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• What about Buddhist shrines and images?
The shrine found in Buddhist homes or temples is a focal point of Buddhist observances. At the centre of the shrine, there is usually an image of the Buddha. This image may be made of a variety of materials such as marble, gold, wood or even clay. The image is a symbol that helps people to recall the qualities of the Buddha.
The shrine may also have such objects as a volume of Buddhist scriptures to represent the Dharma. Some shrines may include other items such as images, pictures or photographs of Buddhist monks and masters to represent the Sangha. When a Buddhist stands before a shrine, the objects he sees on it help him to recall the qualities that are found in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. This inspires him to work towards cultivating these qualities in himself.
• Why do Buddhists bow?
In Buddhism, the traditional gesture of reverence to the Triple Gem is to place the palms of both hands together and raise them high in front, usually up to the level of the forehead. In order to express deep veneration, a Buddhist may bow or prostrate before the image of the Buddha, members of the Sangha and the masters of the Teaching. When a Buddhist prostrates before an image, he acknowledges the fact that the Buddha has attained the perfect and supreme Enlightenment. Such an act helps the Buddhist to overcome egoistic feelings and he becomes more ready to listen to the Teaching of the Buddha
It's their country they can do what they want in it. What gives you or anyone else the right to say what they can or cannot do in it.
Originally posted by woodwardjnr
I get the idea that the abrahamic faiths have a real problem with Budhism. I watched a documentary called the Dharma Brothers. About the use of meditation with inmates in a maximum security prison in America. The program was proving really successful and having a real effect on the inmates. The project was closed down after the local Christian church found out. What are they scarred of?
Originally posted by LittleByLittle
this thread is only a new example of a person being an arrow manipulated to hit a target somebody manipulative have said should be hit. The hypocracy to not go after Saudi Arabia that is the bigger dictatorial problem in the middle east. But the USA do not want democracy but bribes like they always wanted.
Originally posted by DarknStormy
reply to post by FlyersFan
Well I'll say this because I believe that most governments are nothing but oppressive a/holes in one way or another. I support the Iranian government because they have the right to implement what ever they see fit in their country whether its stealing buddhas, Zero tolerance to homosexuality or any other issue. By changing their laws or rules they would not be following the true teachings of Islam like most other Arab countries are guilty of. Iran is not a dictatorship, they have elections, the religious aspect of Iran controls certain things the government don't also. So to put it simple, good on them because I really cannot agree with someone who will quickly point out stealing Buddhas yet Justifies Israel delibrately sterilizing African Jews.. I'm all for Iran and with that, I hope they kick Israels arse also.
Originally posted by DarknStormy
By changing their laws or rules they would not be following the true teachings of Islam like most other Arab countries are guilty of.
So to put it simple, good on them because I really cannot agree with someone who will quickly point out stealing Buddhas yet Justifies Israel delibrately sterilizing African Jews..
I'm all for Iran and with that, I hope they kick Israels arse also.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
That's just it. Their laws already say that they are supposed to be tolerant of other religions and that other religions can enjoy freedom of religion. But the actions of the government don't match their laws.
1 - Israel didn't 'sterilize' anyone.
2 - So, because you just want to disagree with me, you will go ahead and agree with the government of Iran breaking it's own laws? Okay. That makes sense.
Okay .. well at least you are up front about your bias. Good for you.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Originally posted by buster2010
POST REMOVED BY STAFF
[snip of removed post] Other religions are protected ON PAPER in Iran, but in reality it is obvious that non-muslims are given a hard time for no reason .. case in point is what is reported in this thread. No statues of Buddha are allowed in Tehran. The government is 'cleansing' them out. Obviously, what is written as law in Iran as far as religious tolerance doesn't happen in real life.edit on Sun Feb 17 2013 by DontTreadOnMe because: (no reason given)
Secularism in Iran first started in 1924 when Reza Shah was crowned the new monarch. Afterwards he established for the first time a state policy of secularism that made it illegal for any public display or expression of religious faith, including the wearing of the headscarf (hijab) and chador by women and wearing of facial hair by men (with the exception of the mustache). Public religious festivals (such as Muharram and Ashura) and celebrations were banned, Islamic clergy were forbidden to preach in public, mosque activities were heavily restricted and regulated.
Originally posted by DarknStormy
Buddhism probably doesn't come under a religious entity because they are not a religion.
Oh I'm sorry, Lying about Birth control because the Africans didn't understand what the Israelis were talking about.
They aren't breaking laws when it comes to Buddhism, It isn't a recognised religion.
How about we talk about Irans stance of Nuclear Weapons and why they are a threat to the Middle East?
People like you and a few others simply omit anything that will make Iran look half decent and focus on the petty crap to demonise them at any cost.
They are not a bunch of crazy lunatics..
Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. ... --there is an average of 207,754 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year.
3.In Iran, couples that want a marriage license are required to take an hour-long lecture on contraception
6.Approximately 14.2% of Iranians are obese, making it the 41st most obese country in the world. American Samoa is the largest, with 75% of its population obese. The United States is 6th in the world, with 33.9% of the population obese.
17.Approximately 70% of Iran’s population is under the age of 30.
23.Since ancient times, people in Iran have used a water supply system called a qanat (or kanat). It collects underground water and moves it through tunnels to places where people need it.f
25.Iranians have woven beautiful rugs for over 2,500 years. When creating rugs, Iranian weavers often make a mistake intentionally. They want to show their belief that “only God is perfect.” After oil, Iran’s second largest export commodity is carpets.
29.In Iran, there is no legal category for marital rape because a woman is her husband’s property. If there are signs of abuse, male members of her family may threaten her husband, but it is not the duty of the police.
41.While homosexual relationships are banned in Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini decreed that transsexuals are allowed to have sex change operations in Iran. Since 2008, Iran has conducted more sex change operations than any other country in the world, second only to Thailand. The government even provides financial assistance.
48.Because traditional Iranian marriages are very expensive, the government will pay for mass weddings to reduce cost and encourage young Iranians to get married.
55.Iran’s constitution dictates that women are mothers and homemakers. If they want to work outside of the home, they need permission from the male head of the household. The government also segregates schools by gender, and at the university level, there are some subjects women are not allowed to study. On city buses, men and women sit apart, and a woman may not appear in public with a man unless it is her husband or family member. However, unlike women in Saudi Arabia, Iranian women can drive and vote.
Originally posted by FlySolo
See where I highlighted in bold?
Why the Iran bashing?
Originally posted by DarknStormy
Now heres a few interesting facts about Iran and why this demonising vision you have is nothing more than bs.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
That's been discussed already .. like three times. Semantics.
It's a belief system.
re·li·gion Noun
1. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
2. Details of belief as taught or discussed.
Again .. it's a belief system.
The people of Iran aren't. Their government and imams are.
Its' strange how some folks are afraid of the truth being told about Iran. Keep sweeping these things under the rug and keep throwing mud at those who expose the facts. Strange.
Originally posted by DarknStormy
reply to post by undo
I'm not asking for anything but I also respect that its none of our business what Iran does, agrees or disagrees with. If people don't like Irans stance towards Buddhas or Homosexuals, bad luck. Its their right to be that way and just because the West has moved away from religious traditions and has become a Mini Mart doesn't mean Iran has to follow suit.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Originally posted by FlySolo
See where I highlighted in bold?
And they don't follow that law which is on paper either. Do they?
Why the Iran bashing?
Why the running away from the truth of the situation?
Iran confiscates Buddha statues to stop promotion of Buddhism.
It's very simple and straightforward. And yet ... for some reason
some folks just can't handle that fact being made public. Odd.