Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Truth

Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it. Those who love the truth are not equal to those who are passionate for it.

- Kong Fuzi, Analects 6.20

Satyagraha!

Monday, May 15, 2006

I'm So Bored With The U S A

Yankee soldier
He wanna shoot some skag
He met it in Cambodia
But now he can't afford a bag

Yankee dollar talk
To the dictators of the world
In fact it's giving orders
An' they can't afford to miss a word

I'm so bored with the U...S...A...
But what can I do?

Yankee detectives
Are always on the TV
'Cos killers in America
Work seven days a week

Never mind the stars and stripes
Let's print the Watergate Tapes
I'll salute the New Wave
And I hope nobody escapes

I'm so bored with the U...S...A...
But what can I do?

Move up Starsky
For the C.I.A.
Suck on Kojak
For the USA

- Joe Strummer (born John Graham Mellor) and Michael Geoffrey ("Mick") Jones

Satyagraha!

War

"It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

- Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian

Snotyergrandma!

Friday, May 12, 2006

Why "Satanic"?

If you get down and you quarrel everyday,
You're saying prayers to the devils, I say.
Why not help one another on the way?
Make it much easier. Just a little bit easier.

- Bob Marley, Positive Vibration

Satyagraha!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Buddhism's Satanic Verses

Upaka, a man belonging to the Ajivika sect of naked ascetics met the Blessed One travelling on the road between Gaya and the Bodhi tree. When he saw him, he said to the Blessed One: "Friend, your countenance is serene and your complexion is pure and bright. In whose name have you retired from the world? Who is your teacher? Whose doctrine do you profess?"

The Blessed One replied: "I have overcome all foes. I am all-wise. I am free from all stain. I have abandoned everything and obtained emancipation by the destruction of desire. Having gained this knowledge myself, who should I call my master? I have no teacher. No one is equal to me. In the world of men and of gods no being is like me. I am the holy One in this world. I am the highest teacher, I alone am the Absolute Sambuddha; I have gained calm by the extinction of all passion and I have obtained Nirvana. To found the Kingdom of Truth I go to the city of Kashi (Benares), where I will beat the drum of the Immortal in the darkness of this world.'"

Upaka the Ajivika then asked: "You profess then, friend, to be the holy, absolute Jina?"

Buddha replied: "All Jinas have like me reached extinction of the Asavas. I have overcome all states of sinfulness and therefore, Upaka, I am the Jina.'

Upaka the Ajivika replied: "It may be so, friend, it may be so." as he shook his head and went his way on another road.

- Mahavagga (Khandaka) I, 7-9 of the Vinaya Pitaka of the Pali Canon

Definitions:

Jina = "the victorious One", commonly attributed to both the historical Buddha and Mahavira, the ultimate Jaina thirtankara.

Asava = sensuality, individuality, delusion and ignorance.

Ajivika = an ascetic tradition reputedly founded by Gosala Maskariputra (a.k.a. Ekadanda - he who carries a single staff) just before the time of the historical Buddha. Gosala rejected prevailing beliefs based upon the role of devotion (e.g. Brahminism), individual effort (e.g. yoga) or spiritual heroes (e.g. Jainism, Buddhism) in facilitating the release of the incorruptible, immortal aspect of living beings from attachment to the material universe (e.g. karma). Gosala taught that this detachment happened of its own accord under the influence of blind, impersonal destiny (niyati). Other ajivika teachers proposed that what appear to us to be attachments and developments are merely illusions of our limited human conceptions of time and space: each atom is the universe, each moment is eternity. Needless to say, the Ajivikas were attacked by followers of all other traditions who clung to heroes and divine intercessors in the search for a way around the blind blundering of destiny.

Grahasatya, Ekadanda!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

To the Bazaar Today


Chashm-e Nam, Jan-e Shoreeda kafi nahin
Thumat-e Ishq poshida kafi nahin,
Aaj bazaar mein pabajolan chalo

Dast afshan chalo, Mast o Raqsaan chalo
Khaq bar sar chalo, khon bad-aman chalo
Rah takta ha sab Shahr-e Janaan chalo

Hakim-e Shaher bhi, Mujmaa-e Aam bhi,
Teer-i Ilzam bhi, Sang-e Dushnam bhi,
Subh nashaad bhi, Roz-i nakam bhi
Un ka dam saz apnay siva kon hai
Shehr-e Janaan mein ab ba-Sufa kon hai,
Dast-Katil kay shaiyan raha kon hai

Rakht-i dil bandh lo, dil fogaro chalo
Phir hamien Katl ho aiyn, Yaro Chalo

- Faiz Ahmed Faiz, 1959 (written in the Lahore Jail)


A dampened eye, a wasted life: nothing,
Accusations of a hidden love: nothing,
To the bazaar today in chains let us go.
Palms waving let us go; wildly dancing let us go,
Dusty haired let us go; blood spattered let us go,
As the City of Lovers watches, down the road let us go.

