Seven Causes of Human Suffering
Khalid Sohail July 24, 2007
#139 Posted by philosopher on July 29, 2007 11:19:26 am
THE TRUTH ABOUT JIHAD
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
(C) Copyright 1995
Muhammed Asadi
The misinformation and misconception concerning Jihad are fueled constantly by the media in our society, controlled by people having vested interests. As a result, a prejudiced attitude is so nurtured that whenever any terrorism takes place, the ones to blame are Muslims. The damage done by such cowardly acts of literary terrorism by the media,and "pseudo-experts" the likes of Steven Emerson, surpass national boundaries and create a culture of hate.
This article is divided into three sections: i) Jihad and Islamic warfare, ii)Islam in history and iii)Peace & Islam
I) Jihad and Islamic Warfare:
The word Jihad translated into English does not mean "Holy War" as people in the media ignorantly state repeatedly. In the text of the entire Koran, the word "Holy War" cannot be found. These are concocted words, invented by people who want to deliberately convey a certain image of Islam. Usually the people who use the term "Holy War" are quite ignorant of Islam. The word Jihad in Arabic means "struggle". Jihad as the Koran makes clear, is struggle in the way of God with oneself, and one's possessions.
Islam only allows a war of defense and not an offense. In the case of war, the attack is "only" to be directed against those who are attack you and only to the extent of the initial aggression, not to exceed it. If the enemy kills your civilians even then you are not supposed to kill their civilians. Only those who attack you are to be attacked.
"Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Indeed God does not love transgressors (Koran 2:192-193)."
If the people you are fighting ask for peace, the Koran states that Muslims have an obligation to accept the peace and fight no more:
"..So if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace. God allows you no way against them (KORAN 4:90)."
The Koran is very lenient even towards prisoners of war (i.e those who are fighting against you and get captured):
"And if any of the idolaters seeks of you protection, grant him (her) protection till he
hears the words of God, then convey him to his place of security. That is because they are a folk who know not..(KORAN 9:6-8)."
"How is it with you that you do not fight in God's way, when the feeble among the men,
women and children are saying, "Our lord, bring us forth from this place whose people are tyrants. O God give us from your presence some protector and helper.'(KORAN 4:75-76)."
If Hitler wasn't checked, we would have a much different and a more corrupt world. The situation in Israel, particularly under the Likud's Natanyahu and Sharon, provides empirical evidence for the image the Koran presents:
"..If God had not repelled some people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted (KORAN 2:251)."
Sometimes, warfare is a necessity for the cause of justice and to remove oppression and as such it is very good and noble:
"Warfae is ordained for you though it is hateful for you. Yet it may happen that you will hate a thing even though it is good for you and love a thing that is bad for you. God knows, you do not know (KORAN 2:216)."
ii)Islam in History
The west has generally nurtured and propagated the idea that Islam spread at the point of the sword.
This reasoning led to the prejudice of Islam and Terrorism taking root in western society throughout Europe and America because of the random acts of a few misled, ill informed, Koranically uneducated people who called themselves Muslims.
What the self-proclaimed Christian Crusaders did with the sword to Muslim was surpassed only by the Mongols. However, history is deliberately perverted by those having vested interests, to portray a negative image of Islam.
The Koran is explicit on the freedom of conscience:
"There is no compulsion in religion. Truth is clear from falsehood (KORAN 2:256)
"Let him (her) who will believe, and let him (her) who will disbelieve."
(KORAN 18:29).
"You are in no way a compellor over them; but warn by the Koran him who fears my threat
(KORAN 50:45)."
History gives a lie to the "fairy tale" that Islam spread by the sword:
Albert Hourani, of St. Anthony's College, Oxford UK in his standard work on Arab History, A History of the Arab Peoples states:
"...a study based on the evidence of adoption of specifically Muslim names has suggested orders of magnitude (about the stages by which conquered peoples adopted Islam) which seem plausible. According to this estimate, by the end of the Umayyad period (that is to say, in the middle years of the SECOND Islamic and EIGHTH Christian century), less than 10% of the population of Iran and Iraq, Syria and Egypt, Tunisia and Spain were Muslim...most of the converts may have come from the lower ranks of society...there was NO pressure or positive incentive for others to convert..."(Hourani 1991:46-47)
The above explicitly proves that Islam was not forced upon the masses by the sword. Over time, the masses accepted Islam of their own volition. Hourani's source for this study of Muslim names is R.W Bulliet's standard work on the subject titled, Conversion to Islam in the Medieval Period (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1979).
One of the world's leading historians of the Arabic-speaking peoples, Philip K. Hitti, in his book,The Arabs: A Short History, calls the sword explanation of the spread of Islam, a "discredited hypothesis" (Hitti 1973:59).
Consider these historical facts as well:
1)Muslims ruled over Spain for 736 years. If the Muslims had used any force during those 736 years to convert the Christians to Islam there wouldn't have been a single Christian left to kick out the Muslims after 736 years of rule.
2)Over 100 million Muslims live in Indonesia, yet no Muslim army ever invaded any of its over 2000 islands. Same is the case with Malaysia, and the east coast of Africa.
Odd instances of "Muslims" not guided by the Koran, forcing people to accept their "Islam" may be found. Similar cases can be found in Christianity or any other religious group.
"Charlemagne's conversion of the saxons to Christianity was not by preaching (THOMAS CARLYLE, HEROES AND HERO WORSHIP, PAGE 80)."
Bad Muslims do not condemn Islam, just like bad Christians do not condemn Christianity. Hitler was a self proclaimed Christian. Do his acts condemn Christianity?
Hitler said:
"My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God's truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice... And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.
-Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922 (Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19-20, Oxford University Press, 1942)
HISTORIANS OF ISLAM
1. "History makes it clear however that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians ever repeated (DE LACY O` LEARY, ISLAM AT THE CROSS ROADS, LONDON 1923)."
2. The greatest success of Muhammad's life was effected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword (EDWARD GIBBON, HISTORY OF THE SARACEAN EMPIRE, LONDON 1817).
iii)Peace and Islam
ROOTS OF ISLAM
The word Islam comes from the same Arabic root word for salaam,, which means peace. The universal greeting of Muslims is "As Salaam o Aleykum". It means:"peace be with you." The Koran, the only book of authority on Islam encourages peace making among humankind.
"There is no good in much of their secret conferences except, him who enjoins alms giving and kindness and PEACE MAKING among mankind. Whoever does that seeking the good pleasure of God. God will bestow on him (her) a vast reward (KORAN 4:114)."
The above verse has been in the Koran centuries before the United Nations was formed.
Islam gives a world view of a close relationship between all men & women based on a common essence of creation [Koran 4:1] and only one creator God.
" O Humankind! We have created you males and females, and have divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize each other. The best among you in the sight of God is the one most careful [of the truth] (KORAN 49:13)."
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
THE MIRROR
Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
VolXXXI, No.29 December 15, 1995
JIHAD: ORDINANCE & STRUGGLE IN GOD'S WAY
Brant W. Scheid
Muhammed A. Asadi, thinks that the Jihad ordinance, as prescribed by the Koran, is preceived often by the US public as being a "Holy War" consisting of random acts of terrorism, violence and war against those who are not Muslims.
"Jihad is misunderstood in the Western world as a 'Holy War' because of the past words and actions of a few misinformed and uneducated Islamic sects that have brought violence against the people," Asadi said.
The Koran (Qur'an), Islam's "Bible", is believed by Muslims to be Allah's (God's) word revealed to Muhammed Al-Mustafa from about 610 AD to the time of his death in 632 AD. Muslims believe that Al-Mustafa, born in 570 AD, received revelations directly from God throughout the 23-year period.
Jihad is one of the most important of several ordinances revealed to Al-Mustafa. Understood to be followed by all of humankind, the ordinance of Jihad includes the aspect of physical fighting when defending oneself or others against tyranny or oppression and the peaceful aspect, such as giving "Zakah"(money, goods and services) to the poor and needy.
Jihad can also include literary and verbal discussions and the individual's inner moral struggle. When translated from Arabic into English, Jihad becomes "Struggle". Asadi said that he understands Jihad to be the struggle in God's way as revealed in the Koran.
Asadi explained that Islamic traditionalists have come to the present day violent understanding of Jihad by associatiing with the Koran other materials written centuries after the death of Al-Mustafa.
These other writings are called Hadith and Fiqh.They are attributed to Islam but Asadi doesnt consider them correct.
Hadith is presented as the actual words of Al-Mustafa. Fiqh is presented as interpretations of "Islamic" law. Asadi explained that these writings led to the fragmentation of Islam into many sects. Each sect has a different understanding of Jihad and how the ordinance is to be properly followed.
When Asadi was asked,"Do you believe that any person belonging to the Muslim faith should attack any member,group or country belonging to any other faith, such as Christianity or Judaism, simply because of the difference of faith?" Asadi said, "According to the principle presented in the Koran, the attack could only be justified if it was done to defend one's self and it must be in the same manner, not to exceed the initial attack."
He said that Jihad includes the removal of "tyranny and oppression by defending other people who are being oppressed regardless of their faith."Retaliation is allowed only to the extent of the harm done by the aggressor. Muslims believe that if one person is killed unjustifiably, then it is as if the whole of humankind is killed. Similarly, if one person's life is saved, then the whole of humankind is saved.
Asadi said that any act of terrorism is vehemently and religiously against any true meaning of the Jihad ordinance. Jihad, as presented in the Koran is a habit that a Muslim is supposed to develop throughout his/her lifetime.
The purpose of practicing Jihad is for the establishment of world peace. Peace begins with the individual's inner moral peace and moves outward to family and community, Asadi explained.
According to Asadi, a Muslim practices true Jihad with prayer."The Koran states that we are to seek God's help in prayer and to persevere patiently and have hope in God," he said.
"Reciting verses from the Koran also helps a person become more aware of God's message and therefore more conscious of it," Asadi said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
(C) Copyright 1995
Muhammed Asadi
The misinformation and misconception concerning Jihad are fueled constantly by the media in our society, controlled by people having vested interests. As a result, a prejudiced attitude is so nurtured that whenever any terrorism takes place, the ones to blame are Muslims. The damage done by such cowardly acts of literary terrorism by the media,and "pseudo-experts" the likes of Steven Emerson, surpass national boundaries and create a culture of hate.
This article is divided into three sections: i) Jihad and Islamic warfare, ii)Islam in history and iii)Peace & Islam
I) Jihad and Islamic Warfare:
The word Jihad translated into English does not mean "Holy War" as people in the media ignorantly state repeatedly. In the text of the entire Koran, the word "Holy War" cannot be found. These are concocted words, invented by people who want to deliberately convey a certain image of Islam. Usually the people who use the term "Holy War" are quite ignorant of Islam. The word Jihad in Arabic means "struggle". Jihad as the Koran makes clear, is struggle in the way of God with oneself, and one's possessions.
Islam only allows a war of defense and not an offense. In the case of war, the attack is "only" to be directed against those who are attack you and only to the extent of the initial aggression, not to exceed it. If the enemy kills your civilians even then you are not supposed to kill their civilians. Only those who attack you are to be attacked.
"Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Indeed God does not love transgressors (Koran 2:192-193)."
If the people you are fighting ask for peace, the Koran states that Muslims have an obligation to accept the peace and fight no more:
"..So if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace. God allows you no way against them (KORAN 4:90)."
The Koran is very lenient even towards prisoners of war (i.e those who are fighting against you and get captured):
"And if any of the idolaters seeks of you protection, grant him (her) protection till he
hears the words of God, then convey him to his place of security. That is because they are a folk who know not..(KORAN 9:6-8)."
