Myanmar Jails Three over Insult to Buddha

Maybe your version of Buddhism doesn't have a faith component, but for the vast majority of Buddhist it does.

 

How so? I think there is some faith in that I feel the Buddha shows the way but I find his teachings true through my own experience and practice, not by mere faith or belief.

 

Do you aspire to have a similar body shape as Buddha?

 

We're more concerned with the shape of our minds actually but the Happy Buddha doesn't represent the Buddha. No charge for that tidbit.

 

I always thought Buddhists were quite friendly and peaceful. I have met the Dalai Lama and he certainly seemed like a friendly old fellow.

You, on the other hand, seem very angry and aggressive. At least when it comes to the topic of Israel.

 

Buddhism is not equal to the teachings of Buddha - and there in lies the problem.

 

You're an expert on inserting Israel into any conversation.

Where did you meet the Dalai Lama? I got to see him speak at Rice University many years ago. It was very humbling to be in his presence.

 

It's the practice and exploration of his teachings. I don't see how faith applies.

 

It was while I was studying in Houston, 20 years ago. He shook my hand. Was a very nice guy. Some of the people waiting out there with me seemed a bit weird to me.

I do remember, though, that I told my host family (who were always friendly to me, but very, very conservative Southern Baptists; in fact, the head of the family was the guy behind the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist convention) that I was going to go see the Dalai Lama (who was there with Richard Gere, I think it was actually at TSU at the time). I didn't look at it as a religious thing, I was just curious. But they were very upset with me...thought of him as a sinner, non-believer, whatever.

 

That's a shame. I've always found him to be very complimentary of Jesus and his teachings.

 

Christianity with Jesus? Okay, I could buy that....

Islam with Muhammad? No, not buying that......

 

So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking.

So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-galunga.

So we finish the 18th and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.