We will never know what the Dalai Lama really thinks about anything. He cannot do or say anything that does not fit his role. That is the curse of being the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese death, injury, & homeless toll is far worse than anything our country has ever experienced. Should our children die in school collapses as a result of U.S. government “bad karma?” I refuse to ever watch another Sharon Stone film, & have marked all of her films on Netflix as “Not interested.” These ludicrous actors who freely cause verbal pain & injury as a result of their overblown & overpaid status should feel our disgust. The best way I know is to boycott their work.

sharon stone is really a cool hearted to be not better than a dog!The dogs saved so many people’s life in sichuan area after the earthquake,also she is not qulified to talk about tibet problem at all!She doesn’t know true tibet at all,tibet was not china’s enermy,tibet was,is and always will be part of china!
I really dislike,actually hate such dirty name,sharon stone,you are really a bitch!I am a chinese girl!

come on who would ever even think about beating the most peaceful people on earth. how can anyone justify what is being done

sharon stone won’t have any chance to enter chinese market at more,so bad personaity,so cool blooded to express such words to chinese disaster area!Chinese people won’t forgive her for ever!
Also she is an idiot to know nothing about the china,know nothing about tibet of china!She seems hate china a lot!What a stupid idiot she is!How chinese people loved her as a friend before!She……….she should go to the hell to let the god forgive her!Will the god let her to become a pig next life?
I won’t use DIOR products any more before dior cancels relationship with her,otherwise I will always think of her seeing dior products,and I will feel uncomfortable,say sorry to dior!

Mr. O’Donnell,
I agree that Ms. Stone’s comments were ill considered at best and cruel at worst. But you use an awfully broad brush when you write
“For Hollywood’s Buddhists, apparently, the enemy of your friend–sorry, your good friend–is your enemy too.”
Ms. Stone no more represents ALL Buddhists any more than Marie Osmond represents all Mormons or George Bush ALL Methodists. I’m not even sure she considers herself a Buddhist. She is however a human being and human beings often say stupid and cruel things. Fortunately, for most of us, there isn’t a microphone around when we do.
Might I suggest a bit of compassion for her and more importantly for those who are suffering. Please be kind enough to give us the address of where we can send financial aid for those whose lives have been overturned by the earthquake.

Ban ***Old Woman Sharon Stone*** forever.

Greenman,
Seems sort of funny to be asking for compassion for Sharon Stone when the argument here is that she had none for the people of China. Parents who have lost their children, children who have lost their families, their fates in the hands of strangers, some who will prey on their innocence and vulnerability. What did the thousands who lost their lives have to do with Tibet?
Does anyone else see the irony? Karma, it seems, has come to Sharon Stone.
Yes, we are all lucky that we don’t have a microphone shoved in our faces to hear our own slip ups and bloopers. But Ms. Stone is no ingénue, and no stranger to reporters and paparazzi, and she knows that she needs to watch her words when she speaks in public. She gets no sympathy from me.

Sharon Stone’s comment about Katrina.
News Reporter: Did you hear know about the typhoon in New Orleans?
Stone: Of cause I have. You know, it’s very interesting about that since first, I’m not happy about the way USA treats the Iraqis because I think anyone should not be unkind to anyone else. And so I am being very concerned about the election of the next president of the US and A, because we had not being nice to Saddam Hussein, who is a good friend of mine. And Katrina typhoon ,and all the stuff happened, and I thought, is that Karma? When you’re not nice that the bad things happen. And then I got a letter from the Iraqi Foundation that they want to go and be helpful. This made me cry. And they asked me if I will write a quote to that, and I said I would that it was a big lesson to me, that sometimes you have to learn to put your face down and be a dog to the person who aren’t nice to you. And that is a big lesson to me.

