But those religious extremists in Sri Lanka are demolishing very foundation of Buddhism..

22 January, 2007

Islamic Republic of Sri Lanka

Most of the times I bump in to news I'm wish not. Today I bump in to this news in Sunday observer.

Several Karaoke restaurants in the Colombo city, in suburbs and elsewhere in the country will come under the scrutiny of the police with the amendment to section 360 of the Penal Code being passed in Parliament. A Korean proprietor of the exclusive restaurant was produced in Court and remanded pending further investigations.

Acting on a tip off the Police Women and Child Protection Bureau raided a Karaoke restaurant in Colombo 7, and took in for questioning twenty young girls aged between 20-25. Among the women was a university student, who entertained customers who call over at the Karaoke restaurant.

The university student said that several of her batch mates at the university were on the pay roll of the Karaoke restaurant. "We are made to wear skin-tight clothing and dance along with the customers from dusk to dawn," the student had told the police.

Apart from the salary a hostess earns around Rs. 500-600 per night from tips, for dancing with clients.

What is wrong with this country? When does having good time become a crime? When next time I want to have a good time what should I do? Get a guy to wear a skin-tight cloth and dance for me?
15 January, 2007

Jesus Camp ~ Get ready to Born Again or Die.

Jesus Camp is out. Jesus Camp is 84 minute documentary about Evangelical Christian summer camp name 'Kids on Fire' in North Dakota, USA, where kids train to become Christian solders - run by Pastor Becky Fischer.

I didn't watch the movie yet. I'm not sure I'm really wanted to watch the movie. I watch too much trailers and news reports about the documentary and it already make my stomach sick.

Evangelicals are very good at drill their idea in to anybody's head. Loud screaming, same thing over and over again, same thing over and over again, same thing over and over again, loud screaming, same thing over and over again, can drill anything in to anybody's head.

But this is not about adults. This is about children - children as young as 6 year old. Pastor Becky says:

'Enemies of Evangelicals put their ideas in to children's head and give them guns and bombs. They are ready to kill them for cause of Islam.'
'I wants to see Evangelical children radically lay down their life for gospel.'
'There are two kinds of people in this world. People who love Jesus and people who don't.' 'Us against them, either you with us or either you with them'.
'Excuse me. We have the truth.' She said.

A Day in Jesus camp includes, 6 year olds praying for end the abortion, worshiping pictures of president bush, smashing coffee mugs emblazoned with the word 'government', speaking in tongue, publicly confession their impure thoughts, wail charismatically, weeping in salivation and getting seizures, train be a foot solder with toy swords.

Some of those activities are normal to kids anyway. I have seen lot of kids get seizures, scream, cry and pray front of Candy counter in Majestic City food court. Also I seen public confession of impure thoughts lot of times - like 'Mom, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you.' But I have not seen so far a kid want to be the God's army and pledge that they will fight to end abortion. It calls to my mind Timothy McVeigh.

Levy, a 12-year-old with a rat-tail who is a preacher too, said he was saved at age 5 because he wanted more out of life. I still trying to understand what it possibly be, 5 year old needed to be saved from? Is that form Riddler or is that form Batman?
What it can be he want more in his life ~ more m&m? He went far as saying.

'We are the Key generation to bring jesses back. There is lot of people die for God. There are not afraid. We want to give up our life to Jesus.'

There is a scene 9 year old Rachael feels bound to walk up to strangers and awkwardly evangelizes to them, without being prompted. Tory, a 10-year-old who likes music and dancing but worries about using her gifts 'for the flesh' instead of for God. 7 year old boy in painted faces, performing spiritual war dances and little hands reaching out to bless a cardboard cutout of President Bush, praying him for been Christian global leader.

Unfortunately Muslims are ready for the cosmic battle too. It is not earthly battle. It is ultimate cosmic battle between good against bad. Look like Evangelicals feels like they are loosing in the fanaticism race.

Alright. This is Americans with stomach full. Humans need a hobby after stomach full. Even monkeys do. After "Rock &Roll" and 'Coca Cola' they choose "God" to dominate the world.
We Sri Lankan can not escape form American phantasm. Ship will land in Sri Lanka very soon with lot of funding. We - third world humans - are their toys. 'Excuse me. We have the truth' - 'We are saved - you are not' That is the descending attitude of most of the Evangelicals in Sri Lanka already.

