I haven’t thought of that quote in several years, and it’s one of my favorites.

It literally gave me goosebumps when first hearing it.

You reminded me of the geniune intent of that speech.

Oh, and the annoying Buddhists I met have all been North American.

Raised a Catholic, myself, I prefer not to follow any group or doctrine. I’m more in line with Richard Dawkins, and prefer to live and let live.

Your many comments show that you focus on the human condition. Your courage in this article is just so inspiring.

And I fully agree that transcending race is to focus on the human condition, no matter what color of the rainblow the skin color is.

I simply find Mr. Wah’s actions so unbuddahist – its almost comparable to a Catholic guzzling wine in Church and callng it “Holy Communion”.

Thanks for your kind words.

This has been my experience as well, so imagine my “surprise” to hear this from a Buddahist!

Transending race, for me, is about focusing on the “Human Condition”, which as member of a union was about the conditions the members “toil” in.

It is inspiring to hear people such as yourself taking a stand.

Honor and principles are easily talked about. But how many of us have been in a public situation which forced them to act on behalf of those principles, such as you have?

Obviously, that can’t be answered with any accuracy.

Those who have….know that they could be the one suffering a whistleblower’s backlash. Rather than the people or organization that they are speaking out against.

Which makes it even more honorable you made your stand.

Thanks again.

The Buddhists I have taught and known are primarily of Asian origin.

I have not met any Buddahists who ever criticized anyone else. They are usually humble and self effacing. They truly believe that those of us who cling to our emtional desires have at least a few more lifetimes to cycle before we “get it”. Yet never, in over 20 years, have I met a preachy or condemnary Buddahist. And I have known Buddahist students who had horrible things happent to their family members – especailly during the “Cultural Revolution” and also after Tienemen (sp?) Square.

The American Buddahists near my aunt have not reached anywhere near the inner peace the Asians exhibit, and tend to be more brash. But still it is done humorously, not with criticsim or condemnation.

From their eye expressions, I have seen when a Buddahist is offeneded or put off by something, but I have never heard it expressed in a degrogatory fashion toward anyone. They are the epitome of courtesy and gentleness.

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

Robert F. Kennedy