Buddhists cling to guns and religion, too!

[jlbraun]

As promised, I made this image. Comments?

Of course, I don't hunt, as that would violate ahimsa. But I do take an interest in defending my loved ones.

 

[LaEscopeta]

"Namaste" Hinduko Dharma ra kura cha, re?

Buddako Dharma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

(I don't know, but I have only heard Hindus use the word "Namaste".)

You will now be returned to your regularly scheduled firearm related thread.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I like the picture. Nice work. You're right, I would never have thought of a Buddhist clinging to guns.

 

[cambeul41]

I like it.

 

[BruceRDucer]

Jibraun:

It doesn't impress me much, because there isn't any other information there. I don't know of any connection between Deepok Chopra and keeping arms.

I will say this: If I wanted to promote the RKBA, I wouldn't want specifically, Deepok Chopra for a spokesperson.

In a certain sense, it can't hurt. We need everyone we can get. But I really think one could get a better spokesman.

If Deepak Chopra were one of many, of a broad spectrum of culturally identifiable personalities, it would be better.

But alone and by himself, I wouldn't personally want him recommending anything.

/

/

 

[Zoogster]

Of course, I don't hunt,

Well then you don't have any legal purpose for having firearms. That is after all why they are constitutional protected according to the left.
Have you not heard terms like "sporting purpose" in legislation?

 

[jlbraun]

I could care less what Deepak Chopra thought about firearms. I do care what the Buddhas think about them, and they say that defending yourself with lethal force is A-OK, as long as you do so with love in your heart. Yes, you can shoot someone and love them all the same.

Besides, picking Chopra's book makes it a good juxtaposition.

And Buddhists have been the targets of many massacres in the past.

 

[3KillerBs]

Nice work. I have near-zero knowledge of Buddhism, but instantly recognized your choice of book as a visible symbol of your religion.

It would be rather cool to do an ecumenical "clinging to guns and religion" demonstration as a protest against elitist stereotyping of gun owners and people of faith.

Certain heads might explode from having multiple pre-conceptions upset at the same time.

 

[Starship1st]

Buddhists and christians should cling to our guns. Especially now with all that is going on in the world.

 

[Zundfolge]

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-The Dalai Lama, May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times

 

[spwenger]

For Those with a Serious Interest...

...in the Buddhist perspective on self-defense, David Kopel has posted an essay on Self-Defense in Asian Religions.

 

[3KillerBs]

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-The Dalai Lama, May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times

I hope it is in good taste to say, "Amen".

 

[Rosstradamus]

Thanks, Spwenger.

 

[akodo]

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-The Dalai Lama, May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times

"But if someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, he said, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun. Not at the head, where a fatal wound might result. But at some other body part, such as a leg"

A more complete version of his statement.

I chalk it up to the Dalai Lama not thinking through the tactical concept of leg shots.

 

[ridata]

I will say this: If I wanted to promote the RKBA, I wouldn't want specifically, Deepok Chopra for a spokesperson.

Well, would you want all the authors of the Bible as your spokesperson?

 

[Geno]

Wonderful thread!!! I'm looking forward to reading the self-defense in asian regions.

Thanks all,

Doc2005

 

[jahwarrior]

Buddhism and guns make perfect sense. Buddhism is what allowed the samurai to kill and die with no regret. i think most people make the mistake of Buddhism being a pacifistic religion; i've made that mistake myself. Zen Buddhism teachings in particular, focus on the wisdom of experience rather than theoretical knowledge, specifically focusing on "this moment" to the exclusion of all other things. it frees the mind from judgement, bias and any other thing that could cloud the mind.

i have smart friends, who i quote often.

 

[BruceRDucer]

I could care less what Deepak Chopra thought about firearms. I do care what the Buddhas think about them, and they say that defending yourself with lethal force is A-OK, as long as you do so with love in your heart. Yes, you can shoot someone and love them all the same.

Besides, picking Chopra's book makes it a good juxtaposition.--Jibraun

One should care. Making up or suggesting a viewpoint not expressly authored by any individual, serves no valid purpose. It is an invention, a fabrication, and in its worse cases, a lie.

Whereas you may not care, others who advocate the RKBA might be concerned about a misrepresentation.

Falsehoods and misrepresentations serve no lasting purpose.
/



/

 

[rojocorsa]

Thanks for expanding my horizons. I am now less ignorant than I was 5 min. ago.

 

[BullpupBen]

I would take out the book and instead digitally put a quote from the Dalai Lama that is pro-RKBA under your AK. I've seen a few, other than the one posted above.

 

[Nitrogen]

So does this one. Sorta:

EDIT: I SWEAR I had this made before this thread.

 

[Deus Machina]

True pacifism isn't refusing to commit any violence at all, it's refusing to initiate violence, and knowing when it is the only thing that will prevent further harm.

If I'm off base of not, I've never met a Buddhist that I did not like and find logical and perfectly reasonable, and I always like to know I have no reason to think otherwise.

 

[Deus Machina]

Multiple, delayed post.

 

[Deus Machina]

Multiple, delayed post.

 

[Mr Kablammo]

Although Ahimsa is strongly encouraged in Buddhism the Four Noble Truths are strictly: Anicca, Anatta, Dukha, and the the Eightfold Path. Our goal as Buddhists is to break the 12-fold chain of co-dependent co-origination. Defeating 'grasping' or 'thirst' (Tanha) seems to the favored point of focus. "What the Buddah Taught" makes a better explanation.

As others have stated, I think an alternative graphic to Chopra's book is favored.

How about "Metta"?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im...e=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1223787411&sr=1-2

or "Mind in Buddhist Psychology"?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im...e=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1223787802&sr=1-1

or "Death was His Koan"?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0895819996/ref=sib_dp_pop_fc?ie=UTF8&p=S001#reader-link

Also it should be noted that the state of equinimaty is considered to be achieved if one were to be meditating with others and to be confronted by a bandit. If you are threatened with death and neither run away nor offer up an other meditator to the bandit then your equinamity is perfected.

Another good cover would be "Practical Insight Meditation", strong brown and yellow contrast; could not find a graphic on Amazon.