Voice of Cambodian Children (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} khmerchildren) wrote,@ 2008-03-21 18:52:00 |
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Blind compassion is ignorant at its worst
Sidney Liang
www.cambodianvoices.org
03/21/2008
It is often true that we always look to blame other people rather our own selves. It is very rare that we look at our own internal missteps. I have seen many things come across emails, junk mails, snail mails, audio, and even through video. For example, an unnamed organization that always blames the Vietnamese, Thais, and other neighbors for our loss of lands, cultures, tradition, and ways of life. We embrace the foreigners, the neighbors, and the do good people with open arms, open heart without reservation. It is obvious that when you give up something, whether it is land or culture, you’ll never get it back. In 2002, while in Cambodia, I went into this nice restaurant by the Palace. Upon arrival, the people there hardly noticed me walking in. Coincidentally, a bunch of foreigners walked in, you can guess what happened. It was like Hollywood stars were walking into town. It’s not only happened in Cambodia, but in Lowell, Massachusetts as well.
It is easier to blame other folks than taking responsibility for ourselves. In Long Beach, we blame the Cambodian officials from Cambodia for coming to California to cut the ribbon. Think about it, without folks in California’s invitation, open heart, and nice gesture, I don’t think the Cambodian officials know where California is, nonetheless coming to cut the ribbon.
Story time: A Snake was running from a hunter. After moving into the deep grass, the Snake climbs up the tree. In the tree lives an Owl. Approaching the Owl, the Snake said “Mr. Owl, I am being chased by a ruthless hunter; can you help me?” The Owl said yes and tried to hide the Snake but he could not do so because the hunter could see through the branches. Then the Owl said, why don’t you climb into my mouth and I’ll hide you inside me; I’ll let you out when the hunter is gone. Upon hearing that, the Snake decided to go into the Owl’s mouth and finally stay inside his stomach until hunter left the wood. After the hunter left, the Owl told the Snake to come out, because it is safe now. Sadly, the Snake refused to come out of the Owl’s stomach. The Snake found that it’s warm, peaceful, and safe inside there.
These last words from our Great Buddha were: "Be an Island to yourself; Be a refuge to yourself; do not take to yourself any other refuge. See truth as an island, see truth as refuge. Do not seek refuge in anyone but yourselves.
We listen to his teaching and life but do we really hear him.
Sidney Liang
www.cambodianvoices.org
03/21/2008
It is often true that we always look to blame other people rather our own selves. It is very rare that we look at our own internal missteps. I have seen many things come across emails, junk mails, snail mails, audio, and even through video. For example, an unnamed organization that always blames the Vietnamese, Thais, and other neighbors for our loss of lands, cultures, tradition, and ways of life. We embrace the foreigners, the neighbors, and the do good people with open arms, open heart without reservation. It is obvious that when you give up something, whether it is land or culture, you’ll never get it back. In 2002, while in Cambodia, I went into this nice restaurant by the Palace. Upon arrival, the people there hardly noticed me walking in. Coincidentally, a bunch of foreigners walked in, you can guess what happened. It was like Hollywood stars were walking into town. It’s not only happened in Cambodia, but in Lowell, Massachusetts as well.
It is easier to blame other folks than taking responsibility for ourselves. In Long Beach, we blame the Cambodian officials from Cambodia for coming to California to cut the ribbon. Think about it, without folks in California’s invitation, open heart, and nice gesture, I don’t think the Cambodian officials know where California is, nonetheless coming to cut the ribbon.
Story time: A Snake was running from a hunter. After moving into the deep grass, the Snake climbs up the tree. In the tree lives an Owl. Approaching the Owl, the Snake said “Mr. Owl, I am being chased by a ruthless hunter; can you help me?” The Owl said yes and tried to hide the Snake but he could not do so because the hunter could see through the branches. Then the Owl said, why don’t you climb into my mouth and I’ll hide you inside me; I’ll let you out when the hunter is gone. Upon hearing that, the Snake decided to go into the Owl’s mouth and finally stay inside his stomach until hunter left the wood. After the hunter left, the Owl told the Snake to come out, because it is safe now. Sadly, the Snake refused to come out of the Owl’s stomach. The Snake found that it’s warm, peaceful, and safe inside there.
These last words from our Great Buddha were: "Be an Island to yourself; Be a refuge to yourself; do not take to yourself any other refuge. See truth as an island, see truth as refuge. Do not seek refuge in anyone but yourselves.
We listen to his teaching and life but do we really hear him.
