The Sunflower - An Introspective View
Simon Wiesenthal asks the question, 'What would I have done ?' We are asked to put one's self in his place. This is not an easy task. One knows little to nothing of the actual feelings and struggles involved in being persecuted, unless one actually has been persecuted. As this author has never suffered such severe persecution, one must call upon the force of one's imagination. Even with the most active and vivid of imaginations, one falls short of the comprehension necessary to obtain a clear and succinct overall picture of oppression. But, as the question being asked is one of great magnitude and importance, a personal answer must be found. In the opinion of this author, the above question deserves a personal answer from each and every rational human being. This author found great admiration for the answer given by the Dalai Lama to the above question of Wiesenthal. One can easily see a certain temptation to equate Wiesenthal's question with one's own situation, as the Dalai Lama did. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of an oppressed people. As such, he is in a unique position to answer Wiesenthal's question. The Dalai Lama found forgiveness for Karl in his heart , but also claimed a belief in forgiveness
terrible sin to burden your conscience with other people's sufferings" This author has pondered the Wiesenthal question at great length and depth. Can forgiveness be an option if one puts one's self in Simon Wiesenthal's place ? One must also ask one's self the question, as Mr. Cargas did, of who is really being forgiven. One must then consider in whose name this forgiveness would be given. One must also bear in mind whether a single man or women has the power to give forgiveness for an entire people. Human forgiveness may in deed be out of reach for acts of great wickedness. The depth of the Wiesenthal question is immense. Every rational human needs to formulate their own answer to this enormous question. For without introspection, the world would be reduced to a fate of repeating the horrific mistakes of the past. This author has found this hallowed ground, this highly sought 'holy grail' of an answer. One can find it within the words of Mr. Wiesenthal's own book. They are the words spoken by Simon Wiesenthal's friend Josek: without forgetting. The Dalai Lama then equated the struggle of the Jews with the Tibetan Peoples' struggle to regain freedom from their Chinese oppressors. This author found the Dalai Lama's story of a Tibetan Monk who served nearly eighte
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Approximate Word count = 865
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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