DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

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-   -   Teaching of equality (http://www.discussworldissues.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143870)

CaseyFronczek 09-22-2012 05:15 AM

Quote:

In our thai culture, "metta" is our highest value and ideal. I believe that it is higher than the questionable values of equality. "Metta" in Thai culture is not "taught" in schools. It is taught in life, through actions of those around us. We grow up encultured in metta and that is how we learn our values.

The cosmology of the Thai people is different from the West. We exist in a world where there is no clear distinction between the world of the seen(material) and the unseen(spirit). For that worldview, we are often mistaken for being superstitious. This world of interdependence which the Thai soul has nurtured through thousands of years sees power as symbolized in the concepts of "pradej" and "prakun". I apologize for not translating these two concepts and the word metta because the English concept of two opposing negative and positive forces is, quite frankly, a limiting term. "Pradej", while it can be enforcing, all powerful, putting fear in people, has both negative and positive qualities. "Prakun", our ultimate governing power is most beneficial yet has its own limiting aspects. Most of us want to cultivate "prakun", but many also choose to cultivat "pradej". "Pradej" is cultivated basically through metta, and other related values. Many also balance the two.
How do you write the words metta, pradej and prakun in Thai? Does this come from Buddhism? Where can I read more about the meaning of these words?

Knillagrarp 09-22-2012 05:43 AM

Quote:

Quote[/b] ]Who said that it was a crime to be poor in the USA?
Try not having money in the United States and just see if you do not end up in jail. You will be hasseled by the police constantly. "You cannot stand here," "you cannot sleep here," "you cannot go to the bathroom here," etc. I said it is a crime to be poor in America.

Quote:

Quote[/b] ]Equality and accepting people for who they are is the key to happiness.
Equality is a myth. Individuals differ on any number of dimensions. Accepting people for who they are is about valuing the differences, not ignoring them.


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