Text1: "Knowledge is gained by discernment, by examining, by instruction, but not by bathing, nor gifts, nor a hundred holdings of the breath."
I like this quote, as I believe that it promotes action. It says that you cannot receive knowledge, you must earn it. There are many parts of life that you cannot simply get by performing the bare minimum, or expecting to receive simply because you completed a perceived prerequisite. It's almost like expecting to learn just because you go to class. While going to class is good, just like the religious actions described in the quote, it is not enough.
Text2: "The moon's form must be seen by one's own eyes; it can never be known through the eyes of another."
Here, another quote that promotes action, but in a different way. Before it was a quest for knowledge, now it is one for experience. It seems that people are content to hear stories of the amazing experiences and phenomena that exists in this world and not see them for themselves. It is difficult to learn a new language, or travel to distant places and so its easier to sit back and admire those who have. In reality sometimes all it takes is a little more effort or courage to get up and experience the world.
text:1 "The Buddha's core message is that human nature is not fixed".
I found this to be very interesting, yet rather controversial. Sure, some people can act against what people find to be human nature--and do great things because of it--but for a society as a whole, I'm not sure its possible. We can see that many Utopian visions, ideas that work out perfectly in theory, disintegrate in practice because not enough people can truly go against primal instincts to optimize themselves, even if it is at the expense of others. I don't mean to say that humans are innately bad, or selfish, but when it comes to our performance, we are certainly a little prideful. If this is a good or a bad thing, some times it is difficult to tell.
text 2
"People in the World's emerging nations may need to have their three televisions and two cars long enough to assure themselves that these luxuries are not the be all end all of human existence"
I actually really enjoy this quote. I think it perfectly describes a part humanity's flaws. We all like to think that the grass is greener on the other side. People in emerging nations see our wealth, and they want it. However, there are people in America who see the simpler lives of those in emerging markets and yearn for the days when everything was simpler and did not seem so profit driven. I'd like to think that there is a balance, as there is with almost everything else in life. There has to be a middle ground where the majority of people on Earth have access to at least basic commodities, so that they are comfortable, yet no one is overconsuming because an advertising agency told them to. In this middle ground is where I feel people will be the happiest
Text1: The research showed that, for every person we provide services, we were saving the Medicaid budget $18,000 per year
Response1: This piece of information struck me as vital to the survival Mia. It is one thing to operate in an altruistic fashion, helping low income seniors wherever possible. It is completely different to do this in such a way that actually saves money. Often organizations such as Mia must be on a very small scale, because the government simply cannot or will not fund outrageously expensive programs, whether they help people or not. However, I find it remarkable that Mia has found a solution that is not only socially responsible, but also financially responsible.
Text2: "I was so inspired when I walked into the room on the day of the award ceremony to find over 200 people, most of them much older than I was, tackling and succeeding in some of the most difficult problems confronting our community."
Response 2: I feel that change occurs when people can come together to solve problems. As much emphasis is put on an individual 'making difference' in our society, true change happens when individuals work together on a common problem and make it a goal to correct. The fact that so many people have made it their personal goal to confront the issues in our community is reassuring. It lets you know that no matter your age, you can always help make the world a better place.
Wed Nov 20, 2013 4:46 am
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