Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

God Is Not A Christian: Desmond Tutu And The Dalai Lama's Extraordinary Talk On God And Religion

Posted: 07 Jan 2013 10:20 AM PST

(Huffington Post) - "I've frequently said I'm glad I'm not God," Tutu continued. "But I'm also glad God is God. He can watch us speak, spread hatred, in his name. Apartheid was for a long time justified by the church. We do the same when we say all those awful things we say about gays and lesbians. We speak on behalf of a God of love.

Adapted from THE WISDOM OF COMPASSION: Stories of Remarkable Encounters and Timeless Insights by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Victor Chan by arrangement with Riverhead Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., Copyright © 2012 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Victor Chan

The Dalai Lama, wearing an orange visor, was on stage sitting next to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who had just flown in from South Africa. The Dalai Lama sat in his usual lotus position on a leather armchair that was a size too small for his folded legs. His knees stuck out a smidgen beyond the armrests.

"My main concern," he said to Tutu, "what's the best way to talk about deeper human values like love, compassion, forgiveness, these things. Not relying on God, but relying on ourselves."

Tutu was hunched forward in his chair; he was carefully examining his hands, which were resting on his lap. He was dressed in a dark suit and a striking purple shirt with a decidedly magenta hue. A large metal cross hung below the clerical collar.

The Dalai Lama said, "I myself, I'm believer, I'm Buddhist monk. So for my own improvement, I utilize as much as I can Buddhist approach. But I never touch this when I talk with others. Buddhism is my business. Not business of other people. Frankly speaking"—he stole a glance at the archbishop and declared firmly—"when you and our brothers and sisters talk about God, creator, I'm nonbeliever." He laughed, perhaps a little self-consciously.

It seemed to me that the Dalai Lama's feelings about God have changed over the years. In an early interview, when I asked him if he thought there was a God, he answered simply, "I don't know." He took the view of an agnostic: he understood that it's not possible to know one way or another whether God exists.

"In Buddhism no creator," the Dalai Lama said at the Chan Centre. "But we also accept Buddha, bodhisattvas, these higher beings. However, if we only rely on these higher beings, we would just sit there, lazy." He leaned into his chair, threw his head back, and rolled his eyes heavenward.

"Won't help, won't help. So that's my view," the Dalai Lama concluded.

Tutu crossed his arms in front of his chest. He looked pensive, deep in thought. Then a smile creased his face.
He said, "I was thinking when you were talking about God or no God, who you blame?" Tutu lifted both his legs from the floor and rocked back and forth in his chair. He was gripped in a fit of uncontrollable mirth. Perhaps it was an inside joke. If so, I didn't get it. Perhaps he meant that if there is no God, then there is no one to blame but ourselves?

Tutu stared at the Dalai Lama as his trademark giggle filled the hall. The Dalai Lama then bowed deeply in homage, his head nearly level with his folded knees. He whipped off his visor and saluted his South African friend with an exaggerated flourish. Both men seemed to derive an enormous kick out of Tutu's cryptic question.

Tutu said nothing more for the longest time. He was gathering his thoughts, preparing to expound further on the subject.

Although diminutive, all of five feet and four inches, his is an imposing figure. His facial features are broad and remarkably plastic.

Before Tutu could resume, the Dalai Lama pleaded, "I think . . . maybe I interfere. May I respond, just a little, just a little?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Tutu screeched in a loud, high-pitched voice that took the audience by surprise. He turned completely sideways and trained his eyes on the Dalai Lama, his face one of pure animation. The two elderly spiritual leaders, for one short, unforgettable moment, became kids again, horsing around and thoroughly enjoying each other's company. At one gathering in Oslo, after a particularly rambunctious episode, Tutu admonished the Dalai Lama in mock seriousness, "Look here—the cameras are on you, stop behaving like a naughty schoolboy. Try to behave like a holy man."

The audience at the sold-out Chan Centre was delighted with the bantering. It was heartening to see that these two global icons did not take themselves too seriously. That they could, without being the least bit self-conscious, display such childlike playfulness. The Dalai Lama was carried along by the archbishop's animal vitality, his irreverence, his lighthearted theatrics.

He was so in synch with the African that he did something I have seldom seen him do before. He interrupted Tutu, with no regard for niceties or etiquette, in mid-thought.

But now that Tutu had given him permission to interrupt, the Dalai Lama turned serious. He said to the archbishop, "The problem is, if we involve religious faith, then there are many varieties and fundamental differences of views. So very complicated.

"That's why in India"—he pointed a finger at Tutu for emphasis—"when they drafted the constitution they deliberately used secular approach. Too many religions there"—he counted them out one by one with his fingers—"Hindu, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism. So many. And there are godly religions and there are godless religions. Who decides who is right?"

Opposition capers in Sabah

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 04:20 PM PST

The chances for PR to win and deny BN's two-thirds majority in Sabah are high if it allows state-based opposition parties to contest one-to-one against the ruling party in all the 60 state constituencies.

Arnold Puyok, The Malaysian Insider

Sabah politics has never failed to generate the interest of political pundits. Not only does Sabah have a lot of political mavericks known for their political stunts, Sabah politics is also as unpredictable as the weather. The withdrawal of two former BN strongmen, Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukin, to align with PR has heightened the race to win public office in Sabah. BN is banking on its track record while PR is riding on the promise to form a transparent, democratic and people-friendly government.

The state-based opposition parties SAPP and STAR are also promising a better and more reliable government. But different from PR, they rely heavily on the "Borneo Agenda" to rally support. The PR-friendly groups such as APS (Angkatan Perubahan Sabah) led by Wilfred is tasked to go into the Kadazandusun areas to weaken STAR while Lajim's PPPS (Pakatan Perubahan Sabah) is responsible for consolidating the Muslim support in PR.

All the state-based opposition parties resort to sloganeering to woo new supporters. The very mention of "inikalilah" (this is the time) reminds one of STAR with its no-holds-barred approach in championing Sabah's rights and autonomy. APS's campaign motto is "ubah" (change), almost similar to PPPS's "tukar". Can PR and state-based opposition parties provide a strong challenge to BN that has more than 50 years of experience in electoral politics?

In the effort the deny BN any chance of winning, PR is determined to have a one-to-one fight with the ruling party. However, such a plan seems remote judging from the way PR deals with the issue of seat allocation. The chances for PR to win and deny BN's two-thirds majority in Sabah are high if it allows state-based opposition parties to contest one-to-one against the ruling party in all the 60 state constituencies.

As PR's main aim is to win Putrajaya, it will have to win a certain number of parliamentary seats in Sabah even though the task of winning has become difficult than ever. The SAPP's strongholds are mainly in Chinese-majority areas. The state-based opposition party to watch is STAR, whose support is growing particularly in the Kadazandusun areas even though there has been rumour that the party has lost support following the allegation that it is funded by UMNO to split the support for PR.

STAR's "Borneo Tea Parties" seem to bear fruits at least among young professionals, especially teachers. If STAR's facebook account is used to measure the party's popularity, the Sarawak-based party should be commended for its ability in attracting new members in such a short time.

SAPP had said that it managed to strike a deal with STAR. But Jeffrey Kitingan's statement in the media that he is determined to "do it alone" squashed SAPP's attempt at finding an amicable solution to end the squabble over seat allocation. It is possible for all the state opposition-based parties to contest against each other and thus give BN the advantage to return to power.

READ MORE HERE

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Khamis, 10 Januari 2013

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

0 ulasan:

Catat Ulasan