<underfire> on compassion

[jaw0871 at garnet.acns.fsu.edu]

Desire for clarification:

To my knowledge the Sinhalese Buddhists of Sri Lanka do not engage in 
war or violence *in the name of* Buddha or Buddhism. In other words 
this violent potential is not inherent in any interpretation (again... 
that I know of) of Buddhist religious philosophy. So, if you would not 
mind clarifying the comment, and setting me straight if need be, I 
would appreciate it.

John A. Woodward
Florida State

Quoting ANNA MOIRA LANZONA <restudga at verizon.net>:

> You might want to include Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhists in your litany.
>
> AML
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ana Valdes" <agora158 at gmail.com>
> To: <underfire at underfire.eyebeam.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 2:37 PM
> Subject: Re: <underfire> on compassion
>
>
> But every religion seems to be very careful with the concept of to
> whom you should be compassionate. In the name of God 40.000 Arabs,
> Jews and Oriental Christians were slaughtered in the First Crusade, in
> the conquest of Jerusalem.
> In the name of the Reform Luther and Calvin killed anabaptists and
> dissidents.
> In the name of Yahvee Cananites and others were exterminated. In the
> name of Alah the Merciful dies suicide bombers and it's victims.
> The only God I never heard any killing related to is Buddah.
> Ana
>
> On 11/9/06, Allan Siegel <allan at kekbicikli.hu> wrote:
>>
>> Every religion seems to have its own definition of compassion; what is
>> compassion anyway? Is it a sentiment or an action or both; is it an
>> intervention? A state of mind maybe?
>>
>> If we see innocents being maimed or murdered is it enough 'to feel
>> compassion' for their suffering? Is this sufficient? Or is there another
>> course of action more worthy of the idea of compassion? Was
>> self-immolation
>> by the Buddhist monk during the Vietnam War an act of compassion?
>>
>> It is such a noble concept. Compassion. Bush talked of a 'compassionate
>> conservatism.' It seems that in the real world, political leaders and
>> spiritual leaders – who talk endlessly about compassion - whose task it is
>> to give substance to this concept have gotten side-tracked. Why is that?
>>
>> In a moral universe in which compassion is so central a theme there seems
>> to
>> be so many violations even dismissals of its relevence. Thus, within this
>> amoral environment, contrary to popular rhetoric, peace can be merely just
>> another pit-stop on an extension of the globalization superhighway. A a
>> momentary layover on the autostrada that connects one conflict to another.
>>  Compassion devoid of action is gratuitous. Where do compassion and
>> responsibility intersect?
>>
>> a.s.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Under Fire  http://underfire.eyebeam.org
>> 16 October - 10 December 2006
>> International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville
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>
>
> --
> "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth
> with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you
> will always long to return.
> — Leonardo da Vinci
>
> _______________________________________________
> Under Fire  http://underfire.eyebeam.org
> 16 October - 10 December 2006
> International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville
> all writings copyright individual authors
> no commercial use without permission
> to post a message, send an email to:
> underfire at underfire.eyebeam.org
> to unsubscribe, send an email to:
> underfire-leave at underfire.eyebeam.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> Under Fire  http://underfire.eyebeam.org
> 16 October - 10 December 2006
> International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville
> all writings copyright individual authors
> no commercial use without permission
> to post a message, send an email to:
> underfire at underfire.eyebeam.org
> to unsubscribe, send an email to:
> underfire-leave at underfire.eyebeam.org
>



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