The recent natural disaster in Burma has led to many reflections as well as opportunities to practice metta meditation. It's hard for me to even fathom the horrors the people in that region must be facing. The live in constant fear from their own inept government and now what little they had has literally been swept away by a natural disaster. We really do live in a very uncertain world in which nothing can be taken for granted. It's my sincere hope that in this time of severe suffering the people of Burma turn to the Dhamma for guidance. I don't just mean the poor citizens of the ravished villages, but the generals as well.
This is a prime opportunity for Than Shwe and his generals to redeem themselves in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of their own people. There isn't a lot we can do where we live other then donate money and practice Metta meditation, but as Ajahn Thanissaro has pointed out there is a lot of good in doing just that. Remember, misfortune can and does happen to everyone, and there is nothing that is certain in the world. It's times like these that highlight the whole "inconstancy" aspect of things from the three characteristics.
This whole event reminds me of the Four Dhamma Summaries chant that Ajahn Geoff's monastery chants.
Upanīyati loko,
The world is swept away.
Addhuvo.
It does not endure.
2. Atāṇo loko,
The world offers no shelter.
Anabhissaro.
There is no one in charge.
3. Assako loko,
The world has nothing of its own.
Sabbaṃ pahāya gamanīyaṃ.
One has to pass onleaving everything behind.
4. Ūno loko,
The world is insufficient,
Atitto,
insatiable,
Taṇhā dāso.
a slave to craving.
There really isn't any security in the world, and we are all brothers and sisters in aging, illness, separation and death as well as the owners of our actions. Let us all aspire to the good and do what we can as we are reminded of just how precarious our lives are. May you all be well.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
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6 comments:
This whole situation is very frustrating to me. I'm not normally the most "engaged" person, but the horrors in Burma right now really have me worked up and wishing I could do something even though I'm sitting here in a comfortable home in front of this stupid computer. Somehow I still almost feel like I'm there, and I don't really know why exactly. Money donated might just get seized by their worthless regime or not make it there at all.
This is a prime opportunity for Than Shwe and his generals to redeem themselves in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of their own people.
I've been doing some reading and it seems that Than Shew is big into astrology, numerology, and who knows what else. It sounds like the junta is exhibiting Hitler-like superstitious behavior which suggests that they are just deluded out of control and have no idea what is real and what isn't anymore. While I'd like to think they could somehow change after witnessing 10's of thousands of dead bodies it doesn't sound likely to me somehow. I think they are so incredibly deluded that they can't see the disaster at all, as evidenced by their continuation of their sham referendum.
What seems more possible is for China to do something. Unfortunately I'm afraid that maybe China only understands "invade and assimilate into China" and "not invade and not do anything." Also, even if they send troops in with the intention of temporary aid and not invasion, it wouldn't surprise me to find them getting accused of trying to invade the place as though it were another Tibet, and they probably don't want the political trouble from that right now.
I like that chant. Thanks for posting that. Hopefully it will help those who are currently safe and comfortable avoid the illusion that things will always be that way for them. One day it really might be their dead children floating in the water with the rest of their children dying of hunger.
Excellent reflections contained in the chant used at Ajahn Thanissaro's monastery. A pointer to us all, whether ordained or not, to avoid getting too caught up in worldly affairs & conditions.
Recognizing the emptiness at the heart of the mind & the world it perceives seems the only genuine solution.
May you be well also, Justin.
G at 'Forest Wisdom'.
I see little chance that those generals will see fit to make use of the opportunity they have been given by this horror to redeem themselves. The real challenge, for me in my practice, comes in wishing THEM true happiness and peace in their lives--even though I do understand that, if that were to happen, not only Burma but the entire world would be a better place as a result.
Robert-
The Astrology and Numerology stuff the generals are supposedly using along with the complete lack action to help their own people is frightening indeed. Perhaps they really are completely crazy. I have also been thinking a lot about this whole situation and it has been bothering me. You are right about the possibility of money getting seized by the regime.
Gary-
Glad you liked the "Four Dhamma Summaries" chant. It has always been one of my favorites because it points not only to the reality surrounding the world but also serves as a reminder that we can and should look elsewhere for our happiness.
peteratlarge-
I think this is a challenge for me as well, as wishing a regime who seems to be as heartless as that one is not easy at all. I agree that they probably will not redeem themselves, but we should still try hard to send metta to them even though it seems to fly in the face of common sense.
Thanks for all your comments. I wish you all well in your practice.
I have no trouble with the first three aspects of brahma-vihara when it comes to people with evil behavior like the Burmese junta. It's pretty obvious to me that if these people were truly happy and free from stress and suffering that they wouldn't cause so much suffering. So wishing that they were happy and free from stress doesn't bother me in the least, because I'm focused on the result not on trying to get revenge.
The thing I have trouble with is equanimity, being basically the idea that these people can simply be left to inherit their actions and that will take care of things. Maybe eventually it will, but as a layperson I feel like I have some social responsibility to try to protect people from them.
In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta the buddha stated, regarding the conditions of a nation's welfare:
"What have you heard, Ananda: do the Vajjis duly protect and guard the arahats, so that those who have not come to the realm yet might do so, and those who have already come might live there in peace?"
"I have heard, Lord, that they do."
"So long, Ananda, as this is the case, the growth of the Vajjis is to be expected, not their decline."
I'm not Burmese, but I don't exactly want the decline of any Buddhist country like this, especially one dedicated to Theravada.
"The thing I have trouble with is equanimity, being basically the idea that these people can simply be left to inherit their actions and that will take care of things. Maybe eventually it will, but as a layperson I feel like I have some social responsibility to try to protect people from them."
I remember Ajahn Geoff saying that equanimity is something that is skillful when you find there is nothing you can do at a given point in time. It would mean that you do what you can and try to let go and not suffer when there is nothing you can do.
I agree that as a layperson it would seem the right thing to do to try to help the Burmese in whatever skillful way possible. As Westerners living in the States, how can we really help? That is the question that goes through my mind. Like you pointed out earlier, how do we know whether our money would reach the people?
I just saw that the military is actually telling the monks to vacate the refugees from the monastaries. It is blatantly apparent that the military cares motre about its own image then it does about the people in general. It's disturbing and crazy that a government would actually try to hinder efforts to save and help it's own people. This is hard to have equanimity about, but what can we do? If I had an easy answer I'd say it but I don't.
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