I was reading how a Buddhist learns to hate the opinions of someone without hating the individual who holds those opinions.
How is this possible?
Aren't a person's opinions and beliefs the very thing that makes them what they are?
If a neo-nazi belives that someone should die simply because of the colour of his skin or his religion how does anyone ever reach a point of being able to see beyond the bigotry and hatred?
2007-10-02 08:47:54 · 12 answers · asked by Noodle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So you are telling me you would watch as people dragged your friends away to the gas chambers and still "love" them?
I don't believe it.
2007-10-02 08:54:12 · update #1
Yes, well it is all very noble and good but do you honestly mean to say that you would stand and watch your family being slaughtered as in, say, Rawanda and still look at the killer with nothing but love in your heart?
And how exactly does love conquer hate? It sounds like a glib platitude to me.
2007-10-02 09:22:44 · update #2
Hi CTBNP :-)
I think the answer to this is respect.
When someone doles you out faeces or blows, and you can calmly & composedly take it like a man, you win their respect.
You flabbergast them. Catch them unawares. Confound, confuse them... :-)
It's for this reason, the Buddha's said:
"Hatred is never appeased by hatred. Only by loving kindness is it appeased. This is (an) Eternal Law".
(Dhammapada verse 5).
It takes a bigger person to give the gift of fearlessness & safety. He protects both himself, and the welfare of the other.
These are some of the principles & spirit of the Dharma.
i. c.
2007-10-02 15:37:34 · answer #1 · answered by goodfella 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is compassion and understanding.
While it is hard not to have bad feelings toward people who do very ugly things, we understand that it is fear, ignorance and faulty perception that makes them behave that way. We send them compassion (not too much different from a Christian sending a prayer)
The idea that ones actions is who they are is a faulty perception. Once we let go of fear and ego we can become who we really are, which is pure consciousness.
An enlightened person does not play "us" against "them". They understand we are all one no matter what the appearances.
2007-10-02 15:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by magicalpossibilities 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let me explain it this way. I grew up with this girl, Vickie, and she's like a sister to me. I love discussing everyday stuff with her but I hate her claiming she's a Protestant while her husband is Catholic. It works out OK (for now) b/c she just doesn't like to think about much...any subject. She has the intelligence (she's got a major in biochemistry research) but doesn't apply any effort.
So, I hate that about her but I'm also aware that she has other opinions I do like...agree with.
2007-10-02 15:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. opinions, beliefs, thoughts, etc are not what make a person. That are the masks and the conditions...nothing more.
We are all the same...at the core.
Actually, I don't even see the point of hating the opinions...it is just the conditioning and masks based upon current understanding.
Why hate at all?
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-10-02 15:56:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think it boils down to understanding
empathy
being in their shoes
so although you may not agree or even hate ( although a strong word ) what they say or do ...
if you try to understand why they say or do things , you can understand why they feel they must
I can understand Hitler and why he was doing what he was doing .... doesnt mean I agree with it
but I can understand his thinking and why he done what he done
although having never met Hitler , I am unable to say if I could apply this
but I can and have applied it on a smaller scale
edit
for example
I am a medium ... according to Christianity I am an abomination , evil etc
I dont hate the Christians who say this .... it is what they believe , what they have been taught
2007-10-02 15:57:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
You have to realize that hate and anger are useless emotions. They don't help you, they only hurt you. I'm only beginning to study Buddhism, so I haven't gotten this down yet, but it has to do with understanding what makes a person hateful.
2007-10-02 15:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
what book is that in? buddhists learn to hate? i'm a buddhist and i have never been taught to hate, i have learnt to accept someones opinion if it is different to mine and cherish them as though they were a loved one, i don't hate anyone and neither do i hate someones ideas or anything else.
buddhism emphasises love (metta) and equinimity, not hate.
as it says in the dhammapada hate does not conquere hate only love can conquer hate
2007-10-02 16:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by manapaformetta 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because hating somebody is pointless, it does you more harm than it does them. Of course it is difficult, this is why Buddhist monks spend so many years developing themselves.
2007-10-02 15:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism can not be taught with words, only the way to Buddhism can be taught. Tell me, who is born and who dies?
2007-10-02 22:41:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A person can change their mind, the old beliefs are gone. Are they still the same person?
2007-10-02 15:58:19 · answer #10 · answered by l m 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