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top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]loki010[S] 1217 points1218 points ago

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“I remember clearly that it was about 5 p.m. on November 25. I was just finishing an assignment photographing retired military soldiers bidding farewell to their comrades at the train station. On my way out, I heard someone yelling from a corner and soon after lots of people gathered around. I ran towards the sound and made my way to the front of the crowd, only to find an old man dead on the bench. As I raised my camera, a Buddhist monk walked out of the crowd and went directly towards the dead man. The monk bent down to hold the old man’s hand and started to chant scriptures. I began to take pictures immediately. One minute later, police came over and cordoned off the area. After the monk finished the ceremony, he bowed to the old man and quickly disappeared among the other busy passengers.”

Source.

[–]spartican 764 points765 points ago

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Then the man woke up, looked around and said "The fuck ya looking at".

[–]CookieDoughCooter 415 points416 points ago

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If this were in the states and a priest did it, the picture would be downvoted and controversial.

[–]sndzag1 98 points99 points ago

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You're probably right. Now why would that be?

[–]CookieDoughCooter 255 points256 points ago

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Because this is a Western-based website without much knowledge of Buddhism. They're inherently good - or at worst, neutral - to the typical Westerner, as the typical Westerner has likely never had a single interaction with a Buddhist or practicing Buddha before. They're stereotyped in a positive manner and are more spiritual than religious, so they appear less threatening and easier to understand upon quick inspection.

tl;dr: because Buddhist Monks are awesome at best and neutral at worst in Western culture.

[–]TheRealDeal360 37 points38 points ago

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I recommend everyone take a trip to r/Buddhism. It's pretty nice over there

[–]sndzag1 23 points24 points ago

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Interesting! Of course, learning Buddhist philosophy myself (not the religious traditional side, but the side that focuses more on the concepts of zen and so on) I would have to say it might not even be a silly Western stereotype. It might actually be a lot more true, that Buddhist monks generally do tend to have a deeper and more spiritual understanding (or at least, acceptance) of life and death, and (for example) a Catholic priest would be viewed far more shallow in his understanding and practice.

Just some thoughts, which could very well be Western stereotyping. :)

[–]Redplushie 2 points3 points ago

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you sir deserve an upvote and a cookie

[–]fperkins 2 points3 points ago

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Plus Im under the impression monks know some sort of martial arts.

[–]Kni7es 2 points3 points ago

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You bring up a good point. However in this circumstance, I'd really rather not see a Christian priest. They tend to use funerals as soapboxes and pulpits, and spend less time talking about the deceased and more about their particular vision of the afterlife. And yes, yes... I know, reddit. This is a generalization and not reflective of universal truth. There are some priests who don't do this. I've just never seen one yet at a funeral.

[–]Seakawn 122 points123 points ago

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Biases. It's more or less,

Priest -> Child Molester / Catholicism / Religion -> Nuts & Not to be encouraged

Peaceful Buddhist Monk -> Wise / Of good heart -> Good

[–]Kellianne 91 points92 points ago

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Now how is it I have been a Catholic for almost 50 years and all the priests I have known have been fine God loving men? They are some of the kindest and most intelligent people I've ever met. Are you telling me I'm the only one who's had that experience?

[–]Seakawn 41 points42 points ago

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Honestly I think most people have your experience. And because your praise is to be expected, it's not filed in the brain under the "This Is Messed Up; Be Aware Of This" cabinet. When people hear one horror priest story, however, they do file such a thing in such a cabinet--and they let these memories model their primary opinions.

You really can only judge someone on their actions, in the end. Just because some crazy people said they followed the Bible but acted like they didn't, people still like to get to use that they somehow did act out what they said, and they judge against the effort rather than judge the action. The ignorance comes in knowing that the action wasn't from the effort, yet this doesn't seem to matter.

Thus is why if this were a priest, you would see more comments like, "I wonder where that hand went next?" or, "doesn't change the fact he's a psychotic nutcase who is detrimental to society if not humanity," as opposed to, "this is truly beautiful humanistic behavior."

[–]ketchupacket 25 points26 points ago

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Well I look down on Catholicism, because I was a Catholic when I was a child. I think the reason most people look down on Catholicism is because the pope covered for the child molesters.

