Buddhas

“Hmmm. Where to jump in...

I'll begin with "enormous statues of Christ". Maybe I go to the "wrong" church, but never have I encountered an enormous statue of Christ. Personally, I would find it offensive.

But to the real subject at hand, the destruction of these antiquities. From an historical perspective the loss does sadden me. However, I think most of the stink being raised in the press about the destruction of these Buddas has more more to do with bowing to the god of multiculturalism than simple morality.

Though I suspect the Taliban are less than genuous when that call US hippocrites -- being willing to spend money to save a couple ancient Buddas while Afghani people die of starvation, I do think they are making the right argument.

We act as if we are outraged at their actions without even trying to understand what they are about nor minister to their basic needs.

The Bible teaches us to LOVE unconditionally, to invite the beggar to sup at our table, to give the poor man our coat to warm him, etc. Morally we should be feeding and clothing. And perhaps by sharing the LOVE of Christ in meeting some basic needs we can actually open the door and begin talking about other things.

If they never experience our love they will never know HIM is a truth I think strikes closer to home. If they never experience our love they will never know us.

My quarters worth...”

“Thank god I'm an atheist! I'll never have to say crap like that.”

“Thank God I'm a Christian! So I'll never have to say crap like that!”

“I heard that they are talking about rebuilding those statues now.

Thought it would be a good time to resurrect this thread.”

“Wow, what an undertaking. Labor isn't as cheap as it was when the originals were built.”

“What's the point? Their value was in their archeological/historical significance. It's be like saying the PT Cruiser is a classic car.”

“There was no artistic value? It seems analogous to restoring Egyptian antiquities. What if somebody blew up Mt. Rushmore? hmmm... now there is another discussion, eh.”

“Links:

msnbc

CBS”

“Apparently the people of that town were very attached to the view.”

“Right now, I think their priorities need to be on the basics: shelter, food, water, health care. If they ever get their economy up and running, then start rebuilding statues.”

“Any true Buddhist would realize the statues are only rock. They don't exhist.”

“Exist!”

“I made that argument to a Buddhist friend just a couple of weeks ago but he felt that the intimidation was real. Should I tell him he is not a true Buddhist?”

“It doesn't matter because he does not exist!”

“Actually there are several funds going right now specifically to rebuild the Bamiyan Buddhas. The locals won't have to spend anything. In fact they will get jobs out of it. That, at least, will help in part with taking care of the basics.

Then comes the tourist trade.”

“Then comes nothingness....

Meditate on nothingness....


THE DOORS - Horse Latitudes

When the still sea conspires an armor
and her sullen and aborted
currents breed tiny monsters,
true sailing is dead.

Awkward instant
and the first animal is jettisoned,
legs furiously pumping
their stiff green gallop,
and heads bob up
poise
delicate
pause
consent
in mute nostril agony
carefully refined
and sealed over.”

“This is the end, Beautiful friend
This is the end, My only friend, the end
It hurts to set you free
But you'll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die
This is the end”

“Hey, Tarp, you are getting a little simplistic with the "nothingness" argument. Might I say, a little fundamentalist?”