Clarification to misleading remarks Pastor Rony Tan made on Buddhism
February 25th, 2010 | 
Author: I like to thank Rony Tan for his public apology to the Buddhist community for the insensitive things he said. However, as a Buddhist I am still concerned. Due to the hype surrounding this incident, many people have watch the video clips where Rony Tan belittled Buddhism. Numerous remarks made against Buddhism were misleading and untrue. If not corrected, this could lead to greater confusion in the general public regarding what Buddhists really believe.
This article is an attempt to clarify numerous misconceptions made by Pastor Rony and his two interviewees in the video clips.
Misconception 1: Pastor Tan interviewed an ex-monk*
According to the Joseph Wee’s testimony, he joined the Buddhist monastic order for a period of only two weeks. If this is true, he was a novice and not a real monk. Monkhood is a serious commitment that requires years of dedication and training in order to develop deep understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.. A novice who wants to become a monk actually has to go through a second ordination.
Misconception 2: Pastor Tan commented about Buddhist chanting: “One could chant oo-ee-oo-ah-ah-tik-tank-wala-**bing-bang, it doesn’t mean anything”*
Traditional Buddhist chanting is usually in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan or classical Chinese. Buddhist chanting have specific meanings. Some chants remind us of the Buddha’s teachings of avoiding evil, doing of good and purification of our minds, while others are to reaffirm our faith. Many Buddhist organisations today have English and Chinese translations of these chants so that the faithful understand what they are chanting.
Misconception 3: Pastor Tan and Joseph Wee commented that Buddhists want to be more powerful than God
Buddhism does not subscribe to the concept of God found in the Abrahamic religions. Nor is it the Buddhist goal to be a powerful god. The goal in Buddhism is Enlightenment – to be free from greed, hatred and ignorance, which are spiritual defilements that cause the world much suffering.
Misconception 4: Pastor Yan’s comments on the Buddhist concept of Karma*
The Buddhist concept of Karma does not equate to fatalism. Buddhists do not passively accept it when bad things happens to them. Karma means “intentional action”. While Buddhists believe many of the things we
experience are due to past Karma, we are also reminded that we are active participants in influencing our present and future situations through our present actions.
Misconception 5: Pastor Tan commented that since we could not remember our past life, we cannot learn from our mistakes
Through honest contemplation of our present state and correct understanding of how Karma works, we can know what we have done in our past-lives. Similarly, by looking at our current actions, speech and thoughts, we can know what we can expect in the future. As an ancient Buddhist saying goes, “If you want to know about your past lives, just look at your present. If you want to know about your future, look at your present too!”.
Misconception 6: Pastor Tan comments on the status of women in Buddhism
Having read hundreds of sutras from the Pali Canon (Buddhist scriptures), I’ve not come across any statement by where the Buddha considers women to be of a lesser birth than men, or that rebirth as a women is result of bad
deeds performed in past lives as men. In fact, the Buddha said that women, like men, have the capacity for Enlightenment and founded the monastic order of nuns, thus allowing women to actively participate as seriously as men in practising the Buddha’s teachings. All these took place before the Greeks introduced democracy to their society, which incidentally, did not allow women to vote.
Misconception 7: Pastor Tan commented that sounds made by gongs and bells is like music to him
The use of gongs and bells are not meaningless rituals. They have specific functions in Chinese Buddhism. They are used as aids to guide devotees to chant at the same pace, as well as for signaling to devotees when to bow and
rise in unison.
Misconception 8: Joseph Wee (the “ex-monk”) commented that he and other monks do not know what Nirvana (or Nibbana in Pali) was
“Nirvana” literally means putting out the flame. In this context, it means putting out the flame of greed, hatred and delusion. The Buddha described Nirvana as the “deathless”, “sublime”, “peaceful”, “purity” and “freedom”. The Buddha clearly said that practicing the Noble Eightfold Path leads one to Nirvana.
Misconception 9: Pastor Rony commented that the Buddha’s last words were “I am still finding the way”
Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment at the age of 35. From this point onwards, he was known as the Buddha, the Awakened One. He dedicated the rest of his life to showing others the way to Enlightenment and many of
his disciples attained Enlightenment as well. The Buddha’s last words were that of a dedicated teacher urging his unenlightened disciples to not be complacent, but to work hard. The Buddha’s last words were “Subjected to
change are all conditioned things. Strive on with diligence.”