"How is it with you that you do not fight in God's way, when the feeble among the men,
women and children are saying, "Our lord, bring us forth from this place whose people are tyrants. O God give us from your presence some protector and helper.'(KORAN 4:75-76)."
If Hitler wasn't checked, we would have a much different and a more corrupt world. The situation in Israel, particularly under the Likud's Natanyahu and Sharon, provides empirical evidence for the image the Koran presents:
"..If God had not repelled some people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted (KORAN 2:251)."
Sometimes, warfare is a necessity for the cause of justice and to remove oppression and as such it is very good and noble:
"Warfae is ordained for you though it is hateful for you. Yet it may happen that you will hate a thing even though it is good for you and love a thing that is bad for you. God knows, you do not know (KORAN 2:216)."
ii)Islam in History
The west has generally nurtured and propagated the idea that Islam spread at the point of the sword.
This reasoning led to the prejudice of Islam and Terrorism taking root in western society throughout Europe and America because of the random acts of a few misled, ill informed, Koranically uneducated people who called themselves Muslims.
What the self-proclaimed Christian Crusaders did with the sword to Muslim was surpassed only by the Mongols. However, history is deliberately perverted by those having vested interests, to portray a negative image of Islam.
The Koran is explicit on the freedom of conscience:
"There is no compulsion in religion. Truth is clear from falsehood (KORAN 2:256)
"Let him (her) who will believe, and let him (her) who will disbelieve."
(KORAN 18:29).
"You are in no way a compellor over them; but warn by the Koran him who fears my threat
(KORAN 50:45)."
History gives a lie to the "fairy tale" that Islam spread by the sword:
Albert Hourani, of St. Anthony's College, Oxford UK in his standard work on Arab History, A History of the Arab Peoples states:
"...a study based on the evidence of adoption of specifically Muslim names has suggested orders of magnitude (about the stages by which conquered peoples adopted Islam) which seem plausible. According to this estimate, by the end of the Umayyad period (that is to say, in the middle years of the SECOND Islamic and EIGHTH Christian century), less than 10% of the population of Iran and Iraq, Syria and Egypt, Tunisia and Spain were Muslim...most of the converts may have come from the lower ranks of society...there was NO pressure or positive incentive for others to convert..."(Hourani 1991:46-47)
The above explicitly proves that Islam was not forced upon the masses by the sword. Over time, the masses accepted Islam of their own volition. Hourani's source for this study of Muslim names is R.W Bulliet's standard work on the subject titled, Conversion to Islam in the Medieval Period (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1979).
One of the world's leading historians of the Arabic-speaking peoples, Philip K. Hitti, in his book,The Arabs: A Short History, calls the sword explanation of the spread of Islam, a "discredited hypothesis" (Hitti 1973:59).
Consider these historical facts as well:
1)Muslims ruled over Spain for 736 years. If the Muslims had used any force during those 736 years to convert the Christians to Islam there wouldn't have been a single Christian left to kick out the Muslims after 736 years of rule.
2)Over 100 million Muslims live in Indonesia, yet no Muslim army ever invaded any of its over 2000 islands. Same is the case with Malaysia, and the east coast of Africa.
Odd instances of "Muslims" not guided by the Koran, forcing people to accept their "Islam" may be found. Similar cases can be found in Christianity or any other religious group.
"Charlemagne's conversion of the saxons to Christianity was not by preaching (THOMAS CARLYLE, HEROES AND HERO WORSHIP, PAGE 80)."
Bad Muslims do not condemn Islam, just like bad Christians do not condemn Christianity. Hitler was a self proclaimed Christian. Do his acts condemn Christianity?
Hitler said:
"My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God's truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice... And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.
-Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922 (Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19-20, Oxford University Press, 1942)
HISTORIANS OF ISLAM
1. "History makes it clear however that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians ever repeated (DE LACY O` LEARY, ISLAM AT THE CROSS ROADS, LONDON 1923)."
2. The greatest success of Muhammad's life was effected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword (EDWARD GIBBON, HISTORY OF THE SARACEAN EMPIRE, LONDON 1817).
iii)Peace and Islam
ROOTS OF ISLAM
The word Islam comes from the same Arabic root word for salaam,, which means peace. The universal greeting of Muslims is "As Salaam o Aleykum". It means:"peace be with you." The Koran, the only book of authority on Islam encourages peace making among humankind.
"There is no good in much of their secret conferences except, him who enjoins alms giving and kindness and PEACE MAKING among mankind. Whoever does that seeking the good pleasure of God. God will bestow on him (her) a vast reward (KORAN 4:114)."
The above verse has been in the Koran centuries before the United Nations was formed.
Islam gives a world view of a close relationship between all men & women based on a common essence of creation [Koran 4:1] and only one creator God.
" O Humankind! We have created you males and females, and have divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize each other. The best among you in the sight of God is the one most careful [of the truth] (KORAN 49:13)."
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
THE MIRROR
Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
VolXXXI, No.29 December 15, 1995
JIHAD: ORDINANCE & STRUGGLE IN GOD'S WAY
Brant W. Scheid
Muhammed A. Asadi, thinks that the Jihad ordinance, as prescribed by the Koran, is preceived often by the US public as being a "Holy War" consisting of random acts of terrorism, violence and war against those who are not Muslims.
"Jihad is misunderstood in the Western world as a 'Holy War' because of the past words and actions of a few misinformed and uneducated Islamic sects that have brought violence against the people," Asadi said.
The Koran (Qur'an), Islam's "Bible", is believed by Muslims to be Allah's (God's) word revealed to Muhammed Al-Mustafa from about 610 AD to the time of his death in 632 AD. Muslims believe that Al-Mustafa, born in 570 AD, received revelations directly from God throughout the 23-year period.
Jihad is one of the most important of several ordinances revealed to Al-Mustafa. Understood to be followed by all of humankind, the ordinance of Jihad includes the aspect of physical fighting when defending oneself or others against tyranny or oppression and the peaceful aspect, such as giving "Zakah"(money, goods and services) to the poor and needy.
Jihad can also include literary and verbal discussions and the individual's inner moral struggle. When translated from Arabic into English, Jihad becomes "Struggle". Asadi said that he understands Jihad to be the struggle in God's way as revealed in the Koran.
Asadi explained that Islamic traditionalists have come to the present day violent understanding of Jihad by associatiing with the Koran other materials written centuries after the death of Al-Mustafa.
These other writings are called Hadith and Fiqh.They are attributed to Islam but Asadi doesnt consider them correct.
Hadith is presented as the actual words of Al-Mustafa. Fiqh is presented as interpretations of "Islamic" law. Asadi explained that these writings led to the fragmentation of Islam into many sects. Each sect has a different understanding of Jihad and how the ordinance is to be properly followed.
When Asadi was asked,"Do you believe that any person belonging to the Muslim faith should attack any member,group or country belonging to any other faith, such as Christianity or Judaism, simply because of the difference of faith?" Asadi said, "According to the principle presented in the Koran, the attack could only be justified if it was done to defend one's self and it must be in the same manner, not to exceed the initial attack."
He said that Jihad includes the removal of "tyranny and oppression by defending other people who are being oppressed regardless of their faith."Retaliation is allowed only to the extent of the harm done by the aggressor. Muslims believe that if one person is killed unjustifiably, then it is as if the whole of humankind is killed. Similarly, if one person's life is saved, then the whole of humankind is saved.
Asadi said that any act of terrorism is vehemently and religiously against any true meaning of the Jihad ordinance. Jihad, as presented in the Koran is a habit that a Muslim is supposed to develop throughout his/her lifetime.
The purpose of practicing Jihad is for the establishment of world peace. Peace begins with the individual's inner moral peace and moves outward to family and community, Asadi explained.
According to Asadi, a Muslim practices true Jihad with prayer."The Koran states that we are to seek God's help in prayer and to persevere patiently and have hope in God," he said.
"Reciting verses from the Koran also helps a person become more aware of God's message and therefore more conscious of it," Asadi said.
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#138 Posted by masadi on July 29, 2007 10:20:53 am
Chaltahai, there are no lies involved in what I wrote about the life expectancy of African Americans in the Harlem ghetto, it was reported in an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. As usual all you could muster were slogans....
#137 Posted by masadi on July 29, 2007 10:19:33 am
Zeemax writes "masadi,
Then the question is, what is Jihad? And how should it be carried out? "
Mian, I gave you a very simple answer. Jihad in the way of Allah ceases to be Jihad in the way of Allah when the boundaries of Allah are violated- regardless of the slogan, Jihad Jihad.
Now what is Jihad? I wrote a whole article on it, http://jihad.rationalreality.com , maybe someone can post the unmutilated version here. You and echo should read it carefully.
Regarding Ali, at the time he threw his medal away, he was an ardent admirer and follower of Elijah Muhammed who might have voiced political truths but his ideas on Islam were totally screwed up and absolutely against the Quran...Don't get caught up with Hollywood emotionalism, that is the last thing Pakistan and the Muslims need......
Then the question is, what is Jihad? And how should it be carried out? "
Mian, I gave you a very simple answer. Jihad in the way of Allah ceases to be Jihad in the way of Allah when the boundaries of Allah are violated- regardless of the slogan, Jihad Jihad.
Now what is Jihad? I wrote a whole article on it, http://jihad.rationalreality.com , maybe someone can post the unmutilated version here. You and echo should read it carefully.
Regarding Ali, at the time he threw his medal away, he was an ardent admirer and follower of Elijah Muhammed who might have voiced political truths but his ideas on Islam were totally screwed up and absolutely against the Quran...Don't get caught up with Hollywood emotionalism, that is the last thing Pakistan and the Muslims need......
#136 Posted by echoboom on July 29, 2007 9:43:59 am
Zeemax:133
You are on the right track here. Please read the Shariah ruling by Chief Justice Douglas in the case of Ali the heavyweight of Islam... a momin by all counts..better than many of our Mullahs & ayatullahs indeed!
He hurled his olympic medal in the Ohio river ..despising it because he "won" it for an Evil USA...
Chief Justice Douglas, an UNFLINCHING admirer & devotee of Allama Iqbal, gave his ruling on Jihad...
Please read it & you might post that interact as well for Mr.Masadi to read.
Mr.asadi has been snared in the web of intellectualism and he thinks being a spider means not being in the web.
You are on the right track here. Please read the Shariah ruling by Chief Justice Douglas in the case of Ali the heavyweight of Islam... a momin by all counts..better than many of our Mullahs & ayatullahs indeed!
He hurled his olympic medal in the Ohio river ..despising it because he "won" it for an Evil USA...
Chief Justice Douglas, an UNFLINCHING admirer & devotee of Allama Iqbal, gave his ruling on Jihad...
Please read it & you might post that interact as well for Mr.Masadi to read.
Mr.asadi has been snared in the web of intellectualism and he thinks being a spider means not being in the web.
#135 Posted by foggy1 on July 29, 2007 9:43:44 am
that is a nice rainbow of 7 causes.i think class race gender and physical and mental disabilities contribute greatly to frustration, defeat,and the only way to get back at the injustices done to them by the remaining issues is to be self destructive and drag the frustrating offenders along with them.efforts should be made to turn society humanistic, it will definitely be more peaceful...and secular willy nilly will be in tow.
#134 Posted by chaltahai on July 29, 2007 8:34:30 am
Masadi, you lying sack of middling steer shizen, US blacks life expectacy is much higher than bangladeshis, it is getting higher and higher every year. There are more blacks entering the middle class than ever before. More blacks take advantage of the " devilish colonial US elite capitalistic world" and uplift their social and economic standing. More an dmore bangladeshis are benefitting through financial schemes offered by US led insitutions, i.e. WB and IMF than ever before. Life expectacy and infant mortality is improving in bangladesh as well.
