Re: compassion & the uncompassionate
>Yes, it is dangerous -- and non-compassionate people keep attempting to do it over and over. How is one to point out a problem without acknowledging the nature of the problem? These rulers are going to keep trying to bring about a complete identification, and they are going to keep failing.
>My question is: How do you advocate the end of abuse to people who are not compassionate? Arguing compassion is fruitless, and a waste of time. It seems to me that the tool available to a Buddhist is causation -- and the realization that effects create their causes. Is the Buddhist going to convince the non-compassionate that effects create their causes? Not likely. Instead, point out individual loops within the web. Map "human rights" into small sections of dependent coarising.
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>Sphere.
I agree fully (see my paper). Compassion is //my// motivation. For unjust rulers, corportations etc. I'll argue about results (if compassion doesn't work -- we might give them a chance at it). Even to the point of organizing boycotts, non-violent blockades, mobilizing public opinion to embarass etc. B'ism allows a wide range of activity.
-- Santipala
At 05:02 PM 10/8/95 -0600, Stephen Evans wrote:
[me]
>>My question is: How do you advocate the end of abuse to people who are not compassionate? Arguing compassion is fruitless, and a waste of time. It seems to me that the tool available to a Buddhist is causation -- and the realization that effects create their causes. Is the Buddhist going to convince the non-compassionate that effects create their causes? Not likely. Instead, point out individual loops within the web. Map "human rights" into small sections of dependent coarising.
>>-----
>>Sphere.
>I agree fully (see my paper). Compassion is //my// motivation. For unjust rulers, corportations etc. I'll argue about results (if compassion doesn't work -- we might give them a chance at it). Even to the point of organizing boycotts, non-violent blockades, mobilizing public opinion to embarass etc. B'ism allows a wide range of activity.
>-- Santipala
To argue compassion doesn't work at all. To instill compassion works totally. If you find a hook whereby to instill compassion then by all means use it -- otherwise don't bother. Attempting to use the lever of compassion where there is no compassion to leverage simply puts up a wall which you will then have to do exra work removing. With the non-compassionate you will at least gain more respect by moving forward immediately with your most effective available means, and you may even find the opportunity to wear off a bit more of the rock of ignorance in the process.
I'm fond of embarassment myself. I particularly like being able to embarass with the unintended side effects of their own actions. This strikes both at their actions and at the web of ignorance. Well placed embasassment can sometimes even avoid activating the us-them reaction.
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Sphere.