Known variously as The Humble Buddha, The Praying Buddha, The Sleeping Buddha, and The Weeping Buddha, this carving resides on the coffee table in my living room. He has been there for as long as I have lived in this house. Before that, he resided in the “meditation sanctuary” of the apartment in which I lived.
At times when I have mediated in his presence he has been humble and compassionate; at other times he has prayed with me; we have even slumbered in each other’s presence. But now when I sit with him, he weeps—and he has much for which to weep.
In the
Blood soaked sandals are seen on a street following a shooting by soldiers during a protest in downtown
Perhaps you have heard the story; perhaps you have not. Either way, I invite you to read the words of Praying For Better
As I was searching for the latest developments of the current plight of the Burmese people, I came across these words, attributed to an anonymous Burmese:
He weeps for our country! Courage is waning. Fear prevails. Intolerance grows. Innocent children die in the womb. There is no shame. Our country dies.
And the Buddha weeps. And many of us around the world also weep, and pray, and act.
Amnesty International on
I could never understand why such peaceful loving people could be so brutalized.
ReplyDeleteMyanmar exports petroleum and natural gas, and that makes this regime bulletproof.
ReplyDeleteUnless the big oil companies decide that it's immoral to prop up a murderous regime just to make money- and I'm not holding my breath here- I'm afraid nothing is going to change.
Hi Nick ~~ A very sad situation in Burma, with not much chance of settling it, if oil and gas are behind the violence. It breaks your heart to hear about it and one feels so helpless. Take care Nick, Kind regards, Merle.
ReplyDeleteHorror.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, when I lived in Asheville, NC, I passed the window of a fancy import store that stocked artifacts from India, Tibet and Nepal that featured this buddha. The statue was HUGE and at the base was a simple sign: Grief. I remember the sense of being frozen in place and staring at that buddha for what must have been a very long time. I can still see it in my mind's eye. "Perfect," is what I thought and felt, "absolutely perfect."
(exhale)
Letting go.
What a bitch at times.
There are no words for the pain I feel about the slaughter of monks carrying signs about peace. They are braver and stronger souls than I am. Their conviction and willingness to stand transcends inspiration. It is most humbling.
Thank you for posting this piece.
--
We all need to pray for a better world...
ReplyDeletethank you
ReplyDeleteMay all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending
one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.
I come away from this post enlightened concerning the weeping buddha, as my posts this morning focused on pain and and our response to it . . .
ReplyDeleteI also come away saddened. The spiritual, non-violent approach to tyranny is a tough row to hoe . . .
TOP PORTUGUESE UNIVERSAL WRITER: CRISTOVAO DE AGUIAR.
ReplyDeleteHe has, also, translated into Portuguese the Wealth of Mations by Adam Smith.
He has been awarded several prizes.
Don't forget the name of this great author, you'll be hearing of him soon.
Free Burma!
ReplyDeleteInternational Bloggers' Day for Burma on the 4th of October
International bloggers are preparing an action to support the peaceful revolution in Burma. We want to set a sign for freedom and show our sympathy for these people who are fighting their cruel regime without weapons. These Bloggers are planning to refrain from posting to their blogs on October 4 and just put up one Banner then, underlined with the words „Free Burma!“.
www.free-burma.org
A very dear friend of mine is from Burma although she lives in England now...thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteI was appalled at the brutality and murderous rage vented on the Buddhist monks. Typical ungodly bully boy tactics...I hope peace and justice prevail.
This is excellent. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are a blessing.
ReplyDelete