Human beings are better off today than ever before. 1.5M on a yearly basis is a blip on the radar. When compared to a third of the population being wiped out in europe due to plague, influienza etc. Millions killed by the soviets, the nazis, the chinese and the caliphate..far outweigh any smart bomb dropped by the USAF in smacking the talibanis
Human beings are better off today than ever before. 1.5M on a yearly basis is a blip on the radar. When compared to a third of the population being wiped out in europe due to plague, influienza etc. Millions killed by the soviets, the nazis, the chinese and the caliphate..far outweigh any smart bomb dropped by the USAF in smacking the talibanis
#133 Posted by zeemax on July 29, 2007 8:00:56 am
masadi,
Please reply soon because I want to learn from you. Please explain to me why Pakistan Army's official slogan is Jihad -Fi -Sabil -Illah.
Is the Pakistan Army talking about the Jihad of the self, or the soul, or over temptation, or Shaitan, or all that stuff which Naqshbandi talks about?
Please reply soon because I want to learn from you. Please explain to me why Pakistan Army's official slogan is Jihad -Fi -Sabil -Illah.
Is the Pakistan Army talking about the Jihad of the self, or the soul, or over temptation, or Shaitan, or all that stuff which Naqshbandi talks about?
#132 Posted by zeemax on July 29, 2007 2:41:06 am
masadi,
So you do agree (from your post) that Jihad is an integral part of Islam. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Then the question is, what is Jihad? And how should it be carried out?
So you do agree (from your post) that Jihad is an integral part of Islam. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Then the question is, what is Jihad? And how should it be carried out?
#131 Posted by zeemax on July 29, 2007 2:31:46 am
#130 Posted by masadi,
So what is Jihad in Allah's way if not to implement Allah's system on earth?
So what is Jihad in Allah's way if not to implement Allah's system on earth?
#130 Posted by masadi on July 29, 2007 1:01:34 am
Jihad or struggle in Allah's way needs to be accomplished remaining within the boundaries prescribed by Allah. That is the major difference between the Jihad of Muslims, and the "Jihad" of the Jihadists (and other wannabes who try to harm Islam and humanity for ulterior motives)
#129 Posted by zeemax on July 29, 2007 12:40:57 am
#128 Posted by masadi,
masadi, I always hold your points as valid, though I may disagree with most.
Let's be clear about this. Do you not believe Jihad-Fi-Sabil-Illah to be an integral part of Islam? Heck, even the Pakistan army uses it as their recruiting slogan.
A clear answer please. Thanks.
masadi, I always hold your points as valid, though I may disagree with most.
Let's be clear about this. Do you not believe Jihad-Fi-Sabil-Illah to be an integral part of Islam? Heck, even the Pakistan army uses it as their recruiting slogan.
A clear answer please. Thanks.
#128 Posted by masadi on July 29, 2007 12:18:45 am
Zeemax writes "That goes for you too .. masadi ... "
You understand the nuts and bolts but by encircling them with magical formulae, you deliberately want to legitimize the Shaitan's war, as the rest of your (illiterate) Jihadi brothers and sisters...
You understand the nuts and bolts but by encircling them with magical formulae, you deliberately want to legitimize the Shaitan's war, as the rest of your (illiterate) Jihadi brothers and sisters...
#126 Posted by zeemax on July 28, 2007 9:43:51 am
Abey daagder ... tujhey ab bhi samajh nahi ayee hai?
#125 Posted by masadi on July 28, 2007 6:05:02 am
Chaltahia writes "The poor, even in the US live longer now than ever before in history of America. The poor around the world live l.onger and healthier than ever before."
More BS, life expectancy for young African Americans in Harlem, as in other ghettos around the US is lower than life expectancy for people in Bangladesh, their death rates are much higher.
Unlike you dimwit I have access to the facts, and have done much work with them
Then he writes "The bulemia comment was a joke, idiot. You won't even be allowed to sweep the floors of where I got my education, you fairy!!"
You can joke about food insecurity with a full belly, I prefer not to lower myself to that level. Regarding your "education", it is not measured by the institution, but by the product that comes out of your brain. Like before, when you made such a dumb comment, a-hole, the entire Chowk saw that you think at the high-school level at best, and even then you sloganeer without access to any facts or reference. Your claims are worth horse sh** when facts reveal otherwise. 1.5 million is a huge number, more are living today but not better, the world can support more today but since resources are skewed in their distribution they live worse than animals...
More BS, life expectancy for young African Americans in Harlem, as in other ghettos around the US is lower than life expectancy for people in Bangladesh, their death rates are much higher.
Unlike you dimwit I have access to the facts, and have done much work with them
Then he writes "The bulemia comment was a joke, idiot. You won't even be allowed to sweep the floors of where I got my education, you fairy!!"
You can joke about food insecurity with a full belly, I prefer not to lower myself to that level. Regarding your "education", it is not measured by the institution, but by the product that comes out of your brain. Like before, when you made such a dumb comment, a-hole, the entire Chowk saw that you think at the high-school level at best, and even then you sloganeer without access to any facts or reference. Your claims are worth horse sh** when facts reveal otherwise. 1.5 million is a huge number, more are living today but not better, the world can support more today but since resources are skewed in their distribution they live worse than animals...
#123 Posted by teshah on July 27, 2007 8:53:25 pm
drsohail
"gham agarchih jaangusal he pih kahaan bachein kih dil he
Gham-e-ishq agar nah hota gham-e-roozgaar hota" (Ghalib, the Aarif)
What Prophets and Arifs could not resolve how can we commoners do that.
The point to ponder now, as pointed out by you, is the capability of the human species to commit suicide like a suicide bomber fixed with a suicide belt of nuclear bombs.
The very thought is horrible.
Btw, I disagree with your 3rd cause, Issue of gender. Like all feminists you have confused the gender issue with the personal familial relationship. The respect and love for one's mother is not connected with matriarchal society. It is naturally reciprocal and exists even today but this does not mean that one should treat all women like one's mother.
The reason for human suffering, in my humble view, is the basic dialectic of existence as Ghalib, the Aarif, had said:
"Latafat be kasafat jalwa peida kar nahien sakti
Chaman zangaar he aaeenae baade bahaari ka"
(Existence can manifest itself only with interaction of negative and positive)
as epitomised in the eternal formula:
'There is no god but God'.
Regards.
"gham agarchih jaangusal he pih kahaan bachein kih dil he
Gham-e-ishq agar nah hota gham-e-roozgaar hota" (Ghalib, the Aarif)
What Prophets and Arifs could not resolve how can we commoners do that.
The point to ponder now, as pointed out by you, is the capability of the human species to commit suicide like a suicide bomber fixed with a suicide belt of nuclear bombs.
The very thought is horrible.
Btw, I disagree with your 3rd cause, Issue of gender. Like all feminists you have confused the gender issue with the personal familial relationship. The respect and love for one's mother is not connected with matriarchal society. It is naturally reciprocal and exists even today but this does not mean that one should treat all women like one's mother.
The reason for human suffering, in my humble view, is the basic dialectic of existence as Ghalib, the Aarif, had said:
"Latafat be kasafat jalwa peida kar nahien sakti
Chaman zangaar he aaeenae baade bahaari ka"
(Existence can manifest itself only with interaction of negative and positive)
as epitomised in the eternal formula:
'There is no god but God'.
Regards.
#124 Posted by drsohail on July 27, 2007 9:09:38 pm
Re: # 123
dear teshah...thank you for your literary comments. they reminded me of ghalib's couplet
hazaron khahishain aisi key har khahish pe dam niklay
bohut niklay meray armaan laikin phir bhi kam niklay
for me men's personal relationship with women is important but systemic relationship and discrimination is more imporatant. in most communities and cultures even today women are second class citizens and do not have equal legal and social rights as men.
my sister can drive a car in lahore but cannot do that in medina....how sad.
human problems are part of life but we can dream of a just society and try to make that dream come true. when we become apathetic then in the words of iqbal
waey nakami matai karwan jata raha
karwan kay dil sey ehsas-e-zian jata raha
it is tragic that violaters of human rights not only do not accept their injustices they even justify and rationalize it on the name of tradition...
i enjoy your taste in literature and philosophy...
sincerely sohail
dear teshah...thank you for your literary comments. they reminded me of ghalib's couplet
hazaron khahishain aisi key har khahish pe dam niklay
bohut niklay meray armaan laikin phir bhi kam niklay
for me men's personal relationship with women is important but systemic relationship and discrimination is more imporatant. in most communities and cultures even today women are second class citizens and do not have equal legal and social rights as men.
my sister can drive a car in lahore but cannot do that in medina....how sad.
human problems are part of life but we can dream of a just society and try to make that dream come true. when we become apathetic then in the words of iqbal
waey nakami matai karwan jata raha
karwan kay dil sey ehsas-e-zian jata raha
it is tragic that violaters of human rights not only do not accept their injustices they even justify and rationalize it on the name of tradition...
i enjoy your taste in literature and philosophy...
sincerely sohail
#140 Posted by teshah on July 29, 2007 6:28:47 pm
Re: # 124
drsohail
Thank you dear for your kind remarks. Dear Sohail, ghalib is not a poet in the ordinary sense but an Aarif (Sage) in my view. Just see this shehr from him:
"Hawas ko he nishaate kaar kia kia
Nah ho marna to jiine ka maza kia"
(How far lust can go in search of pleasure; it embraces death even as without which there can be no pleasure in being alive.)
I am sorry I could not translate it into English to my own satisfaction even. I am in search of a good English translation of Diwane Ghalib. Can you help me please?
Btw, is it not the very lust for getting maximum pleasure out of life that drives one to become a suicide bomber?
drsohail
Thank you dear for your kind remarks. Dear Sohail, ghalib is not a poet in the ordinary sense but an Aarif (Sage) in my view. Just see this shehr from him:
"Hawas ko he nishaate kaar kia kia
Nah ho marna to jiine ka maza kia"
(How far lust can go in search of pleasure; it embraces death even as without which there can be no pleasure in being alive.)
I am sorry I could not translate it into English to my own satisfaction even. I am in search of a good English translation of Diwane Ghalib. Can you help me please?
Btw, is it not the very lust for getting maximum pleasure out of life that drives one to become a suicide bomber?
#141 Posted by drsohail on July 30, 2007 7:26:51 am
Re: # 140
dear teshah....ghalib was one of the gretest minds...an aarif and a philosopher....i have a great friend ziauddin in toronto who is translating ghalib's ghazals in english...if you live in toronto you can meet him but if you live in some other part of the world please write to me at
welcome@drsohail.com
and i will connect you with him thru email
did you choose the name tesha from ghalib's couplet
teshay baghair mar na saka kohkan asad
sarghashta-e-khuman-e-rasoom o qayood tha
my all time favourite as a psychotherapist is
main nay majnoon pay larakpan main asad
sang uthaya tha ke sar yaad aya
all the best...sohail
dear teshah....ghalib was one of the gretest minds...an aarif and a philosopher....i have a great friend ziauddin in toronto who is translating ghalib's ghazals in english...if you live in toronto you can meet him but if you live in some other part of the world please write to me at
welcome@drsohail.com
and i will connect you with him thru email
did you choose the name tesha from ghalib's couplet
teshay baghair mar na saka kohkan asad
sarghashta-e-khuman-e-rasoom o qayood tha
my all time favourite as a psychotherapist is
main nay majnoon pay larakpan main asad
sang uthaya tha ke sar yaad aya
all the best...sohail
#142 Posted by teshah on July 30, 2007 8:15:56 pm
Re: # 141
Thank you dear Sohail for your offer of help. Sorry I do not live in Toronto but in Islamabad, Pakistan. I would be glad to contact your friend Mr. Ziauddin who is translating Ghalib's ghazals in English. So I would contact you on your email address.