Tok Meng Haw
Posted in Letters
45 Responses to “Clarification to misleading remarks Pastor Rony Tan made on Buddhism”
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Thanks for the clarification!
I’m starting to think that a lot of the racial / religious problems in Singapore stem from ignorance rather than malice. There’s a genuine lack of knowledge or sharing – social studies (as I studied it some 15 years ago) was very basic and didn’t go in-depth, and these are never quite corrected or built up on when one grows older.
As a Christian, I’m sure there are some things which folks of other faiths are trying to comprehend; as we are with other faiths. But as long as no one does anything to improve this situation (like, I don’t know, maintaining separate race-based help groups) then we’re doomed to keep offending one another again and again.
Problem is will Rony Tan read this and admit he is wrong ? Or is he like all the Megachurch Pastors that we know and love – Temporal prosperity, Spiritual Bankruptcy
I think the issue is already over. Get a move on.
If Rony had taken the trouble to pursue a proper course of study and research into Buddhism, he wouldn’t need to answer to ISD and apologise on Miracle TV.
Suffice to say, many Christians have either no idea or wrong ideas about Buddhism. This is partly their ‘fault’ because bible exhortations such as “there be no other gods or idols” prevent them from being open-minded. With ignorance, misconceptions on their part plus their own social/ethnic backgrounds where traditional customs, societal norms, devotional rituals (like ancestor worship), and polytheism which were deemed as paganistic, Christians just simply clammed up and refused to be open-minded and tolerant.
The two ex-Buddhists whom Rony used for testimonies have not reached the level of understanding though they claimed they went into the monastic for a short while. I would also say the same of Christians who embraced the religion and got baptised even though they hardly know much about Christianity.
There is no need to clarify because it will lead to more misunderstanding and unnecessary disharmony.
Believe in whatever you believe is good enough, there is no need to tell others. Even if people wish to contradict what you say they will be in trouble so please just believe in your belief. It is your faith, even if it does not mean anything to others, in the end it does not matter if you are right or you are wrong. It is just religion.
No thanks, you don’t have to clarify. Rony Tan is out of line, he has admitted. Religion is very sensitive and it is better not to start another fire, less another person run out of line and fan some fire.
An alternative list of clarifications
can be seen
@ http://tinyurl.com/ronytan2
Rony will have lower birth for extended period of time for spreading with intentional misconception of Buddha teaching.
Rony even your god can’t help you.
Don’t think of bypassing the spiritual realm when you can’t even pass the human realm.
ISD god is more stronger in this instance.
Go sweep the temple floor Rony it may do you good.
Thanks for the clarification. Maybe this isn’t the right forum for this, but my boyfriend calls himself a Buddhist, but in an effort to learn more about his religion, I tend to ask him many things about it. What I’ve found is that he doesn’t seem to know a whole lot about his own religion, and can’t answer most of my questions.
Further, I may be wrong, but it seems to me that Singaporeans tend to be practicing both Taoism and Buddhism together, like my boyfriend, who visits both kinds of temples regularly. He prays to many different Taoist gods and practices many Taoist traditions like burning hell paper (which I understand is not encouraged in Buddhism) but always insists vehemently that he is not Taoist, but Buddhist, whenever I ask him about it.
Is he right? Can Buddhists pray at Taoists temples? The way I see it, he seems more like a Taoist than Buddhist as it doesn’t appear to me that he is attempting in any way to reach enlightenment?
A fool and his money are soon parted
The Ostrich Syndrome
- Denying or refusing to acknowledge something that is blatantly obvious as if your head were in the sand like an ostrich.
Chrissybaby on Thu, 25th Feb 2010 9:26 pm
When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
Some are happy with superficial religious knowledge others need depth. Each will seek his/her way to find solace and peace of mind.
@Chrissybaby
This probably is the consequence of our former colonial masters classifying our religion in the past as either “Christian” or “Buddhist”. Thus, a generation of Singaporeans grew up not knowing what is it they are worshipping. Currently, I think it is more Taoist than Buddhism that most of us are worshipping.
aah haa
I think your comments about Christians are biased and not generally true. I am not a Christian nor a Budhhist, but I think you got a “Budhhist” viewpoint of what Christianity is all about, and that slanted view is totally incorrect. It is exactly the same situation when you said Rony Tan did not understand what Buddhism is all about. It is quite obvious you have not read the Bible fully and understood what the message of the good news is. You are taking things out of context in exactly the same way that Rony Tan did with Buddhism.
