Buddha outlined the three paths which men might travel wordly pleasure, self-torment, and the middle path. Only through the middle path could man achieve bona fide peace and and salvation. One had to repudiate materialism, keep his self-control, restrict speech, be open minded, never lie or steal, reject selfish drives, nurture goodness, etc. Buddha continued …
Penulis: Kang Ridwan
The Enlightened One
Siddharta exchanged his sumptuous garments for a monk’s yellow robe and went out into the world to do penance for what he considered to be his previous life of sin. First she would clean himself by becoming an ascetic; then he would study Hindu wisdom in order to be prepared to help his suffering people. …
Siddhartha’s Eyes Are Opened
One day, Prince Siddhartha expressed the desire to leave his lush surrounding and ride out among his people. He was profoundly shaken by the misery, destitution, disease, and excruciating pain with which his people were constantly afflicted. Retiring to his room to ponder over what he had seen, he remained there for several days, deaf …
Locked in an Ivory Edifice
Prince Siddhartha Gautama was the scion of a family of warrior-kings in northern India. He was being indoctrinated for the time when he would assume his father’s throne. Growing up in an atmosphere of opulence, the young Prince was constantly shielded from the cruel realities of the world. An army of obsequious servants and tutors …
Tongue in Cheek?
The U.S. Public Health Services admits to frustration in its attempts to destroy the cockroach. As soon as the scientists devise a puissant chemical, some bugs succumb. But the hardy one survive and breed a resistant strain. Since the average female produces close to three hundred descendants, little hope is held out for a final …
The Roache Lives On
Cockroaches are the oldest extant winged insects, having been traced back over 350 million years. They have endured the vicissitudes of weather, natural disaster, war, and planned liquidation. They reside comfortably in caves in South America, in transcontinental airplanes, on mountain tops, in Park Avenue edifices, and in television sets. The climate may be sultry …
Waiter, Please Take This Bowl of Soup Back to the Kitchen
In addition to menacing our health, cocroaches are smelly, filthy, and ugly. Upon entering a cellar which is redolent with their aroma, you are not likely to forget the odor. And when you spy the foul culprits creating havoc in your sugar bowl or in repose atop your chocolate cake, your disposition may be exacerbated. …
La Cucharacha – the Cockroach
The poor cockroach has been called “the most reviled creature on the face of the earth.” Nobody loves him – except, perhaps, another cockroach. Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry are replete with derogatory references to these ubiquitous bugs. Public health officials are quick to indict the insects as carriers of viruses that can cause yellow fever …
Disappointment and Dedication
When Prince Schubert asked for additional restrictive measures, the people began to balk. Speaking on radio, the young reformer explained the reasons for higher taxes and food rationing; he was blunt when he stated the need for personal sacrifices. Nevertheless, the resistance to reform was great, and nostalgia for the “good old days” of King …
Reform Movement
In order to improve Ruritania’s financial position, an astute but parsimonious treasurer was installed and given wide its feet by slashing all waste from its budget, dismantling King Andre’s sumptuous palaces, and firing all incompetents. In addition, Prince Schubert was able to get the United States to underwrite a substantial loan which would enable him …