Thank you dear Sohail for your offer of help. Sorry I do not live in Toronto but in Islamabad, Pakistan. I would be glad to contact your friend Mr. Ziauddin who is translating Ghalib's ghazals in English. So I would contact you on your email address.
#121 Posted by chaltahai on July 27, 2007 2:20:07 pm
Masadi, only 1.5 million a year? Out of 6 billion people on this earth? The human populaton keeps growing every year and you are still screaming qayamat, you imbecile!!!
The poor, even in the US live longer now than ever before in history of America. The poor around the world live l.onger and healthier than ever before.
The bulemia comment was a joke, idiot. You won't even be allowed to sweep the floors of where I got my education, you fairy!!
The poor, even in the US live longer now than ever before in history of America. The poor around the world live l.onger and healthier than ever before.
The bulemia comment was a joke, idiot. You won't even be allowed to sweep the floors of where I got my education, you fairy!!
#122 Posted by iron_mask on July 27, 2007 2:53:59 pm
Re: # 121
pliss be fair to fairies, by not equating them to the MASADA COmplex. Masada Complex consists of irrational numbers, with no real part and completely made up of imaginary parts.
If you are not careful, you will be vibrating the fool at his critical frequency (note given that he is comepeltely made up of imaginary numbers - he is in perpetual vibratory mode), which would result in him vibrating even more and amplifying his noise. As a result the noise to signal ratio will only increase. Have some pity on the students he serves chai samosa (thanks TAhmed32) to.
OTOH it may cause him to go to pieces, perhaps putting up with the stench for some time may be worthwhile to rid this place of this dolt.
pliss be fair to fairies, by not equating them to the MASADA COmplex. Masada Complex consists of irrational numbers, with no real part and completely made up of imaginary parts.
If you are not careful, you will be vibrating the fool at his critical frequency (note given that he is comepeltely made up of imaginary numbers - he is in perpetual vibratory mode), which would result in him vibrating even more and amplifying his noise. As a result the noise to signal ratio will only increase. Have some pity on the students he serves chai samosa (thanks TAhmed32) to.
OTOH it may cause him to go to pieces, perhaps putting up with the stench for some time may be worthwhile to rid this place of this dolt.
#119 Posted by delhiwala on July 27, 2007 1:13:39 pm
Mere Seedhay-saadhey Jehen ke liye ye article bahut complicated hai.
Drsohail: Why dont you stick with what you write best i.e. Sexual Perversions and it's implications and related therapies and then discuss cases violating doctor/client privileged information.
LOL.
PS: You sound like an ex-Commie from Pakistan.
Drsohail: Why dont you stick with what you write best i.e. Sexual Perversions and it's implications and related therapies and then discuss cases violating doctor/client privileged information.
LOL.
PS: You sound like an ex-Commie from Pakistan.
#120 Posted by drsohail on July 27, 2007 1:45:56 pm
Re: # 119
dear delhiwala....if you are missing sex (smiles) i will write an article about Sex Education next month. are you happy now? sohail
dear delhiwala....if you are missing sex (smiles) i will write an article about Sex Education next month. are you happy now? sohail
#118 Posted by masadi on July 27, 2007 11:02:17 am
According to UN statistics over 40,000 people die every single day due to preventible causes attributed to deprivation, like starvation and disease. Multiply that by 365 and you get a grand total of almost 1.5 million every year, not to mention the deprivation that cuts short the life expectancy by over 30 years even in the US of A. Idiot.
Food insecurity does not mean bulemia you miserable fcuk, it means that you don't know where the next meal for your kids is going to come from....Note that you cannot argue with facts based on slogans and bs, get an education fool...
Food insecurity does not mean bulemia you miserable fcuk, it means that you don't know where the next meal for your kids is going to come from....Note that you cannot argue with facts based on slogans and bs, get an education fool...
#117 Posted by chaltahai on July 27, 2007 6:56:20 am
Masadi, what is food insecurity? is this bulemia? If you are suggesting Americans are worse off now than ever before then you are a tree short of a hammock. as far as plagues etc in India, even 30 yrs ago, malaria would have killed thousands of people everyyear, since 1991, the deaths attributed to these maladies has steadily declined. You want a utopia, without presenting it and blame any existing system of governance and economics as a falacy. There is a utopia, it is where unicorns live and allah is surely the highest.
#116 Posted by zeemax on July 27, 2007 12:02:42 am
Rejoice! All seven causes of Human suffering have been addressed:
Burqas/dandas - out. Cheerleaders/PomPoms - in.
(Wonder from where they recruited them though. Heera Mandi?)
Burqas/dandas - out. Cheerleaders/PomPoms - in.
(Wonder from where they recruited them though. Heera Mandi?)
#115 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:52:42 pm
By the way, more people are dying daily in India through preventible causes, disease and malnourishment, directly as a cause of your political economy, than any "blowing up" the mullah can achieve...
#114 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:50:00 pm
Chaltahai writes "Gap is uneven in the developed world...so friggin what? What is your point? Everyone should have a mercedes benz?"
Look idiot, it is not about mercedes, it's about food, when over 40 million in the US face food insecurity and a large percent of their population lives below the poverty level, facing three times the death rate as those above then it is about basic survival and not mercedes.
Recently I had posted a link to a paper published by an Indian professor from J L Nehru Univ, that had documented several indicators on how rural condition in India in real terms is much worse off. Get an education fool, all you are doing is sloganeering without access to a single fact...
Look idiot, it is not about mercedes, it's about food, when over 40 million in the US face food insecurity and a large percent of their population lives below the poverty level, facing three times the death rate as those above then it is about basic survival and not mercedes.
Recently I had posted a link to a paper published by an Indian professor from J L Nehru Univ, that had documented several indicators on how rural condition in India in real terms is much worse off. Get an education fool, all you are doing is sloganeering without access to a single fact...
#113 Posted by IamNadia on July 26, 2007 11:22:12 pm
Issue of unemployment, poverty and an unjust society add to causes of human sufferings.
#112 Posted by cliftonbridge on July 26, 2007 4:59:19 pm
chalta if thats the standard (economy grew 7%) then paksitan is doing a -okay :) (thank you shuakat aziz!!)
its not about the blame game or the great game ...its all very simple ...education. social justice. economy.
did you catch my link on FATA? Its worth reading, very heartening statistics.
its not about the blame game or the great game ...its all very simple ...education. social justice. economy.
did you catch my link on FATA? Its worth reading, very heartening statistics.
#111 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 4:55:46 pm
cliftonbridge, the day in 1991 when two sardars and a southie stopped blaming the british and everyone else and their mother for India's ills, is the day India achieved its independence. The economy has grown on avg 7%/year since then.
So you are right, it is not just pakistan's fault. It is the fault of a psyche that persists within the greater muslim world. Who did this to us!!!
So you are right, it is not just pakistan's fault. It is the fault of a psyche that persists within the greater muslim world. Who did this to us!!!
#110 Posted by cliftonbridge on July 26, 2007 4:51:04 pm
i agree jangs although its not just pakistans fault. But yes it could have been sooo much better.
#109 Posted by jang on July 26, 2007 3:36:26 pm
IMO saudi financing the madrassa in pakiland was a nice gesture. its the pakis which chose to make these madrassas into a wierd freak shows. if madrassas were like yeshivas such that its graduate would contest for getting into the best Us in the world along with Karachi Grammer or Bacon House, nooone would complain. instead they are nurturing a violent underclass.
#108 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 3:16:25 pm
Cliftonbridge, building mosques and madrassahs are not developing institutions of growth. If that was the case, the flow of capital into Pakiland wouldn't be as anemic as it is. it is directly tied to blowing up pizza parlors or be it KFCs.
I made the point about religious nutcases not muslims. I would prefer to deploy nuclear assets on to an atoll jampacked with the religious nutcases.
I made the point about religious nutcases not muslims. I would prefer to deploy nuclear assets on to an atoll jampacked with the religious nutcases.
#107 Posted by cliftonbridge on July 26, 2007 2:35:29 pm
Building mosques or madarsa;s IS developing institutions of growth, chalta i wouldnt put it in the same sentance as blowing up pizza parlours. Dont get all spiteful, you actually have a good point.
"Seculars" are as much to blame for imperialism as "muslims" are to blame for terrorism. Many people can believe in both ideologies without blowing other people up into smithereens.
It may take a while but India and China have taken some big steps to alleviate poverty in their countries and the trickle down hasnt fully kicked in yet but likely/hopefully will. However I am not sure that India is actually a secular country at this point.
"Seculars" are as much to blame for imperialism as "muslims" are to blame for terrorism. Many people can believe in both ideologies without blowing other people up into smithereens.
It may take a while but India and China have taken some big steps to alleviate poverty in their countries and the trickle down hasnt fully kicked in yet but likely/hopefully will. However I am not sure that India is actually a secular country at this point.
#106 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 2:09:29 pm
Masadi, while idiots like you blow up cars, the chinese and Indians make them. Indian rural situation is 100 times better than even 15 years ago. Larger subsidies by the gov't, better education for the children, cleaner water, etc etc. The farmers and rural india is not where the impact of your ill perceived negatives of capitalism is felt. It is the migration of labor from rural to urban areas. the developed world went through this, so will china and India.
Gap is uneven in the developed world...so friggin what? What is your point? Everyone should have a mercedes benz? Most people around the world work for their keep, they don't sit on wells spouting black gold. If they did, you can be sure they would be developing insitutions of growth instead of funding madrassas, blowing up pizza parlors and building mosques.
Gap is uneven in the developed world...so friggin what? What is your point? Everyone should have a mercedes benz? Most people around the world work for their keep, they don't sit on wells spouting black gold. If they did, you can be sure they would be developing insitutions of growth instead of funding madrassas, blowing up pizza parlors and building mosques.
#104 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:19:52 am
chaltahai writes "If what Masadi writes in 101 was true then the means to destroy humanity have been there for decades now..the earth would have been destroyed many times over"
The means over which they have control and have used selectively have been available for "decades now" but what the consequences of their rape of the earth is going to be is something they will have no control over, that time is coming and coming fast and these "suicide bombers" of advanced capitalism know about it but their ideology blinds them....they keep butchering humanity, nature will not differntiate between rich and poor, between a bmw and a rickshaw, between a shanty town hut and a gazillion dollar gated mansion......
The means over which they have control and have used selectively have been available for "decades now" but what the consequences of their rape of the earth is going to be is something they will have no control over, that time is coming and coming fast and these "suicide bombers" of advanced capitalism know about it but their ideology blinds them....they keep butchering humanity, nature will not differntiate between rich and poor, between a bmw and a rickshaw, between a shanty town hut and a gazillion dollar gated mansion......
#103 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:14:27 am
Chaltahai writes "And frankly China and India are following the development model to the benefit of their peoples"
That is part of the BS that the IT miracle mongers are pushing. In india more than 90% of the population lives in debilitating poverty, which is much worse in the rural areas than it was ever before. Regarding distribution of resources, that gap is anything but equitable even in developed countries. Where the poor are dying at three times the rate in greater numbers than ever before, where they are not dying equally as through natural causes but based on class and wealth, that is what the barbaric picture of the 21st century is.....plagues and disease still kill millions every year, just because you don't have access to the facts does not mean that happens, resources don't move anywhere except to the rich few....what world are you living in fool?
