THE WAR

 It's time for a little update. First, let me say something about Covid. I don't want to underrate anyone's sufferings, but during these past two years I don't know anyone who's been hospitalized or even died because of Covid. I know one person who had it, and it was just a mild flu. I'm not saying it's not life-threatening for some people, and I still take it seriously: I have been vaccinated for three times, I wash or sanitize my hands frequently, and I think it's a good habit to keep up anyway, and I always wear a mask in public places indoors (like busses and stores), and I must say I actually like it! It has become an accessory (I always choose black). I will never shake hands again, and I think that was an unhygienic way of greeting anyway. However, in my previous post I wrote that Covid is yesterday's news, and I maintain that. We have learnt to live with it. 

The Center of Tampere, my hometown: Colors of Ukraine 
beautifully framed by the scene.

The war in Ukraine is the bigger issue right now. I wrote I was distressed and angry. That has eased a lot, since we have witnessed the success of Ukrainian army and failure of Russia. Of course I understand it might look like just another war from afar, but I can assure you we feel the enormous pressure of the events in Finland, as we have a long border with Russia, and a memory of their invasion in 1939, which is part of our story as a nation, part of collective consciousness. As you might already know from the news, a decision for Finland to join the Nato is very close, within weeks as I write this, and Sweden will likely follow - and I believe we will join and I support it wholeheartedly, with the majority of Finns. 

"Terve Ukraina" ("Hail Ukraine"): A poem by Finnish national poet Eino Leino in 1917:

A thread of nuclear war is quite marginal to me; after all, it would be a suicide. However, I have started to think it's not so unlikely we would be forced to war with Russia again, before the Nato membership is clear. But then we will fight and give them at least just as much of a resistance as the Ukrainians have! I have no military training, but I would not try to flee: I would do whatever I can. As a Buddhist, this is something I have studied recently:

Buddhist Views on War

The Buddha Taught Nonviolence, Not Pacifism

It is more problematic that Orthodox Christians kill Orthodox Christians, and the head of church of the aggressive party even dares to claim that it is about which side of god humanity takes, linking the war with objection to "sinful" homosexuality and pride-parades! Christianity has never seen a real problem with killing fellowmen, even though they have a strict command from their god not to do it. No, human sexuality with all its variety has always been a bigger issue, which needs to be controlled in any way, even with force if necessary. 

I admit I wasn't touched by the war in Syria. Not only it seemed distant, but there must have been a cultural gap as well: "us and them". Refugees from the Middle-East have met harsh criticism in Europe. Now it's completely different with the Ukrainians. It shouldn't be that way. 

Below is a different kind of approach: A Buddhist Response to Russia-Ukraine War, by member of Rissho Kosei-kai. He argues how anyone of us, despite of geographical distance, may contribute to ending this war by practicing nonviolence in everyday life. A hint of "practical mysticism", one might say...

The Russia I grew up in doesn't exist anymore; an excellent analysis of the development of post-Soviet Russia personally experienced by Russian YouTuber, temporarily relocated in Georgia at the moment:

In the end of 90's I was studying among the group of international students here in Finland, including a 16 years old girl from Russia, who was really shocked to learn that she had been taught propaganda at school. If I remember correctly, it was about the Winter War. Also, I went to gym with this guy, Kirill, who spoke Russian, but emphasized he was from Ukraine. There was another guy from Russia, whose room was next to mine at dormitory, and he often played "Wind of Change" by Scorpions. Wind of Change, indeed. Didn't last for long. Satan never left Moscow. As I have seen an old Ukrainian woman say in the news, after the horrific deeds of Russian soldiers: "Satan came in a form of Putin". Just like I wrote in my previous post how I honestly felt. 

Владольф Путлер

I SUPPORT UKRAINE!