When I see this 12 year old boy - Levy - all I see is Heterosexual White American want to dominate my children's freedom and ready to punish them if they do not follow his path.

Religion is the main problem in this century, if there is a third world war that will be for Religion. The day before the cosmic battle begins will be the best day of all of us.

This is my question. What will you do when Jesus Camp come in to your town?
 

03 October, 2006

Pope, Bin Laden and Me

Pope did it again. He was able to spread his message beyond Christian community again. Addressing science representatives in University of Regensburg, Pope quoted 14th century Persian Empire & scholar Constantine Paleologos's comment about teaching of Islam's prophet Muhammad.

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached" (This is not this blog owners personal view - I'm just commenting what Pope Benedict citation from Paleologos)

Muslims around the world went outrages on this citation. Muslims in India went to the road, burn Pope's puppets and swear to burn him if they can get him.

Church point out this is not Pope's view about Islam nor his preaching to world, but he is addressing academic audiences and that only part of his lecture about faith and reason. But Muslims didn't bought that explanation at all.

Finally Pope apologizes about outrages he made. But look like that apology is not enough. Lets hope what ever happen after this wont effect the Petrel price.

When Al Qaeda attaches all over the world last couple of years - including Asia and Africa, Muslims around world didn't mind as much as they did with Pope's comment. But they pointed Bin Ladan's action is not true Islamic and he must warn victims first and give them a option to convert to Islam. Looks like Bin Laden accepted this advice and corrected himself now. He has warned the world 3 times so far and request others to convert to Islam. CNN notes that Bin Laden has received permission from a religious leader to kill up to 10 million people (In the Footsteps of bin Laden, Christiane Amanpour, CNN) I'm not sure who 'the religious leader' is - but I'm willing to convert to Islam if my life is threaten.

Meanwhile US department 'international religious freedom' annual report ranked Sri Lanka among the '12 countries where religious freedoms are far from secure'. (Afghanistan, Brunei, Cuba, Egypt, India, Israel and the occupied territories, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are the 12 countries).

How did we came in to this point?

We have no issues with Muslims in Sri Lanka. They do not come to my door and explain why my birth is offensive and why I should born again. They do not come to my door and advice me why I should not masturbate or use condoms. They do not come to my door and advice why I should not drink tea or coffee or take medicine. They do not act the way Bin Laden does. Relatively Muslims in Sri Lanka mind their own belief and look after their society.

Hindus and Buddhists have no religious conflict. Most of my friends take a fruit basket to Katharagama at least one time a year. Even one of my friends who wanted to suicide, went to Katharagama with me so he can give away his cloth to poor before his end. (No. he didn't suicide - we intended he should do that Sunday because we have to go to work Monday - but after the Sunday/Monday argument he give up his idea on the way back form Katharagama).

Christians and Buddhists in Sri Lanka didn't have much of issues for long time. Most of my Buddhist friends had lights a candle in St.Anthonys' Church (Kochikade) at least one times in their life time. Even Buddhists in Sri Lanka went far as adopting Catholic way of living - like abstinence, no sex before marriage, Sunday school, Buddhist school, Vesak cards, Vesak carols, and so much more.. But right now we seem not to have the same harmony.
When this situation changes? How did we end up in '12 countries where religious freedoms are far from secure' list?

The situation went up side down when foreign grown Evangelicals start promotion campaign in Sri Lanka. I know we don't have Evangelicals Television commercials in Sri Lanka like in other countries - not yet. But none can deny aggressiveness of the campaign going on. I know at least 10 people in my small circle of friends (Hindu and Buddhists) converted last few years. Now this is the point 'Buddhists' starts to act like a bull in china shop.

I don't blame Evangelicals for this at all - it is not their fault. I expect fire to be hot - ice to be cold - and Evangelicals to convert other people - that is their nature - not their fault. But 'Buddhists' reaction to this is not the way anyone expected form Buddhists. It was childish; it did not bring Sri Lanka any fame but shame. If Buddhists need to stand against Evangelicals, they must find a Buddhist tactic to do so. No one likes to see Buddhists acting like gangster rappers.

Top of all that bullfighting one day I bump in to Pakistani Islamic teacher/promoter in Petta-Moratuwa bus. He taught me why I should kill as much as animals I can and why it is wrong that I do not eat beef.. This is something I'm really scared of. No one wants to see foreign Islamic extremists take over the Sri Lankan Muslim community.

