Category: Philosophy

Laos Buddhist Socialist Republic: Laos-British Ministry of Foreign Affairs Strengthen Cooperation! (5.9.2023)

In this meeting, the two sides appreciated the friendship and good cooperation between the Laos PDR and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland throughout the past period, and expressed a determination for this interaction to continue and grow in support one other. The two sides discussed various aspects of cooperation, such as politics, trade-investment and British aid projects in Laos, such as the Unexploded Ordnance Clearance Project (leftover from the US aggression in the region), the Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF), the Youth Empowerment Project (Lone Buffalo), the Health Sector Cooperation Project (Fleming Fund) – whilst the NHS is cut in the UK – and others. In addition, the two sides also exchanged opinions on the ASEAN-UK Cooperation Framework, and the Laos ASEAN chairmanship in 2024 and some outstanding situations that both sides are interested in.

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China: Gansu Buddhist ‘Smile of the Orient’ Said to Equal That of the ‘Mona Lisa’! (5.9.2023)

The early Buddhist groups in China mirrored that of the extant Confucian scholiastic system – often forming around married laymen – with disciples taking the surname of the teacher as their ‘Dharma-Name’ and essentially becoming an extension of his family. Grottoes such as that featured below were places where Buddhists could meet, share and practice their understanding of Indian Buddhist philosophy. An understanding of Buddhist monasticism started to arrive and distinguish itself in China from the existing lay-practice around the 5th century CE – the date I believe this ‘smiling’ monk appears to date from. Whereas Buddhist lay-practitioners did not shave their heads (like Daoists and Confucians) – monastic Buddhists (male and female) were required to shave their heads – indicative of their ‘rejecting’ of the desire-laden conventions that define, guide and justify the external world.

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Ruckersville [2009]: Chris Chan Is Working On It! (4.9.2023)

Interestingly, Robert Chandler (a US Army Veteran who fought in Korea) – was a very successful engineer in his civilian life – whose many different patents also contributed to the development of the 3-D Printer! Apparently, the family made a comfortable living from these patents whilst Robert was alive and it is something of a mystery as to ‘why’ this income never continued to help Chris and Barbara after his death in 2011. Furthermore, although Chris suffers from Autism – he made an attempt to keep his bedroom relatively free of the clutter that dominated the rest of the living space. Robert Chandler is well aware of the reality (and ‘danger’) of ‘hoarding’ – and explains this to Chris whilst not realising the camera is still running and whilst assuming that the internet is situated in a specific location somewhere in the outer world! He is referred to as the ‘Lumberjack’ – as he once implied he could ‘cut-down’ the internet!

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China: Who is Covering-Up the Unit 731 War Crimes of Japan? (4.9.2023)

“What Japan waged during WWII was an aggressive war, and Unit 731’s deeds were the most horrifying. But Japan has never truly reflected on this, which has resulted in a vague understanding of this history and even influenced local governments,” said Kubota.

“This is the fundamental reason behind the Iida City Board of Education’s refusal to display Unit 731 panels!” he said.

A survey conducted by Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun revealed that only 30 percent of the 85 WWII-related museums across Japan have long-term exhibits regarding the nation’s history of aggression. None of them has exhibits dedicated to Unit 731.

“Cover it up, then forget it without realizing it… The nation’s attitude of making true history vanish is fully evident in the acts of the Iida City Board of Education,” said Kubota, expressing profound sorrow amid the Japanese government’s attempts to conceal the truth of its wartime aggression.

“We must not let the true history disappear,” said the gray-haired man, leaning on his cane.

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China: Japan Urged to Draw Lessons from 1923 Kanto Massacre! (4.9.2023)

Nearly 800 Chinese residents and more than 6,000 Korean residents in Japan fell victim to the Kanto Massacre orchestrated by Japanese military, law enforcement and nationalist extremists, according to research data.

Also on Saturday, civic groups rallied in front of the National Diet Building in Tokyo. Guest speakers said justice must be served and urged the Japanese government to recognize this historical event, compensate the victims’ families and learn from past mistakes.

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DPRK: Socialist Greetings to Vietnamese Party and State Leaders! (4.9.2023)

‘Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people are now waging a vigorous struggle for building a developed and prosperous Socialist State, true to the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress.

Being convinced that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and countries will further develop in conformity with the aspiration and desire of the two peoples – I wish the General Secretary and the President greater successes in their responsible work for the strengthening of the Party and the State and for the well-being of the people.’

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