@Spartans: The Buddha does not mention satan because he does not mention God. It would seem you need God in order to have satan.
On evil, the Buddha said
'What is evil? Killing is evil, lying is evil, slandering is evil, abuse is evil, gossip is evil, envy is evil, hatred is evil, to cling to false doctrine is evil; all these things are evil. And what is the root of evil? Desire is the root of evil, illusion is the root of evil.'
Buddhism is a philosophy or as a way of living one's life. Buddha teaches the 'Golden Rule,' Karma (I use the term 'What goes around, comes around') and states what is evil. Not perfect for sure.
@Alien: Now I see how you get the concentration of wealth. You describe Marx's idea where he finds the capitalist as owner at odds with the worker collective resulting in exploitation of workers and this exploitation make the capitalist rich. Given that Marx, and his buddy Friedrich, pretty much defined Capitalism it is so easy to accept Marxism (aren't you glad we don't need to say Engelsism?) as the way it is.
Unfortunately, I consider Socialism and Marxism to be religions. Discussing these related faiths is difficult as the faithful employ language and ideological constructs manufactured to be self serving and dogmatic to say nothing of the fact they don't work. I refer to the DPRK and Cuba. Oh, and of course there is no wealth concentration in China. Right?
@Alien: I completely agree that "the terms 'God', and especially 'exist', are quite vague and need to be specified carefully before any 'proofs' are attempted," which adds to the difficulty in 'proving' anything.
I know very little about Hinduism and was surprised to learn atheism is a significant part of Hinduism.
You could be right about the "totalitarian" aspect as well. There isn't any point in beating that horse as one man's "totalitarian" could be another man's utopia.
It seems disagreements on religion decompose to disagreements on definitions which decompose to which words could be used and defined.
The Buddha said:
'Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.'
@Alien: I completely agree that "the terms 'God', and especially 'exist', are quite vague and need to be specified carefully before any 'proofs' are attempted," which adds to the difficulty in 'proving' anything.
I know very little about Hinduism and was surprised to learn atheism is a significant part of Hinduism.
I read either a book or long article on Forrest and his work in the last year or two which was interesting. As my memory fades I can't locate it. Did find this story on an attempt to locate Forrest's grave.
This is a great book! Josh is a font of knowledge on Xinjiang and this book is useful. I spent a month there a few years back and found it to be one of the more pleasant travel destinations in China.
All but one of my Han Chinese friends warned me not to go to Xinjiang. My girl friend begged me not to go. Xinjiang is dirty and dangerous I was told and far too hot as well. But a Chinese teacher I worked with had spent a few years there told me to go. So I did.
I went in July and the weather was great. A little rain every day kept the temperatures down. Security did not seem to be a problem despite just about every male carrying a knife on his belt.
If I had "Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China" back then I would had a more interesting trip.
I can recommend a recent book on China which has a section on Yunnan. by David Eimer, "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China." Kindle Edition.
Mentions the Kokang. Section on Xinjiang and Uighurs is excellent.
Be aware they will push whatever they are selling. Some of the staff have no idea about the technical side of appliances.
I went there to buy a stove. I repeatedly told them I would be using bottled gas. They sold me a stove. When I went to my local gas guy, I learned there are at least three kinds of gas sold. Luckily, B&Q did not deliver as promised. I went back to the store and discovered they had sold me a stove they needed to be hooked up to the gas main. I got my money back.
The sales lady was almost in tears, 没有问题！I don't know if it a safety or design issue, but I would think B&Q would know and care.
Subway starts at 9am. I have no idea where to catch an airport express bus. Eight taxis refused to go to the airport. After almost an hour standing on Beijing Lu took a black taxi, this dude drives slower than my mother, 120 yuan.
Flight back was delayed so I learned the subway stops running at 6:10pm.
Getting a taxi back was easy, more taxis than customers. Taxi was 87 yuan including 1o yuan toll, airport to Beichen area. Yes, he took a longer route than necessary.
Kunming imagines being a gateway for international travelers. New airport but hard to get to and from it.
Yunnan's Dulong minority, isolated no more
发布者Fascinating look at disappearing culture. A really frank report on the effects of the introduction of modern ideas and methods.
Thanks, good article.
George Forrest: Scotland's Qing-era plant hunter
发布者I read either a book or long article on Forrest and his work in the last year or two which was interesting. As my memory fades I can't locate it. Did find this story on an attempt to locate Forrest's grave.
www.rhododendron.org/v53n1p8.htm
Book Review: Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China
发布者This is a great book! Josh is a font of knowledge on Xinjiang and this book is useful. I spent a month there a few years back and found it to be one of the more pleasant travel destinations in China.
All but one of my Han Chinese friends warned me not to go to Xinjiang. My girl friend begged me not to go. Xinjiang is dirty and dangerous I was told and far too hot as well. But a Chinese teacher I worked with had spent a few years there told me to go. So I did.
I went in July and the weather was great. A little rain every day kept the temperatures down. Security did not seem to be a problem despite just about every male carrying a knife on his belt.
If I had "Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China" back then I would had a more interesting trip.
Climbing Away: Liming
发布者Sounds like a great trip even if you don't climb. Wish I was still healthy.
Go before it gets "developed."
Mike Dobie's blog:
mikedobie.tumblr.com/
Burmese soldiers reportedly killed near Chinese border
发布者I can recommend a recent book on China which has a section on Yunnan. by David Eimer, "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China." Kindle Edition.
Mentions the Kokang. Section on Xinjiang and Uighurs is excellent.