Hurricane Katrina has ripped apart New Orleans in USA, but I don't see much media buzz around here. Maybe it's because I don't keep track of the media, but that's another story for another post.
The following is a personal reflection on the causes of Katrina. It is in no way meant to be an attack on Americans or a true and complete representation of Buddhism:
When I first heard of the damage that Katrina inflicted on the state, my first thought was, "Hah! Serves them right! They waged war against another country, killing innocents and keeping their own troops there for far too long. Now they are tasting the fruit they have planted. Maybe now they'll understand how the mothers, fathers, and children of Iraq/Afghanistan feel when they see their houses destroyed and family killed."
But the more I think about it, the more I find that the above rationale is just not.... rational. The fact is, karma is a non-transferable energy. I remember the saying, "All sentient beings are dependent on their karma". America, as a whole, is not a sentient being. They are run by a few idiot-heads whom will have to bear the karma of waging war. But not the people whom don't support it. I'm sure New Orleans has its share of Democratic supporters as well.
Furthermore, it is a fallacy to think that everything is caused by karma. The Buddha has explained that the world is conditioned by several factors, karma being one of them. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis are not dependent on karma. They happen out of any karmic influence, and it's important to understand that.
In short, shit happens.
So, I've decided to stop pointing fingers and instead spread thoughts of goodwill towards anyone traumatised by Hurricane Katrina.
Sabbe Satta Sukhihontu
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