That is part of the BS that the IT miracle mongers are pushing. In india more than 90% of the population lives in debilitating poverty, which is much worse in the rural areas than it was ever before. Regarding distribution of resources, that gap is anything but equitable even in developed countries. Where the poor are dying at three times the rate in greater numbers than ever before, where they are not dying equally as through natural causes but based on class and wealth, that is what the barbaric picture of the 21st century is.....plagues and disease still kill millions every year, just because you don't have access to the facts does not mean that happens, resources don't move anywhere except to the rich few....what world are you living in fool?
#102 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 11:12:13 am
If what Masadi writes in 101 was true then the means to destroy humanity have been there for decades now..the earth would have been destroyed many times over. But people are still having sex and eating pulled pork. You are just jealous Masadi because no one comes to your BBQ.
#101 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:09:57 am
In addition to #99 what makes this age even more barbaric is that greater means and knowledge are available to make all this killing and death not a natural phenomenon but man made.....yeah, that my friends is the biggest barbarism of it all...
#100 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 11:09:45 am
More die in absolute numbers because there are more numbers absolutely. On a percentage basis, it doesn't even come close to the plagues and wars that wiped out entire peoples and large percentage of populations of humans before the American century. there is better flow of capital, resources than ever before and on average, humans are richer than ever before. Distribution of riches is wider than ever before. And frankly China and India are following the development model to the benefit of their peoples. 4/5th of humanity doesn't believe in the BS you utter. And that is good!!
And calling me names doesn;t hide your stupidity masadi. It only shines a big fat searchlight on it.
And calling me names doesn;t hide your stupidity masadi. It only shines a big fat searchlight on it.
#99 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 11:01:29 am
chaltahai writes "This is absolutely untrue. Human kind is much better off in the 21st century than ever before. Only the religious nutcases are suffering...and that they should. Infact, I would gladly pay to move them all to an island in the south pacific and drop 5 atomic bombs on them. "
Of course we expect a-holes like chaltahai to drop atomic bombs, it is because of these kinds of "humanists" that over half the world is living in debilitating poverty, more die in absolute numbers than ever before in human history, and add to that the number that are killed during the first year of life world-wide and the environment that is being destroyed that will harm and destroy the poorest of the poor and the entire countries that are wiped out by farcial wars....and you have a clear picture of the 21st century run by these "secular humanists" and their BS slogans....they need to invent one enemy after another, how many islands are you going to populate and wipe out with your "atomic bombs"....and by the way this mentality of "I will gladly pay..." is also a product of the advanced capitalism with the "secular humanism" slogans, you cannot measure life and death in terms of money you sob...
Of course we expect a-holes like chaltahai to drop atomic bombs, it is because of these kinds of "humanists" that over half the world is living in debilitating poverty, more die in absolute numbers than ever before in human history, and add to that the number that are killed during the first year of life world-wide and the environment that is being destroyed that will harm and destroy the poorest of the poor and the entire countries that are wiped out by farcial wars....and you have a clear picture of the 21st century run by these "secular humanists" and their BS slogans....they need to invent one enemy after another, how many islands are you going to populate and wipe out with your "atomic bombs"....and by the way this mentality of "I will gladly pay..." is also a product of the advanced capitalism with the "secular humanism" slogans, you cannot measure life and death in terms of money you sob...
#98 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 11:00:50 am
echo, don't bitch yaar! there are enough houris in the afterlife for you.
#97 Posted by echoboom on July 26, 2007 10:57:41 am
chaltahai:96
I would gladly pay to move them all to an island in the south pacific and drop 5 atomic bombs on them
___________________________________________________________
Now the evolution to this nirvana level of mindset is the true accomplishment of the Oooons Pooons.
But maybe some better methods would soon be avaulable to the Ooons to eliminate the undesirtables amongst them. Always remember, somewhere down the line you will be also sent to the island one day...
When weapons are there, some fingers itch to find/create. enemies
I would gladly pay to move them all to an island in the south pacific and drop 5 atomic bombs on them
___________________________________________________________
Now the evolution to this nirvana level of mindset is the true accomplishment of the Oooons Pooons.
But maybe some better methods would soon be avaulable to the Ooons to eliminate the undesirtables amongst them. Always remember, somewhere down the line you will be also sent to the island one day...
When weapons are there, some fingers itch to find/create. enemies
#96 Posted by chaltahai on July 26, 2007 10:44:01 am
"Next consider the fact that "secular, humanism"- slogans that is has been the rallying call of the 21st century, yet it has produced more misery and destruction than anything religious in the past, its "suicide bombers", the corporate elite and their reps in the political directorate of the USA are much more destructive than Hamas' suicide bombers because their destruction of the environment, their trade policies etc will not only ensure their own destruction but the destruction of humanity."
This is absolutely untrue. Human kind is much better off in the 21st century than ever before. Only the religious nutcases are suffering...and that they should. Infact, I would gladly pay to move them all to an island in the south pacific and drop 5 atomic bombs on them.
This is absolutely untrue. Human kind is much better off in the 21st century than ever before. Only the religious nutcases are suffering...and that they should. Infact, I would gladly pay to move them all to an island in the south pacific and drop 5 atomic bombs on them.
#95 Posted by echoboom on July 26, 2007 8:04:10 am
The present Dr. Fraud, was Dr. Archie Freud in US, was Dr. Arshad Fareed in Lahore,was our own from our pind: the Phheedaa from chuk 420 mauzaa Harrappa.
Narrated something like this when he was given his first assignment in animal behaviour class..for the benefit of humans.
He was asked to keep a baby monkey under observation & jot down all the doings & undoings of the baby-monkey. This he had to commence after keeping the monkey in 5 days solitary with nothing except the four walls. Lot of monkey porn posters were displayed & porn-movies run endlessly, without disclaimers or ratings.
A peephole was there for the Psychiatrist to record his findings--all in the interest of `` No morality, is the best morality`` creed. His room was next,adjacent to that of the monkey--and the Psychilist was provided with ample human-porno stuff as well...as a dry-run for the test.
After five days when the dr.Psuchilist went to peep through the peep-hole to jot down his findings he was aghast! dumbfounded!blacked-out!
There was another eye on the other side!
the baby monkey`s eye!....WATCHING HIM!
Narrated something like this when he was given his first assignment in animal behaviour class..for the benefit of humans.
He was asked to keep a baby monkey under observation & jot down all the doings & undoings of the baby-monkey. This he had to commence after keeping the monkey in 5 days solitary with nothing except the four walls. Lot of monkey porn posters were displayed & porn-movies run endlessly, without disclaimers or ratings.
A peephole was there for the Psychiatrist to record his findings--all in the interest of `` No morality, is the best morality`` creed. His room was next,adjacent to that of the monkey--and the Psychilist was provided with ample human-porno stuff as well...as a dry-run for the test.
After five days when the dr.Psuchilist went to peep through the peep-hole to jot down his findings he was aghast! dumbfounded!blacked-out!
There was another eye on the other side!
the baby monkey`s eye!....WATCHING HIM!
#92 Posted by Nasruminallah on July 26, 2007 5:49:28 am
I am not sure if sexual orientation could qualify to be a major cause of human suffereing, Please justify that If U may,
I would however agree with most of what U have said..
I would however agree with most of what U have said..
#93 Posted by drsohail on July 26, 2007 6:08:23 am
Re: # 92
dear nasruminnallah....since majority of men and women are heterosexuals, those who are gays and lesbians are in minority and are deprived of human rights in most parts of the world. in some communities it is illegal and in others it is considered immoral. gays and lesbains are afraid to come out of the closet as they are persecuted and penalized. they are harshly judged by the religious and conservative and traditional communities. they have been silently suffering for centuries. it is only recently that in scandinavian countries and now in canada their rights are acknowledged. it is not uncommon for them to be publicly beaten up in many cities of the world. it is only recently that we are becoming aware of their silent suffering as human beings. kinsey's report had brought to our attention that 10---13 percent of the people in the population are gays and lesbians and there are many more that are bisexual. i have helped many in my clinical practice. many families still do not know that their sons and daughters are gay and lesbian. they did not tell their conservative and religious parents as they are afraid to be disowned and ostracized by their families and communities...sincerely sohail
dear nasruminnallah....since majority of men and women are heterosexuals, those who are gays and lesbians are in minority and are deprived of human rights in most parts of the world. in some communities it is illegal and in others it is considered immoral. gays and lesbains are afraid to come out of the closet as they are persecuted and penalized. they are harshly judged by the religious and conservative and traditional communities. they have been silently suffering for centuries. it is only recently that in scandinavian countries and now in canada their rights are acknowledged. it is not uncommon for them to be publicly beaten up in many cities of the world. it is only recently that we are becoming aware of their silent suffering as human beings. kinsey's report had brought to our attention that 10---13 percent of the people in the population are gays and lesbians and there are many more that are bisexual. i have helped many in my clinical practice. many families still do not know that their sons and daughters are gay and lesbian. they did not tell their conservative and religious parents as they are afraid to be disowned and ostracized by their families and communities...sincerely sohail
#91 Posted by Ahadaustin on July 26, 2007 1:14:35 am
Dear Dr.
After reading some of your ingenious work; I thought that you might be a Nihilist ; Aren’t you?
later
Ahad
#94 Posted by drsohail on July 26, 2007 7:19:52 am
Re: # 91
dear ahad... i consider myself an optimist and believe that as human beings if we identify our problems and are commited to change we can make this world a better place to live individually and collectively. i hope we can make our tomorrows better than our yesterdays. i have been called an idealist but not a nihilist. what is your definition of a nihilist and what in my writings made you think that i am one...sincerely sohail
dear ahad... i consider myself an optimist and believe that as human beings if we identify our problems and are commited to change we can make this world a better place to live individually and collectively. i hope we can make our tomorrows better than our yesterdays. i have been called an idealist but not a nihilist. what is your definition of a nihilist and what in my writings made you think that i am one...sincerely sohail
#90 Posted by masadi on July 26, 2007 12:01:32 am
Let me elaborate what I mean by an "ill thought out, moronic" article.
Sohail writes "Since the discovery of the atomic bomb, human beings are for the first time in history able to commit collective suicide "
First this "Einstein" needs to understand the difference between suicide and murder. The discovery and the decision to use Atomic weapons does not rest with the vast majority of humanity for them to be accused of "collective suicide", it rests with a tiny elite.
Next consider the fact that "secular, humanism"- slogans that is has been the rallying call of the 21st century, yet it has produced more misery and destruction than anything religious in the past, its "suicide bombers", the corporate elite and their reps in the political directorate of the USA are much more destructive than Hamas' suicide bombers because their destruction of the environment, their trade policies etc will not only ensure their own destruction but the destruction of humanity.
The issue of race, class and gender, and stratification based upon them has been perfected by advanced capitalism that rallies behind "secular humanism" as slogan, not by religion. Nationalism is the "secular humanists" religion of the present. When values are amorphous as is the case under advanced capitalism, because humans don't determine the values for themselves but those are pushed on them from outside by cultural technicians, that is when suicide, anomic suicide is at the highest.
Whether GT agrees on not, this article by sohail was moronic, it was written pursuing an agenda, and the Chowk editors were extremely lenient (because they have the same agenda) in putting this article and the face of this damn fool on the main page...
Sohail writes "Since the discovery of the atomic bomb, human beings are for the first time in history able to commit collective suicide "
First this "Einstein" needs to understand the difference between suicide and murder. The discovery and the decision to use Atomic weapons does not rest with the vast majority of humanity for them to be accused of "collective suicide", it rests with a tiny elite.
