Ladies and Gentlemen,

following this online-conference for the past few days was a shocking and a learning experience at the same time.

Recognizing that this virtual congregation includes many of the most educated and advanced Buddhist scholars currently on the globe, I resisted the initial impulse to just simply leave.

Some of the propositions brought forward in this forum have not been just uncritical but also highly unethical both from a Buddhist as from any other ethical and responsible perspective.

Phenomenologically, the very first as well as the very last insights into the nature of this world have always been that its appearance is inherently deceptive.

Practically, attachment or insistence upon any feature thereof is invariably destined to result in failure.

The strategy of implementing 'Human Rights', as pursued worldwide during the past decades, is best paraphrased in George Orwell's fable 'Animal Farm'. No further comment is needed.

From a practical viewpoint, all this does not, or at least should not, affect a monk who has left the intrigues and insanity of politics behind in order to pursue his path to spiritual liberation.

But how does a Lay-Buddhist survive in such an environment? And what would constitute a helpful advice based on Buddhist principles?

First and foremost, I would proclaim that the basic effort of a Buddhist should be to recognize worldly phenomena as such and as they are.

That alone should suffice to preclude any temptations in actually taking part in the meddling and hustling in affairs pertaining to global political schemes.

Secondly, the study of double-speak and deceptive strategies to mind-control major parts of the world's population is serving as an ideal template for one's own effort for spiritual development.

After all, the basic patterns are similar for both deception and self-deception.

Thirdly, a compassionate look at the intermediate _results_ of the efforts of the global so-called Human Rights movement suits extra- ordinary well as a means to propel even the most ardent follower of worldly delights into a deep shock, which - it is hoped - will bring about a wake-up-call rather than a trauma.

It is granted that most persons who jump on this bandwagon promising a social paradise on Earth are well-meaning beings who wish well.

This circumstance does not completely relieve those involved from the responsibility and accountability of their actions.

For a cat aspirin is a deadly poison, and giving it to a sick cat as a medicine, will kill the cat, regardless of the beliefs and attitudes of the one who wished to help.

Therefore, as for the potential final results of the underlying vector of the activities in this imposed movement, rather than to point again to one of Orwell's books, I would like to remind all of you who did not leave the audience yet of the working of the so-called 'Frog Farm Strategy'.

A frog farmer boils frogs alive for various reasons. But if he would throw a frog into water that is already boiling, the frog might just jump out again. Therefore, he fills a kettle with cold water, throws in the frogs, and then starts slowly heating up the water, little by little, in very small increments.

Before the frogs realize that they are in a deadly trap, they are already immobilized. Finally, they are boiled alive.

The reason this strategy is so dangerous is because it is barely recognizable in its innocent inception. However, the results are undoubtedly cruel and deadly.

The 'Frog Farm Strategy' is applied everyday, on frog farms and in global politics alike, everyday, as we speak.

Please, dear fellows on the path to spiritual enlightenment, do not be part of it !


Joachim






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** Joachim H. Steingrubner, PhD TransMillennium, Inc. **
** E-mail: jhs@newciv.org CompuServe: 71762,1757 **
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