President of the Buddhist Lodge political bias
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Two local Chinese evening tabloids (Xin Min and Lianhe Wanbao) both reported last night the President of the Singapore Buddhist Lodge , Mr. Li Mu Yuan took a swipe at Mr. Low Thia Khiang, the leader of the Workers Party, candidate for Aljunied GRC. Mr. Li openly criticised Low Thia khiang in relation to his decision and motive to contest in Aljunied GRC. He also openly praised BG George Yeo for his contribution to the religious community here. Mr. Li has the right to express his opinion in his personal capacity, but the newspapers both reported him as 'President of the Buddhist Lodge'. This partisan political stand by a religious leader is NOT good for the Buddhist community. What will happen if the leaders of other religious groups were to do likewise expressing their partisan political views openly? This will drag religion into politics.
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Will give and unfair advantage / disadvantage :(
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I saw in newspaper also. I think he should not make any comments due to his position as a political leader.
He can have the ability to swing votes to PAP.
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Taiwan many famous fashi.
Imagine this, a Fashi endorse a candidate on the eve of president elections in Taiwan saying he is honest and capable.
He can have some effect on the electorate.
Reliigous leaders should refrain from doing this during elections.
Taiwan elections results can be very closed.
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anyway i dun support Buddhist lodge one .true Buddhist take a non-partisan stand
if Buddha is doing such thing supporting Magadha kingdom or other kindgom ,Buddhism will have disintegrate and never stand till now
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Today is the first time I voted. I have a nice experience. Thumbs up the voting is fast 5 mins n I am out of polling station.
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Any Mr Li Wu yuan only the Head of Singapore Buddhist Lodge and only the responsible person for only 10% Buddhist Community in Singapore .The way he say disappointed the whole Buddhist Community consist of Tibetan Buddhism practitioner ,Mahayana and Theravada Followers .He should retire soon and let Singapore Buddhist Lodge have an early election!!!!!!
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Originally posted by bohiruci:
Any Mr Li Wu yuan only the Head of Singapore Buddhist Lodge and only the responsible person for only 10% Buddhist Community in Singapore .The way he say disappointed the whole Buddhist Community consist of Tibetan Buddhism practitioner ,Mahayana and Theravada Followers .He should retire soon and let Singapore Buddhist Lodge have an early election!!!!!!
Wow u are a rational buddhist.
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Originally posted by bohiruci:
Any Mr Li Wu yuan only the Head of Singapore Buddhist Lodge and only the responsible person for only 10% Buddhist Community in Singapore .The way he say disappointed the whole Buddhist Community consist of Tibetan Buddhism practitioner ,Mahayana and Theravada Followers .He should retire soon and let Singapore Buddhist Lodge have an early election!!!!!!
k. This somehow has made me decided not to go S Buddhist Lodge register for chaodu. Still have other temples to go to. -
separation of state and religion is very important
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Originally posted by laurence82:
separation of state and religion is very important
Yes. If not singapore have christian party, muslim party,hindu party ... ... Singapore become next vatican.
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I believe all Buddhists are mature enough to decide for ourselves who to vote and not listen to just what someone has said. If Buddhists can understand Buddha's profound teachings , I believe we can think better than anybody else rather than listening to one's opinion even though that someone is from the same religion. We judge for ourselves what Li Mu Yuan said was true or false.
I feel that what he said had no impact at all. It is just like anyone who are free to voice their opinion.
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Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:
I believe all Buddhists are mature enough to decide for ourselves who to vote and not listen to just what someone has said. If Buddhists can understand Buddha's profound teachings , I believe we can think better than anybody else rather than listening to one's opinion even though that someone is from the same religion. We judge for ourselves what Li Mu Yuan said was true or false.
I feel that what he said had no impact at all. It is just like anyone who are free to voice their opinion.
Agree about this for Buddhists who are younger in age.
However the older set of people - let's just arbitrarily say those from 50 years old onwards - tend to be trusting of anything that appears in newspapers or which comes from the mouth of "authorities". Hence, to specifically name politicians and give specific opinions about them would actually interfere with the democratic process. On the eve of the elections, publishing something like that will have certain impact. How huge the impact, I don't know.