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Of course Sharon Stone deserves compassion! the entire point of Buddhism is that people act badly when they are struggling with the “imperfections”. The Dali Lama says, “When you make a mistake, don’t miss the lesson.”
Who among us has ever said something that they regret later. The media just amplifies the mistakes of the rich and famous. For this reason alone, I have no envy of those who are as public as Sharon Stone. The Dharma of these folks is arduous. I like “Ordinary Dharma” myself.
When people make mistakes they deserve compassion rather than condemnation, especially if they are suffering “legitimate” remorse. In Judaism, the person who fails to forgive is far more wretched than the person who acted “unskillfully.”
So my challenge is this: Can I have compassion for the condemning people who have no compassion for Sharon’s displaced anger?
I’m working on it – how about you?

Ok, we all agree that Ms. Stones comments on the terrible events in China are at best misguided though I wonder how many of us had similar thoughts when the series of earthquakes hit? Ms. Stone will be banned, vilified, censored and railed against for weeks to come.Pundits will ask who is she to say say such terrible things. She is not a spiritual leader. She is not a Buddhist or a Hindu. She is not in the position to know the mind of God.She is only a Hollywood actor. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a poor, uneducated peasant girl. Do not be so harsh with Ms. Stone. You are already reminded of your thoughts when the tragedy occured. Did you see the new Rambo? Did you cheer when the Burmese soldiers were killed? Think about it.

If you believe in the laws of Karma, then you believe that Karmic forces are Karmic forces and peoples thoughts or beliefs about Karma may have little or nothing to do with it at all. Some karma comes into fruition immediately, some in one lifetime, some in many lifetimes. The seed may have been planted eons ago or yesterday. Who knows why China suffered the severe Earthquake? People have karma, areas have karma, governments have karma. Everything is cause and effect. So basically you can think or feel whatever you want about whatever you want, someone else will always disagree.

I’m not familiar with the past remarks of Sharon Stone. In this case it almost seems like she was wondering rather than judging. Many people get misinformed views of karma and say things like she did. They do seem to forget that first of all we do no harm.
When Katrina hit many cried out it was retribution for the transgressions of America and some of those people who called themselves Buddhists or Christians agreed.
I don’t think disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes are events we control or that are they are imposed on us by some force or by God. It just happens and the real Compassion, the real God presents in the response of the people to the suffering.
Let’s not add to the trouble by tongue lashing soneone who just wasn’t so skillful as we would have liked.

Sharon Stone is an air head and should stay away from talking about politics. Stick to the script Sharon.

One good thing may have happened from all this…maybe now Ms. Stone is living through an experience that will give her a greatly enhanced understanding of the concept of karma….

We cannot blame the chinese people who are victims of the chinese government.Tibet was invaded 50 years ago and the chinese cupula intends to abolish the tibetan beliefs, their blood and culture and then take over the teritory ,just because of geopolitics, and economic interests.This is genocide, as bad as nazism.The poor chinese people, is not paying karma, they are victims of the bad comunist regime practised in the worse possible way.

I find Sharon Stones comments misplaced. I find the attitude of the article misplaced as well. I don’t find fault in either. I do find ignorance in both.

Actually I think she came about as being rather ignorant concerning the matters in China. The Chinese citizen who has been affected by this tragedy is in no way responsible for ” being mean to the Dalai Lama” Nor do I think for a minute that the Chinese people would be made to pay through Karma for the actions of the Chinese government. Perhaps if she is as good of friend to the Dalai Lama as she states, perhaps she might want to be quiet and listen to what he has to say as oppossed to spouting a naive and misinformed view.

So therefore only certain people should be allowed to speak. I find it interesting that the views here are so emotional. Are these the teachings. Be careful not to be what you oppose.

she now knows what karma means to her.

Karma is NOT just for the individual…..entire countries, and or cultures create their own. They will be dealt with the exact same way as the other….it’s never too late to work toward a compassionate world peace!
“PLEASE”

It is human to have anger; I’m sure she has thought about it and considered that her statement was impulsive. Not everyone is as advanced as the Dalai Lama, of course (the Buddha of Compassion). Matter of fact, I don’t know anyone that is on his level or remotely close including me (or not me, if you are a Buddhist) .