I think TR should close all threads relating to religion because we have heard a lot of views already, and this is not a forum for espousing religious views and values.
Let anyone interested in religion, be it Buddhism or Christianity, go attend the temple or church of their choice to get their proper information and value system there. One bad preacher (Rony Tan) or monk (Ming Yi) does not mean all preachers or monks are bad.
Thank U for your explaination. Move on, move on, just move on were what many were telling. Yes many will move on. The church the pastor is pastoring is still moviing and christians are still going to the Lighthouse for their service. They are standing behind their leader, thinking that they are under attack (spiritual warfare) and prayer is needed as they gather together to pray against the enemies(devils).
Do you think the church members know what their pastor has done? Repentant is one thing but there is a price or consequences to pay. The pastor have been misusing the pulpit and say what he like. My friends visited the church before and was disapointed when he poked fun at others. And he get away with it. Now the church is removing every dvd message from their sheft or library, because if the authority will to check there will be another big blow.
Is his christian teaching or the Word of God sound and biblical. I don’t think many of his members bother to check, but simply take it in whatever he say.
That is why the church is still having business as usual.
The church is run like a million dollars family business.
Christ is the head of the church but many mega churches, the pastor is the head of the church, the final authority. Wrong, wrong, wrong! They are simply servant.
KopitiamAhpek
“A fool and his money are soon parted”
Yes. Fools like us daft Singaporeans ! No wonder we are poor. But it’s ok to be poor (in material things) as long as we are not poor in spirit. Our body is weak but our spirit is willing. Let’s fight on !
Majullah Singapura !!!!
Buddhist can be anywhere taoist temple, church, mosque, etc because every being from 6 realms of cycle of rebirth: gods, humans, animals, ghost(preta), hell beings, jealous gods (asura) must be respected as they are all original buddha self (but being polluted by greed, hatre and ignorance) that yet to be enlightened to attain buddhahood.
Lord Buddha teached us the universe and living life form, showed and teached us many ways to attain buddhahood. One of the simple and direct way is to take refuge of Amitabha at his pureland to attain buddhahood. It is difficult for modern man and woman to cultivate one self to reach enlightnement therefore Lord Buddha introdued Amitabha buddha to us.
Buddhism is attainment of buddhahood so there no more in the 6 realms of cycle of rebirth.
Buddhism is about compassion and wisdom.
Buddhism is about science and universe (energy, matter, time and space dimension).
As I read the above I think we all miss the following:
To live and love the community:
* we must live in forgiveness
* we must restore each other
* we must learn life can be both comfortable as well as disturbing. The choice is ours.
But remember the words of Mark Twain:
“I can live for two months on one good compliment.”
The truth is we need to learn to appreciate each other and be less critical.
This is the key to harmony amongst the many races and religious believes in Singapore.
@I Tread The Middle Path on Thu, 25th Feb 2010 10:27 pm
///I think your comments about Christians are biased and not generally true. I am not a Christian nor a Budhhist, but I think you got a “Budhhist” viewpoint of what Christianity is all about, and that slanted view is totally incorrect. It is exactly the same situation when you said Rony Tan did not understand what Buddhism is all about. It is quite obvious you have not read the Bible fully and understood what the message of the good news is. You are taking things out of context in exactly the same way that Rony Tan did with Buddhism.///
It is easy to take the Middle Path where neutrality means no right or wrong. I wouldn’t go to the extent of defending what I said was not from a certain viewpoint (which therefore renders my statements bias). However, generally my statements are true unless you had refuted/debunked them. For instance, you have not refuted my statements “If Rony had taken the trouble to pursue a proper course of study and research into Buddhism….”, and “….many Christians have either no idea or wrong ideas about Buddhism.”