We face two world wars behalf of deferent political philosophy. In Sri Lanka we had two arms struggles behalf of socialism. It was the global fashion then. World changed. We don't fight for political philosophies no more. Fight for Religion and Ethnicity is the global trend in this century. We - Sri Lankan - already struggle with Ethnic issue.

US report is good warning what is coming up ahead if we look at it open minded. How can we survive this global trend? Can we?
 

18 September, 2006

Dalai Lama, Buddhism and Homosexuality

"It's part of what we Buddhists call 'bad sexual conduct.' Sexual organs were created for reproduction between the male element and the female element and everything that deviates from that is not acceptable from a Buddhist point of view. Between a man an [another]man, a woman and another woman, in the mouth, the anus, or even using a hand." (the DL mimes masturbation)...
(June 1997, San Francisco ~ Dalai Lama)

Also mentioned this only applied to Buddhists. This didn't make any sense to me. It didn't sound Correct. I can question any Buddhist teaching no matter who said it⁽¹⁾ so I decide to exercise that right.

Sexual organs were created for reproduction

I can't agree. Human sexual organs are created for sex & pleaser more than reproduction. Humans anatomy & humans approach to sex very much deferent than other primates. Example: Human female is the only female does not display ovulating period, but sexually capable most of her life ~ even after her lose the reproduction capability. Human female is the only female primate capable of sexual orgasm. Not only that, some woman are may even reach orgasm as a result of stimulation of her breasts, ears and other body parts ^{(Kinsey Research) (more info: The Naked Woman, The Naked Ape)}

Non sexual relationship between same sex is very much welcome in almost every religion including Buddhism. But the issue starts when sex involved. Sex is always hot topic for everyone ~ even to religious leaders. 

In Buddhism any kind of sexual relationship or activity totally prohibit for monks - only for the monks. There is no question about it.

There are no rules for laypeople in Buddhism. There are guidelines, not rules. When Dalai Lama refer to 'bad sexual conduct' he refer to the third precept of 5 precepts of Buddhism. That is : 'not to engage in wrong way for sexual pleasure'. Buddha never mention anything about homosexuality for laypeople or any other none-traditional sexual orientations ~ he discuss about the sexuality as one entity. Even though Buddha explains about bad side of worldly pleasers, he did not deny any worldly pleasers to laypeople. Matter of fact he even explain how to enjoy worldly pleasers with mindfulness. Also reproduction is not compulsory in Buddhism. Not only that.. even marriage is not compulsory in Buddhism. (but culture naturally override those)

What is the wrong way for sexual pleaser really?
I remember the monk who teach Buddhism in the school had very difficult time trying to (not) explain that. I have kind of similar problem now when trying to explain that, because there are no clear definition about 'wrong way' in here. Is that cheating, rapeing, child molestation? Or is that none-traditional sexual activity? Is that engaging in sexual activity just for pleaser, not for reproduction? Is that sexual thoughts? Is that homosexuality? Or is that altogether? What is right and what is wrong?

I'm not really helpless here. Buddha explain three main guidelines to judge an action right or wrong. So I'm going to put this into those three tests and see how it will come out.

1. How do I feel if that action done toward me.
   It does not matter man or woman, if some one forcefully have sexual activity, then that is sexual violation I do not like - that is wrong.
   But in the other hand, if I happened to be homosexual & also if I had a relationship with other adult homosexual, then it will become a partnership both people get benefited form. I have seen couple of homosexual couples enjoying good life. They too have big problems like Petrol price or global-warming, and all other human problems.
   I can't separate heterosexuality and homosexuality using this test. They both look the same here.
   But I can filter adultery, rape, and all other sexual violation as the wrong way from this test.
    
2. The deed which causes remorse afterwards and results in weeping and tears is ill-done. The deed which causes no remorse afterwards and results in joy and happiness is well-done.
   Well. I have to agree with Bob Marley in here. No woman ~ No Cry.
   I have seen more heterosexual people cry for heterosexual relationship more than homosexual people. Looks like it do not matter type of the relationship, if I do something make me regret afterward, then it is wrong.
   I can't separate heterosexuality and homosexuality using this test. They both look the same here anyway.
    
