Tibetan situation and petition
- Madeliaette
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:29 pm
- Location: Currently in Sussex, England. Formerly in Wollongong, Australia.
Tibetan situation and petition
NB: This might only be of interest to those members who practice Tibetan Buddhism:
I have been following very closely the situation of the latest monastery to be subjected to Chinese intimidation within Tibet and would like to ask any members that feel that way inclined to please check out the following petition that a friend of mine created earlier today as her part of trying to help this situation:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/182/873/ ... -in-tibet/
and/or to pray for the monks involved (details of the recent events as they occurred over the past 7-10 days can be tracked at the following blog - http://tibet.justice.overblog.com/ )
I have been following very closely the situation of the latest monastery to be subjected to Chinese intimidation within Tibet and would like to ask any members that feel that way inclined to please check out the following petition that a friend of mine created earlier today as her part of trying to help this situation:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/182/873/ ... -in-tibet/
and/or to pray for the monks involved (details of the recent events as they occurred over the past 7-10 days can be tracked at the following blog - http://tibet.justice.overblog.com/ )
- Thrasymachus
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:28 am
- Location: Dover, NJ
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Yes, personally buy enough goods from China to help make them the second largest world exporter behind only Germany, but also sign a tepid online petition. That will show the CCP regime!
That you don't care...
That you don't care...
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
You have no idea what others do or don't buy. Or what others do or don't care about.Thrasymachus wrote:Yes, personally buy enough goods from China to help make them the second largest world exporter behind only Germany, but also sign a tepid online petition. That will show the CCP regime!
That you don't care...
At least Madeliaette is making an effort for positive change.
Cynicism rarely changes anything.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Almost every consumer good that we buy is made in China. Very little relatively speaking is manufactured in the US or in Western countries (esp. clothing).justsit wrote: You have no idea what others do or don't buy. Or what others do or don't care about.
We should indeed boycott China's exports but the question is how? Their goods have flooded the markets.
That's true - and cynicism is acidic, changes nothing for the better and degrades relationships and our minds.At least Madeliaette is making an effort for positive change.
Cynicism rarely changes anything.
But he's right that the Chinese will not care or listen, at least not right now.
Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
I generally avoid goods from China, if you can trust the labels. Most of the time it is not that difficult. I'm sure it has no political impact, but I feel better.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
I find it nearly impossible to avoid Chinese made stuff.Yudron wrote:I generally avoid goods from China, if you can trust the labels. Most of the time it is not that difficult.
If we organized a boycott, it would have an impact.I'm sure it has no political impact, but I feel better.
Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Why? are there extensive examples around the world and in world history that shows boycotts work?kirtu wrote: We should indeed boycott China's exports
Kirt
Change, real change, usually comes from the inside.
Or is the act of boycotting, not just China, but in support of "the right thing" (e.g., a person may decide to boycott Japanese products while Japan continues to support the hunting of whales) a form of following a personal precept that's separate from any outcome?
I guess the question is, do we boycott to change someone else, or boycott to be internally consistent with our own personal views of what is right? (I know I'm not phrasing the last part very well)
kirtu wrote:That's true - and cynicism is acidic, changes nothing for the better and degrades relationships and our minds.At least Madeliaette is making an effort for positive change.
Cynicism rarely changes anything.
But he's right that the Chinese will not care or listen, at least not right now.
Kirt
I'd be a bit more precise and say "the Chinese government".
If I were to hazard a guess about what the Chinese government really cares about, or what would metaphorically have them waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, I'd say it's that the country will be ripped apart by a massive revolt of the have nots (not just the ethnic minorities, but the hundreds and hundreds of millions of Han Chinese) - those who are not participating in the economic boom, and in fact, whose lives are substantially worse because of the current economy.
Considering Chinese history, even over the last 150 years, this is not an unreasonable fear.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Boycotting Chinese goods will not change anything. At the last count US foreign debt to China stood at 8% of the total US public debt and 26% of the foreign holdings of US public debt. About 1.2 trillion dollars.
Living in America is (basically) tantamount to funding the Chinese government. China wouldn't give a rat ass if a few Americans stopped buying long life brand egg noodles.
Living in America is (basically) tantamount to funding the Chinese government. China wouldn't give a rat ass if a few Americans stopped buying long life brand egg noodles.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
There's a prayer often used in addiction programs that goes,
"God grant me (or alternatively, May I have) the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can change,
And the wisdom to know the difference."
