by Student
Introduction
I have considered writing on the topic of President Putin and an analysis of his conduct and stature according to the principles of Dharma, loosely analogous to ‘right conduct’ in English. However, in my contemplation I came to realise that whilst President Putin the man is a very charismatic figure, he is representative of a greater, overall leadership structure as exists today in the Russian Federation. As Scott – of Saker’s Blog – highlights in his writings, the current Russian leadership is made up of officers of the military and intelligence services of the Russian state, formerly the USSR and now the Russian Federation (however, trained in the Soviet era for the most part). As Scott points out, this ruling class from the security services – the modern day equivalent of the ‘warrior class’ – is unique in this modern era. One may take the current Russian leadership as akin to the Samurai class than reigned over Japan for 900 years and through principles of Dharma prevented the destruction of Japan during the halcyon years of colonialism. Tokugawa Ieyasu himself took the title ‘victor over the southern barbarians’, in reference to the Portuguese, and under his Shogunate the Japanese closed their borders almost entirely and kept their territorial and cultural integrity, at least until the late 1800s and early 1900s.
I see something similar in the qualities of this current Russian leadership. I see something older, in truth, for I see the principles of Dharma as espoused by those Kshatriyas of old, whose training was martial and whose morality lay in the principles of Dharma. Putin, for example, acts very strictly according to the principles of international law, yet his primary motivation is the pragmatic security of his nation rather than the arbitrary laws set down by vested interests. In this sense, whilst setting an example of polite and constructive conduct at the international level, Putin has demonstrated that the laws of god and the duty to one’s people supersede the laws of men.
I would like at this point to highlight that as an outsider I do not have much access to the inner working life of President Putin or his colleagues, not in the sense that a native Russian or a foreign operative might have. My insights come through the writings of Saker, Scott and other learned individuals who educate those of us in the English speaking world regarding the nature of the personalities of the current leadership of Russia. However, I do reflect upon what I have learnt from these learned commentators and from what interviews I have seen of the Russian leadership (translated to English). And, in my great hubris, I have sought to take these reflections and make an assessment according to my own cultural and moral framework.
Define Dharma
Dharma means roughly two things if translated into English. One is ‘right conduct’, as in do the right thing in terms of morality, ethics and the laws of god and nature. It can also mean the natural behaviour of an object, thing or entity. For example, the cat’s dharma is to chase the mouse, the leopard’s dharma is to eat meat, the hawk’s dharma is to fly in search of food, the electron’s dharma is to circle the nucleus, the planet’s dharma is to orbit the star, etc. In other words, dharma is the natural conduct of actions in the most natural way. For our purposes, we shall consider Dharma as simply ‘right conduct’ and doing the most natural thing in the most natural way.
Define contemporary Russian state
The contemporary Russian Federation is the core territory of the former Russian Empire. As many Russian experts point out, the contemporary territory of Russia does not comprise the entirety of the greater Russian cultural, political and civilisational space.
Define current leadership of Russian state
Please bear in mind my lack of expertise – I will give only the most cursory of definitions and am aware that it will have considerable errors. The current Russian leadership seems to me to comprise of mid-level officers of the former Soviet military and intelligence services. As far as I can tell, as an outsider, it does not contain the sons of the privileged from the Soviet era, but rather the sons of the working class, namely those people who worked hard for a living and their offspring. These include personalities such as President Putin, Sergei Ivanov and minsters Shoigu and Lavrov (although the foreign minister is from the diplomatic branch of the government).
Contrast with previous leadership of Russian state
Again, apologies in advance for a great lack of knowledge – this is only a short definition and open to revision and correction. The previous national entity of Russia was the USSR and before that the Russian Empire. By all accounts, the coup in November 1917 by the ‘Bolsheviks’ contained a vast majority of people who had extreme hatred towards the traditional, Orthodox (all religions) population of the Russian Empire. The Tsar Nicholas and his family were brutally assassinated (consider that Tsar as protector of the people is the very picture of the ruler according to Dharmic principles, so we see that Dharma and the Orthodox Church seem to have a similar viewpoint on the Tsar). A great and terrible genocide was committed on the ordinary population. The Orthodox Christian Church was persecuted with great animosity. Thus, we conclude that this initial leadership was Adharmic, those who act against and contravention of the principles of Dharma.
As time passed, new figures such as Stalin and Khrushchev came to power and the initial genocide ceased. This period was interspersed by a great war of national liberation. One may conclude that this middle Soviet leadership was unlike the earlier genocidal regime.
The third period in the history of the USSR seems to be the late Soviet period when leaders such as Gorbachev conspired to break up the country and surrender it to the mercies of the western powers. This was followed by looting and plunder of the state after said breakup of the USSR.
One should note that as the USSR suffered and its people were reduced from prosperity to poverty overnight, so too did the global south lose its great champion and protector. While the leadership of the USSR in the middle and late periods was by no means perfect, it did act responsibly and provided a much needed stabilising force against the forces of ‘capitalism’, the new face of the old colonialism, in other words, the same plunderers of all nations by those few who produce little and steal all.
Contrast with principles of Dharma
After much long-winded preparation, I would consider Dharma. The conduct of the current Russian state in nurturing good moral values (and keeping evil away from children), the traditional nature of all humans since the beginning, clearly shows that the leadership are people in whom the principles of Dharma run true. Contrast this with the modern ‘western values’ that turn good to evil and evil to good and run antithesis to all the laws of nature and god and we can see clearly that the Russian leadership live within Dharmic principles.
In truth, I am likely not qualified to discuss Dharma. If you wish to attain greater understanding, I recommend you to the Gita of Krishna, the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the fields of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata war. I would note that the translations may not be perfect but you should get a good understanding if you consider your own moral viewpoints, as the principles are universal.
Truth is a core principle of Dharma, both seeking for the greater truth in the universe and telling the truth, in other words being bereft of the trait of lies. Putin, we see clearly, speaks the truth. He says what he does. His team likewise follow this principle.
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term much abused by one British backed Mohan Das Ghandi. It does not mean ‘non-violence’, it means the least amount of violence. Dharma does not mean running away from evil and injustice, it does not mean sacrificing your nation for sake of some arbitrary reason of ‘non-violence’ or ‘democratic values’ or ‘human rights’ as defined by the western powers and their lackeys. Dharmic ahimsa means taking the action that incurs the least amount of violence. We have seen since the current leadership of the Russian Federation came into power that they have strictly and conscientiously adhered to this principle, be it in Chechnya, Georgia, Ukraine or Syria.
Another principle of Dharma is that one should not acquire illegitimate wealth. One need only look at the lifestyles of the former security service personnel in the Russian senior leadership to see that they do not indulge in corruption and acquisition of ill-gotten wealth. This is beyond dispute, despite all accusations to the contrary by those of no moral standing.
