Dear Ven. Pandita, Gunnar and friends,

thanks for the interesting discussion. I am rather glad that I learnt
about this issue in such a non-propagandist way. For if it's not, I
would have reconsidered my opinion of the Buddhist religion.

I think Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda was in a defensive position
politically and culturally during the debate, and that might have
prompted him to make such speculations, for the Buddha clearly
expressed His will that His ordained disciples (i.e. monks and nuns)
should refrain from discussions of such a nature. We can clearly see
why the Buddha made such a point now.

During those days (of Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda), understanding of
magnetism was almost null, except for some elites in the Western
scientific research circle. Of course, we now know that the magnet
always take that alignmnet due to the influence of the Earth's
magnetic fields. And we call the direction pointed by the needle's
top tip the Magnetic North.

We have to acknowledge that superstitious beliefs still exist in
Buddhism, and it is why we see Dhammadutas in all walks of life
helping to clear the misconceptions people have about Buddhism. These
ongoing efforts would be seriously diminished if one group is
clearing misconceptions on one hand, and another is clinging to
superstitious beliefs on the other. In Singapore (and probably
Malaysia), Buddhists of all traditions have shredded off a good
amount of superstitious and unfounded beliefs and practices,
especially of Chinese Buddhism. But I can't say the same for Chinese
Buddhist communities (or other Buddhists) around the world. I have
also read about how superstitious Buddhists in Theravada countries
can be. But, of course, what we see and hear of any Buddhist
traditions (by Buddhists) is mostly in their pristine forms.

I believe that we should regret that such a statement was even made
in the name of Buddhism, but we should all be relieved for no evil
actions has been done to uphold that statement.


With metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, Gunnar Gällmo wrote:

"The mariner's compass was the best proof he could give them of the
existence of Mahameru. Keep it where you may, the attraction of the
magnetic needle is always towards the North. This demonstrated that
there was a huge mass in that direction which attracted the needle
towards it, and according to the Buddhist books, Mahameru, the
grandest and most stupendous rock on the face of the earth, was
situated in the North. Were they now satisfied that their Mahameru
did exist in the North, as declared? If not, can the Christian party
adduce a single reason why there should be this attraction in the
needle toward the North more than to the East, West or South? This
was impossible. The mariner's compass was the most conclusive
argument for the existence of othe famed Mahameru. The passage
through the northern zone of ice into the open Polar Sea, where are
lands, rocks and mountains, may demonstrate this beyond a doubt."