As a Buddhist -
<snip>
So saying karma = antisemitism by definition is a logical fallacy. You're making that mistake because you're mapping the western concepts of fate and predetermination onto the eastern concept of karma. There's actually no direct connection between those concepts. Karma is just one of things that affects your current existence. It's not the all-powerful controlling force as westerns often see it.
My teacher has a nice way of talking about karma. He says: "You sit in the shade of your own tree. Karma is the seed that grew the tree. Grow a good tree and you'll have shade to rest in each day. Grow a poor tree and you'll just sit in the sun."
Cheers,
Mazo.
Originally Posted by Mazomaniac
As a very poor Buddhist, we have a really hard time getting past the not killing part, that was a beautifully eloquent post Mazo. I've heard a slightly different version of the karma tree from one of my teachers, it has always been my favorite. While trying to stay away from jealousy lately it is really hard not to wish that I could have written something that good.
Would only add this minor pebble, it seems to me that NS is thincking of karma as a group thing when applying it to anti-semitism. It is a personal journey, that you quite correctly applied that way. Good or positive acts do not ensure an easy path, just one that the traveler might be more able to endure. For some Starbucks being out of coffee is the end of the world as we know it, for others it's funny. While I hate going Mother Theresa this early in any discussion, the conditions that she was able to flourish in astound me. That was her nature and while she may have had doubts at times. She was able to do what she needed to do even carrying those doubts with her. I believe the highest form of human achievement is grace under pressure, she was grace.
I hate off limits topics, even though we can completely understand why they are needed for any healthy group dynamic. What I've always loved about this forum is the level at which people here can disagree with out it becoming a personal blood feud.