A key principle of Dharma is to establish and maintain control over one’s senses. In other words, be not the person who indulges overly in senses, be it food, alcohol, sexual activities or other activities that involve the senses. This is not to say that one need be an ascetic and retreat to the mountains, but only that one maintain balance and not let the senses dominate the person. We see from the conduct, both public and private, of the Russian leadership, that discipline of senses is forged deeply into their character. One hopes that the next generation is made of similar metal.
A somewhat esoteric principle of Dharma is that of purity in thought, speech and deed. In simple terms, this means that do not think evil thoughts. Be good within and without and do not think ill of others. Have no place inside yourself for greed or envy or other such negative emotions. Whilst we cannot get into the heads of the Russian leadership, we can see their exteriors and often enough the outside reflects within. In regards to Putin, we can see clearly the genuine warmth and human feelings of the man. In particular, I recall a documentary in which he was Judo flipped by a young Japanese judo-ka. Such conduct shows a man without ego.
There are many further principles of Dharma, such as all should render services to others, all should avoid greed and selfishness and one should consider all the world and all people as one’s family. I will leave it to you to consider these and other Dharmic principles in the assessment of the leadership of the Russian Federation.
I pose that western assessments of Russia leadership (or anyone for that matter) are irrelevant, as the western leadership and its various levels of control authority and mechanisms are bereft of moral authority for they are at their core nature Adharmic. Therefore, let the people of the world reject this false moral authority. Let all people, including the ordinary people within the western powers, consider that their ancient saints and gurus have more to teach and more wholesome spiritual and moral guidance than these Adharmic demons that call themselves moral authorities.
Thanks Student
A very timely and wonderful essay.
Regards.
Baaz
thank you, student for these powerful insights. The far eastern philosophies are fascinating, not just for spiritual (and physical) healing but also to understand life events.
I would like to offer additional perspective that complements yours: Dharma is the natural law that guides the rightness of our actions. Dharma means to “act in accordance with one’s duty”
From the Bhagavad Gita:
“According to your life,
you duties have been prescribed for you;
Follow them and your desires
wil be naturally fulfilled”
Where there is Dharma there is victory..
Is Vladimir Putin acting according to his duty? Are Obama and the US politicians doing the same?
Yes, VP is acting according to rules of Dharma where as US is acting with the rules of Adharma since its inception. does it make sense??
regds
Sanjay
@Serbian Girl: “Is Vladimir Putin acting according to his duty?”
Putin’s loyalty to his duty as an officer of state (a loyalty that includes courage and plain common sense) has already become legendary. It is encapsulated in the story of “the young KGB officer with only 12 bullets in his gun” who successfully defended the Soviet archives against an angry mob in Dresden, during the looting and burning that took place when the USSR withdrew from its wartime occupation of Germany. “You can hear that story in any pub in Dresden”.
Whether true or not (where are the documents) that story is mythical in the Jungian sense: a story which embodies spiritual forces that are important to the collective consciousness of a folk.
By the way, the Russians are long gone but the Yanks are not. Germany is still ruled by law of US military occupation. And there is the new monster, Camp Bondsteel, the largest US military camp in Europe, on Serbian soil in the NATzO-occupied province of Kosovo, torn from Serbia by overwhelming military force under the leadership of WClinton.
These are “West” to Far-east.
But you dont have to go that far (or “come” this far, as I am from India). Philosophy of Gita is like Roman Stoicism. Stoics lived by similar guidelines. The last great Stoic was the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.
To be Stoic (with capital S) is different from being stoic. The western penchant for reductionism has created misperceptions around Stoicism that wont go away!
Clearly Marcus was able to successfully run his country while being Stoic.
His diary of his thoughts is a classic and a must read for any thinking person.
http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/meditations.html
While it is a great work, I am not a big fan of Gita. Patches of it served to promote caste system. It is embedded in a story, an epic novel that is. So it is clearly meant for commoners. Parts of it contradict others, loose terminology etc.
But that is a philosopher’s view. I much prefer Yoga Sutras which is far more rigorous, secular and with a lot of useful practical tips. Gita just delivers a sermon.
Very impressed by both the insight and the composition.
I remain concerned for Russia, for its people, and for those of the “near abroad”, once Putin’s time has passed. But, if there is a class of “Genro” (the term that is used to describe the class of wise men that transformed Japan during the Meiji era) in the Kremlin as this writer suggests, then Russia will be well-led into the future.
The young russians (apart from the children of Liberals in Moscow) are more Nationalist and partriotic towards the Orthodox Russian identity than their parents, because they do not have the Communist influence of Bolshevik Internationalism. Russia is in good stand to become ever more powerful, together with the other fast growing Asian countries. Russia’s future is with the East and hopefully they will embrace the anti western sentiment for ever.
It is quite clear that Putin as a president is doing everything to advance the interests of the Russian Federation, which is exactly what a president is supposed to do. What may not be so obvious is that he is also laying the foundations for the future, for after his time has passed.
Not only is he strengthening the Russian military, introducing laws to make it near impossible for the west to interfere in Russia, but he is also awakening the Russian national pride. Russians will never again accept a government that is serving anyone else’s interests except their own.
I also believe that he has learned from the breakup of Yugoslavia, and in large part “immunizing” Russian Federation against such a scenario, among many other things.
Don’t forget others surrounding him too. Three Sergeys, and many others behind the scenes.
I have no fear for Russia, with Putin or after him.
Perfect.
Dear friends, I hope you remember me awhile ago I used to write some comments on this site. It is exactly on these lines I wrote many times before. I am happy to see that many many folks are finally started to see on these lines of “DHARMA” vs “ADHARMA”.
It is in fact it is Yudha between “Dharma” vs “Adharma”. Dharma would try to avoid it as long as possible where as Adharma would try to provoke as much as it could. During Mahabharata “Krishna” could have finished the war and got over with but HE suggested Arjuna and his brothers to take the penance of 14 years in the forest away from normal life and do the penance to attain all kinds of strength ( of course DHARMIC ) and celestial weapons like Gandeeva for the Final-Hour, i.e for the commencement of final WAR.
Putin and his company are doing exactly same thing since he took over. A lot could be written. But one thing is sure that “WAR will Happen” the ultimate war and only Dharma would Win. Even at the Pause of the WW2 it was the Russia( the Dharma ) who won not the USA. Correct me friends if I am wrong….
Adharma couldn’t win agains another Adharma-USA. Only Dharmic Yudh would destroy Adharma. By the way to show the superiority the Adharma creates a lots of illusions and we are witnessing thru media, gazettes,hollywood, etc which will be overcome only by Dharma.
A lot could be written but I enjoy reading the comments of you all. But today I couldn’t stop myself in expressing my 2 cents.
REgds
Sanjay
Well Put Sanjay .
Dharmic Yudh Jeetega
Regards
Thanks Sanjay, and great that you said that Adharma needs to “create lots of illusions in order to show its superiority”.. Spot on! Be well.
