Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Proper Buddhists don't get into gangs and kill people, that much I know for sure.

So what are you going to do? Go to Burma and give all those monks a spanking?


Seriously. People keep complaining about what is going on in Burma. Why not do something?
Contact the president of Burma, contact UNO, various human rights organisations, etc. etc. and request them to do something.
Ask the Dalai Lama to do something. Get all the other Buddhist dignitaries and visible, influential monks together and request them to take some action.

Taking out one's gall at a forum isn't really helping anyone, least of all the Buddhists and the Muslims in Burma.

Maybe I'll just give you a spanking.

You're not serious.

Sure I am. Your attitude needs to be spanked. And I'm just the guy to do it.

binocular wrote:So what are you going to do? Go to Burma and give all those monks a spanking?


Seriously. People keep complaining about what is going on in Burma. Why not do something?
Contact the president of Burma, contact UNO, various human rights organisations, etc. etc. and request them to do something.
Ask the Dalai Lama to do something. Get all the other Buddhist dignitaries and visible, influential monks together and request them to take some action.

Taking out one's gall at a forum isn't really helping anyone, least of all the Buddhists and the Muslims in Burma.

Have done what little I can do and feel is appropriate on the ground as a white foreigner with no influence or sway over anyone whatsoever (hell I can't even influence or sway my own mind)...

Is there any teaching of spanking in the sutra's???/

Is there any wonder that the monks in their situation might resort to violence when we can't even have a discussion on a forum without fussing and threatening physical violence?

Yes, there's a wonder--they are supposed to be Monks. These people slander the Buddha and bring shame to their religion. Why is this not obvious?

alan wrote:Sure I am. Your attitude needs to be spanked. And I'm just the guy to do it.

No, you're just acting foolishly.

alan wrote:Yes, there's a wonder--they are supposed to be Monks. These people slander the Buddha and bring shame to their religion. Why is this not obvious?

Monks are still human beings. Human beings still suffer. Suffering causes human beings to act unskillfully. That is what is obvious.

But should they be held accountable for these unskillful acts?

SDC wrote:But should they be held accountable for these unskillful acts?

I'm not sure what system of law exists over in Burma, but I would guess if they are violating it, they should/could/will be held accountable. But, if your Buddhist beliefs include Karma, they will be held "accountable" regardless of the legal system in Burma. My concern is, if I am to be a Buddhist, should my response to the monks and their behavior be one of judgment and castigation or one of compassion and loving-kindness? It's easier to be a compassionate Buddhist when people are being nice and behaving themselves. It is much more difficult to be a compassionate Buddhist when people are acting out and being unskillful.

In my view, one can still be compassionate in holding people accountable for their actions; it is not an either / or proposition.

Sorry for not specifying, but I meant held accountable in regards to their violations of the monastic code. While they may be human beings, when they made the choice to ordain, didn't they agree to follow a certain code or face the possibility of no longer being a monk?

SDC wrote:Sorry for not specifying, but I meant held accountable in regards to their violations of the monastic code. While they may be human beings, when they made the choice to ordain, didn't they agree to follow a certain code or face the possibility of no longer being a monk?

In my opinion, yes. If they took an oath (which if they are monks I assume they did) and there is evidence that they violated that oath, then whatever administrative process exists to evaluate their expulsion should be pursued.

My appeal for compassion should not be confused with any suggestion that people should not be held accountable for their actions.