The princes of the keep and the common crowding folk,
The shafts of accusation and the hurled stones of rebuke,
The gloom of a dire morning and the failing of a dismal day,
Who among them is alive, but us?
Who among them is innocent, but us?
Who will honour the bloody blade, but us?

Ye brokenhearted make ready, let us go,
Yet again to death, dear friends let us go.



Satyagraha!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Islam's Satanic Verses

Rushdie had it wrong - here's the real problem:

"4.150": Surely those who disbelieve in Allah and His apostles and (those who) desire to make a distinction between Allah and His apostles and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and desire to take a course between (this and) that.

"4.151": These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.

"4.152": And those who believe in Allah and His apostles and do not make a distinction between any of them -- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

"4.153": The followers of the Book ask you to bring down to them a book from heaven; so indeed they demanded of Musa a greater thing than that, for they said: Show us Allah manifestly; so the lightning overtook them on account of their injustice. Then they took the calf (for a god), after clear signs had come to them, but We pardoned this; and We gave to Musa clear authority.

"4.154": And We lifted the mountain (Sainai) over them at (the taking of the covenant) and We said to them: Enter the door making obeisance; and We said to them: Do not exceed the limits of the Sabbath, and We made with them a firm covenant.

"4.155": Therefore, for their breaking their covenant and their disbelief in the communications of Allah and their killing the prophets wrongfully and their saying: Our hearts are covered; nay! Allah set a seal upon them owing to their unbelief, so they shall not believe except a few.

"4.156": And for their unbelief and for their having uttered against Marium a grievous calumny.

"4.157": And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the apostle of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure.

"4.158": Nay! Allah took him up to Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

"4.159": And there is not one of the followers of the Book but most certainly believes in this before his death, and on the day of resurrection he (Isa) shall be a witness against them.

"4.160": Wherefore for the iniquity of those who are Jews did We disallow to them the good things which had been made lawful for them and for their hindering many (people) from Allah's way.

"4.161": And their taking usury though indeed they were forbidden it and their devouring the property of people falsely, and We have prepared for the unbelievers from among them a painful chastisement.

"4.162": But the firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to. you and what was revealed before you, and those who keep up prayers and those who give the poor-rate and the believers in Allah and the last day, these it is whom We will give a mighty reward.

"4.163": Surely We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh, and the prophets after him, and We revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and Isa and Ayub and Yunus and Haroun and Sulaiman and We gave to Dawood

"4.164": And (We sent) apostles We have mentioned to you before and apostles we have not mentioned to you; and to Musa, Allah addressed His Word, speaking (to him):

"4.165": (We sent) apostles as the givers of good news and as warners, so that people should not have a plea against Allah after the (coming of) apostles; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

"4.166": But Allah bears witness by what He has revealed to you that He has revealed it with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness (also); and Allah is sufficient as a witness.

"4.167": Surely (as for) those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from Allah's way, they indeed have strayed off into a remote

"4.168": Surely (as for) those who disbelieve and act unjustly Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to a path

"4.169": Except the path of hell, to abide in it for ever, and this is easy to Allah.

"4.170": O people! surely the Apostle has come to you with the truth from your Lord, therefore believe, (it shall be) good for you and If you disbelieve, then surely whatever is in the heavens and the earth is Allah's; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.

"4.171": O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.

Greetings from dar-al-Harb!

A Zen Take on Christianity

God against man.
Man against God.
Man against nature.
Nature against man.
Nature against God.
God against nature.

Very funny religion!

- Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki

Satyagraha!

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Water No Get Enemy

To ba fe lo weh omi lo- malo
If you wan go wash- water you go use
Toba fe sobeh omi lo- malo
If you wan cook soup- water you go use
To ri ba ngbona omi lero lero
If your head be hot- water it cool am
Tomo ba ngagda omi lo- malo
If your child dey grow- water you go use
If water kill your child- water you go use
Tobi ba bwi nao homi lo- malo
Ko sohun tole se ko ma lomi- o
Nothing without water
Ko sohun tole se ko ma lomi- o
Nothing without water