Great article and very surprising because authors thoughts are also my thoughts. Exactly how I see this confrontation. Russia and India must have a lot in common. I´m a Christian and don´t know much about Hinduism. But I must say that if you dive under the surface, you will find this golden principle of Dharma also from the Bible. And exactly in a form the author presents it. Bible speaks much about the lawlessness(Adharma), about how God´s laws(Dharma) are twisted. Exactly what we´ve seen happening in before our eyes. I see this growing trend to perversions and destruction of national states and supranational laws above national laws(like in EU) and attempts to create one race, one religion, one language, and finally even one sex, only as a massive attack against Gods laws. In other words: a massive amount of Adharma is flowing to our energies. So we need Dharmic nations, Dharmic leaders, Dharmic people. People who respect laws of God. I believe in one God, but I see also Hinduism as a monotheistic religion. I think that multiple Hindu-gods are only a different elements of divine entity, the God. And, isn´t the horse-rider with the spear, in the herald of Russia, just like Shiva who destroys the evil? Am I heretic? I know that these are a bit brave words in front of you, who know much more than me. But correct me if I´m wrong. All in all, a great article. Thank you very much.
Non Dharma Values-
Greed
Individualism
Debt
More Greed
Jelousy
Agression
Deception
Boasting
Pork
Exceptional Greed.
This is the essence of Western society, That is why it is crashing down now after 20 years of power- It is society of hedonistic individualist gluttons treading over each other and climbing a mountain of debt, to get to the “top”.
@anone 03:44
…
Pork
…
This is why?
Unclean meat, Pigs do not sweat and therefore the Toxins remain in the flesh. It is an animal which inhabits unclean dirty places and eats anything it finds. When Jesus drove out a demon, it was sent into a herd of Pigs. The brutality of the Nazi was exacerbated by their obsessive and daily consumption of Pork meats. All major religions at one time forbade the eating of the flesh of the Pig.
what do you mean “at one time”? during the fasting days?
Christianity does not recognise any purity system defined by external boundaries. “There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile”. ark 7.15
Christians are allowed to eat pork, and food does not need to be kosher, halal.. etc
Jesus never ate pork
How do you know that?
Jesus himself followed the old testment…doesn’t your bible contain old testament?
He wasn’t following the OT when he ate with tax collectors and sinners and worked on sabbath… Anyway, it doesn’t change the message about spiritually pure/impure food.
Jesus wasn’t a “Christian” ,as you may recall. It was years after that time Christianity split itself from Judaism. After Paul began to convert many Gentiles,and the Jewish requirements (not eating Pork,Circumcision) were dropped.That Christianity was confirmed as a new religion of its own.
Take a look at any bible today, you will see it contains old testament, unless I am missing something here.
It does,as a sign of its descent from Judaism.But the New Testament is meant to supersede the Old where they conflict. In modern computer language it is thought of by Christians as the “2.0” version.
Well he was a Jew and a rabbi at that, so he probably followed the kosher laws. So what! Dogmatism is Fascism!
My pigs eat the same organic matter that ends up on my table and they are housed in a clean shed. Please make an exception for my pigs and let me enjoy my prosciutto and bacon!
Excellent comment
Do you cover up your women, too?
Just like the noble mother of Jesus (peace be upon them) is illustrated in all the icons. Modest dress with head covering. It looks so noble on a lady.
LOL. He/She does not know Russians and Europeans are loving their sausage and bacon.
I do not buy into any of “you are either with me or against me, you are either good or bad argument”.
We have enough trouble in this world, no need for some silly ideas to add to on top of bullsh$t we already have.
If a person respect others, peaceful, hard working, he can eat dung, he can still be my friend. Others are human nature, you have more, or less of it depend on you education, culture, and the way you bring up.
The argument can easily turn against anyone. No need to get so worked up.
I apologize for busting people’s bubbles. Situation is not that desperate to justify glorification yet.
Basically I agree, but the pork? that’s pretty sectarian, isn’t it? Judeo-Islamic Old Testament kinda thing.
Yes in a way. But my take is certain people like to single out pork eating godless commie Chinese for one reason or other. So that is why pork is on the list. Not because he/she is a Jew or Muslim. Same with they like to call Pakistan Porkistan, and telling Pakistanis they are results of rape, etc.
While they like to cite Buddha to outsiders, their treatment of Buddhists in their Nick of woods is awful. I really do not understand where all these degrading come from while there are many others consider them same. You wonder why they seem always want a fight some where…
Mr. J,
Here we go again! The “Pork” referred to in the list of adharmic values refers to the American idiom/euphemism of “Pork”= pork-barrel spending; ie corruption, favoritism, excess and greed. Not the literal meat “pork” that is so popular amongst the citizenry of the nation that has suzerainty over your Pakistan; the citizenry of China.
You have totally taken the list too literally, it was neither pakphobic nor insulting of your homeland’s sponsor and benefactor, China. It was purely a symbolic reference.
It does a lot good to have a mirror that can reflect own behivor. Read your own responses and think about that list of yours, and how should you judge yourself. But I really doubt you know yourself.
Mr J,
Your ad hominems have no relevance and if they persist it will constitute trolling and reflect badly on you.
In the interests of dispelling ignorance and to underscore that my previous response on this topic was in no way a personal attack on you, I will reiterate the clarification of the American political term “Pork” as follows:
In my previous response to you, I was simply was pointing out the meaning of the idiom pork and pork-barrel in the context of American/Anglo culture where it means avarice, theft, waste, corruption, etc.
The reference did not appear to have anything to do with your homeland, Pakistan nor Pakistan’s sole remaining ally, China. (or the Chinese people’s love of pork meat). No one can draw a logical inference or connection between that list of Adharmic vices and you suddenly bringing Pakistan and China into this.
I fail to see how you confusing a euphemism with actual pork-meat has anything to do with the eloquent article written by Student about how Putin et al fits the Hindu ideal of a Dharmic Kshatriyat regent nor how any reference to Pork in the list of Adharmic vices by “Anonymous” is connected to denigrating your country, Pakistan, nor denigrating Chinese people.
Now that confusion regarding the Anglo political idiom “pork” has been cleared up, can we stay on topic?
Anon @ 7:10 a.m. Thank you for explanation.
I come from a culture ( Hispanic) where we eat pork a lot. It is part of our ethnic food.
Nowadays, though I love the taste of it, hardly eat it. Heartburn.
I miss it but old age dictates and I must obey.
Thank you again, for your clarification. God speed to you.
Regards,
Carmel by the Sea
I am of the hippies generation and I still hold those belief’s of sharing, loving and doing your own thing without harming others. In 1972 I was attracted to the teachings and Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and I read his translation of the Bhagavad – Vita. In it he explained that Dharma is the force that supports evolution – the positive force. This so impressed me that I named my only son Dharma in the hopes that he would grow to be his own force of personal evolution. It worked, he is a good man with good values and a kind heart.