As a stroke survivor and businesswoman who has worked in China for over 4 years, I was outraged, offended and appalled at hearing Sharon Stone’s comments. I spend 9 months each year in China, speak mandarin Chinese, and operate a business there that assists American stroke survivors and people from all nations to receive medical treatment in China, In hearing these comments I forced myself to assume she was either taken out of context, spoke without thinking, or was suffering from some other ailment because no one in their right mind would make such unfeeling comments.
I do not suggest in any way that I always agree with my government or theirs. But I am not foolish enough to place the responsibility of a natural disaster and its after affects on a government act or refer to it as ‘karma’. The Chinese people, not the government, have been offended to the core and I understand their desire to ban films that Sharon appears in.
The Chinese people are the most kind, caring and considerate people on earth, family oriented and work diligently to change China for the better. In the wake of this horrible disaster they have literally moved mountains to rescue those whom have been directly affected and have not hesitated in their actions. I was in Tianjin China when the earthquake struck and felt the earth and buildings shutter a thousand miles from the epicenter. I was amazed at the immediacy of the response that was organized by the people and the desire to volunteer that came from all around me. I watched Doctors, nurses, and ordinary people offering their all, homes, clothing, money, cooking utensils, anything and everything assist those who were affected. I watched as numerous Chinese people stood in line to give, train stations loaded with people and supplies headed to the affected areas, the volunteers far exceeding the ability to get individuals to the hardest hit areas.
The American patients that were there in Tianjin being treated came together to give what little they could. Here we were, crippled and broken individuals seeking hope, help, and healing ourselves, giving to those who we knew had suffered so greatly in an instant. As stroke survivors we too know personally the devastation that such an event causes loosing everything in a moment. My heart ached as I held the hand of President Han (the hospital president) as he held back tears of appreciation and understanding.
I honestly believe that the vast majority of Americans are sympathetic to the plight that this disaster has caused even though many have been slow to respond. I have looked this disaster in the eye and repeatedly challenged the American people and businesses to come to the aid of the Chinese people. I feel that Sharon could better use her “fame” and voice to work toward good and bringing people together rather than being divisive with her comments or how they are received. Her apology has been too little and too late.
I would welcome the opportunity to show Sharon first hand the work being done in China on behalf of the earthquake victims and stroke survivors alike. As of today a total of 68,858 people have died and another 18,618 are missing and presumed dead. I have directed my China Connection Foundation to strive to raise at least $10 for each who have died or are missing to assist the millions of innocent individuals that have been displaced. This is for the greater good it is still my mission to find funds to assist the 51 Americans on my waiting list who want to come to China for treatment and cannot afford the $20,000 for the life changing rehab. To these ends I will work tirelessly!
We have an opportunity to reach out with our voices and pocketbooks and make a lasting impact on individual’s lives! 20 percent of the world’s population has been affected by this disaster. We can either seize this opportunity and our responsibility as members of the world’s human race or cast it aside. It is my goal to raise 1 million dollars for the quake victims and another 1 million to assist stroke survivors. I pray that you join me in embracing and sharing with those in need! Visit my web site and post a message to the quake survivors.
Ruth Lycke
Stroke Survivor and CEO
China Connection
A href=”http://www.chinaconnection.cc”>chinaconnection.cc

So chinese girl – Tibet has always been a part of China, has it? Now you wonder why people blame Chinese people, along with the govt for the treatment of Tibet.
Read Hitler’s Willing Executioners. http://www.amazon.com/Hitlers-Willing-Executioners-Ordinary-Holocaust/dp/0679772685

Just another example of a clueless liberal from Hollywood. Why does anyone ask these people what they think?
With regard to David’s statement, people are commenting on her thoughtless atatement and the posts seem pretty tame to me. I don’t see a lot of emotional attacks; nor is anyone suggesting she can’t espouse her views. If that’s what you think you’re seeing, I’d suggest you go to the Huffington’s site or The Daily Kos.