3. Whether the action is helpful to goal of Nirvana
   In Buddhism, the final goal is to obtain the ultimate happiness - Nirvana. Work toward that, Buddhists have to do good deeds. If the action base on generosity, love and compassion then it is an action toward Nirvana. If a person maintain a clear mind, even he is heterosexual or homosexual he is working toward the nirvana. If a person maintain a quality relationship no matter who is the partner is, then that person working toward Nirvana.
   This test does not help me to separate heterosexuality from homosexuality. Bad relationship is bad relationship, no matter who the partner is. 

In that case I have to decide Dalai Lama's quote is not the Buddhist point of view as he clam. 

In Buddhism homosexual Buddhist and heterosexual Buddhist both are equal humans. None superior to other. Homosexual relationship and heterosexual relationship both are similar and both have similar consequences.

By the way This is not unconditional - just like everything else in the world. If one act openly gay where homosexuality is not tolerated, then results may be weeping and tears even it is right thing or wrong thing. Buddha have mention try not to involve in actions does not tolerated by the society or declared as illegal, even they are 'good' actions. So in that case Gay Pride parade is not a good idea in Sri Lanka.

Bottom line is, Just like Dalai Lama said 'He is just a monk - nothing more - nothing less'. But after all, he is most famous Buddhist in the world. In that case I like him help everyone to have a better relationship with love and generosity no matter who's the partner happened to be.

31 August, 2006

Suicide, Euthanasia & Abortion

Watched 'The Sea Inside' today. True story about Ramón Sampedro, quadriplegic for 30 years & fight for end his life with dignity. After court turn him down, he drank a glass of potassium cyanide prepared by his friend & end his life - with some dignity - but without legal acceptance.

Suicide is not a taboo in Sri Lanka. We hear suicide everyday. We see suicide everyday. There is a big chance I may expire by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber too sooner or later. May be you too.. Who really knows? Inside Tamil tiger community, suicides for political reason conceded as heroism. But they are not along in this world. There are more than enough extreme hate groups around the world conceder suicide as heroism. Last couple of years we bring back the public execution also - some are proud of we are been able to kill other killers. But Suicide, Euthanasia & Abortion still illegal in Sri Lanka. I really can't think of any logical reason why we still approve public execution but why we hate Euthanasia. Closest reason I can think of is - how we live and how we die, decide by the White guy in Rome. He is not a logical person. But he control our lives. White and Yellow robed guys in Sri Lanka follows his exact verdict and rule our poor lives.

There are couples of suicide recordeds in the bible. Most of them are political suicides (King Saul, Samson & may be - may be Judas too) bible do not condemn them at all. But at the same time bible says 'God's plan is for life, not death' and 'Life belongs to God'. That I do not agree very much. Because, God didn't hesitate when he wanted to take lives. I do not consider him as a protector of life in general.

Even in the Buddhist scriptures there are few records about suicides -Some times even enlighten monks. Killing, Suicide and anything to do with taking lives clearly prohibited for monks. That do not apply for lay people exactly as it is I presume. Well... Buddhist says 'Thou Shall Not Kill' but that Is not a rule at all. The base principle is 'action is what counts more than the act itself' in Buddhism.

I think Ramón should have his freedom to end his life with dignity under his special circumstances. And the law should allow the freedom limited to some circumstances. Not only Euthanasia even Abortion should allow under some circumstances.
Not only we don't have welfare system in Sri Lanka, we even force rape victim to carry rapist's child and take-care all her life. I can't imagine how they do so.

We all know most of the doctors make life and death decisions off the record every day. Some rape victims lucky enough to encounter a thoughtful doctor when the medical examination taken. But most of the doctors do not have 20 minutes for unofficial procedures in government hospitals.

Some times what we want is not exactly what other people wants. My favorite Aunt breathed her last by cancer with great deal of pain years back (I missed her cakes). She honestly wished to end her life with dignity in her last couple of painful weeks. She was not able to get up and do her wish. She wanted some one else help. We just watched her suffer. I know we all have similar experience in our life one time or another.

Medicine is well developed in this age - it able to keep her up for painful couple of extra weeks. It looks like another side effect of medicine. If one suffers - if one thinks it is best for the person - we (law) should not denied the best interest of the person.
What is it about we always want to control other peoples lives?

01 July, 2006