Next consider the fact that "secular, humanism"- slogans that is has been the rallying call of the 21st century, yet it has produced more misery and destruction than anything religious in the past, its "suicide bombers", the corporate elite and their reps in the political directorate of the USA are much more destructive than Hamas' suicide bombers because their destruction of the environment, their trade policies etc will not only ensure their own destruction but the destruction of humanity.
The issue of race, class and gender, and stratification based upon them has been perfected by advanced capitalism that rallies behind "secular humanism" as slogan, not by religion. Nationalism is the "secular humanists" religion of the present. When values are amorphous as is the case under advanced capitalism, because humans don't determine the values for themselves but those are pushed on them from outside by cultural technicians, that is when suicide, anomic suicide is at the highest.
Whether GT agrees on not, this article by sohail was moronic, it was written pursuing an agenda, and the Chowk editors were extremely lenient (because they have the same agenda) in putting this article and the face of this damn fool on the main page...
#89 Posted by masadi on July 25, 2007 11:48:46 pm
GT writes "And you are what? Albert E.? Interacting in chowk and taking out all your frustration is fine. You are after recognition and as of now you have achieved epsilon compared to the author "
GT take a hike man. What recognition am I after? Recognition from the Chowk editors who censor my articles at will or recognition from M. Gill or this dimwit Sohail, who have free access to having their third rate, thoughtless articles published? What recognition, tell me please? or shut up...
GT take a hike man. What recognition am I after? Recognition from the Chowk editors who censor my articles at will or recognition from M. Gill or this dimwit Sohail, who have free access to having their third rate, thoughtless articles published? What recognition, tell me please? or shut up...
#87 Posted by GT on July 25, 2007 7:41:23 pm
#34 Posted by masadi on July 25, 2007 6:31:41 am
"The Eighth cause of suffering refers to those who have to suffer through your Goddamned articles which are moronic, dimwitted and like Gill, ill thought out and tape recorderesque. Please quit writing or atleast put some "thought" in atleast ONE PARAGRAPH of your retarded work."
And you are what? Albert E.? Interacting in chowk and taking out all your frustration is fine. You are after recognition and as of now you have achieved epsilon compared to the author. So know the boundary beyond which you shall be considered an ass even by those who try to understand you.
"The Eighth cause of suffering refers to those who have to suffer through your Goddamned articles which are moronic, dimwitted and like Gill, ill thought out and tape recorderesque. Please quit writing or atleast put some "thought" in atleast ONE PARAGRAPH of your retarded work."
And you are what? Albert E.? Interacting in chowk and taking out all your frustration is fine. You are after recognition and as of now you have achieved epsilon compared to the author. So know the boundary beyond which you shall be considered an ass even by those who try to understand you.
#86 Posted by Al_Bundy on July 25, 2007 6:47:17 pm
#82 Posted by echoboom
I think this real story about a Swami in India beats your fake story
FAITH
Sneeze...Ah, God Bless You
In the interiors of Tamil Nadu, these freak swamis are a phenomenon in themselves
S. Anand
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20060320&fname=Faith&si d=1
At first glance, there is little to set apart the village of Amachiapuram, 20 km north of Madurai, from other dusty, nondescript hamlets in the region. On the highway, as advised by a local reporter, we ask for the Mookkusali Samiyar (Snot Swami)—also known as the Kulandai-varam Samiyar (Child-Blessing Swami)—at a teashop, so that we reach the right place. At Amachiapuram, we are led to Arumugam the tailor, the man who will shortly transform himself into the snot-spewing swami.
The long-locked man is just about five feet tall and an undernourished 40 kg. Clad in a yellow veshti, he lives in the Adi Dravidar (Dalit) Colony, where the roofs of most of the 27 government-built one-room houses have collapsed.
Seated on a gunnysack, Arumugam pedals his sewing machine, stitching a green blouse. It’s early on a Friday, and before the clients turn up, he asks us to fetch him two 180 ml bottles of Cosmopolitan whiskey, two plastic glasses, two water sachets, a packet of savoury ‘mixture’, some pickle and five idlis. Of course, the ‘prasadam’ will be of even greater value if you add ganja, pan parag and Ganesh beedi to the list. The man at the state-owned liquor shop 2 km away knows at once: Is all of this for the Snot Swami? he asks.
After a turmeric-scrub bath in a lotus-strewn pond, Arumugam drapes himself in a sari, sits below a tree near the Karuppusamy temple, and elevates himself to a higher plane of consciousness by gulping 360 ml of rotgut whiskey in 40 minutes. "Other swamis hide what they drink, I don’t," he says.
Arumugam makes pronouncements on visa cases, court cases and health problems. However, his speciality is blessing childless couples. He tells Outlook: "I have blessed 5,700 couples with children." It’s a claim nobody can confirm. Or contest. He says he has been rendering this service for more than 15 years, though it is only in the last two years that his fame has spread. "A man on whose kidneys the Coimbatore doctors had given up came to me. I cured him," he says.
On an eventful Friday, more than 100 people—of all castes and communities—seek out the cross-dressing swami. After a few swigs of whiskey, idlis, pickle and tobacco powder, Arumugam is able to generate a great deal of phlegm—and he lets it fly. Snot and spit fly out of his sharp nose and mouth and hit the faces of those seeking his counsel. To wipe it off would be blasphemous. For Snot Swami’s disciples, this is the best way to be blessed. The irony is: If Arumugam was just another Dalit agricultural labourer, people would have refused water from him. Now, they welcome his snot on their faces.
Snot Swami is part of a phenomenon that pervades Tamil Nadu. Tucked away in villages that invariably miss the cartographer’s pencil, their reputations built purely by word of mouth, scores of freaky swamis have been ‘healing’ people with various ailments—mental, physical, social, personal, familial, even political. The social base of their clientele is largely the lower middle class and the rural poor—people defeated by marital problems, by science, modern medicine, the state, life. But once in a while, desperation brings even people in Toyotas and Fords here.
........................more
I think this real story about a Swami in India beats your fake story
FAITH
Sneeze...Ah, God Bless You
In the interiors of Tamil Nadu, these freak swamis are a phenomenon in themselves
S. Anand
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20060320&fname=Faith&si d=1
At first glance, there is little to set apart the village of Amachiapuram, 20 km north of Madurai, from other dusty, nondescript hamlets in the region. On the highway, as advised by a local reporter, we ask for the Mookkusali Samiyar (Snot Swami)—also known as the Kulandai-varam Samiyar (Child-Blessing Swami)—at a teashop, so that we reach the right place. At Amachiapuram, we are led to Arumugam the tailor, the man who will shortly transform himself into the snot-spewing swami.
The long-locked man is just about five feet tall and an undernourished 40 kg. Clad in a yellow veshti, he lives in the Adi Dravidar (Dalit) Colony, where the roofs of most of the 27 government-built one-room houses have collapsed.
Seated on a gunnysack, Arumugam pedals his sewing machine, stitching a green blouse. It’s early on a Friday, and before the clients turn up, he asks us to fetch him two 180 ml bottles of Cosmopolitan whiskey, two plastic glasses, two water sachets, a packet of savoury ‘mixture’, some pickle and five idlis. Of course, the ‘prasadam’ will be of even greater value if you add ganja, pan parag and Ganesh beedi to the list. The man at the state-owned liquor shop 2 km away knows at once: Is all of this for the Snot Swami? he asks.
After a turmeric-scrub bath in a lotus-strewn pond, Arumugam drapes himself in a sari, sits below a tree near the Karuppusamy temple, and elevates himself to a higher plane of consciousness by gulping 360 ml of rotgut whiskey in 40 minutes. "Other swamis hide what they drink, I don’t," he says.
Arumugam makes pronouncements on visa cases, court cases and health problems. However, his speciality is blessing childless couples. He tells Outlook: "I have blessed 5,700 couples with children." It’s a claim nobody can confirm. Or contest. He says he has been rendering this service for more than 15 years, though it is only in the last two years that his fame has spread. "A man on whose kidneys the Coimbatore doctors had given up came to me. I cured him," he says.
On an eventful Friday, more than 100 people—of all castes and communities—seek out the cross-dressing swami. After a few swigs of whiskey, idlis, pickle and tobacco powder, Arumugam is able to generate a great deal of phlegm—and he lets it fly. Snot and spit fly out of his sharp nose and mouth and hit the faces of those seeking his counsel. To wipe it off would be blasphemous. For Snot Swami’s disciples, this is the best way to be blessed. The irony is: If Arumugam was just another Dalit agricultural labourer, people would have refused water from him. Now, they welcome his snot on their faces.
Snot Swami is part of a phenomenon that pervades Tamil Nadu. Tucked away in villages that invariably miss the cartographer’s pencil, their reputations built purely by word of mouth, scores of freaky swamis have been ‘healing’ people with various ailments—mental, physical, social, personal, familial, even political. The social base of their clientele is largely the lower middle class and the rural poor—people defeated by marital problems, by science, modern medicine, the state, life. But once in a while, desperation brings even people in Toyotas and Fords here.
........................more
#83 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 3:42:27 pm
yeah, echo dada, that needs a total re-write, at least better formatting to give it some punch.
--------------
Zee, dharatidharma is exactly right. In relation to Islam, we are talking chalk and cheese. Only the most glib or dishonest will call them in anyway similar (say, both are matter!).
--------------
Zee, dharatidharma is exactly right. In relation to Islam, we are talking chalk and cheese. Only the most glib or dishonest will call them in anyway similar (say, both are matter!).
#82 Posted by echoboom on July 25, 2007 3:34:30 pm
AAh:
The naked-swami seemingly asleep in lotus-position atop the Nanga-parbat.........
and suddenly disturbed by the ghoulish nightmare about central-heating.
_____________________________________________________________
my favorite Uncle who was quite fair-skinned to begin with , and looked an angraiz when the angraiz strutted about in a sea of black and blackened faces in the then quite civilized Madras & Bombay.
He would have been much better off staying over there and cashed on his great Gregory Peck double-image, or maybe he was really even better looking than Greg..because I had not seen Greg. off-screen.
Anyway this Uncle who was not only my favorite Uncle but I was his most favorite nephew as well.
But My Uncle was destined to prove that a man cannot live by good-looks alone..He must also be where his good-looks would
mean something to the world and when he becomes Vilayat-paas, the locals blackened, browned, and well-done in the sun would prostrate themselves..for to his way of thinking merely running helter-skelter to make room for him was simply won't do. He wanted to be trteated lie the local asstt. Commisssioner...a godhead!
To come to the poiont of this boring & insipidly run-away story, he became one the the hippies in U.S..not the genuine
Mia Farrow or Beatle type or Wood-Stock type but the kind who loves his management job withn all the perks but is mad at the world because he is not getting a raise or is being by-passed to favour the one with the blonde hair & blue Eyes. my Uncle was feeeling increasingly Desi those days and like Salman Rushdie a sudden pang of homelessness he felt for a country he had despised so much that when he boarded the HMS Batori in 1953 he spat on the dockyard when the boat had inched westward.
Well I should mention that he had married a gori in those lazy hazy crazy days of the 60's and was a week-end living-room hippie, just like our Faiz-sahib was a commie when he was unemployed..and he was unemployed because he was thouight to be a commie, but he had become a commie in the first place because he was denied a job because faiz's father died not just penniless but saddled Faiz with debt..so tyhe girl abandopned faiz & Faiz had no choice but to level the playingfield single handedly ( sorry for this aside)
Same with my favourite Uncle..his eyes welled up with the emotion which had never peered through his eyes nose and throat after that healthy spat on th e dockyard. Now he knew the minus the blonde hair & blue eyes he was a Desi, in fact a Kallo in goraa-land. Nostalgia was setting in, Relatives were now from afar looked kind and caring & he started appreciating the achaar & aap which an occasional drop-in woyuld deliver to him sent by his DEsi friends & Relatives.