Sharon Stone obviously enjoys “the idea” of being a Buddhist with no idea of what it actually means, and I doubt if she has done any real reading or learning about it

Comments like Sharon Stone’s, as well as, Hagee’s,et.al., show the naivete and ignorance most Westerners have about the workings of the law of karma. Karma may not always have an instantaneous result that is direct and perceptible either. Karma is the result of causes and conditions, some of which are influenced by our actions and thoughts.The more one does an action, the more you’re likely to do it again. Also, the more likely it will be done to you. Some phenomena is caused by nature, but stuff is inter-related, yet not always how we think it is. Karma results in residual thought-energies which take time to undo or work through. Buddha said to adopt a consciousness that shows loving kindness and equanimity towards all regardless of what others do to oneself. Buddha would say prayer for the tyrants in China, Myanmar, etc. because they are suffering and ignorant, also. They afford the opportunity to practice loving-kindness and understanding in the face of great adversity.

Interesting that she is now considered an outcast. I had the same thoughts myself, but they were never made known. Karma is complex, it is personal, cultural, national, gendered, ethnic oriented and oh my goodness so all encompassing. Perhaps her comments were thoughtless, I see them as being insensitive to the teachings of Karma and perhaps ignorant of her understanding. Karma has a distinct reference to responsibility of the ensuing effects of so many things, it isn’t something that can be pointed to as a cause of anything. No one is ever privy to anyone elses karma, not even our own. For serious Buddhist practitioners, her comments are just musings and mean a mind distracted by some media driven reporting. She isn’t some completely enlightened person with an insight into what is Karma, and if she were she would certainly be more sensitive, given the audience of listeners. Buddha means “awakened” and she like most people, myself included…aren’t.

Comments and “opinions” arise from the spiritually bereft, and originate from fear. One truly seeking enlightenment feels empathy and compassion, humbly in awe of an uncontrollably great power we can never hope to control, let alone understand. Only the foolish will attempt to speak with “authority” about such things, and needs our empathy and compassion as well. Equally……

Thank u
Dr. Ken that is a compassionate & thoughtful response.

I am a Buddhist and I do believe that this could in fact be a nation’s collective karma at work. This opinion is not vindictive in the slightest, as I hated the fact that the earthquake happened, and I am saddened by all the suffering this tragedy caused.
If I had the power to stop this tragedy, I would have. Yet, I cannot rule out that this was not related to karma in some way. I would also volunteer to help the victims in anyway I can, as any Buddhist would.
I applaud Sharon Stone for being brave enough to speak out on this. I also believe many Buddhists who criticized her, are being hypocritical. Since the thought of this possibly being related to China’s karma, probably passed through the minds of 90% of Buddhists.
People are also missing the point, that even if a person believes this was karma related, that it not to say China deserved it or had it coming or let’s be happy about this tragedy, or whatever.
In the Buddha’s words about one of his monks, who was murdered by highway bandits, he explained that this monk was guilty of murder himself in a past life. That is different IMO, than the Buddha stating-”this monk deserved this, or “he had it coming,” or “I am happy his karma caught up with him.”

“If you believe in the laws of Karma, then you believe that Karmic forces are Karmic forces and peoples thoughts or beliefs about Karma may have little or nothing to do with it at all. Some karma comes into fruition immediately, some in one lifetime, some in many lifetimes. The seed may have been planted eons ago or yesterday. Who knows why China suffered the severe Earthquake? People have karma, areas have karma, governments have karma. Everything is cause and effect. So basically you can think or feel whatever you want about whatever you want, someone else will always disagree.”
The above is the most intelligent post I have read here. No one can rule out that this tragedy was not related to karma in some way. But we will never know “what karma.” In other words, did this have to do with tibet? Chairman Mao? Ming Dynasty? Opium Wars? Cultural revolution murders? ??? None of us knows this.

Randy, Huffington’s site or The Daily Kos are not Beliefnet, where enlightened views are encouraged. They have their way of spreading their message. Here I would expect compassion for the sake of compassion. I see compassion here, but I also see the ignorance of type casting people (Hollywood Buddhist, or Sharon Stone is an airhead, or these people should keep their mouths shut, etc.)and the ignorance of hate and anger in a few. These were words she said, for which she has publicly admonished heself. She took a higher road once she felt her words were wrong. Yet the Hate monging goes on. Get a life people. Sharon Stone does not represent anyone but herself, of which she has a right. She did not kill anyone in China. She did not express happiness at death and destruction. She made a statement which she herself regrets. I think a few people need a time out to reflect. So much trouble, for such a little thing.