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By the spirit of kalama sutta, I trust Buddhists would exercise their own discernment, analysis and considerations rather than blindly following the words of others, even presidents of buddhist associations, even if he is a teacher, leader, or the Buddha himself.
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No, Buddha is an Best example of Neutrality to Politics
When the minister of a certain kingdom ask Buddha when is the best time to attack another kingdom to expand and that other kingdom has weak in their defences ,Buddha point out the virtues of Ruling a country with Virtues .In fact i Beseech all leader of nation to read the advice given by Buddha
It is in the Sutra of Benevolent King Protection of Nation Prajna Paramita Sutra
Ren Wang Hu Guo Bo Re Bo Ruo Mi Jing
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I think it is rather easy to say people are matured enough and will not blindly follow what other have to say. The hard true is, not all are that mature or are that well informed or are able to analyze and come up with well informed decision. It is precisely these group of people and those who are undecided or who have certain inclination that the message are targeted at, to make them come up with a decision the way he wants these people to take. Well, this Mr. Li may think of himself as some well respect Buddhist, and that his words would carry some weight to influence fellow Buddhists in their voting decision. By the way, this is the first time I have heard of him anyway.
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The result shows that what Li Mu Yuan said had little or no impact. It is better that someone advised him not to get involved in politics as it will put Buddhism in bad light. Religious figures should not get involved in politics.
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i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.
and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.
see:-
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html
ask if u prefer "working" under a Real buddhist (selfless in nature) thinking "boss" or a "new and unfamilar" one, i think most will choose the former and tend to "protect" the current situation that is more "comfortable" to him/her. it's just human nature. actually i dun quite "like" GY, but after some search on him and buddhism, i reduce the "dislike". this is also bias nature again. guess to him a new and unfamilar boss need to show the selfless nature to win more true buddhist support.
read Low Thia Khiang office got ch'an calligraphy saying that no matter what happens in the surroundings, one should not be distracted and stay calm inside. if Li Mu Yuan know he's inspired by ch'an, think he'll also stop criticising. its like that wan. one say won't bias, but somewhere in heart still got bias wan.
http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873
ps: btw i'm thinking this GE really is "heating" up the enviroment with the collective "dislike" energies, literally! :( pls reduce the hatred karma and unite as one people. our goal is pureland type of singapore and true happiness is prority for Singaporean and all earth people.
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.
and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.
see:-
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html
ask if u prefer "working" under a Real buddhist (selfless in nature) thinking "boss" or a "new and unfamilar" one, i think most will choose the former and tend to "protect" the current situation that is more "comfortable" to him/her. it's just human nature. actually i dun quite "like" GY, but after some search on him and buddhism, i reduce the "dislike". this is also bias nature again. guess to him a new and unfamilar boss need to show the selfless nature to win more true buddhist support.
read Low Thia Khiang office got ch'an calligraphy saying that no matter what happens in the surroundings, one should not be distracted and stay calm inside. if Li Mu Yuan know he's inspired by ch'an, think he'll also stop criticising. its like that wan. one say won't bias, but somewhere in heart still got bias wan.
http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873
ps: btw i'm thinking this GE really is "heating" up the enviroment with the collective "dislike" energies, literally! :( pls reduce the hatred karma and unite as one people. our goal is pureland type of singapore and true happiness is prority for Singaporean and all earth people.
Yah. True.
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
i can understand why Buddha rejected war, as it involve killing karma.
and can also understand why Li Mu Yuan or any buddhist is more "bias" to George Yeo.
see:-
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/10/george-yeo-meets-tibets-panchen-lama/
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100915-237333.html
ask if u prefer "working" under a Real buddhist (selfless in nature) thinking "boss" or a "new and unfamilar" one, i think most will choose the former and tend to "protect" the current situation that is more "comfortable" to him/her. it's just human nature. actually i dun quite "like" GY, but after some search on him and buddhism, i reduce the "dislike". this is also bias nature again. guess to him a new and unfamilar boss need to show the selfless nature to win more true buddhist support.
read Low Thia Khiang office got ch'an calligraphy saying that no matter what happens in the surroundings, one should not be distracted and stay calm inside. if Li Mu Yuan know he's inspired by ch'an, think he'll also stop criticising. its like that wan. one say won't bias, but somewhere in heart still got bias wan.
http://www.sengkang.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=418873
ps: btw i'm thinking this GE really is "heating" up the enviroment with the collective "dislike" energies, literally! :( pls reduce the hatred karma and unite as one people. our goal is pureland type of singapore and true happiness is prority for Singaporean and all earth people.