He announced that he wants to go to India..part of it was the Mia Farrow Nepal factor, part was because the goaree was head over heels in love with India ( She knew nothing or didn't give much thought about Pakistan or Muslims) . She was in love with India because an Indian had proposed to her and suddenly Rajaah Swamis Snakes magicians etc ect were important words in her life. She attended Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Seminars and wanted to go to India to meet a real SWami....
.................................
My Uncle tells me that they visited theusual circuit of Jaisalmir & Jaipur, the arm-chair hippie route in action, and they arrived at an abandoned & crumbling Mandir. They were told about this place because the goree was very adamant to go & visit a genuine swami. What they did not know that she having enquired so much in the city suchkind of Swami that someone had decided to act out the role.
They paid bigbugs..and only the goree did not know of the arrangement.
He sat there in his magnificent lotu-position..and goree & uncle were intructed with all the rituals. Like the charcater in th Razor's Edge, the goaree when she saw that the Swami has half-opened his eyes & instructed her to remove all her bangles & cash & lthrow them out towards the desert sand which the little urchins, crow like, were waiting to pick up and seemigly running away...
and then the Swami burped..I mean a real real burp..goree auntee almost fell off the craggy cliff..ragained her posture and in a trembling whining voice aske if she could ask THE question....
The Swami asked her to repeat this question 3 times & each time he burped & burped & burped...and waved his breath towards my Uncle Z& Aunt..& my goree aunt was impressed..here was the real spicy onion garlic swami..not that sanitized version in US.
The question she had aske the Maharaaj was the perrenial one " " Swami jee what is the meaning of life?"
The SWami gazed at her in astonishment..as if telling her such a simple question & what a stupd woman..but the let his facial muscles relax..looke right as if about to relieve a secret.ooked left as if of suspicious of something..then bade goree auntie to approach his lordship...They promptly
did.
Then he intently looked at them, from his lotus position he raised one of his thight at an angle as if about to fall on side; goree thought he will be levitating..but the the Swami let out such a loud & stinking fart that the Uncle & auntee
were wonderstruck & almost hypnotize..never mind that their nasal passages were full of genuine garam masaalaa.
The crows in the nearby tree startled & saying Caw caw flew away to a far off tree.
____________________________________________________________
Must be having typos etc..I never read what I write...I'll fixz them later when out of the writer's trance.
The naked-swami seemingly asleep in lotus-position atop the Nanga-parbat.........
and suddenly disturbed by the ghoulish nightmare about central-heating.
_____________________________________________________________
my favorite Uncle who was quite fair-skinned to begin with , and looked an angraiz when the angraiz strutted about in a sea of black and blackened faces in the then quite civilized Madras & Bombay.
He would have been much better off staying over there and cashed on his great Gregory Peck double-image, or maybe he was really even better looking than Greg..because I had not seen Greg. off-screen.
Anyway this Uncle who was not only my favorite Uncle but I was his most favorite nephew as well.
But My Uncle was destined to prove that a man cannot live by good-looks alone..He must also be where his good-looks would
mean something to the world and when he becomes Vilayat-paas, the locals blackened, browned, and well-done in the sun would prostrate themselves..for to his way of thinking merely running helter-skelter to make room for him was simply won't do. He wanted to be trteated lie the local asstt. Commisssioner...a godhead!
To come to the poiont of this boring & insipidly run-away story, he became one the the hippies in U.S..not the genuine
Mia Farrow or Beatle type or Wood-Stock type but the kind who loves his management job withn all the perks but is mad at the world because he is not getting a raise or is being by-passed to favour the one with the blonde hair & blue Eyes. my Uncle was feeeling increasingly Desi those days and like Salman Rushdie a sudden pang of homelessness he felt for a country he had despised so much that when he boarded the HMS Batori in 1953 he spat on the dockyard when the boat had inched westward.
Well I should mention that he had married a gori in those lazy hazy crazy days of the 60's and was a week-end living-room hippie, just like our Faiz-sahib was a commie when he was unemployed..and he was unemployed because he was thouight to be a commie, but he had become a commie in the first place because he was denied a job because faiz's father died not just penniless but saddled Faiz with debt..so tyhe girl abandopned faiz & Faiz had no choice but to level the playingfield single handedly ( sorry for this aside)
Same with my favourite Uncle..his eyes welled up with the emotion which had never peered through his eyes nose and throat after that healthy spat on th e dockyard. Now he knew the minus the blonde hair & blue eyes he was a Desi, in fact a Kallo in goraa-land. Nostalgia was setting in, Relatives were now from afar looked kind and caring & he started appreciating the achaar & aap which an occasional drop-in woyuld deliver to him sent by his DEsi friends & Relatives.
He announced that he wants to go to India..part of it was the Mia Farrow Nepal factor, part was because the goaree was head over heels in love with India ( She knew nothing or didn't give much thought about Pakistan or Muslims) . She was in love with India because an Indian had proposed to her and suddenly Rajaah Swamis Snakes magicians etc ect were important words in her life. She attended Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Seminars and wanted to go to India to meet a real SWami....
.................................
My Uncle tells me that they visited theusual circuit of Jaisalmir & Jaipur, the arm-chair hippie route in action, and they arrived at an abandoned & crumbling Mandir. They were told about this place because the goree was very adamant to go & visit a genuine swami. What they did not know that she having enquired so much in the city suchkind of Swami that someone had decided to act out the role.
They paid bigbugs..and only the goree did not know of the arrangement.
He sat there in his magnificent lotu-position..and goree & uncle were intructed with all the rituals. Like the charcater in th Razor's Edge, the goaree when she saw that the Swami has half-opened his eyes & instructed her to remove all her bangles & cash & lthrow them out towards the desert sand which the little urchins, crow like, were waiting to pick up and seemigly running away...
and then the Swami burped..I mean a real real burp..goree auntee almost fell off the craggy cliff..ragained her posture and in a trembling whining voice aske if she could ask THE question....
The Swami asked her to repeat this question 3 times & each time he burped & burped & burped...and waved his breath towards my Uncle Z& Aunt..& my goree aunt was impressed..here was the real spicy onion garlic swami..not that sanitized version in US.
The question she had aske the Maharaaj was the perrenial one " " Swami jee what is the meaning of life?"
The SWami gazed at her in astonishment..as if telling her such a simple question & what a stupd woman..but the let his facial muscles relax..looke right as if about to relieve a secret.ooked left as if of suspicious of something..then bade goree auntie to approach his lordship...They promptly
did.
Then he intently looked at them, from his lotus position he raised one of his thight at an angle as if about to fall on side; goree thought he will be levitating..but the the Swami let out such a loud & stinking fart that the Uncle & auntee
were wonderstruck & almost hypnotize..never mind that their nasal passages were full of genuine garam masaalaa.
The crows in the nearby tree startled & saying Caw caw flew away to a far off tree.
____________________________________________________________
Must be having typos etc..I never read what I write...I'll fixz them later when out of the writer's trance.
#81 Posted by jang on July 25, 2007 2:57:55 pm
thankfully S.G. Buddha lived in simpler times..if he was around now, he might declare closed markets to the main cause of human misery LOL
#79 Posted by Dash_Dot on July 25, 2007 2:43:56 pm
damn formatting #77
Sila (precepts or morality)
1. Right Speech (Samma Vaca)
2. Right Action (Samma Kammo)
3. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajivo)
Samadhi (concentration)
1. Right Exertion or right effort (Samma Vayamo)
2. Right Awareness (Samma Sati)
3. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)
Panna (Wisdom or insight)
1. Right Aspiration (Samma Sankappo)
2. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
In way Wheel o time is right but also incorrect - samadhi is actually a super group. Though some interpret it the way wheel o time does.
Sila (precepts or morality)
1. Right Speech (Samma Vaca)
2. Right Action (Samma Kammo)
3. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajivo)
Samadhi (concentration)
1. Right Exertion or right effort (Samma Vayamo)
2. Right Awareness (Samma Sati)
3. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)
Panna (Wisdom or insight)
1. Right Aspiration (Samma Sankappo)
2. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
In way Wheel o time is right but also incorrect - samadhi is actually a super group. Though some interpret it the way wheel o time does.
#78 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 2:41:01 pm
#76 Posted by Dash_Dot =,
You do all that ... but then you die ... :) That's the problem. :)
You do all that ... but then you die ... :) That's the problem. :)
#77 Posted by Dash_Dot on July 25, 2007 2:40:42 pm
In fact the JIddu Krishnamurthi one is more explanatory
http://www.buddhanet.net/bvk_study/bvk216.htm
as in it gives more references for you to check enjoy your reading zeemax
Introduction:
The Noble 8-fold Path (Ariyo atthangiko maggo):
1. Right Speech (Samma Vaca)
Sila (precepts or morality) 2. Right Action (Samma Kammo)
3. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajivo)
1. Right Exertion or right effort (Samma Vayamo)
Samadhi (concentration) 2. Right Awareness (Samma Sati)
3. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)
1. Right Aspiration (Samma Sankappo)
Panna (wisdom or insight)
2. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
Buddha avoided all extremes, whether of Self Indulgence and Self Mortification; of Eternity or Annihilation; of Complete Indeterminism (adhiccasamuppanna) or Accidentalism and Strict Determinism (Niyati-vada) or Fatalism; or of any other 'ism' that tends towards extremes. His Way of Life, as he explained in his first sermon - is the Middle Path (majjhim patipada) - is a teaching that has direct bearing on the lives of mankind, a practical application, without bias, prejudice or emotion - the active and practical aspect of the entire teaching of the Master. It is not mere speculation, philosophizing and rationalizing, for it entails engaging oneself in the real task of applying each and every factor of the path to life; in coming to grips with the true meaning of life, for the sole purpose of freedom from the taints that haunt the human heart....
-Pg 88-89, the Buddha's ancient path, Thera Piyadassi
The noble eight fold path is not a philosophy or a dogma or a mechanical ritual. It is an art of living-a way of life-the path as shown by the Buddha. It is actually living the teachings-'going into' the teachings. The perfection of the noble path is insight or wisdom (samma ditthi). The noble 8 fold path is divided into Sila (morality), samadhi (concentration) and panna (wisdom/insight) but these are not rigid water tight compartments-they flow into each other and help each other culminating in insight. Anyone living a life of real wisdom/insight from moment to moment will be a righteous and virtuous person naturally and effortlessly-for they go hand in hand.
Whenever Lord Buddha talked about Sati (awareness) He said that awareness and insight go hand in hand (atapi sampajano satima-Maha satipatthana Sutta) The Buddha never instructed to develop mere concentration or forced concentration of a narrow or unwholesome mind.
All the 8 limbs of the 8 fold path have the prefix 'samma' which is translated as 'Right' but it can be more accurately translated as 'holistic'. For something to be holistic it has to be natural, choiceless and wholesome - with the perfume of 'what is' - which is insight. It cannot be a rigid mechanical system.
The noble 8 fold path is the 'pathless path' to truth-to reality-to liberation. It is 'The path' (ekayano maggo) because it shows the way to purification (visuddhimagga) but it is the 'pathless path' because it is not a beaten track or a mechanical ritual or a technique or a method. To walk on this path one has to be in touch with the reality 'as it is' (yathabhuta) and as the reality keeps changing (anicca or impermanence), one is aware of it choicelessly from moment to moment (yathabhuta nana dassanam). The reality keeps changing from moment to moment and one is aware of this change (at the level of sensations) from moment to moment-this changing reality makes the 'path' the 'pathless path'.