I agree with the author that Ms. Stone was foolish to give that particular opinion off the cuff. It’s certain, in my opinion, that the deaths of thousands of people in an earthquake were the result of karma (collective in some way), but the odds of that being related to Chinese treatment of Tibet are vanishingly small. The Buddha could see the karma of a peacock from the design of its feathers, but Ms. Stone and the rest of us have a lot of difficulty seeing farther than the ends of our noses.

I am really surprised at the lack of compassion for those thousands of non political people, human beings, who happened to be born under the current regime, who have lost, if not their own lives, that of their only child and their families and their homes. Where is the Loving Kindness?

I do not believe that a group of civilians would be punished for the actions of their government. Earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes are random acts of nature. They affect the just and the unjust. If Miss Stone’s logic is true: think of the karma that the Unites States would have for the war in Iraq. This was evil created by our government not by the American people. Also, the United States would suffer great karmic retribution for being built on the backs of African slaves.

To be honest with you, this story made me wonder what Ms. Stone may have done in the past to anger “Established Buddhism”. I have met Ms. Stone personally, very far away from Hollywood and reporters, and I found her to be thoughtful, intelligent, and humble. Very different than how she is portrayed by the Hollywood press.
I would assume her initial comment was aimed at a theoretical, political China, not one of flesh and blood, and when she realized how her statements came off she apologized. She made a mistake, but her heart is good. When people like Jerry Falwell or the Christian right make their damning statements blaming catastrophes on the sins of homosexuals and liberals, it makes me wonder what part of Christian tolerance and forgiveness they have managed to miss.
This story makes me wonder what part of Buddhist tolerance and understanding the “Establishment” has missed.
Why is this story even on Beliefnet?

I don’t “buy” her apology…
She shouldn’t have made those comment’s in the first place.
I guess it just goes to show ya exactly what type of person she is?
However, I wish her well. And maybe she will learn from this.

The red carpet is NOT the time to be asking or answering these kinds of questions that require thoughtful reflection. Ms. Stone made an error and was a big enough person to admit it. Let’s move on, shall we? After all..who among us hasn’t said something we wish we could take back?

Pointing out this actress’ mistake on a large public forum, which she has already apologized for, seems to fall a bit short of Right Speech. Please everyone, let’s be compassionate towards one another, be it the Chinese, the Tibetans or an actress to whom unnecessary amounts of scrutiny have been applied. Ironically, this section of Beliefnet is called “Idol Chatter”, which seems entirely inappropriate when applied to Buddhism.
The Buddha once explained:
“And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.”
“Abandoning false speech…He speaks the truth, holds to the truth, is firm, reliable, no deceiver of the world…”
“Abandoning divisive speech…What he has heard here he does not tell there to break those people apart from these people here…Thus reconciling those who have broken apart or cementing those who are united, he loves concord, delights in concord, enjoys concord, speaks things that create concord…”
“Abandoning abusive speech…He speaks words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate, that go to the heart, that are polite, appealing and pleasing to people at large…”
“Abandoning idle chatter…He speaks in season, speaks what is factual, what is in accordance with the goal, the Dhamma, and the Vinaya. He speaks words worth treasuring, seasonable, reasonable, circumscribed, connected with the goal…”

I agree with cirquemom, Why is this story even here. Why would beliefnet put a story so upfront as to stir up this emotional controversy. Let’s just wish the best for the Chinese people. Let’s hope the Chinese government some day leaves Tibet. There are real problems on this earth like these earthquakes, Typhones, Wars, and we are focusing on a statement by one woman, who in a moment, made a statement even she regrets. One person above “a” dosen’t buy her apology. How can “a” have any earthly idea what is in Sharon Stones heart, and why does “a” even care. That is the height of ignorance. If Shakyamuni were here I THINK he would shake his head is solom acceptance that in 2,500 years we have advanced so little. Even Beliefnet !

