As a response, I post this of the The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Buddhist Order of Interbeing founded by the Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. The Mindfulness Trainings are also known as Political Precepts.
The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, I am determined to cultivate non-violence, understanding and compassion in my daily life, to promote peace education, mindful mediation and reconciliation, within families, communities, nations and in the world. I am determined not to kill and not to let others kill. I will diligently practice deep looking with my Sangha [religious community] to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
This training or precept is not just for members of the Order of Interbeing but for every one of us who desires a more preaceful world and can enable us to say, "Never Again!"
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*See the CODEPINK articles, The U.S. War and Occupation of Iraq: What We Know, What We Don't Know and From 'Liberation' to Occupation: 10 Reasons Iraq Was No Cakewalk.
Anne--
ReplyDeleteWhile the circumstances are different, the war on Libya is another step away from peace. You might want to change your lead quote from Obama. He's as big a hawk and shill for the military-industrial complex as any other. A fraud! Where is the No Fly zone in Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Bahrain, Pakistan and on and on?
Where is the call for UN action to enforce the MANY resolutions calling on Israel to stop its theft and occupation of Palestinian land and peoples??
Hypocrite-owned-by-the-special-interest-Obama. No real financial reform, caving to the right wing on everything, fake health care reform that is a tiny step (maybe) in the right direction. He's got a little better veneer perhaps, but underneath not what will break America from the grip of the oligarchs.
Thanks, Richard. I rather agree with with you about Obama. I guess I keep that quote there to hold him to his words. It does not seem to be working, but I do like the words.
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