Ultimately, all any of us can change is ourselves.
Which is why we practice, yes?
"God grant me (or alternatively, May I have) the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can change,
And the wisdom to know the difference."
Ultimately, all any of us can change is ourselves.
Which is why we practice, yes?
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Naaaaaah!!! I do it for the sexy chicks, the money and the gold plated bentleys!justsit wrote:Ultimately, all any of us can change is ourselves.
Which is why we practice, yes?
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
So, Greg, how's that workin' for ya?gregkavarnos wrote:Naaaaaah!!! I do it for the sexy chicks, the money and the gold plated bentleys!
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Yes although it depends on what you mean by "extensive" and "works": India 1920's-1945, Myanmar 1988-present (depending of course), the loss of slave labor to the North 1850's-1865 (US Civil War), the boycott of South Africa starting in the 1980's (really starting earlier).uan wrote:Why? are there extensive examples around the world and in world history that shows boycotts work?kirtu wrote: We should indeed boycott China's exports
Kirt
That's true but boycotts have aided policy makers in their decisions to compromise with the opposition usually after many years.Change, real change, usually comes from the inside.
China-Japan -
you are correct that boycotts have difficulty producing an effect and Japan, even after a 20 yr economic Depression, is rich. "Save the Whales" unfortunately did not work in the 70's-90's but it helped add ecological consciousness to the culture.
We boycott to effect change. It would also help if the Tibetans did their part but they are utterly divorced from the realities of world consciousness (they need to field several soccer and other spots teams so that ordinary people know they exist but they view that as completely subsidiary to the struggle for autonomy and cultural survival).I guess the question is, do we boycott to change someone else, or boycott to be internally consistent with our own personal views of what is right? (I know I'm not phrasing the last part very well)
Nope, not just. There are many nationalist Chinese who will brook no criticism of any kind even amoungst the Oversea's Chinese.I'd be a bit more precise and say "the Chinese government".
That is correct. A loss of income, coupled with a spotlight on their human rights record could give them pause. Or set the stage for a Chinese Gorbachev (of course they had one and he was "retired").If I were to hazard a guess about what the Chinese government really cares about, or what would metaphorically have them waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, I'd say it's that the country will be ripped apart by a massive revolt of the have nots (not just the ethnic minorities, but the hundreds and hundreds of millions of Han Chinese) - ....
Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
thanks for your responses.kirtu wrote: ...
uan
- Madeliaette
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:29 pm
- Location: Currently in Sussex, England. Formerly in Wollongong, Australia.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
There are other additional ways to act of course - i already refuse to buy Chinese products if there are any alternatives. There is also a growing number of everyday Chinese people who do not like what their Govt does, but who will not stand up to them. Maybe if enough of them band together there will be a change. I simply cannot bear to sit back and do nothing for a race of people whose religion has given my life meaning. My friend feels likewise, which is why she created the petition. I guess I feel extra connected as i know people involved in the latest monastery to be intimidated as people rather than 'monks in another monastery'.
- Karma Dondrup Tashi
- Posts: 1715
- Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:13 pm
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
I don't know about noodles but China would definitely give a rat's ass if we started buying our own treasuries.
It has been the misfortune (not, as these gentlemen think it, the glory) of this age that everything is to be discussed. Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Yeah, they certainly would, but you guys ain't got no money. That's why you are 14 trillion+ dollars in debt.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
- Karma Dondrup Tashi
- Posts: 1715
- Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:13 pm
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
Right.
It has been the misfortune (not, as these gentlemen think it, the glory) of this age that everything is to be discussed. Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France.
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
For what it's worth, I signed the petition.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
- Thrasymachus
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:28 am
- Location: Dover, NJ
Re: Tibetan situation and petition
I am pretty sure that living in Delaware it is almost impossible to not buy goods from China. Infact almost everywhere in the world it is likely impossible. I remember when I was little in the late 80's and early 90's when China only made mostly junk plastic toys for children. Alot has changed since then, back then you could have personally boycotted China. Now you would have turn that boycott into a full time job. Good luck with that.justsit wrote: You have no idea what others do or don't buy. Or what others do or don't care about.
Power in this society is mostly expressed in money. You can say you support Tibet all you want in theory and in words, but in reality you are funding the People Liberation's Army which has important strategic investments throughout the Chinese economy.