I didn’t mention any biblical message so how did you conclude I didn’t understand the good news? Specifically, which area was taken out of context? I said: “bible exhortations such as ‘there be no other gods or idols’ prevent them from being open-minded.” Firstly, was the quotation incorrect, and secondly wouldn’t you agree that if you are commanded not to read the Tipitaka or go to Buddhist temples would you be open to Buddhism? Let me relate an experience: I was on a flight to Bangkok. Seated next to me were two gals whom I gathered were visiting Bangkok on their own for the first time. I suggested some ‘must see’ places amongst them were a couple of temples. They shot back, we are Christians, and we don’t visit temples. I thought to myself: why visit Thailand? It is a Buddhist country!
I have never professed to be expert in the two religions other than having studied both. In other threads I have said that the teachings of the founder-teachers are basically sound but what their disciples, followers, leaders, preachers do may not be. Therefore, you have inadvertently corroborated this when you mentioned Rony and Ming Yi.
I have also mentioned before that there are so-called Buddhists who have no knowledge of Buddhism. Here in this thread, Chrissybaby mentioned her boyfriend claimed to be Buddhist but has no knowledge of his own religion. That is true and as such, her statement can be ‘generalised’ even though one can quote the proverb ‘one swallow does not a summer make’. If Chrissybaby has several boyfriends, the PROBABILITY of another boyfriend who claimed to be Buddhist but has no knowledge of his religion is NOT ZERO.
Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. Those who know how to think need no teachers. An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
Thank you TR for publishing my letter and to you all for your comments. Note that I am not trying to use TR as a platform to promote Buddhism.
The video clips have been viewed by the general public, thus the misleading remarks need to be addressed on a public forum like TR. Clarifications to Pastor Rony’s misleading remarks have been circulating with the Buddhist circle so that has been managed. But no one has responded publicly to these errors. In fact the reason why it took so long for me to write this letter was because I was hoping someone else would do it.
Yes, it is time to move on, time to move on – but I want to do my part to clear up the messy he left behind. Even if only a few ppl read this letter and appreciate it, that is good enough. Hope you understand how silly/stupid were the things he said about Buddhism.
There are lot of myth and misunderstanding surrounding Buddhism and Buddhist practices. On 14 Feb, the Straits Time published another article on Buddhism and Tattoos. But wait a minute… What does Tattoos have to do with Buddhism? Did the Buddha teach about Tattoos? NO. Did his disciples teach about Tattoos either? NO! Are text on Tattoos found in the Buddhist scriptures? Again NO!
TMH
Apology came because of government intervention, not from Great Rony Tan. I am more concern about the people who are following him – contaminated by his views and moved by his ever so eloquent ’speeches’ to create disharmony in a society. Not everyone is rationale and if one fanatic felt that he is being insulted…it will aggrivate matter to even more serious national issue.
Buddhism is a World religion. It is not being followed, acknowledged and venerated just for FUN.
Rony Tan lacks humility, he lacks kindness, he lacks love, he lacks patience and understanding, he lacks an example of a good leader. I hope he felt that God is proud of him to belittling others to make him look great. Finally he lacks RESPECT for others. To all those who attended his sermons and supported and have good fun laughing at all the redicules he hurled at others…I send my heartfelt compassion.
I felt sad for the two persons who stand and testified. A novice who knows nothing about Nirvana and just assisted to create Hell. I hope he knows where is Heaven.
As for the girl…whether God’s calls or Buddha’s calls…she missed all the calls.
Re: (Chrissybaby) “He prays to many different Taoist gods and practices many Taoist traditions like burning hell paper (which I understand is not encouraged in Buddhism) but always insists vehemently that he is not Taoist, but Buddhist, whenever I ask him about it. Is he right? Can Buddhists pray at Taoists temples? The way I see it, he seems more like a Taoist than Buddhist as it doesn’t appear to me that he is attempting in any way to reach enlightenment?”
Reply: Buddhists respect good gods, but don’t take refuge in them as they are not fully enlightened like the Buddhas. The expression of respect to gods for Buddhists is alright as long as they see this clearly. The custom of burning paper items is generally discouraged in Buddhism, but some elements of it from Chinese culture remains at the moment. From an introduction to Buddhism, you can see http://kmspks.org/download/ebook/Lamp08.pdf Maybe you can share this with your boyfriend too.
To Tok Menh Haw,
Saddhu Saddhu Saddhu.
Albert Einstein, father of modern science.