Can always rely on Sinweiy to drag us back to talking about Dharma :)
AMTF /\
That said, I do think that if democratic processes are already in place for citizens to choose one way or the other, then Buddhists still have the responsibility to vote taking into account the good of the larger community. To be apathetic and not take part in the decision-making process, is to also make a decision in favour of not doing what is kind and compassionate.
I do agree with TS and a few others that religion and secular life should preferably be kept separate. Once high profile religious leaders get openly involved in politics, things can get complicated. Paradoxically, religious sentiment can also become a tool to incite people to be immoral.
Thankfully though, Buddhists all over the world have for the most part shown themselves to be peace-loving people. AMTF.
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Originally posted by Almond Cookies:
understand. i feel like wise. cost of living increased is also a global issue due to bad harvest due to abnormal global weather due to human causes. see many counties also not happy, and egypt rioting. traditional companies are also not yet profiting due to recovering from a bad economy. even got bit of profit the employer also feel more careful in giving to employee. scare economy turn bad again. many unknown. nowaday governing not easy.rich and poor gap, i think is due to side effect of capitalism and the school teaching children to make money instead of morality. and root of all is human greed, hatred and folly. what's �德? Dao is know how to swim and De is know how to save others from drowning. only know 知 � or know how to swim, is no use. it's selfish still. like so what if u selfish know to enter nirvana. without bodhicitta, one's 'nirvana' is also temporary.
if opposition were the ruling party for many many years, they will also face other problems. no one is perfect. as world is changing. change is constant. one thing that does not change is we all wish to be happy.
think as a whole picture. and be wise about it.
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
understand. i feel like wise. cost of living increased is also a global issue due to bad harvest due to abnormal global weather due to human causes. see many counties also not happy, and egypt rioting. traditional companies are also not yet profiting due to recovering from a bad economy. even got bit of profit the employer also feel more careful in giving to employee. scare economy turn bad again. many unknown. nowaday governing not easy.rich and poor gap, i think is due to side effect of capitalism and the school teaching children to make money instead of morality. and root of all is human greed, hatred and folly. what's �德? Dao is know how to swim and De is know how to save others from drowning. only know 知 � or know how to swim, is no use. it's selfish still. like so what if u selfish know to enter nirvana. without bodhicitta, one's 'nirvana' is also temporary.
if opposition were the ruling party for many many years, they will also face other problems. no one is perfect. as world is changing. change is constant. one thing that does not change is we all wish to be happy.
think as a whole picture. and be wise about it.
I understand It's not easy to govern a country.
But I do sympathise the ppl around me whose salary never increase.
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This is a buddhsit forum I shall not discuss anything abt poilitics here.
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For a matter of logical fact is that he did not claim that Mr Low cannot hold office, and complimented Mr George Yeo to plant merits mah
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
understand. i feel like wise. cost of living increased is also a global issue due to bad harvest due to abnormal global weather due to human causes. see many counties also not happy, and egypt rioting. traditional companies are also not yet profiting due to recovering from a bad economy. even got bit of profit the employer also feel more careful in giving to employee. scare economy turn bad again. many unknown. nowaday governing not easy.rich and poor gap, i think is due to side effect of capitalism and the school teaching children to make money instead of morality. and root of all is human greed, hatred and folly. what's �德? Dao is know how to swim and De is know how to save others from drowning. only know 知 � or know how to swim, is no use. it's selfish still. like so what if u selfish know to enter nirvana. without bodhicitta, one's 'nirvana' is also temporary.
think as a whole picture. and be wise about it.
truth in wide perspective:-
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA6FSy6EKrM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW_7i6T_H78&feature=relmfu
shake head to human greed, hatred and FOLLY/ignorance.
and it's for the new Generation to change the old profit driven thinking. save our planet bah.