[–]digimer 106 points107 points ago

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It's #39.

Thanks for linking it. With everything going on these days, it's really heartening to see humanity like this.

[–]pikindaguy 119 points120 points ago

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[–]marquizzo 25 points26 points ago

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Agreed. The key element that's changed is that we are better informed, so it's easy to come to the conclusion that things have been getting worse.

[–][deleted] 17 points18 points ago

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Yea, we decry "how far we have fallen" when only a hundred or two years ago "life" was a pretty brutal thing.

[–]sisko4 2 points3 points ago

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Hm, wish I had read that before engaging in a polite disagreement with this christian lady who knocked on my door.

One of her main arguments as to why we needed god more than ever now was because the world was so much worse off now than it used to be.

[–]johndongson 2 points3 points ago

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[–]Zlibservacratican 2 points3 points ago

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I wonder what would have happened if a christian came over and started praying right there next to the monk, and then a jew, and the a muslim.

[–]RaisinToGrapeProcess 173 points174 points ago

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I like how the guy sitting two seats away from the dead person is like "I'll be damned if I'm giving up this seat".

[–]BaxterRhymes 317 points318 points ago

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I think the contrast between all the other people gawking upon the situation at a distance and the monk letting down all reservations to make contact with the man is beautiful.

[–]honeytrap 55 points56 points ago

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I doubt the monk felt uncomfortable doing what he did. While he probably doesn't pray often over the unexpectedly-dead-in-public faction, he probably does pray over people at funerals, or who are dying but not quite dead.

[–]johnnytoomuch 14 points15 points ago

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I think the monk may have been more comfortable than most, but I also suspect that he's also a good example of a monk. People whether they are supposed to or not will often freeze in these kinds of situations. It's not a given. Thus I think he is all the more laudable.

[–]jimflaigle 715 points716 points ago

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I saw that happen at Penn Station once. Then the monk grabbed the guy's wallet and ran.

Also, the guy wasn't so much dead as napping.

And it wasn't a monk in the traditional sense.

[–]RogueBoner 187 points188 points ago

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I ate a cheeseburger once. Well it actually wasn't a cheeseburger, it was man meat and I was stuck in the andes because my plane had crashed. We had no food and I ate my best friend Javiers arm.

[–]alahos 4 points5 points ago

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I read this as "I saw that happen to Sean Penn once."

[–]hopeful_toker 193 points194 points ago

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I got chills.

[–]wowlolcat 258 points259 points ago

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They're multiplying.

[–]Caboose3642 120 points121 points ago

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And I'm losing control.

[–]JordanBelcher 101 points102 points ago

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Because the power

[–]Freater 108 points109 points ago

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You're supplyin'

[–]alexgeek 96 points97 points ago

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It's electrifyin'

[–]NinjaSkillz810 75 points76 points ago

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You better shape up!

[–]Sarc222 68 points69 points ago

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Cause' I need a man!

[–]WeaponsGradeHumanity 59 points60 points ago

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And my heart is set on you!

[–]OP_is_a_f4g 18 points19 points ago

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You better shape up!

[–]tbreak 86 points87 points ago

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That's a very powerful image.

[–]blastoman334 29 points30 points ago

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The importance of having dignity in death transcends religious and cultural divides. This is not understood by enough people.

[–]shiny_dunsparce 53 points54 points ago

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ITT: The first 4 words of half the comments 'I'm an atheist, but'

[–]DanG_ReaL 5 points6 points ago

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ctrl f + atheist

Mother of god...

[–]Atario 2 points3 points ago

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The other half: "Atheists are bad because"

[–]erkapathy 40 points41 points ago

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This is a great picture but I really dislike how reddit always brings up atheism vs. christianity no matter what the context.

[–]andrewsmith1986 249 points250 points ago

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Monks are awesome.

[–]squeakyL 256 points257 points ago

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Wololo

[–][deleted] 30 points31 points ago

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/me attacks the nearest target.

[–]AQUA2 28 points29 points ago

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*converts catapult to christianity

[–]Zarathustraa 2 points3 points ago

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oh god age of empires nostalgia

[–]elusivepuck 2 points3 points ago

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The wonder the wonder the...NOOOO!!!!!

