Tibetan monks

[Severina]

What purpose do these monks serve other than their own self -enlightenment? l may be wrong but from what l have found is all they do to survive is beg? They don't produce anything to sell etc to make themselves self-sufficient.

The recent demonstrations by monks seems at odds with their own doctrine which includes forgiveness and understanding of everyone.

They also believe that the Dalai Lama is a 'reincarnated', so when one dies they go out into the land to find another one. This is ofcourse a child who is then taken away and indoctrined into believing they are the Dalai Lama.

Even the Dalai Lama and his government in exile is funded by other nations.

lt looks like an idylic existance that depends on others to maintain it and gives very little back ... if anything.

[KommieKat]

What purpose do these monks serve other than their own self -enlightenment? l may be wrong but from what l have found is all they do to survive is beg? They don't produce anything to sell etc to make themselves self-sufficient..

I find it interesting that you cover your own ignorance of topic matter with sarcasm.

Buddhist provide many services for their local community.
They perform marriage ceremonies, wakes and funerals.
They also provide education for the local children and some of your first schools in Asian history were started at temples.

I once stayed at a Zen Buddhist monastary for a week.
One day we were told to go out and perform Takahatsu which means to go out and beg. Here I was, a suburban raised kid out begging for money.
It was one of the most humiliating experiences, but after an hour, I began to feel comfortable and found it humbling.

This is what I learned from it: Giving and recieving is a cycle. Some people, such as myself have had a hard time recieiving, even b-day presents.
Now I accept it as the WAY or Taoist cycle.
Do you not feel good in giving? If there was no there to recieve, than I can you get the satisfaction of giving? Why should it be any different with begging? These are were not poor uneducated souls.
Each time a person gave me money, I saw the happiness on their faces.
After that, we went to the supermarket to purchase our food and the local hot spring to bath.

The recent demonstrations by monks seems at odds with their own doctrine which includes forgiveness and understanding of everyone..

This is a shocker indeed. I do not know what news you are getting, but here, it has been found that Chinese police and instigators were dressed as monks, causing trouble.
Every person should have the right to protect themselves.
Some of todays Martial Arts stemmed from buddhist temples. Ever heard of Shaolin-ji?
Monks have always been the victoms of Warlords and politics, so they learned to protect themselves. Would you not do the same if you were attacked?

They also believe that the Dalai Lama is a 'reincarnated', so when one dies they go out into the land to find another one. This is ofcourse a child who is then taken away and indoctrined into believing they are the Dalai Lama.

Even the Dalai Lama and his government in exile is funded by other nations.

lt looks like an idylic existance that depends on others to maintain it and gives very little back ... if anything.

Can you prove that he is not the reincarnated any more than I can prove his is? No.

You of all people should understand what a communist take over is about.
These people had their country over-run by the communist.
All political and religious activist are either murdered, jailed or exhiled.
These people lost their country 50 years ago and have bottled up their anger.
Their spiritual political leader was forced into exhile.
Surely you can fathom this.

[Shade]

What purpose do these monks serve other than their own self -enlightenment? l may be wrong but from what l have found is all they do to survive is beg? They don't produce anything to sell etc to make themselves self-sufficient.

Yea those damn monk's always begging for money for their religion!!!! I always think of that when the catholic church passes around the collection plate to gather enough money to increase its current land holdings in mongolia. Atleast the catholic church markets and sells their religion. unlike those god damn monks, who give it away for free. What bastards! BASTARDS I TELL YOU!!!!

[KommieKat]

Do you not feel good in giving? If there is none on the recieving end, how do you get the satisfaction of giving?

Monks have always been the victims of Warlords and politics,

Can you prove that he is not reincarnated any more than I can prove he is? No.

Corrections