I agree with the qualities you have enumerated about Putin and his advisors and I do believe he is doing his best in the role of his life as are those around him. He is a force of good, of sanity, of honesty and his word is and can be trusted. Oh that I could say the same for those of Western Civilization of which the current election process is exposing the shallowness, greed, power seeking, lying leaders of the West.
If! Dharma exists, then it will manifest with Russian victory in the days ahead and it will allow us all to re-examine our culture and the values of our leaders of today to make changes for tomorrow. The forces of history move slowly on a day to day basis but over time all things change and evolve – or not. Who we honour and respect is one way to show how our support will work for the greater good.
Respectfully Submitted by
Thomas Lunde
To my mind dharma sounds Quaker-ish. Similar thoughts and a-priori views of the world occur in the Quaker mind, if I may put things that way.
The essay is wonderful! Many Thanks!
Pax
it is result of eating Qaker cereal not the sound of Dharma. May be too much Kant ……
Sanjay
except dharma enjoins you to kill and destroy even your kin or your guru if those individuals are on the side of adharma (and you have exhausted all non-violent means to stop them): it is a duty of a Kshatriya to kill even such close people in defense of society and justice, to shirk that duty is considered a high sin.
It is the distortion of dharma and ahimsa that Gandhi preached that is Quakerish, not the genuine Hindu (ie Vedic) concept of dharma and ahimsa so well explained by “Student”.
Quite so…recall I wrote “ish”, and “similar”, not “identical. I stand on the view as stated and also accept that you have written the truth. We agree.
My view of the matter, as implied, is frankly said, based on my own genetic disposition and long life. I am Quaker-bred – and not ever associated. Ever, save one visit to the Friends in a nearby town, and that for an entirely secular matter.
I was told as a child that several of my recent, and nearly all of my more distant direct ancestors – all Quakers back to the start – were also men that had fought in wars, and also, some few, had shot men dead in personal gunfights on the “Western Frontier” as the hordes moved to colonize the continent. That’s very unQuakerish. Ethics has situational components, violence can be necessary, it is the way of things. Quakerism fails to account for this… So they did what they did anyway, it is the way things tend to go. Their disposition was really, like my own, not a matter of belief, though they may have thought so, but their own natural genetic and epigenetic disposition.
Pax, Friend!
I’m not an expert on anything but my personal admiration for V. Putin springs from a deep-seated yearning for The Good as if something was lost in a previous life, much like my innocence was lost to a child molester at age ten. Seeking perhaps a return to innocence or Paradise Lost (cf. Milton) after a period of debauchery upon returning to my American birthplace during the 70s’ “sexual revolution” (having lived my childhood and youth in more southern latitudes), I redirected my desperate craving for a better world to the leadership of a gentleman of great (dare I say brutal) intellectual force and Quaker background which seemed to jive with the Marxist dialectical-materialist outlook I had acquired during my college years. My acquaintance with this new-found mentor and group of collaborators over a quarter-century of political activism further honed my critical skills through the study of western classics with an emphasis on the distinction between Aristotelian reductionism (so typical of today’s pathetic, disgusting MSM) and the Socratic dialogues of the eternal Plato, whence a new understanding of dialectics blossomed in my mind, possibly more akin to the eastern school of Dharma. However a dogmatic absolutism stemming from certain character flaws in this particular leader made shallow the profound and led to my renewed disillusionment and a relapse into cynicism, even as I continued to see the existential dangers in the economic, political and military affairs of the world, until the emergence of an enlightened pole of leadership in Russia rekindled the feeble light of hope still flickering within. But now, faced with a choice between two demonic forces which I cannot bring myself to reconcile with even if one of them may appear to be the “lesser evil” (but I really can’t tell, in spite of The Saker’s and others’ hopes that Trump somehow represents a lower risk of all-out war with Russia), I must admit that a final showdown seems to be the only means of restoring peace and sanity to a world gone crazy under the psychotic sway of a worldwide oligarchy run amok—though it may kill us all. Strategic closure must be reached and the unending treason to mankind and universal prevarication of these civilization-wreckers must come to light even to the blindest conformists, and be permanently defeated. Though I appreciate the need to contemporize with a vastly more powerful, reckless, irrational enemy, it’s gotten to the point where people with any sense of history, peace or justice just can’t sleep at night—I am fatigued, exhausted. Dharma seems to be a good way of looking at things in a spiritual dimension without succumbing to religious superstition. I was just telling someone moments ago that instead of voting this year I might just pray for my country and the world, and let God do his thing, because I find myself individually helpless. Maybe there is a heaven, and we’ll never be happy until we get there, even if it’s riding the shock front of a thermonuclear mushroom. Godspeed, Mr. Putin. Do whatever it takes.
I am smitten by the logic and grace of your argument. A few days ago it was mentioned in Commenter Corner that comments of a ‘spiritual’ nature seem to be coming more frequently. If quality like yours and that of the comment selected for CC are a sign of the times, then all is not lost and order may indeed be coming out of chaos.
“smitten” another english word close to the soul
and I’m smitten by the putin-band playing
by teaching
the darma symphony on the world stage
and I’m also smitten by the fact that
the last 70 of the fife hundred years
of western brainwashing produced
such a low level of Dharma in the
younger Generation’s minds
my consolation is that every coming
of a very high wave of spirit
must be preceded by a very low
spiritual valley
Franz,
I agree with you, Student’s essay was beautiful, eloquent, humble and quite informative. Really well put and great parallels showing the siloviki as a Russian Kshatriya ruling cadre from which the divinely chosen Maharaj or Samrat is chosen to discharge the duties as a dharma that only shrewd warriors can do with integrity and courage.
Excellent Essay “Student”!
More on dharma:
http://www.ramaquotes.com/html/dharma.html
Great and important article! It is important to get this idea out. In one of his last speeches before he was murdered, John Kennedy noted that some powerful people wanted to use covert actions to overthrow governments, and he supported open and diplomatic efforts. He fired the head of the CIA (Dulles) and did not back the Bay of Pigs, and because JFK did not support these covert actions, he was murdered covertly. Covert actions need to be covert, because they are essentially amoral – aimed at overthrowing sovereign governments, stealing other people’s banks / oil and gold, murdering people, and covering up their activities with lies spread by a corrupt media. That is, they are direct contradictions of God’s laws (and you could have capitalized God in your article). Since Kennedy’s assassination, we have been living in a world dominated by covert wars both internally and internationally culminating in 911 which was intended to justify the current series of wars in the Mid-East including Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, etc. In all these wars, we fight on the same side of the other governments that were responsible for 911. Standing against these wars is a moral obligation for those who know God’s law. It is a war of good against evil. I have observed that most of those opposing the empire have strong religious convictions, and are devoted to the Truth, another word for dharma. Thank you for bringing up this important perspective.