[–]Facewizard 25 points26 points ago

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I always played a monk in Dungeons and Dragons.

Monks are awesome.

[–]Metamorphism 27 points28 points ago

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Monks make me feel emotions. Feels good.

[–]tmantran 8 points9 points ago

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I saw a monk at Universal Studios for some reason. It was during the Halloween Horror Nights and nobody could break his bearing as he walked through a "scare zone."

[–]MrMastodon 20 points21 points ago

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Except the movie Bulletproof Monk. That was just...awful.

[–]Mr_Smartypants 2 points3 points ago

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Crouching Tiger meets Stiffler...

I like them both, but why did they think this was a good idea!?

[–]Dunabu 11 points12 points ago

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Beautiful and sad.

[–]AludraEltanin 41 points42 points ago

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I wish we all had the chance to experience more of that kind of compassion before we died.

[–]Jehusephat 39 points40 points ago

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Mormons come to my house all of the time wanting to shake my hand and have a chat in my living room. I'll probably be dead before I let them, too.

[–]a_mormon_would_say 4 points5 points ago

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excuse me sir, would you like to hear our message of the lord jesus christ? also, we're very thirsty and this neighborhood is crazy, please let us in!

[–]dirtsandwich 74 points75 points ago

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As a psuedo-Buddhist I think "This is what it's all bout."

As a healthcare worker I think "Start resuscitation efforts, locate the airports AED and call 911, or whatever 911 is in China."

[–]FuzzDarkness 72 points73 points ago

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[–]kg4uzj 32 points33 points ago

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Did you see that ludicrous display last night?

[–]FuzzDarkness 27 points28 points ago

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What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early

[–]nyuncat 7 points8 points ago

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The game's not until tomorrow morning...

Oops. I mean, The thing about Arsenal is they're always trying to walk it in.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points ago

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It's actually 110.. aka yao-yao-ling

[–]AxelPrime 14 points15 points ago

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He was cold already when they discovered he was dead, no resuscitation in the world's gonna help him now.

[–]spastacus 31 points32 points ago

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As a member of the Necromancers League of Southwestern Burgess County I disagree with your statement. Not only is resuscitation possible it is in fact highly profitable for both dead and sorcerer alike.

[–]EvilFlyingSquirrel 360 points361 points ago

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As an atheist, if I was found dead and someone wanted to say a prayer, dead me would be honoured.

[–]Heapofcrap45 235 points236 points ago

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I don't understand why some atheists get so indignant at the thought of someone praying for them. People who pray for the dead think they are doing a good thing and it is an act of kindness. Moral of the story we need more atheists like you.

[–]shiny_brine 444 points445 points ago

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Many atheists don't feel the way you describe. My late wife and I are/were both atheists. Our good friends are/were devout Christians, one from their beginning, the other born again. Several months after my wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer they approached us very nervously to ask if they could pray for her. The answer was a resounding "Of course!". Not because we believed it would make any difference for her disease, but because it was what they needed to do in their hearts to ease their burden, guilt and grief. The end result was that my wife followed the typical course of her disease and died a few months later and our friends felt relief for having done an act of Christian kindness in praying for her in their way. If they had been oncologists I would have asked them to do more, but I would never ask them to do less.

Everyone did what they felt they could. That's all anyone can ask.

[–]frothtub 115 points116 points ago

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I am very sorry for your loss.

[–]shmimsy 54 points55 points ago

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Wow. Your comment really changed my perspective.. shows a lot of respect and acceptance! I'm sorry for the loss of your wife.

[–]MarketGarden 21 points22 points ago

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Very well said.

[–]Facewizard 12 points13 points ago

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You put this story very clearly, and show a very profound kind of wisdom. Thank you.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 10, I was terrified by everyone praying for me, and by some of my mother's friends, who were baptists (my whole family were fairly liberal and introverted New England Catholics) praying for me in a very ostentatious way. Even as a kid who hadn't yet decided whether or not I was an atheist, I still felt assaulted by what they'd done.

Now I know that they really had to do it more for themselves than for me, and I respect that. There are plenty of things I do or say to other people that I'm really doing to maintain the integrity of my own emotions and personality. Everyone does it.

