Re: [Zen] Zen in The Middle East?

[AC]

From: wai_dk Social reform actually starts with self- reform.>>   It is a great cop-out to say that you are going to help others right after your life is perfect and you have achieved enlightenment. It is also contrary to what Zen is supposedly about, since it is the "Big Vehicle" which is supposed to help others FIRST. >>I think we should do a cost-benefit analysis before deciding on whether or not the Dalai Lama should be in the Middle East.>>>   That is so horribly cynical. No doubt that the Dolly Lama thinks in terms of cost-benefit analysis and he goes where the dollars are.   >>>Do you think having him there would benefit the Arabs much? Do you think the Arabs would listen to him? I seriously doubt so.>>   That is pure PREJUDICE. You stated earlier in your post that we should all take the Saddam out of us so that we can help the Muslims, yet you have no intention of helping them anyway based on your belief that they would not listen to your message. You are practicing a pre-fabricated totally imaginary fiction of Zen.   As a practical matter, if the resources were provided for Zen Missionaries to go to Iraq and possibly get killed, it would behoove all of us to try. Perhaps the commitment of human Chi would change the hearts of some Muslims. The biggest need for the turning of the Dharma Wheel is probably in the Middle East.   Personally, I think it is pretty cynical for the Buddhists of every sect to be mining the wealthy Western nations for money and converts while they basically run away from the myriad problems that exist in their own communities and nearby.   After 2000 years or so of Buddhism in the East, most of those nations are Communist or Dictatorships and in poverty. So I have to wonder if retreating into a cave to seek self-improvement is such a good idea? Does anyone have any historical information on how Buddhism improved the social infrastructure of any particular nation? I mean, you look back across the ocean, and Buddhism comes to America from a bunch of ruined nations (with the exception of Japan). Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right  Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.