Quote …“The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal guard and avoid dogmas and theology, covering both the natural and the spiritual. It should be based on a religion sense, arising from the experience of all things – natural or spiritual, and a meaningful unity …”“Buddhism answers this description.””If there is any religion that will cope with modern scientific needs, it will be Buddhism.” Unquote.
aah-haa
It appears to me that you like to win “arguments” and that your points are always right. Well, let it be so then. I shall not engage you any further, and you are at liberty to believe whatever you want top believe. You are entitled to your views, even if they are plain misconceptions.
“The easiest thing of all is to deceive one’s self, for what a man wishes that he also generally believes to be true.” (Demosthenes).
Good day to you.
I read somewhere and would agree that ‘Buddhists by and large are reticent about Buddhism’. To this, I add that they are not prone to ‘evangelism’ and one would not find a Buddhist stopping you in your track and hand you a literature proclaiming you are a sinner.
Neither do you find a group of Buddhists publicly praying or witnessing. Even those who go to Buddhist temples are not necessarily converts and they go there on their own accord.
On TMH’s clarification of Rony’s misconceptions, it should be welcomed for knowledge sake and not interpreted as promoting Buddhism. If I may say in a cheeky way (by borrowing Buddhist doctrine on Dependent Origination), it is ‘conditioned arising’. If reader here happens to understand Buddhism a little better, it is because of Rony’s staged event.
the average worshipper merely go through the customs or rituals without understanding. “strong atheists” tend to know more about the faith they are refuting in anycase.
@Lian
“As for the girl…whether God’s calls or Buddha’s calls…she missed all the calls”
I agree with you. This strike me when she say she could recall her past 5 life. Whether its true or not I gave her the benefit of doubt.
Not many people are able to achieve what she had attained. Only those who had attain high spiritual growth can do that. That could be the reason why subconsciously she wanted to be a nun in the first place. Unfortunately she rather join the church and a become a sheep instead. Its a pity she let it pass her.
Every human is born good only the environment make them bad.
@FreeThinker
You freethinker can also see the special person she is but she din see it. Whichever path she choses, I wish her well. I believe she is good, Buddhist never condem people and Buddha taught us that everyone has a Buddha in him.Whether people want to believe in reincarnation or rebirth, whatever they call it, it is proven by science…and real people who came back. This is not just for the Buddhist but other religion as well…so what so garang about being reborned? Buddhist don’t have sole propreitorship of rebirth. She is being used…that’s all.
@Lian
Well she can’t see the whole picture because she is inside the frame. Only those outside can see the whole picture
Anyway its her choice she has to deal with it. She still can carry on with her meditation even she become a Christian only if she is wise enough.
From what I know it take many lifetime before one can really become a Buddha. Not so easy la.
Mind over matter if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.
Good day to you.:-)
@ I Tread The Middle Path on Fri, 26th Feb 2010 12:02 pm
////It appears to me that you like to win “arguments” and that your points are always right. Well, let it be so then. I shall not engage you any further, and you are at liberty to believe whatever you want top believe. You are entitled to your views, even if they are plain misconceptions.
“The easiest thing of all is to deceive one’s self, for what a man wishes that he also generally believes to be true.” (Demosthenes).////
I rather win at the roulette table at Sentosa casino than any argument here. And it is your ‘perception’ and ‘belief’ that my points are always right. I merely stated my points. I didn’t qualify them ‘as right’. In fact, I quoted no authority.
You said my views were slanted and totally incorrect but you didn’t say which statements and why. You have not refuted or rebutted, which is of course very telling. What’s the point of quoting Demosthenes and appear to be authoritative when you can’t challenge my statements?
I didn’t win. You gave a walkover.
ADMIN>>>>>>>>>>>..
its time to put Rony-Religion-Race and Raunchy articles behind us and focus on the forthcoming elections and matters dear to our hearts and stomach.
We need more constructive articles and comments from readers on how best to secure more seats in parliament.
We need to hear from the oppositions their manifesto and arguments to win over the fence sitters.As mentioned before PAP and LKY are cruel in demolishing anyone and anything that gets in their way to retain power.
We are wasting good energy and time writing and arguing on trivial subjects when the main issue to be resolved is just around the corner.