@ Jim
” Since Kennedy’s assassination….”
This is becoming a tedious mantra to project an image of a lily-white pure USA. It was not! It became the first nation to deliberately commit mass murder on a gigantic scale in 1945 in Germany and Japan, then followed by the Korean war where miillions perished and by the time Kennedy turned up the first thing he did was to escalate its interference in the civil war in Vietnam because “Now we have a problem, making our power credible, and the place is Vietnam”.
I know a bit of history and if anything is certain and consistent is that the USA, from the debauched “Founding Fathers” to this date, can be relied on to meet the definition of evil.
I know a bit of history and if anything is certain and consistent is that the Muscovite Tsardom from the debauched “Varangarian Rus” to this date, can be relied on to meet the definition of evil.
This is becoming a tedious mantra to project an image of a lily-white pure Moscovite Tsardom. Russia’s history is just as shameful as anywhere, the slavery of Serfdom, killing millions of Siberian natives in the same manner that USA did, plundering central asia, deporting the entire Crimean Tatar population, Anti Semitic riots, the of killing Non Orthodox citizens…….. for goodness sake learn some of own your history before blaming USA for every bad thing in the world.
USA was non interventionist until a hundred years ago and maintained a isolationist Christian based society, with mostly Agriculture and Mining. In the 1910s, Elements, mostly British, French and German Jews, started to take power of the federal finances and got the USA involed in european wars. Modern Europeans are the ones who keep happily keep sucking up USA money and try and entangle it.
Just like one can never been white enough for Nazis, One can never been good enough for one reason or other.
Have an open mind, love and accept your friend, family, your countryman, and every one else, include your enemy, the world will be much better place, period!
By the way, I am a godless socialist. I can easily understand why social liberals look down on certain people even I distaste the behavior.
What a beautiful thread, with amazingly good comments. Do we can have hope for better ? If we could have the power to multiply such individuals like you, this world would be much much better. As we see in other threads, the war is going on and is getting even harder. May the power of God, the spirit of Dharma and love of Jesus enhance our souls in this fight which HAS to be WON !
What a load of old tosh.
Good and bad are relative terms and have no standing in Oneness. God can be no less present in a piece shit than in a sunset; no less present in Puntin than in Obama, no less present in a dog than in a cat, or a louse, or a flea … or a pig. Shall we take an inventory of the biosphere?
The only place that God is not is in the ego.
The infinitely divisible consciousness of God moves from the unthinking to the unthinkable – each individualised ‘thinking’ following a pre-determined path within this movement – ‘the spiritual path’, which is a literal path, although much more akin to the path of a bird in flight than to a path along the ground.
Dreaming and dreaming, one ‘thinking’ follows on another in a succession of so called ‘births’ and ‘deaths’ – the evolution of forms, ever more complex, until the individualised ‘thinking’ attains the human form. The pinacle of evolution. Then the first human form is dropped – the so called death of a human being. The first of millions of human incarnations for each individualised ‘thinking’ on its return to the Source, sometimes it takes the form of a man and sometimes the form of a woman, sometimes rich sometimes poor, sometimes sick sometimes healthy. This is the dream of experience. One can believe that the moon is made of blue cheese but experience is all.
Taking sides in a dream is pointless. The objective is to wake up!
Yes, you! Wake up!
Interesting article, seconded by many agreeable comments and then a nice contrarian, against the grain comment by Dhunidas.
However, I will NOT wake up now. I will do so at 4:30 am in order to catch a plane.
Now, (11 pm) I will go to sleep.
But I will watch for more comments by many here, whose handles I have not often seen. Or ever seen, before. But this thread seems to be right in your wheelhouses, many of you. I enjoy it also, though my vessel is only a skiff on a pond.
Yes, I have misinterpreted what Dhunidas meant. It’s just that also by being contrarian about his comment, I feel I may have understood it slightly better, than seconding it. Maybe this makes no sense. But it does make sense for me at this moment, and when I need to fall asleep and having things in some sensible order assists in that goal, this seems good, and necessary.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
The affairs of the world belong to the One who created it. Men strive to mould it nearer to their hearts’ desire – without first examining the condition of their hearts. The One who created it makes the little men – the Prime Ministers and the Presidents – strut on the stage and wave their arms and shout, putting their lines into their mouths. The same One sits in the audience with the rest of us, pretending surprise as the scenes and acts unfold …
I don’t see any difference between Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. They all proclaim the same principles of ‘good v evil’ yet they all show a propensity for ‘evil against good’, including the Dharma practitioners, especially the Japanese who have shown an uncanny bend for cruelty, not only to foreigners, but also among themselves.
The reason why Japan was not colonized before 1945 was not because of a superior Dharma ideology, it was because Japan was a warrior nation and the Nanban who turned up on their shores in 1542 never intended to conquer it anyway. The Portuguese Empire was a sea-based trading empire with some land outposts in strategic locations to control sea routes from North Africa to Macau. Neither did the British (1808) or Yanks (1854) even attempt to invade, although the latter were totally clueless about the Japanese, who were then described as savages, but if they did, they would soon find out that Japan was a tough nut to crack.
Just to give you an idea of Japanese military prowess born from a culture of almost permanent warfare, (perhaps a consequence of their insularity, similar to the restless warrior class of medieval Western European knights who also embraced the high principles of chivalry), after the Portuguese introduced the arquebus to Japan within a generation or two there were more firearms in Japan than in any other country in the world (Noel Perrin) and by 1592 the Japanese arquebus-armed invasion forces conquered Korea. There was relative peace in the Edo Period started by Tokugawa probably due to the shogun strict control of firearms, not because of any Dharma.
Different religion, same sh$t: my god mightier than others, my skin whiter than others, my blood pure than others, my ICBM is bigger than others,…. It never ends, end results are same, more conflicts.
I haven’t seen a report on the “Normandy 4” talks in Berlin yet. But if the Syrian “talks” afterwards is a guide, nothing good came of them (I never hoped there would be). It seems as Putin offered to extend the humanitarian ceasefire. That wasn’t good enough for the Western stooges ,Merkel and Hollande (seriously,was there even a thought it would have been). So they decided instead to accuse Russia of war crimes. How Putin restrained himself from showing them a couple of Judo moves “up close and personal” is beyond me. I certainly ,by now,would find that level of restraint very difficult to accomplish.
Very nice essay. I would only venture this question. Is neo-liberal economic ideology with the private for profit ownership of money creation a form of Dharma? The BRICS nations, named so by a Goldman Sachs banker, clearly espouse this mantra.
Quoting, “As time passed, new figures such as Stalin and Khrushchev came to power and the initial genocide ceased.”
Wrong. Stalin did not cease.
