Dharma and Monsanto

[Footsteps]

Because monsanto has taken upon itself to patent intellectual property rights regarding the very nature of life, they can be seen as highly controversial.

Do you feel that seed saving is theft(by buddhist guidelines)?

How do you feel about Monsanto's interaction with the planet?

Is it buddhist to conform to their regulations or rebel against them(in the name of real life)?

[catmoon]

Because monsanto has taken upon itself to patent intellectual property rights regarding the very nature of life, they can be seen as highly controversial.

Do you feel that seed saving is theft(by buddhist guidelines)?

How do you feel about Monsanto's interaction with the planet?

Is it buddhist to conform to their regulations or rebel against them(in the name of real life)?

No, saving the seed from your crop is not theft, and has not been from time immemorial. It's interesting that Monsanto simultaneously proclaims that the corn crops are safe from gene contamination, and then sues someone for gathering "their" genes by the very means they claim is not possible.

I think Monsanto is creating and proliferating genes in a way that has never been seen before and its just a matter of time before there is a genetic disaster. At one time the human race thought radiation was a fun, healthy thing to play with. I think we are at that stage with genetic manipulation.

It is not Buddhist to either conform or rebel. The Buddhist way is to assess the situation, aim for benefit to others, and conform or rebel as needed.

[Vasana]

It is not Buddhist to either conform or rebel. The Buddhist way is to assess the situation, aim for benefit to others, and conform or rebel as needed.

[Footsteps]

It is not Buddhist to either conform or rebel. The Buddhist way is to assess the situation, aim for benefit to others, and conform or rebel as needed.

Understood. However,

Buddhists take action in the real world. Sometimes those actions fall under the definitions of "conforming" and sometimes those actions fall under the definition of "rebelling" whether or not intentional on behalf of the doer. That's a part of life.

Furthermore, after assessing a situation with the aim to benefit others, failure to act may be seen as a failure to benefit others. Assessing a situation and responding to it as necessity dictates, may be seen as rebellion, conformity, or none of the above by witnessing party.

Semantics and obfuscation. Do not determine any spiritual qualities, neither do failure to act on behalf of those who suffer toward that which harms. Intellectualizing doesn't solve the monsanto situation. Nor does sitting. I don't see many Bodhisattvas addressing it!

[tingdzin]

There are no "Buddhist solutions" to ugly, dangerous situations such as those caused by Monsanto. One must act according to one's own lights, considering all the effects as much as possible, and be willing to take on the resulting karma.

One of the most difficult things for Bodhisattvas and would-be Bodhisattvas to do is to act appropriately and with compassion while preserving a non-dual mind. This is not semantics, but an existential problem that all Mahyanists must face, and there are no textbook answers.

[dreambow]

How can you say Dharma and Monsanto in the same breathe? There's a complete juxtaposition as Dharma wishes to alleviate
suffering and bring about happiness and wisdom. Whilst Monsanto appears to increase suffering and reduce happiness all in the name of the almighty dollar. Ask an organic farmer who has had the misfortune of his land being too close to GM crops or ask Indian farmers how very difficult it is to deal with Monsanto and the countless suicides that have occurred. Even ask the man in the street are there any GM additives in his food? The public wouldn't know because of weak, feeble labelling laws.