 

Updated 3/4/22

In these days it is the war in Ukraine that fills the News, and the minds of people as well. Covid is yesterday's news. Russia's invasion was long anticipated, yet it was a shock when it finally started. I have been distressed, and angry. Anger is focused on Putin - so much so, that I even wish for his death! At the same time I readily admit it is not very positive reaction, but it's only natural. The mask is off, and we see the ugly face of a mad man, a dictator. He has become an embodiment of pure evil to me, like Satan in the flesh. I'm old enough to remember when Ronald Reagan called Soviet Union "the Evil Empire". It is back, in new guise but with old schemes. 

Last time it must have been this distressful collectively when 9/11 happened. It's like a dark heavy cloud hovering above all. When Trump was elected as the president of the United States in 2016, it was upsetting, but didn't require any casualties, unless the truth is counted as one. Now Putin has demonstrated he is worse than Trump ever was: Mad men are always unpredictable, but the clever and cunning ones are the most dangerous kind. Trump was Putin's lapdog, eating from his hand. 

I'm happy to see how the world has united against this tyrant, and especially how Ukrainians have protected their country with such a bravery! Now it is not the time for empty speeches, but action. Ukraine needs concrete support and help. No matter what you think of war, they have a right to defend themselves, and Russia is acting criminally. Nobody wants the third world war, but despite of sanctions against Russia and weapons to Ukraine, it is like they have been left alone to fight this terrifying enemy. As if Putin stopped at Ukraine. No matter what, Russia will never conquer people's hearts and minds! They have already lost that war. 

Finnish Politician Jussi Halla-Aho, whose party I do not support, and whom I have disliked so far, published a video message aimed at the Russian people, which was surprisingly good to me (subtitled in English) - An appeal to Russians from a friend of Russians:

When will the Russian people get enlightened, determined, and courageous enough, to take a destiny of their nation into their own hands, setting it on the righteous course?

Yes, all sort of evil is going on all the time in the world, and we have witnessed wars before in my lifetime too, but I have to admit not all affects equally; This time it can't be bypassed by assuring yourself that it is happening "faraway". In today's world more than ever we are all interconnected. I don't know how it is seen by the public in the United States, for instance, but especially here in Finland where I live, for geographical and historical reasons (if you don't know what they are, maybe you should educate yourself!), it is affecting us very closely. Politicians may say that we are not threatened... Maybe not today. But Russia can't be trusted. I believe anything is possible from their part. No wonder if we are leaning towards the NATO, and perhaps we should. Finland is not "neutral". We are part of the Western world, aligned with the rest of Europe. Our government made a historical decision for the first time to send weapons to warring country. 

There is so little an ordinary citizen can do, deeply touched by the events, when it feels that mere prayers aren't enough. I have donated money for National Bank of Ukraine, their special account to raise funds for Ukraine's armed forces. This may seem contradictory: I personally underwent non-military service in my 20's, I am a Buddhist, and overall consider myself a gentle and peace-loving person. However, if we were in a same situation, I would gladly make Molotov's cocktails as we have seen Ukrainian civilians doing. Of course one can donate for well-known charitable organizations, to help Ukrainians in need, and that is necessary too, but that's just trying to fix the damage done. I think more direct approach is in order. 

I'm not claiming to be a prophet, but the signs of times are clear: There is something apocalyptic in the air. I know the connotations of the word, and as non-christian I use it very loosely, not in a biblical sense. But the future fate of our world is decided right now in Ukraine. That's how I feel. It's almost absurd to go to work and keep up your daily schedule, as if nothing was wrong. However, you need to stop worrying occasionally. Ukrainians don't have that luxury. If I should find something good about this, perhaps the fact that my own selfish concerns are meaningless. Isn't that compassion?

Here's a story of Nichiren Buddhists in Ukraine (Nipponzan-Myohoji-Daisanga), for a different kind of perspective.

Indeed. Grandfather of my late partner was Buddhist: his experiences at war led him to that, and it helped him. I try to do tonglen and metta practices myself. 

“We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of bombs are still there, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women. To prepare for war, to give millions of men and women the opportunity to practice killing day and night in their hearts, is to plant millions of seeds of violence, anger, frustration, and fear that will be passed on for generations to come. ”  - Thich Nhat Hanh: Living Buddha, Living Christ

 Ghosts of Kyiv/ A Song for Ukraine