Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Balance

'Madhyam marg' or the middle path advises balance. The key principle of Gautam Buddha's preachings, 'madhyam marg' applies to a wide range of life aspects - from diet to economic systems.

While nutritionists will clearly advice on the former, latter might be of lesser interest to many who are busy dealing with the mundane activities of daily life.

Capitalism and Socialism are two opposites. Neither is better over the other, but it requires a balance. Capitalism is important to motivate people to work and enjoy their acheivements while aspects of socialism are necessary keeping in mind the number of underpriviledged in the world. (850m suffer from hunger, 1.1b live in extreme poverty, a permanent state of emergency - 'The Economist').

Yet, the world is led toward higher propotions of capitalism. Here in the US, privatising social security would be a a drastic step toward this disbalance.

Fears: increasing income disparity and leaving fewer consumers with the wealth to buy the produces of capitalism. A considerable propotion of socialist values would lend compassion to a society motivated and energized by a capitalist system.

Lets follow the 'madhyam marg' and find a balanced diet for the economic system.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

Taj Mahal

An architectural marvel, epitome of love - the Taj Mahal has a questionable history.

The claim of it being built by Shah Jahan is questioned by Professor P.N. Oak who puts forward some facts including one of carbon-dating a peice of wooden door from the marble building. http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/846445.cms

The epitome of love was built by the king who was cruel enough to cut off the hands ofthe workers after the completion of the Taj Mahal so that no one would ever be able to build such a marvelous monument again.

“Until the lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” --African Proverb

Lets just admire the beautiful architectural marvel for what it is and not try to glorify it as anything like "The World's Greatest Love Story ". And to give credit where it is due: History books say the cheif architect of Taj Mahal was Isa Khan.