Maitreya Project

Jessica Falcone, an Anthropology doctoral student at Cornell University recently created a petition stating, in part:

"There should not be serious collateral damage when building a statue of the Maitreya Buddha! We demand that the Maitreya Project and the Uttar Pradesh state government stop the forcible land acquisition permanently, or at least until the preliminary practice of getting cooperation and approval from the local people has been accomplished to the full satisfaction of the small subsistence farmers and their families." (link)

As many of us know, the Maitreya Project proposes to build a 500 foot Buddha statue in India in order to "effect peace at every level of society through the practice of loving-kindness: peace within the family, the community and the world, as well as inner peace for the individual."

Yet it is clear from the news stories (linked in the petition website) that at least some communities would be horribly affected by this project: essentially evicted from their ancestral farm lands. Thus we see a top-down approach to the spread and celebration of Buddhism where the most powerless in society are ignored or brushed aside. An interesting question is: how much does this simply reflect the history of Buddhism as a whole? And how should we - progressive Buddhists - respond to such acts?

I find it hard to simply accept them as the enlightened (crazy) wisdom of great lamas - even H.H. the Dalai Lama, who has put forth his support. Certainly the project looks and sounds wonderful: meditation areas, a hospital, museum, educational facilities, and so on. But, and this seems to be a wise question in all that we do - even/especially the good - at what cost?

"Solidarity with the Kushinagari Farmers!"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/kushinagarsolidarity

(photo above is from the Maitreya Project website)

The Livelihood of Greed and Wisdom

Its no secret the financial markets of much of the world, especially in the United States, are tipping dangerously close to a modern day global crisis. Inflation is soaring, unemployment is rising and currency is being devalued faster than a VHS tape of Hee Haw at a flee market. No question that some poor government policies and a looooong leash given to investment firms and banks via deregulation have created a quagmire of worthless debt and a spidering earthquake of financial instability.

Greed is such a powerful force. Like a Heroin addict in a poppy field, greed will leave a highway of destruction through the hearts of the most righteous men. Money and power can drive us to do such selfish and shameful actions, we can get blinded by want, unmindful of those it affects. The only thing that trickles down from the top is pain, suffering and despair. Weather does not discriminate again the homeless man and hunger does not wait for payday.

What we do in our lives, the livelihood we choose, affects everyone and everything in some fashion. Even today, especially these events of the last couple of weeks, remind us that what we choice to make our money at still holds great importance in our practice. This does not mean we need to renounce money and material things or good paying jobs. It means we, as Buddhists, need to be mindful of greed and the golden mouse trap of treasure it offers.

We should enjoy the abundance earned by our hard work and the material comforts this modern world offers, as long as we are mindful. Go to Orlando, see that giant damned mouse and play Put-Put in Bermuda shorts and knee high socks, but remember to be mindful. Live in this world knowing what we do is not ultimately separate from all things, even from a family left homeless in Kansas City, Missouri or a single mother of three struggling to feed her family tonight in Dublin, Ireland.

"There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up.”
~Oscar Wilde