Oh me a water-o
Water, it no get enemy
No go fight am, unless you wan die
Water, it no get enemy
I say water No get enemy
Water, it no get enemy
No go fight am, unless you wan die
Water, it no get enemy
O me a water-o
Water, it no get enemy
O they talk of Black-man power
Water, it no get enemy
O they talk of Black power, I say
Water, it no get enemy
I say water No get enemy
No go fight am, unless you wan die
Water, it no get enemy
I say water No get enemy
Water, it no get enemy
I say water No get enemy
Water, it no get enemy
O me a water-o
Water, it no get enemy
O me a water-o
Water, it no get enemy

- Fela Anikulapo Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti)

The "water" in the song is the Nigerian people. The Government/Military must not make enemies of the populous, nor disturb their "flow" (endevours & routines)- as it is dangerous to make an enemy of the country's most essential resource. The people make everything happen.

Nothing exists without water
Water does not gain enemies
because if you fight (renounce)water, you will die

Power cannot exist without the people…

Satyagraha!

P.S. Anikulapo = "he who holds death in his pocket".

Friday, May 05, 2006

Zen Advice

If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha. If you meet a Patriarch, kill the Patriarch.

- Linji Yixuan

Grahasatya!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

The Wheel

The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will

Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?

Round round robin run around
Gotta get back where you belong
Little bit harder, just a little bit more
Little bit farther than you than you've gone before

The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will

Small wheel turn by the fire and rod
Big wheel turn by the grace of God
Everytime that wheel turn round
bound to cover just a little more ground

The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will

Won't you try just a little bit harder
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?

- Robert Hunter

Satyagraha!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The Burning House

"A man has an old house, large, but very infirm; its terraces are decaying and the columns rotten at their bases. The windows and balconies are partly ruined, the wall as well as its coverings and plaster decaying; the coping shows rents from age; the thatch is everywhere pierced with holes.

"It is inhabited by no less than five hundred beings, containing many cells and closets filled with excrements and disgusting things. There are also very malign goblins, who violate human corpses; in several spots there are centipedes, huge snakes, and vipers. Those animals creep into all corners, where they make nests to deposit their brood, which is often devoured by the goblins. And when those cruel-minded goblins are satiated with feeding upon the flesh of other creatures, so that their bodies are big, then they commence sharply fighting on the spot.

"In the wasted retreats are dreadful, malign urchins, some of them measuring one span, others one cubit or two cubits, all nimble in their movements. They are in the habit of seizing dogs by the feet, throwing them upside down upon the floor, pinching their necks and using them ill. There also live yelling ghosts naked, black, wan, tall, and high, who, hungry and in quest of food, are here and there emitting cries of distress. Some have a mouth like a needle, others have a face like a cow's; they are of the size of men or dogs, go with entagled hair, and utter plaintive cries from want of food. Those goblins, ghosts, imps, like vultures, are always looking out through windows and loop-holes, in all directions in search of food.

"Such is that dreadful house, spacious and high, but very infirm, full of holes, frail and dreary. (Let us suppose that) it is the property of a certain man. And that while he is out of doors the house is reached by a conflagration, so that on a sudden it is wrapt in a blazing mass of fire on every side." (Kern, 82-84)

"All of the goblins and ghosts and beasts howled in fear, not knowing how to escape the burning house. When the owner of the house came running up, someone told him his young sons were inside playing games! He ran into the house to save his sons, calling out to them the incredible danger they were in. There were flames all around and the howling ghosts and beasts were on all sides. But the sons were busy with their games and paid no attention to their father or the flames or the howls of pain.

"The man was extremely worried, but then he got an idea. He said to his sons, 'I have wonderful jewelled carts waiting outside - a deer cart, an ox cart, and a goat cart. I have made each one specially for each of you to play with; each one is different and wonderously beautiful. Come outside and choose which one you would like to have as your very own!'

"At this, his sons lept up and raced outside to see the carts. When they got outside, however, there were no carts. The father was happy to see his sons finally out of danger, thanks to his trick. When his sons eagerly asked for the carts, the father replied that actually the carts were not the ones he had described earlier. He brought out large, beautifully decorated carriages for each them. The sons were delighted and spent the rest of the day driving their carts."

- parable attributed to Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama Buddha in the Lotus Sutra; translation by Burton Watson



Grahasatya!

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The Ballad of John Barleycorn

There was three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough and plough'd him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on,
And show'rs began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surpris'd them all.

The sultry suns of Summer came,
And he grew thick and strong;
His head weel arm'd wi' pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter'd mild,
When he grew wan and pale;
His bending joints and drooping head
Show'd he began to fail.

His colour sicken'd more and more,
He faded into age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.

They've taen a weapon, long and sharp,
And cut him by the knee;
Then tied him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue for forgerie.