The view of reality as it is becomes his right view. Thought of reality as it is becomes his right thought. Effort toward reality as it is becomes his right effort. Awareness of reality as it is becomes his right awareness. Concentration on reality as it is becomes his right concentration. His actions of body and speech and his livelihood become truly purified. Thus the Noble Eightfold Path advances him toward development and fulfillment.
-M. 149, Maha-Salayatanika Sutta
"Those truths of which before I had only heard, now I dwell having experienced them directly within the body, and I observe them with penetrating insight."
-S. XLVIII (IV). v. 10 (50), Apana Sutta (spoken by Sariputta, chief disciple of the Buddha)
http://www.buddhanet.net/bvk_study/bvk216.htm
as in it gives more references for you to check enjoy your reading zeemax
Introduction:
The Noble 8-fold Path (Ariyo atthangiko maggo):
1. Right Speech (Samma Vaca)
Sila (precepts or morality) 2. Right Action (Samma Kammo)
3. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajivo)
1. Right Exertion or right effort (Samma Vayamo)
Samadhi (concentration) 2. Right Awareness (Samma Sati)
3. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)
1. Right Aspiration (Samma Sankappo)
Panna (wisdom or insight)
2. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
Buddha avoided all extremes, whether of Self Indulgence and Self Mortification; of Eternity or Annihilation; of Complete Indeterminism (adhiccasamuppanna) or Accidentalism and Strict Determinism (Niyati-vada) or Fatalism; or of any other 'ism' that tends towards extremes. His Way of Life, as he explained in his first sermon - is the Middle Path (majjhim patipada) - is a teaching that has direct bearing on the lives of mankind, a practical application, without bias, prejudice or emotion - the active and practical aspect of the entire teaching of the Master. It is not mere speculation, philosophizing and rationalizing, for it entails engaging oneself in the real task of applying each and every factor of the path to life; in coming to grips with the true meaning of life, for the sole purpose of freedom from the taints that haunt the human heart....
-Pg 88-89, the Buddha's ancient path, Thera Piyadassi
The noble eight fold path is not a philosophy or a dogma or a mechanical ritual. It is an art of living-a way of life-the path as shown by the Buddha. It is actually living the teachings-'going into' the teachings. The perfection of the noble path is insight or wisdom (samma ditthi). The noble 8 fold path is divided into Sila (morality), samadhi (concentration) and panna (wisdom/insight) but these are not rigid water tight compartments-they flow into each other and help each other culminating in insight. Anyone living a life of real wisdom/insight from moment to moment will be a righteous and virtuous person naturally and effortlessly-for they go hand in hand.
Whenever Lord Buddha talked about Sati (awareness) He said that awareness and insight go hand in hand (atapi sampajano satima-Maha satipatthana Sutta) The Buddha never instructed to develop mere concentration or forced concentration of a narrow or unwholesome mind.
All the 8 limbs of the 8 fold path have the prefix 'samma' which is translated as 'Right' but it can be more accurately translated as 'holistic'. For something to be holistic it has to be natural, choiceless and wholesome - with the perfume of 'what is' - which is insight. It cannot be a rigid mechanical system.
The noble 8 fold path is the 'pathless path' to truth-to reality-to liberation. It is 'The path' (ekayano maggo) because it shows the way to purification (visuddhimagga) but it is the 'pathless path' because it is not a beaten track or a mechanical ritual or a technique or a method. To walk on this path one has to be in touch with the reality 'as it is' (yathabhuta) and as the reality keeps changing (anicca or impermanence), one is aware of it choicelessly from moment to moment (yathabhuta nana dassanam). The reality keeps changing from moment to moment and one is aware of this change (at the level of sensations) from moment to moment-this changing reality makes the 'path' the 'pathless path'.
The view of reality as it is becomes his right view. Thought of reality as it is becomes his right thought. Effort toward reality as it is becomes his right effort. Awareness of reality as it is becomes his right awareness. Concentration on reality as it is becomes his right concentration. His actions of body and speech and his livelihood become truly purified. Thus the Noble Eightfold Path advances him toward development and fulfillment.
-M. 149, Maha-Salayatanika Sutta
"Those truths of which before I had only heard, now I dwell having experienced them directly within the body, and I observe them with penetrating insight."
-S. XLVIII (IV). v. 10 (50), Apana Sutta (spoken by Sariputta, chief disciple of the Buddha)
#76 Posted by Dash_Dot on July 25, 2007 2:37:25 pm
copied and pasted from http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
1. Right View
Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truth. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.
2. Right Intention
While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.
3. Right Speech
Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Buddha explained right speech as follows: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.
4. Right Action
The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the Precepts.
5. Right Livelihood
Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.
6. Right Effort
Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.
7. Right Mindfulness
Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.
8. Right Concentration
The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.
Also you can use this :http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=eight+fold+path&meta=
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
1. Right View
Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truth. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.
2. Right Intention
While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.
3. Right Speech
Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Buddha explained right speech as follows: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.
4. Right Action
The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the Precepts.
5. Right Livelihood
Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.
6. Right Effort
Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.
7. Right Mindfulness
Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.
8. Right Concentration
The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.
Also you can use this :http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=eight+fold+path&meta=
#75 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 2:16:40 pm
#65 Posted by KaalChakra,
View (Ditthi)
Aspiration (Sankappa)
Speech (Vaca)
Action (Kammanta)
Diligence (Vyama)
Means of livelihood (Ajiva) —
Awareness/mindfulness (sati)
Samadhi (I have no idea how to translate it in English - except as total concentration)
... so Echoboom was right with his term 'DhartiDharma' .. !!
View (Ditthi)
Aspiration (Sankappa)
Speech (Vaca)
Action (Kammanta)
Diligence (Vyama)
Means of livelihood (Ajiva) —
Awareness/mindfulness (sati)
Samadhi (I have no idea how to translate it in English - except as total concentration)
... so Echoboom was right with his term 'DhartiDharma' .. !!
#73 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:41:58 pm
#71 Posted by KaalChakra,
...coming and "enveloping" someone....
Yes. I think I said that to sadna on UP :)
That's what happened to the 'Ninja Chicks', 'Chicks with sticks' etc ... who preferred to be melted alive by the white phosphorous rather than to surrender.
...coming and "enveloping" someone....
Yes. I think I said that to sadna on UP :)
That's what happened to the 'Ninja Chicks', 'Chicks with sticks' etc ... who preferred to be melted alive by the white phosphorous rather than to surrender.
#72 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:38:14 pm
#71 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 1:35:52 pm
I will definitely read it, probably my first book in years and years now...
About faith, I liked your description of it as coming and "enveloping" someone. It is much better than faith "grabbing" one - as I have sometimes described it.
In anycase, to compare all of it to Buddhism is not fair to either of them.
About faith, I liked your description of it as coming and "enveloping" someone. It is much better than faith "grabbing" one - as I have sometimes described it.
In anycase, to compare all of it to Buddhism is not fair to either of them.
#70 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:21:57 pm
#68 Posted by KaalChakra,
Yes it was just called 'Passages'. It traced life from birth till death in five year intervals. It's thesis was that life reaches cross-roads each five years.
Yes it was just called 'Passages'. It traced life from birth till death in five year intervals. It's thesis was that life reaches cross-roads each five years.
#69 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:20:07 pm
#66 Posted by KaalChakra,
Yeah ... that's a problem.
But as I quoted before, Allah seals people's eyes and ears, and Allah chooses whose hearts to light up. Only then, one has Faith. And of-course, Allah knows best.
Yeah ... that's a problem.
But as I quoted before, Allah seals people's eyes and ears, and Allah chooses whose hearts to light up. Only then, one has Faith. And of-course, Allah knows best.
#68 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 1:18:07 pm
I will, zee. Was it called just "Passages?" I will try to google it.
#67 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:15:54 pm
KaalChakra,
I will again emphasize on 'Passages'. If you haven't come across it, do read it. It was a very famous book which came out around the same time as 'Portnoy's Complaint' and 'I'm OK You're OK'.
I will again emphasize on 'Passages'. If you haven't come across it, do read it. It was a very famous book which came out around the same time as 'Portnoy's Complaint' and 'I'm OK You're OK'.
#66 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 1:15:36 pm
Zee, it does work IF one can get that little thing called faith. :)
#65 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 1:13:55 pm
LOL, come on, zee, you know what Saima is talking about :)
But there is nothing common between Islam and Buddhism. Buddhism is all earthly stuff with nothing inherently divine.
These are the eight things Buddhas asks his followers to focus on:
View (Ditthi)
Aspiration (Sankappa)
Speech (Vaca)
Action (Kammanta)
Diligence (Vyama)
Means of livelihood (Ajiva) —
Awareness/mindfulness (sati)
Samadhi (I have no idea how to translate it in English - except as total concentration)
None of these are defined as such, except in the broadest of terms - for the maintenance of dharma - social welfare and social order.
Echodada, there is none greater here than echoboom! :)
But there is nothing common between Islam and Buddhism. Buddhism is all earthly stuff with nothing inherently divine.
These are the eight things Buddhas asks his followers to focus on:
View (Ditthi)
Aspiration (Sankappa)
Speech (Vaca)
Action (Kammanta)
Diligence (Vyama)
Means of livelihood (Ajiva) —
Awareness/mindfulness (sati)
Samadhi (I have no idea how to translate it in English - except as total concentration)
None of these are defined as such, except in the broadest of terms - for the maintenance of dharma - social welfare and social order.
Echodada, there is none greater here than echoboom! :)
#64 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:12:54 pm
#62 Posted by echoboom,
LoL ... Echo ... EXPLAIN ... !
LoL ... Echo ... EXPLAIN ... !
#63 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 1:11:42 pm
#60 Posted by KaalChakra,
And the best part is ... that it actually works ....
And the best part is ... that it actually works ....
#62 Posted by echoboom on July 25, 2007 1:05:59 pm
1. "To be great is to be misunderstood"
2. "I guess, I should warn you,if I turn out to be particulaly
clear, You've probably misunderstood what I said"
3 " I have suffered from being misunderstood, but I would
have sffered a hell of a lot more if I had been
understood"
Names witheld.
Now please provide a list of CHOWK "GREATS"!..
2. "I guess, I should warn you,if I turn out to be particulaly
clear, You've probably misunderstood what I said"
3 " I have suffered from being misunderstood, but I would
have sffered a hell of a lot more if I had been
understood"
Names witheld.
Now please provide a list of CHOWK "GREATS"!..
#61 Posted by zeemax on July 25, 2007 12:58:04 pm
#57 Posted by SaimaShah,
I had heard about the four-fold (God exists and does not exist, God both exists and does not exist etc ... ) and the six-fold. Now you've come up with an eight-fold.
Best of luck till you make a football team.
I had heard about the four-fold (God exists and does not exist, God both exists and does not exist etc ... ) and the six-fold. Now you've come up with an eight-fold.
Best of luck till you make a football team.
#60 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 12:54:13 pm
zee # 58, you have a way with words, knowing just how to make theory practical. You have put the case for faith beautifully, and I agree.:)
#59 Posted by KaalChakra on July 25, 2007 12:49:45 pm
Saima, buddhism is primarily about reducing *earthly* suffering, with nirvana thrown in as an after thought. :(
So much so (consider how buddha arrived at his noble truths) that one can say that reducing earthly sufferings are all that matter to the Buddha.
And there is no concept of those being the only (noble) paths, and there is no faith, no hell...to my knowledge.
What do you say?....
So much so (consider how buddha arrived at his noble truths) that one can say that reducing earthly sufferings are all that matter to the Buddha.
And there is no concept of those being the only (noble) paths, and there is no faith, no hell...to my knowledge.
What do you say?....