Siotu
Very interesting perspective. I would very much agree that the “adharmic” West is a totally corrupt entity and that Russian leadership is absolutely necessary in these Dark Ages (which will only get darker after the US elections and the probable enthronement of the Machiavellian Princess). Thank you, as a practitioner of meditation in the Buddhist tradition it was good to hear our language.
Nice essay and I think that it does reflect the true ways of our ancestors . Wasase (warrior) …as described by Taiaiake Alfred — From Noble Savage to Righteous Warrior https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZfGAqdIJmE
Thank you Student, obviously your Dharma to learn (as it is for all of us),
While I have studied Eastern Philosophy, and am a student of Buddha, I do not feel qualified to speak with authority about Dharma. What I see in the Russian leadership is a very clear reading of what has gone wrong with the West. People might say it was our technology, our will to dominate or our military might which won us the world; it was the strength of our moral argument. Firstly Christian ideology, then Enlightenment principles, Marxism and the Protestant work ethic which convinced the world we were worth following (among other ideals). I am as bitterly disappointed as they are that we didn’t live up to our own self-image. Power is the problem, as always; the psychopaths eventually end up running the show.
I see the Russians reinstalling the international rule of law, the Chinese advocating win-win economics, and the Syrians dying for their sovereignty. We have lost the moral high ground, as you can not run an Empire from up there, only down here in the mud. Even within our own societies, more and more people are watching RT over CNN. The deafening lack of resistance from the Western population to our leader’s crimes is not so much apathy, or even greedy-self interest, but the realisation that we are not worth fighting for. I don’t know much about Dharma, but I do understand Kharma, and that bitch is coming our way. What I hope is that all of you are what is left of the West, and together we can protect what was best about us. So while I don’t have many of your military or intelligence experience, I understand morality, and in the battle to come, this is going to be the most important weapon we have. Only ‘Right Conduct’ can save us now.
@Earthrise
Wow! That was like poetry, eloquent and sincere.
I love Earthrise’s prose, as well as Student’s thoughts. Earthrise:
“What I see in the Russian leadership is a very clear reading of what has gone wrong with the West.”
E.g. Putin studied the West in Dresden.
“I don’t know much about Dharma, but I do understand Kharma, and that bitch is coming our way.
“What I hope is that all of you are what is left of the West, …”
I might add an “and” + I ‘ m shure there is much more “left” in the West – I think of all those silent stars in the mind at the campfires of kind people, whom to meet one hasn’t to go too far – like one American said.
I have studied Marx, Astrology and Jung, but today in my head was a shrewd
saying by whom I’ve forgotten: “History is giving meaning to the meaningless”.
Dharma or Zodiac, both are meaning, reflecting nature. The person In the zodiac the person is a symphony of the 12 which is containing two halfcircles – like nature two sexes or seasons = six pairs of opposites.
And one halfcircle, the low one, “is”, and the other halfcircle the high one “means”.
And one sex has essentally (not totally) to “be” and the other one essentally (not totally) to “sense” . And as Adam was the “Name-giver” … – so for Eve was the place that of the “name – receiver”, by whom ? I think of Eve as a correction of man by God, in the Gestalt of the ‘Sophia’ “knowing” the right names.
All this ordering by word and, older, by image (zodiac, being the everlasting ordering sequence of vegetative stages) has shaped meaning independently of and under the surface of our consciosus reflection.
Also under the surface of conscious reflection is the karmic debt of the American civilisation to the Native American man who owns the spirit of the continent.
The Russian civilisation as well as the Chinese one, as far as I know, is living generally in respect with it’s native population – so much for that apect of Dharma.
I’m really glad of the Vineyard to be a place where the grapes of many a quite earlier harvest are appearing in the Vine of such short readable essays and comments of fellow humans.
And I’ m dead shure, never to rest until my astrological prose will become short and readable enough to a growing number of “resonators” if that proves possible.
I forgot again to put the tub from my light, my latest essay:
http://astromundanediary.blogspot.de/2016/10/10_16.html
What the new Russia politicians have to face to fight for all of us on this earth
http://shatteringthematrix.com/video/video/show?id=2127676%3AVideo%3A1629711&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_video#.WAhQ5DWvBqE
and thank you student for your wonderful essay
Si non e vero e ben trovato! Why go to India, China or Japan? Putin’s inspiration comes from Russia, an only that: Solowiew, Tolstoy, plus Tsar Peter, Lenin and -if necessary- Stalin. Just read what they have said and compare!
Beautiful and heart lifting thoughts! Yes, of course you can form an understanding of Russia, Russian history, state, leadership, civilization, you name it, based on the Dharma. The more than this concept is the equivalent of the Greek ‘Eusebeia’ (εὐσέβεια from εὐσεβής “pious” from εὖ eu meaning “well”, and σέβας sebas meaning “reverence”, itself formed from seb- meaning sacred awe and reverence especially in actions) word used in Greek philosophy as well as in the New Testament, meaning to perform the actions appropriate to the gods. It is actually the same as Ortho-doxia, Pravo-slavia, the right reverence, the right belief, right conduct in regard to the gods, knowledge of how God should be worshiped.
It is important to keep in mind that the Russian ‘politeia’ was from the very moment of its establishment informed by ‘Pravoslavia’. The famous motto of the Russian Empire, known as ‘Official Nationality’: Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality (Russian: Правосла́вие, самодержа́вие, наро́дность, Pravoslaviye, Samoderzhaviye, Narodnost′) was just a reaffirmation of the basic principles of the Russian statehood, the default position to which Russia returned after all the numerous ‘Times of Troubles’ through which Russia has passed. There were the same principles which ensured the rebirth of Russia every time.
ad WizOz: Excellent! The old (black/white) and new (gold and red) double eagle. Funny that the meaning of this historic and eternal state symbol of Russia is not mentioned on Putins official website. Maybe you can explain that riddle in a few words. Thanks.
I confess I didn’t enjoy reading this article. I don’t think it sheds light on Putin, who is an Orthodox Christian and seems to be doing his best to live and lead according to Christian principles. The idea of dharma as “right conduct” just begs the question as to what is right conduct. It sounds nice but is ultimately meaningless.
Putin is defending Christianity as well as doing his best to protect the Russian people. Christianity is his shield against evil, as it is for all true Christians. He is now faced with an enemy that is positively luciferian, seeking his own death and the destruction of Russia. His faith enables him to appreciate that the grave danger he faces has a diabolical origin. The animus against Russia is primarily directed against the Christian renaisance in Russia in my opinion.
I used to have trouble understanding the perseccution of Christians during the soviet era. There is a great autobiography of a man who was a soviet operative for surpressing and killing Christians: “Forgive me Natasha”. He and his fellow thugs would break into private homes to break up Christian worship sevices and they would hunt down Christians conducting prayer meetings in remote locations such as forests in the mountains. There they would split Christian heads on rocks. Why all this brutality against honest, moral and upright citizens? What kind of people were the Bolsheviks that had such hate in their hearts for innocent followers of Christ? Who are the people nowadays who also have an undying hatred for the Catholic Church and want to see it smashed to smithereens?
