The landscape of the state of Kashmir is in many ways idyllic. Or, it would be, if not for the Indian army occupying it. One can almost get carried away by the fields of yellow saffron flowers flanked by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas...until one has to step around barbed wire. Or adjust the camera shot so that the man holding an AK-47 isn't in it. Or make a mental note not to forget the curfew that the military enforces.
It's a shame, really. Such a beautiful place that is everywhere tainted with evidence of the human thirst for power; India's unwillingness to let go of a state that so desires its own freedom.
The mostly-Muslim Kashmiri people are among the nicest in India, providing you can overlook slogans drawn with a finger on the side of a car in need of washing that say things like, "Indian dogs go home." Such statements are unsurprising in light of the Indian military's propaganda on billboards with violent messages such as, "kill them, cut them, kneel not."
While in Kashmir we made several friends close to our age. One such friend was self-admittedly an arms dealer (if you're in need of any ammunition, we have his card- haha) and fervently and openly admitted that he wanted Kashmir to be free of India, regardless of the cost or lives lost. His friend, who was also present for this conversation, argued the opposite point--that he would gladly remain part of India, if only the result were peace. I think most people would especially agree with that last part--that part about peace--regardless of whether you call the entity to whom you pray at night by the name of God or Allah.
It's an unfortunate political situation that affects the people of Kashmir's daily lives. In my opinion, they are the true victims. Virtually held hostage by India, it isn't shocking that violence and civil unrest are the result.
Our next step on the all-India trip, however--Dharamsala--taught me that it doesn't have to be that way.
In the 1950s Tibet was invaded by China, under the guise of helping/modernizing 'backward' Tibet. The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of all Buddhist Tibetans, was forced to flee Tibet in 1959. The Dalai Lama and, by extension, the Tibetan governement in exile, were given refuge in Dharamsala, India. Since then, countless Tibetans have risked their lives (and many have lost their lives) attempting to flee Tibet. Dharamsala is still the home of the Tibetan government in exile, as well as the majority of the refugees.
Like the Kashmiris, political decisions made by others have dictated the lives of the Tibetans. The Tibetan/Buddhist reaction, however, is significantly different from what is happening in Kashmir. Instead of resorting to violence, they use peaceful means to try to regain their homeland. Sadly, it remains to be seen if they will ever be successful.
Easily apparent, and even more noteworthy in the face of political oppression, I would argue that Tibetans/Buddhists live a more Christian lifestyle than many Christians themselves. Central to Buddhist beliefs is the practice of compassion. It's kind of reminiscent of the whole do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-them-do-unto-you thing. Sound familiar?
While in Dharamsala, we watched a documentary about the struggles of Tibet and its people. In the documentary, a story was told about a monk who sought an audience with the Dalai Lama (who is hilarious, by the way--have you ever seen him on video??). The monk explained to the Dalai Lama how he had recently been plagued with feelings of guilt. Upon being asked about the source of his guilt, the monk replied: "I feel guilty because I fear that I am losing my compassion for the Chinese."
How often do we harp on the multitude of ways in which we have been wronged, and by who? How often do we wish those who have wronged us ill fortune; delight in their failures; resent their success? How often do we tell ourselves "it's okay for me to feel this way--I am the victim here?"
...all of these attitudes can be said to be 'normal' reactions of any logical, thinking human being who believes in the concept of 'justice,' an eye for an eye. But think of the enormous self-control--the enormous intentionality--it takes to say to oneself: not only am I not going to give in to these negative/vengeful thoughts--I am going to have compassion for the one who has wronged me. Furthermore, imagine feeling guilty when it seems that the ability to have this superhuman compassion for the one at fault is eluding you!
It is also worth remembering that in the monk's case, it was no small grievance. His country was forcibly taken from him; his culture is being systematically destroyed by the Chinese. Like him, many risked death in order to escape. Many, like the refugee who taught the cooking class that Maggie and I attended, have family still trapped in Tibet who they have not seen in fifteen or twenty years. And yet, they persist in practicing compassion.
If the Tibetans can do it, in the face of such oppression, can't we, too?
For more information about the Tibetan cause, click here. There is also widespread information on the internet about the situation in Kashmir.
