Dear Gunnar,

I do agree on diversity among "cultural elements" over the
Asian 'subcontinent'. In particular, we see religious diversity
alongside varying degree of interaction among the Asian communities.
Multireligious communities had long existed in large parts of Asia,
including China, India, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Southeast Asia.

The underlying principle towards this observed cultural phenomenon is
religious tolerance, which is the result of, I think, the wide spread
influence of Buddhism (non-violence) and Confucianism (secularism) in
Asia.

Even though it is not an easy task, it is such key elements as
religious tolerance which I would employ in defining an "Asian
culture".

Secondly, it is hard for me to accept that a momentary period in a
nation's history can be used to define its culture. We do not live in
a perfect world, and we have witnessed tyranny in different places at
different times. The ascension and even the long reign of a tyrant
ruler does not constitute support of tyranny (especially in the
absence of democracy). Also, in my views, Japan of WWII is more a
colonial evil than a domestic tyrant.

metta,
Yong Peng.

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

> I am also not aware of any part of Asian culture which
> supports tyranny, if you could enlighten us.

I don't think it is possible to speak about "Asian culture" in
singular, nor "European culture" in singular. There are several
cultures in both parts of the Eurasian continent.

A recent example of one of the Asian cultures supporting tyranny is
State Shinto during the time prior to World War Two, and the
Shogunate before that. Also, the Pali texts contain many stories
about evil rulers, so I think there must have been some in India as
well; and let's not forget that Prince Siddhattha actually ran away
from home not to risk becoming one. (And note: we often end our
recitations with "raajaa bhavat_u_ dhammiko" - but never
with "bhavat_i_"...)

The culture of any region, whether Asia or some other, is not only
its lofty treatises, but also the actions actually done, which is
often something quite different. In that respect, I think the
distinctions between continents are negligible.