Concerned citizen of our REDDOT
Lian on Fri, 26th Feb 2010 10:28 am
“Apology came because of government intervention, not from Great Rony Tan. I am more concern about the people who are following him – contaminated by his views and moved by his ever so eloquent ’speeches’ to create disharmony in a society. Not everyone is rationale and if one fanatic felt that he is being insulted…it will aggrivate matter to even more serious national issue.”
Lian, I agree with you. There is this fellow call Oh Tham Eng who says he is Rony Tan’s “fan”. He even suggested that we jail Rony Tan so that he (Rony Tan) can evangelize while doing time! How audacious! This Oh Tham Eng guys is a Rony Tan fanatic and defends Rony Tan regardless. I would nto be surprise if he even says that Ronty Tan’s shit smells good (please pardon my inappropriate language).
I shall quote my email to remind him that we are awaiting his response.
+++++
Got Slapped (KennaSai) on Wed, 24th Feb 2010 7:44 pm
Oh Tham Eng on Sat, 13th Feb 2010 11:59 am
Dear Mr. Oh
I refer to your comments titled GOOD IDEA TO LOCK UP IN JAIL PASTOR RONY TAN and posted on 13 Feb. 2020 at 11.59am.
Are you seriously suggesting we put Pastor Rony Tan on trial? Capital idea indeed Sir, seeing this is what many are clamoring for and would welcome except our double-standards Government that is assiduously avoiding one!
Let me say this – under our constitution, only the courts can sentence someone to jail for jailing is the ultimate deprivation of one’s freedom. Jail terms are sentences to punish. The ISD can only detain. The ISD is an abnormally and its existence fundamentally conflicts with the judiciary. Even the military have courts. I am no constitution expert but the ISD in some sense negates the judiciary.
A little history – Colonial Malaya introduced the ‘Emergency Regulations’ in 1948 in response to a communist challenge. By 1960, the Emergency was declared over. The Malayan Internal Security Act was passed in its place. Tunku Abdul Rahman promised that the ISA would be applied against only the remaining Communist insurgents.
In 1965 when Singapore separated and became an independent nation, it retained the ISA. The infernal ISA confers on the government the right to arrest and detain individuals without trial in certain defined circumstances. Many countries have their internal security apparatus. Only Singapore and Malaysia maintains the dreaded ISA – used not on “remaining Communists insurgents” but mainly on the opposition politicians.
And if the law had been applied to it fullest extent, Pastor Rony Tan would, without an iota of doubt, be pronounced guilty of breaching the Sedition Act and jailed.
From your pleadings on Temase Review, you are more than a fan of Pastor Rony Tan. It could even be blind faith – belief without true understanding, perception, or discrimination. If so, this is very bad.
Sorry Sir, I do not believe in a god or life-after-death for you see, I lost my faith in Faiths a long time ago. The result is I have since become more objective in my endeavors. For all your religiosity, your suggestion that “This man likes to pray for people ……as he has great faith in God to heal and change the lives of the sick, the hopeless and those in demonic bondage” is most ludicrous. You sound David Copperfield-like. And if Pastor Ronnie Tan goes to jail, it is punishment or pay-back time that he will justly and rightly beget. It is not a time for praying for other inmates or be a chaplain-in-residence. Unless the jail is also his!
As for your other statement, “God likes to hear his prayers for others” this must be another of your jokes. Come on, Mr. Oh Sir – hit me, hit me, hit me but don’t crap me! Temasek Review is a serious forum and I hope you do not demean it with your preposterous suggestions. Please save these for your Lighthouse Evangelism.
TR has been generous to afford you the space and time but I pray that you be objective in future and I also pray you do not visit us with “the sick”, “the hopeless”, “demonic bondage”, “wasted lives”, “His great works of redemption” etc. TR is not on a divine mission. And in the place of your esoteric biblical quotes why not some of these humbler, down-to-earth ones on justice:
• “To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.”
• “Easy is right. Begin right and you are easy. Continue easy and you are right. The right way to go easy Is to forget the right way And forget that the going is easy.”
• “Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done.”
By the way, there are no “unforgiving Taoists and Buddhists” for “True religion, like our founding principles, requires that the rights of the disbeliever be equally acknowledged with those of the believer”….. Powell Davies.
Finally Sir, your quote: “For the noblest in God’s sight is he/she who is the most righteous”. I ask if you or Pastor Rony Tan have been noble and righteous in asking for forgiveness without punishment and sincere repentance?