They laid him down upon his back,
And cudgell'd him full sore;
They hung him up before the storm,
And turned him o'er and o'er.

They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.

They laid him out upon the floor,
To work him farther woe;
And still, as signs of life appear'd,
They toss'd him to and fro.

They wasted, o'er a scorching flame,
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller us'd him worst of all,
For he crush'd him between two stones.

And they hae taen his very heart's blood,
And drank it round and round;
And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.

'Twill make a man forget his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy;
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing,
Tho' the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!

- Robert Burns

Snotyergrandma!

Monday, May 01, 2006

It's All In Your Head

From the perspective of modern neuroscience, all experiences are generated by brain activity, or at the very least strongly correlated with brain activity. As the complexity of this brain activity is mapped and described mathematically, the nuances of thought and the idiosyncratic noise that define us as individuals will be quantified. To date there has not been a single type of paranormal experience that is not understandable in terms of known brain functions. The consideration of these experiences as predictable components of brain activity will allow the differentiation between the illusions of intrinsic stimulation and the validity of information obtained through mechanisms yet to be explained.

- from The Neuropsychiatry of Paranormal Experiences
by Michael A. Persinger, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Schläfst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?

Alberich
Schläfst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?
Du schläfst und hörst mich nicht,
den Ruh' und Schlaf verriet?

Hagen
Ich höre dich, schlimmer Albe:
was hast du meinem Schlaf zu sagen?

Alberich
Gemahnt sei der Macht,
der du gebietest,
bist du so mutig,
wie die Mutter dich mir gebar!

Hagen
Gab mir die Mutter Mut,
nicht mag ich ihr doch danken,
daß deiner List sie erlag:
frühalt, fahl und bleich,
hass' ich die Frohen, freue mich nie!

Alberich
Hagen, mein Sohn! Hasse die Frohen!
Mich Lustfreien, Leidbelasteten
liebst du so, wie du sollst!
Bist du kräftig, kühn und klug:
die wir bekämpfen mit nächtigem Krieg,
schon gibt ihnen Not unser Neid.
Der einst den Ring mir entriß,
Wotan, der wütende Räuber,
vom eignen Geschlechte ward er geschlagen
an den Wälsung verlor er Macht und Gewalt;
mit der Götter ganzer Sippe
in Angst ersieht er sein Ende.
Nicht ihn fürcht' ich mehr:
fallen muß er mit allen!
Schläfst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?

Hagen
Der Ewigen Macht, wer erbte sie?

Alberich
Ich - und du! Wir erben die Welt.
Trüg' ich mich nicht in deiner Treu',
teilst du meinen Gram und Grimm.
Woraus Speer zerspellte der Wälsung,
der Fafner, den Wurm, im Kampfe gefällt
und kindisch den Reif sich errang.
Jede Gewalt hat er gewonnen;
Walhall und Nibelheim neigen sich ihm.
An dem furchtlosen Helden
erlahmt selbst mein Fluch:
denn nicht kennt er des Ringes Wert,
zu nichts nützt er die neidlichste Macht.
Lachend in liebender Brunst,
brennt er lebend dahin.
Ihn zu verderben, taugt uns nun einzig!
Schläfst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?

Hagen
Zu seinem Verderben dient er mir schon.

Alberich
Den goldnen Ring,
den Reif gilt's zu erringen!
Ein weises Weib lebt dem Wälsung zulieb:
riet es ihm je des Rheines Töchtern,
die in Wassers Tiefen einst mich betört,
zurückzugeben den Ring,
verloren ging' mir das Gold,
keine List erlangte es je.
Drum, ohne Zögern ziel auf den Reif!
Dich Zaglosen zeugt' ich mir ja,
daß wider Helden hart du mir hieltest.
Zwar stark nicht genug, den Wurm zu bestehn,
was allein dem Wälsung bestimmt,
zu zähem Haß doch erzog ich Hagen,
der soll mich nun rächen,
den Ring gewinnen
dem Wälsung und Wotan zum Hohn!
Schwörst du mir's, Hagen, mein Sohn?

Hagen
Den Ring soll ich haben:
harre in Ruh'!

Alberich
Schwörst du mir's, Hagen, mein Held?

Hagen
Mir selbst schwör' ich's;
schweige die Sorge!

Alberich
Sei treu, Hagen, mein Sohn!
Trauter Helde! - Sei treu!
Sei treu! - Treu!

-
Wilhelm Richard Wagner, Götterdämmerung

I hear Dick Cheney often talks in his sleep when he naps in the Bunker.

- Satyagraha!