Sweet Older Sister: November 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Things I saw this Week-end!

Susan's Nikki and Grandkids!

Saturday Visit at Paul's
Then home

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Here Is a Book I Strongly recommend.

For anyone who wants to understand this disease.
Especially if you know someone managing this disease.
I am nearly done reading this information and learned a great deal.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Lunch! Then off Again!

Dion treated us to Chinese Food,
PF Chang

A real treat for our Italian travelers.
They are off to Saipan,
But will be back for a longer visit in Dec.

Happy Day!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Across Many Mountains

A book to read.

I went to the library and found this book. I found it very stimulating to a western mind, and a tool to help understand others from the top of the world.

These three generations of Tibetan women have very different lives. They are Buddhist from Tibet, very different from the Buddhist of Japan. Buddhist teachings are vague and the interpretation varies from one person to another. Buddhism does not recognize an external God, a personal Creator. But many Buddhists worship images and relics of Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, who was given the title Buddha, came to be viewed as the religious ideal of his followers, to be imitated by them. He encouraged gaining enlightenment by studying mankind from a human standpoint, also severing the roots of suffering by controlling the mind so as to eliminate all earthly desire. He taught that in this way one might attain to Nirvana, free from the rebirths of transmigration. Buddhist worship their ancestors, because they view these as the source of their life. The Tibetan Buddhist follow the Dali Lama. The idea of the Christian God sending his son to earth is a very foreign thought for them.

I can not even imagine surviving what these women have endured. The Himalaya's are very high, very cold, and treacherous. When China invaded Tibet, the Grandmother and others lives were endangered. This is the story of her escape, with her young daughter and how they survived object poverty. Today, Tibetans are scattered through out the earth. If you ever saw the movie "Seven Years in Tibet" you may have an idea of the back ground of these women.

How can the western mind, find some common ground to have meaningful conversations with these of eastern thinking? Buddhists have respect for "holy books," and usually they respect the Bible for that reason. Let them know that the Bible is not mere human philosophy but the authoritative Word of mankind's Creator, Jehovah God. Ask politely if you may show them an interesting point in this holy book, the Bible. Many Buddhists are very interested in peace and family life and want to live moral lives. Discussion on any of these matters is often welcomed. Who knows? By showing a loving, respectful attitude towards these refugees, we may come to have many interesting conversations with our eastern neighbors.