Pastor Rony Tans has 12,000 or more members in his Lighthouse Evangelism church . By letting him off this time, surely the PAP now has at least 12,000 grateful votes.
Further, RT has also openly glorified LKY & Mrs. Would the PAP shoot themselves in their feet?
It may be politically incorrect to let RT go without charging him, but it is politically expedient to do so. So much for morality!
christianity is just a money making machine..
go forth and evangelize; the more converts the more money for the church and pastors…
When someone speak bad on Buddhism, should Buddhist retaliate? Is Buddhism about Tit for Tat? Should Buddhist call for arrest of Rony Tan when the government let him go?
I left the “Arrest Rony Tan” group because it was not promoting Buddhist’s agenda on loving kindness and forgiving, and joined a new group “pastor rony tan helps strengthen buddhist faith”.
You may also like to take a look at this group on non harsh word and non retaliating
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=348037296880
@ Robin’s Karma
One must know that it is only natural for individuals or groups aligned to Rony to defend, support the pastor and his church and to ‘demolish’ those in the opposite camps. Likewise, it can be expected of the ‘anti-Rony’ camps to do the opposite.
The best approach is to clarify misunderstanding, misconception and prejudices but not go after the transgressor with hatred. Learned and practice-orientated Buddhists would certainly not call for Rony’s arrest.
Similarly, learned and ‘open-minded’ Christians know where Rony had overstepped. The silent majority are clearly not supporting Rony nor are they openly gunning for this arrest.
Treat this thread as an opportunity to clarify and learn. Kamma is a very misunderstood subject. Not all Buddhists are clear about this ‘law’. Therefore, Christians and others do make unintentional comments or remarks based on ignorance. There is no doubt that Rony was ignorant about many Buddhist doctrines and TMH made the effort to clarify.
As to the manner Rony displayed or played his ignorant, Singapore and many other places have come to know that it was unacceptable.
Rony Spoke and apologised, its over. what more you still want from him? what would you have done? whoever suggest a punishment to a mistake of others, let themself first be subjected to it, liken those who call for the hand to be chopped while caugh stealing, let them be prepared for their son and daughter’s hand be chopped when the day comes. So wake up, and smell the flowers instead of hurling rocks.
“Christianity is a money making machine.” What about Buddhism?
The Buddha Tooth Temple has a 10 million dollar solid gold Buddha statue.
I wonder why they need such an expensive statue. Also, the Buddha tooth
was exposed in the Sunday Times as a fake. The monks is Thailand are supposed to go barefooted begging for food.
@Truth
They used the ruse that they had a real artifact Buddha tooth to be used as a pretext to collect donations to build that temple at Chinatown. The abbot claimed that he bought it from another abbot in HK and he had no reason to doubt the authencity of the tooth.
Just a word from a Buddhist monk is all it takes to verify that it was one of Buddha’s teeth. No need forensic science to determine whether it was a human tooth for that matter. In fact, some anthropologists believed it is not a relic of a human tooth at all – too big to be human.
So there you have it. Every religion is a money making machine.
No point to argue about religion. It will come back to square one.
Nobody really know the actual origin of it. Most only learn from books and book are written by human.
Lets compromise live and lets live.
Christian goes Christian heaven
Buddhist goes to Buddhist Nirvana
For free thinker like me I got no where to go but come down to go Earth.
FOLLOWING IS ANOTHER COWARDLY CRAWLIE COCKCROACH IMPERSONATION:
aah-haa on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 5:18 pm
@Truth
They used the ruse that they had a real artifact Buddha tooth to be used as a pretext to collect donations to build that temple at Chinatown. The abbot claimed that he bought it from another abbot in HK and he had no reason to doubt the authencity of the tooth.
Just a word from a Buddhist monk is all it takes to verify that it was one of Buddha’s teeth. No need forensic science to determine whether it was a human tooth for that matter. In fact, some anthropologists believed it is not a relic of a human tooth at all – too big to be human.
So there you have it. Every religion is a money making machine.
@aah-haa on Tue, 2 Mar 2010 6:28 pm
Oh shut up. We’ve heard enough from you. Don’t keep on repeating yourself.
@aah-haa on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 6:28 pm
Stop using my name to post all your irrational comments. What’s your problem you moron?
I am the real “aah-haa”. Everybody knows that.