VERY WELL SAID, OWEN…best comment on this issue

Thanx Owen for those encouraging words! I believe the practice of reconciling everyone around the world is paramount. When Karma happens, good or bad, we should operate as one body. When an individual cell operates independently from the body, it is cancerous. Let us try to function all together well and always speak well of others here or there. China/Stone are allowed unpeaceful moments. Until then enjoy Peace!

America has got other important things to be concerned with, other than, Sharon Stone’s words. You guys like America’s hands are clean, they aren’t and everyone has their opinion or do you want to take that away, also? Perhaps, that wasn’t the best place to state her opinion but she was asked and she gave her opinion.

YoYo, I am not sure what you are saying. I don’t remember anyone saying America has any important things to be concerned with. How did America get into this? Who wants to take away anyone’s opinion?

Why is Sharon Stone commenting on any one else’s Karma but her own??? Doesn’t she realize that 64,000 people in China have now perished and a majority of them were practicing buddhists themselves.

If you read a little about tibetan buddhism you will find it has deities that are protectors there to spurn the enemies of the Dharma,the teachings and to protect Tibet. I think it was a reasonable assumption by Sharon Stone,on first thoughts,but she has corrected herself and is now doing some positive action. No one would wish harm on others in the form of an earthquake.

“If you believe in the laws of Karma, then you believe that Karmic forces are Karmic forces and peoples thoughts or beliefs about Karma may have little or nothing to do with it at all. Some karma comes into fruition immediately, some in one lifetime, some in many lifetimes. The seed may have been planted eons ago or yesterday. Who knows why China suffered the severe Earthquake? People have karma, areas have karma, governments have karma. Everything is cause and effect. So basically you can think or feel whatever you want about whatever you want, someone else will always disagree.”
Posted by: Robert | June 1, 2008 10:50 AM
—————————–
This is why people should not comment about Sharon Stones actual opinions.
As a buddhist you have to practise compassion to all living things, and by that I also mean that you should do this towards Sharon. Even if she would be right or not, it´s her karma and no one can judge her about it.
When she gets insight in this matter you probably won´t read any more comments from her.
As for the terrible things that happens around the world. The only reasonable thing would be karma.
People seem to forget that there are many more sad things in this world then earthquakes and other natural fenomenons.
China is the worlds largests export country in animal furs, we all know that living things there (exept people) are mistreated and suffers because of human stupidity.
This of course applies to many country´s around the world. Weapon export, human-trade (children and adults), prostitution, drug-trade, abuse of animals and so on..
So my opinion would be:
Think before you talk and try not to judge anyone, you will never know the reason for things to happen, the only thing you can do is to practise compassion against all living organisms and make people around you happy to be alive. A happy person spreads positive energy and makes good things to other human or animal beings.

Umm, I never claimed to be a buddhist, and I’m not. And I can comment about someone if I want to. That’s sort of the point of this forum. If you’re entitled to your opinion, then so am I.

The difference between our Buddhism and their buddhism? Are you kidding? Have you heard of Karma? I would say that Sharon Stone was right on, not because she if famous, because of Karma. The westerners have a saying, “What goes around comes around”. Another saying, “What you send into the life or lives of another or of others will come back into yours”.

Have we heard of Karma? Obviously – it’s in the title of the article.
Have you heard of Krypton?
First of all, I don’t think karma has anything to do with earthquakes. There’s no Almighty God who strikes people down with natural disasters for oppressing Buddhist monks. That’s just silly. It’s like saying someone got HIV because they were rude to their teacher. There’s no connection at all.
Secondly, people should not care much what Sharon Stone says. She’s just a Hollywood celebrity, and she also forced UNICEF to contribute $750,000 to buying mosquito nets which were already provided by African governments and which were then stolen and sold as dresses on the black market. Not the spiritual leader anyone should be looking to if they care at all about Buddhism.

Don’t curtail free speech, but be ready to accept other’s free speech too. Thus said, it’s balanced.