It seems to me that much of what is destroying the world today is the detemination of many and the acquiesence of multitudes of ‘right thinking’ people to end Christianity. I believe Hillary Clinton is one of those people.
During the Bolshevik era there were several reasons why elements wished to destroy Orthodoxy-
First most of the Bolsheviks were led by Jews in the early years after 1917 and had a hatred of Orthdoxy because of the pogroms and ancient hatreds. Jewish culture is much more friendly and happy to co-exist with Fundamentalist Protestants as they did in Anglo cultures.
Second the ordinary Russian peasants and industrial workers were treated badly by land owners and the Orthodox Clergy kept supporting the wealthy. Christianity had kept the people poor and promised them rewards in the next life. Peasants got fed up with this and after cunning agitation and incitments to violence by the Bolsheviks they went out and killed Christians.
Yes, it is important to stress that it is Christian Orthodoxy and not just a vague ‘righteousness’ that is the base of the Russian state.
The reason for the persecution of the Church is the Jewish hatred of Christianity. This hatred was not provoked by any ‘pogroms’, but is constitutive of Judaism: “If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ (John, 15:25).
The bugbear of the revolt of the ill-treated by the Church peasants was sheer Bolshevik propaganda trying to shift the responsibility for their abominable crimes against the Church.
Keep in mind that the struggle of Judaism against the Russian Church does not start with the ‘pogroms’. It starts with the heresy of the Judaizers at the turn of the XVIth Century which continued underground even after its suppression, taking different forms, all anti-clerical (even the Raskol).
You must be blind or have a heart of stone, dear WizOz. The three big questions of the Russian history through all the centuries were: the Polish or catholic question, the Slavic or eastern question, and the Jewish question. They are interdependent and different historical forms of the fundamental struggle between the east and the west. Russia’s wellbeing was always dependent on the answers given to them (see Wladimir Solowjew, The national question in Russia, I The historical duties of Russia, 1883). Think about that before you speak and act. I wanted to give you a list of all the horrible progromes that took place in Russia between 1881 and 1884 (the first wave only), but it would be too long.
P.S. Three big questions and three big wrongs in the history of Russia: Russification, Panslavism and Antisemitism (according to W. S); you might add Bolshevism – but only God knows the answer.
The struggle for the Dharma comes at critical moments in human evolution. here it considers not only Russia but the future of human civilization as was the case on Kurukshetra..The major point to consider is those who stand for truth -nobody is utterly “perfect- “or at least some truth versus those you stand for falsehood.
Putin as the head of Russia and for those who stand by her seems to be the chosen instrument to make the passage the our -as a species-next paradigm possible. It is clear that our present ways of dealing with each other as people or nation our dealings with the natural resources and our dealings with ourselves at present needs to change to grow up to a higher level
Excellent article Student, different, but excellent never the less.
I could never understand that Ghandi fellow and his non violent ways, but the way you put it makes things much clearer – “It does not mean ‘non-violence’, it means the least amount of violence”. Also Ghandi’s non sexual and vegetarian ways really grated the nerves – much better the “only that one maintain balance and not let the senses dominate the person”.
So its something for the intellect and enough for the human animal present in us as well.
Now I feel for a nice spicy, fatty, pork Texan steak on the braai (fire / barbeque), washed down with a quart of ice cold Carling Black label beer.
I can’t find a better place to post this than here, perhaps there should be an open thread for each front in the world. This is the south China Sea front, and relates to Amerikan Karma – the president of the FIlipines has gone to visit the Emperor, in a historic moment:
“America Has Lost” –
Duterte Announces “Separation” From United States, Alligns With China; Seeks Alliance With Putin
Today during a visit to China, Duterte announced his “separation” from the United States, declaring that he had realigned with China as the two agreed to resolve their South China Sea dispute through talks.
“In this venue, your honours, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States,” Duterte told Chinese and Philippine business people, to applause, at a forum in the Great Hall of the People attended by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. “Both in military, not maybe social, but economics also. America has lost.”
Wow. And Amen.
Putin certainly has a kind heart. Years ago, I remember a psychiatrist saying in an article that adults that kneel down or go physically lower to meet, whilst in conversation with a child has no ego and is more times than not, a good warm human being.
God bless Putin for his love and warmth to all the children he meets.
Here is Putin proving that theory correct:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7eI0a2q393g
Carmel by the Sea
Russian President Vladimir Putin :
” We know year by year what’s going to happen, and they know that we know. It’s only you that they tell tall tales to, and you buy it, and spread it to the citizens of your countries. Your people in turn do not feel a sense of the impending danger—this is what worries me.”
” How do you not understand that the world is being pulled in an irreversible direction? While they pretend that nothing is going on. I don’t know how to get through to you anymore.”
Dharma, a word belonging to Sanskritic languages, in English means ethics. It typically means universal values, the guiding principles that govern human, individual and social, conduct.
As thinking beings we evolved this noble concept for our social and individual well being. Its there in all civilised societies and most certainly in the West as the East. There are rims of writings of great philosophers both in the east and west that have explored this question of ethics in depth. In fact, in the writings of the great writers like Shakespeare, Tolstoy and many others we see them wrestling with this concept and raising, either directly or indirectly, the issues of ethics.
I write this to put what dharma means in a proper context. Its an human construct and doesn’t apply to laws of nature inherent in all living and non living objects.
Now, its a different matter how leaders conduct themselves, whether wisely or unwisely. Seen from this angle, as the writer implies, Putin as a leader seems to be approaching issues with utmost wisdom, unlike his western counterparts.
“By all accounts, the coup in November 1917 by the ‘Bolsheviks’ contained a vast majority of people who had extreme hatred towards the traditional, Orthodox (all religions) population of the Russian Empire. The Tsar Nicholas and his family were brutally assassinated (consider that Tsar as protector of the people is the very picture of the ruler according to Dharmic principles, so we see that Dharma and the Orthodox Church seem to have a similar viewpoint on the Tsar). A great and terrible genocide was committed on the ordinary population. ”
Tsar got what he deserved by being unfit for the office just like Louis and Karl got what they deserved. Nikolai II brought great suffering upon Russia by bringing the country into WW1 and humiliation of Russo Japanese war. The rest is history. Even closest people to him did not back him when revolution happened and mind you Mr . Student, those were not Bolsheviks who started February revolution. You would benefit by reading a bit of Lenin about revolutionary situation. Bolsheviks would come later. It would be nice when Students like yourself learn history before posting speculative esoteric staff.
This is B(ol)S(hevik) ‘history’. It was not Russia that started WWI.