"Never give up. No matter what is going on around you, never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy is spent developing the mind, instead of the heart. Develop the heart. Be compassionate, not just with your friends, but with everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace, in your heart and in the world. Work for peace. And I say again, never give up. No matter what is going on around you, never give up." -The 14th Dalai Lama
It's a shame, really. Such a beautiful place that is everywhere tainted with evidence of the human thirst for power; India's unwillingness to let go of a state that so desires its own freedom.
The mostly-Muslim Kashmiri people are among the nicest in India, providing you can overlook slogans drawn with a finger on the side of a car in need of washing that say things like, "Indian dogs go home." Such statements are unsurprising in light of the Indian military's propaganda on billboards with violent messages such as, "kill them, cut them, kneel not."
While in Kashmir we made several friends close to our age. One such friend was self-admittedly an arms dealer (if you're in need of any ammunition, we have his card- haha) and fervently and openly admitted that he wanted Kashmir to be free of India, regardless of the cost or lives lost. His friend, who was also present for this conversation, argued the opposite point--that he would gladly remain part of India, if only the result were peace. I think most people would especially agree with that last part--that part about peace--regardless of whether you call the entity to whom you pray at night by the name of God or Allah.
It's an unfortunate political situation that affects the people of Kashmir's daily lives. In my opinion, they are the true victims. Virtually held hostage by India, it isn't shocking that violence and civil unrest are the result.
Our next step on the all-India trip, however--Dharamsala--taught me that it doesn't have to be that way.
In the 1950s Tibet was invaded by China, under the guise of helping/modernizing 'backward' Tibet. The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of all Buddhist Tibetans, was forced to flee Tibet in 1959. The Dalai Lama and, by extension, the Tibetan governement in exile, were given refuge in Dharamsala, India. Since then, countless Tibetans have risked their lives (and many have lost their lives) attempting to flee Tibet. Dharamsala is still the home of the Tibetan government in exile, as well as the majority of the refugees.
Like the Kashmiris, political decisions made by others have dictated the lives of the Tibetans. The Tibetan/Buddhist reaction, however, is significantly different from what is happening in Kashmir. Instead of resorting to violence, they use peaceful means to try to regain their homeland. Sadly, it remains to be seen if they will ever be successful.
Easily apparent, and even more noteworthy in the face of political oppression, I would argue that Tibetans/Buddhists live a more Christian lifestyle than many Christians themselves. Central to Buddhist beliefs is the practice of compassion. It's kind of reminiscent of the whole do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-them-do-unto-you thing. Sound familiar?
While in Dharamsala, we watched a documentary about the struggles of Tibet and its people. In the documentary, a story was told about a monk who sought an audience with the Dalai Lama (who is hilarious, by the way--have you ever seen him on video??). The monk explained to the Dalai Lama how he had recently been plagued with feelings of guilt. Upon being asked about the source of his guilt, the monk replied: "I feel guilty because I fear that I am losing my compassion for the Chinese."
How often do we harp on the multitude of ways in which we have been wronged, and by who? How often do we wish those who have wronged us ill fortune; delight in their failures; resent their success? How often do we tell ourselves "it's okay for me to feel this way--I am the victim here?"
...all of these attitudes can be said to be 'normal' reactions of any logical, thinking human being who believes in the concept of 'justice,' an eye for an eye. But think of the enormous self-control--the enormous intentionality--it takes to say to oneself: not only am I not going to give in to these negative/vengeful thoughts--I am going to have compassion for the one who has wronged me. Furthermore, imagine feeling guilty when it seems that the ability to have this superhuman compassion for the one at fault is eluding you!
It is also worth remembering that in the monk's case, it was no small grievance. His country was forcibly taken from him; his culture is being systematically destroyed by the Chinese. Like him, many risked death in order to escape. Many, like the refugee who taught the cooking class that Maggie and I attended, have family still trapped in Tibet who they have not seen in fifteen or twenty years. And yet, they persist in practicing compassion.
If the Tibetans can do it, in the face of such oppression, can't we, too?
For more information about the Tibetan cause, click here. There is also widespread information on the internet about the situation in Kashmir.
"Never give up. No matter what is going on around you, never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy is spent developing the mind, instead of the heart. Develop the heart. Be compassionate, not just with your friends, but with everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace, in your heart and in the world. Work for peace. And I say again, never give up. No matter what is going on around you, never give up." -The 14th Dalai Lama
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