Letters on Freemasonry
by John Quincy Adams

This unusual book first published in 1833, is finally back in print. Until now, it was virtually impossible for the general public to obtain a copy. It is highly recommended to historians and ordinary citizens alike. Men who are members of the Lodge, even if they disagree, will find in this volume insightful and astute observations on their society.

The Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra: With "Verses Without a Stand" and Prose Commentary
by Hsuan Hua
When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing the profound prajna paramita, he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty.


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Bush's Folly

by Marij

One of R's sons is now in Thailand and describes his vocation as

"working to assist Tibetan refugees in developing an economy which can sustain them independently while preserving their Buddhist values and their own culture. In short, to involve Tibetan youth in constructive "civic" programs so they don't vent their frustrations through violence and to give support to the Tibetan government-in-exile's effort to establish a democratic and autonomous Tibet through nonviolent means.

We [The Paramita Group] plan to organize training workshops in various Tibetan settlements to promote the principles of nonviolent democracy and freedom, and to train Tibetan youth to be development workers within what we hope will soon be an autonomous zone within China where Tibetans can practice their religion freely and make their own decisions".

His group, The Paramita Group is working to assist the Central Tibetan Authority so they can help refugees in developing culture-appropriate business that adhere to their philosophy. In other words, it is a "sufficiency economy", not a "let me get all I can at any cost" economy. The Central Tibetan Authority is selected by the democratically elected Kashag [the advisory board of the Tibetan government-in-exile], whose members are in turn directly elected by the people.

Since coming into exile, the Central Tibetan Administration has set up a rehabilitation program which brings Tibetan refugees into community groups large enough to allow them to sustain their language, culture and traditions and thus preserve their national identity.

One of our kids now in Thailand trying to set up some training programs for training of Buddhist Monks in the idea of Sufficiency Economics. He has met with the Tibetan government-in-exile and he has a good idea of the effects of our foreign policy on other populations. I am quoting now from a recent email we got from him.

* "I don't know what you thought about Bush's inaugural address.

Although I was pleased to hear his comments on the importance of freedom etc. I am weary of his means and his lack of consistency in the endeavor. For example, the Tibetans have struggled nonviolently for 50 years for democracy, freedom, and liberty. The Bush administration has done nothing to support them apart from write a few letters. I read that 3 out of 5 "unfree" people in the world live in China. But what effort has the Bush administration made to put pressure on the PRC? Rather we have embraced the world's greatest violator (in terms of numbers) of human liberties. I know the argument can be made that "different folks, require different strokes" but does china really deserve to be the "most favored trading partner" of the United States???

I am afraid this inaugural address could signal the beginning of an inconsistent and unclear "roundup." Not of dictators and tyrants, but of people opposed to US policies. In the last year we have ousted or attempted to oust democratically elected leaders in countries opposed to US policy (Chavez in Venezuela and Aristide in Haiti), while at the same time embracing dictators who support US policies (Musharaff in Pakistan who took power through a coup but was nevertheless the largest recipient of US funds last year). This simply looks like we are shuffling the deck in our favor, rather than basing our actions on democracy building etc.

I ask, WHERE ARE WE GOING AMERICA???

I just stumbled on this speech by John Quincy Adams who may have anticipated this moment in American history....

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force.... She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit....

[America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind."

I wish that Mr. Bush had a firm grip on this wonderful concept that our forefathers saw so clearly. This administration prides itself on their emphasis of Christian Values. As a matter of fact, their behavior does not stack up against the imperatives of those teachings. When Christ came to earth and left his perfect plan for us, he forever changed the dynamic of "an eye for an eye." His was the gospel of going an extra mile, giving our coat away if someone needs it, visiting the prisoner, loving the unlovely as in the Good Samaritan story, do good to those who spitefully use us.

When he backs up his claim of Evangelical zeal with deeds that reflect these teaching, then and only then will I believe his commitment to Christian Values..

Mari2J

*comments by one of our kids in Thailand now.


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