The basic thing to know is thag Russia was subjected to a brutal, anti Orthodox coup in 1917 led by a Swiss resident, part Jewish, German Empire-backed Jewish man called Alexsandr Ulyanov. The majority of Russians, wether peasant or wealthy, did not support Communism. The events in 1917 led, as desired, to the end of Russian parcipitation in the war against Germany. New York and London covertly gave this new coup government loans to keep it going. Russia was thrown into chaos, which is how the west loves seeing the Slavic countries .
In Kiev in 2014 we see exactly the same things happened, except this time it is “ukranian nationalists” and “pro europe liberals” doing the killings. The West and the Jews have worked together for centuries to destroy Orthodox Russia.
We tend to fall in behind misleading attempts to boil down complex historical movements with many moving parts into a discrete and pivotal event. True that the so-called Boshevik Revolution was a follow-on coup of one that took place several months prior in that same year, but it’s even more complex than that.
Movements involve populations in general, implying that there be tremendous momentum to overcome, because populations tend to “stay the course,” and deviation is most often resisted, no matter how bad their current situation is. To understand the Bolshevik Revolution, you have to analyze what was taking place in Russia, In the hierarchy, during the 15-20 years prior to the time-stamp of the “event.” But, that’s just as a minimum. You also have to avoid giving in to the straight dichotomy of a bad-guy/ good-guy narative.
With movements as profoundly upsetting as this, you almost never have the luxury of an unequivocal identification of antagonist and protagonist. Usually, all the parties involved are responsible for the carnage to some degree. You should also realize there be participants concealed behind curtains of intrigue and conspiracy, and that these conspiracies might also be vendettas very long in the tooth. For example, do we find a link between what took place in Russia during 1917-18 and what took place in Vienna, 1815-16 (Congress of Vienna)?
One of the connections might be the Rothschild dynasty, and an acrimonious relationship with House Romanov. These sort of historically significant changes are far bigger in scope than the reduction to a few short paragraphs in the history text book like the one I had, that tell you almost nothing about the actual drama that took place during the course of a generation, or longer.
Thank you for reading and contributing to The Vineyard of the Saker.
@do we find a link between what took place in Russia during 1917-18 and what took place in Vienna, 1815-16 (Congress of Vienna)?
Indeed we do. The Vienna Congress instituted an incipient form of the “Concert of Nations” where Russia was playing a directing role. All subsequent history was a series of attempts to dismantle the achievements of the Congress, to ‘contain’ Russia and bring again war and destruction at her door. What took place in Russia decades prior to the Bolshevik coup was fomenting the revolution by professional revolutionaries, ‘creating a revolutionary situation’, using the same techniques as today (actually, today’s techniques are the same old revolutionary ones).
Thank you for these thoughts.
Let me add my two cents..
First of all, Dharma is NOT religion. So anybody practising any religion (Christianity / Islam/ Hindu/ Shamanic ) can do follow Dharma.
Dharma comes from Sanskrit root word Dhri/Dhru – which generates the Sanskrit word, Dharana meaning to Hold. The word Dharani means the Earth which holds everything. That is, Dharma is the bedrock on which all philosophy or practice should rest.
Dharma also means the ‘Defining property’. Like chemical properties is described as Rasayanik property, physical properties are described as Bhautik dharma. Like fire will give Heat. It is the defining property of fire.
In this context, Dharma would mean ‘Righteous Conduct’ – the best conduct which is fair to all, even the adversary. But Dharma needs other supports – Artha (sustenance, Kama – Desire to Create and Moksha – giving up everything when the time is due.
Dharma is described by Fiery signs in Zodiac – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These are all Kshatriya, i.e., Warrior Class. So, all of them are supposed to uphold Dharma. And ‘Dharma Rakshati Rakshitaa’ – Dharmic action protects the Protector.
But it is also prescribed that all are not suitable to receive the straightforward Warrior actions. A King has to use Sama = Same, Dama= Repression, Danda = Punishment and Bheda = Division (of enemies). He has to use Kootneeti (Diplomacy), use Guptchar (spies) and whatever necessary to protect his kingdom. With Crooks (Shatha), he has to use Shathata (crookedness). Shathe Shaathyam Samaacharet.
In addition, there are few limitations too. A warrior cannot kill non-combatants, women and children. Neither he can kill an unarmed opponent !. There was standard time and location for fighting. Obviously the Rajputs of India lost to Islamic invaders who did not bother about niceties (Geneva Convention).
But the defining characteristics of a Kshatriya is to defend his mother/fatherland at any cost.
Putin has shown, so far, exemplary characteristics. He is a World Leader. So far, his actions have been Dharmic.
BTW, Religion is named as a Panth = Path. Any religion that has a bedrock of principles that allows its followers to treat the co-religionists and Non-religionists as same when it comes to Justice and resources is acceptable. That’s why all persecuted religions sought and got shelter in India. It also gave rise to Polytheist religions in India. And one more point – There was never a Hindu-ism. It is Sanatana Dharma – the eternal Dharma. One British stooge, an Opium runner in cohorts with British wanted to belittle Sanatana Dharma and introduced the word Hinduism.
“Dharma is described by Fiery signs in Zodiac – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These are all Kshatriya, i.e., Warrior Class. So, all of them are supposed to uphold Dharma. And ‘Dharma Rakshati Rakshitaa’ – Dharmic action protects the Protector.”
Without knowing the concept,I’ve found only “Dharmic” astrology on my way without knowing the Indian bedrock in meaning.
Thank you for the ordering aspect.
I
anonymus 5:10 pm was me.
“Dharma is described by Fiery signs in Zodiac”
my feeling is, that the sentence should be: Dharma is enforced by fiery signs, as of the signs ot the three other elements: each caries an element in three ways of Dharma.
In Indian system, the Zodiac signs are classified in many manners. One of them is
Aries / Leo / Sagi – Dharma – Kshatriya Caste
Taurus / Virgo/ Capri – – Artha – Vaishya – Traders Caste
Gemini / Libra / Aqua – Kama – Shudra caste
Cancer/Scorpio/ Pisces – Moksha – Brahmin caste.
What you have written is also true. Administration and Leadership needs inherent core strength and need people who can use punishment and use other deterrences. Only a True Kshatriya can enforce that.
I like this article much. It gives one a standard of measurement. I agree with the author’s assesment of the West; ‘The villain in the white hat’ claiming some moral high ground, when they have no Dharma at all.
Speaking about Dharmic leaders, check this amazing link: https://www.facebook.com/HumanityFirst24x7/videos/1134497926605870/
I simply love Lukashenkos Russian temperature!
I also really enjoyed reading this essay, and the comments. Thank you, Student.
From Hindupedia –
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः धर्म हिंसा तथीव च
Ahimsa paramo dharma Dharma himsa tathaiva cha
Non-violence is the ultimate dharma. So too is violence in service of Dharma.