Originally Posted by cmac2012 (Post 3212346)

It's hard to figure how the Sunni/Shia split became so rancorous. The Zen tradition talks about the pitfall of duality. It something I'm far from mastering, just getting my head around it is hard enough. It seems as though there is an inherent tendency in humans to break things down into us vs. them. Can certainly be seen a great deal.

FWIW, here's the first two paragraphs of the Hsin Hsin Ming, the oldest known Zen document, China, 3rd century AD:

The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When love and hate are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.

If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.

Hard to get your head around. I don't claim to have it mastered to any degree.

Originally Posted by Air&Road (Post 3212416)

The only surprise is that this has not YET happened on US soil.

Originally Posted by MTI (Post 3211825)

Monger much? :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by cmac2012 (Post 3212346)

It's hard to figure how the Sunni/Shia split became so rancorous.

Originally Posted by Txjake (Post 3212449)

Originally Posted by Botnst (Post 3212379)

Islam is not Zen-ish.

Originally Posted by Txjake (Post 3212407)

zen is very hard to establish in a personal reality. our minds seem to be hardwired into a primal "us or them"... most likely a gift from our neolithic ancestors. to be truly zen, one must release and just be....almost impossible, but a worthwhile goal

Originally Posted by cmac2012 (Post 3212636)

Agreed. It is difficult in my experience and observation. Reminds of the line from Jesus about 'straight is the way and narrow the gate and few are they who find the path leading to life.' Something like that.

Originally Posted by pj67coll (Post 3212462)

Really? Look at all the christian bs over the last few centuries. Look at norther Ireleand. Look at the fundie god nuts and their anti-catholic ness in the US.

I'd say the only surprise is there is not more of it in Islam.

- Peter.

Originally Posted by Txjake (Post 3212671)

well...in those lost years of jesus's life, some say he went to the east.....

Originally Posted by MTI (Post 3212499)

Was that part of Fox News' ongoing series on shopping mall violence? :D

Why Is Violence Sweeping Shopping Malls? | Interviews | Hannity

Originally Posted by martureo (Post 3212673)

^^^^^^This is a reply from ignorance.

Northern Ireland was the result of a minority oppressing a majority over several centuries. The majority finally reacted, and violently. Read your history please.

When in it's history has Islam been a persecuted, oppressed population? (Aside from Mecca/Medina)

NEVER.


It is inexcusable. But then again, most of Islamic history is inexcusable.

Originally Posted by Txjake (Post 3212688)

you tell me; seemingly, you visit Fox more than I. ;)

Originally Posted by martureo (Post 3212673)

^^^^^^This is a reply from ignorance.

Northern Ireland was the result of a minority oppressing a majority over several centuries. The majority finally reacted, and violently. Read your history please.