[–]I_Wont_Draw_That 2 points3 points ago

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People love to hollowly espouse the golden rule all the time, and then freak out when someone actually follows it. Your Christian friends would want to be prayed for, so how can they possibly be doing something wrong by wanting to pray for you?

[–]OfficialDeafStar 3 points4 points ago

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It's folks like you, man. One love.

[–]Heapofcrap45 8 points9 points ago

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The things that all of you have said in regards to my comment has really changed my perspective on Atheists on reddit. I always figured that most Atheists were kind people but all I see on reddit is the ass holes who are always pissed at religious people and hate religion with a fervent passion. I am not saying that I think Atheists should be quite about what they think or anything like that but thinking religion is the scum of the earth is a bit far. All of that said I think your story is very moving and I am very sorry for your loss. I also apologize for generalizing and being an asshole myself. The last part goes to everyone as there were a lot of replies to this.

[–]square_root_vegetabl 43 points44 points ago

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I read a book by the Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Sogayl Rinpoche, who said that Buddhists ought to think carefully before praying for their dead friends, because it might not be what their dead friends wanted.

[–]EvilFlyingSquirrel 65 points66 points ago

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Hence why I do not subscribe to Atheism.

[–]JackRubysGun 2 points3 points ago

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Indignant is maybe not the right word. I'm not sure however what the word would be. I've noticed that atheists that are irritated by prayer are irritated for one of the following reasons: The prayer is done is lieu of action like praying for a cure for diabetes instead of injecting insulin. The prayer is answered by a complete reasonable outcome like a guy being brought back to life by some skilled nurses and a code cart. The prayer that isn't answered is simply written off as "god's will."

[–]Alexnader- 2 points3 points ago

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The problem is when prissy people say "Oh my God? You're an atheist? I'll pray for you" implying I'm doing something wrong or that I need help. Replace atheist with Gay/of a different faith etc.

Or at least that's how I imagine it'd be since no one actually said they'd pray for me in such a blatantly annoying manner. I can't think of a reason to get annoyed outside this specific kind of situation.

[–][deleted] 15 points16 points ago

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I think that religious folk use prayer, more often than not, to show respect to someone, and show that they care about you.

[–]mostlyferal 36 points37 points ago

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As an atheist, I'd think dead you would not be anything.

[–]friendlyaussie 12 points13 points ago

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[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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I am atheist and I would like to have Tibetan sky burial (also Google for pictures).

[–]SamuraiAlba 7 points8 points ago

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Such a beautiful picture of humanity being... perfect :)

[–]Desmodaeus 18 points19 points ago

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This is so beautiful in so many ways... The fearlessness of the monk to approach the unknown man and acknowledge his passing, the bystanders as they pause to stare at death, suddenly shocked into remembering that we all die someday despite the daily routine, and the dead man himself as his head lies fallen to the side signifying his end.

[–]Mexagon 83 points84 points ago

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AS AN ATHEIST AS AN ATHEIST

[–]PrplFlavrdZombe 17 points18 points ago

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AND A RON PAUL SUPPORTER

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points ago

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WHO DOESN'T HAVE A TV

[–]jittwoii 2 points3 points ago

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I'm thinking of starting a sort of organisation for atheism... Maybe well get a building and put a banner on it just to make it easy for people to find... Maybe the senior atheists should also be given fancy garments so that they're distinguished too! I love it when some atheists take their thing so far that they pretty much start acting weirder than religious people

[–]bewarethetreebadger 47 points48 points ago

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DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE ATHEISTS ON REDDIT!?

[–]Tashre 5 points6 points ago

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My old supervisor told me about a time when some guy had a heart attack and died in an airport bathroom stall. Created quite a scene. There was this old Chinese gentleman who my supervisor thought was with the dead guy, and the port police were trying to get the guy to come into the bathroom to identify his companion, but he wouldn't enter the bathroom, with another Chinese bystander who spoke english who said the man was saying something along the lines of the bathroom being cursed. Another flight from China had recently just arrived and one of the passengers from that flight was passing by and noticed the scene. They, took note of what the translator said and told the police that there was a monk on board the flight he was just on. Port police tracked him down and asked him if he would bless the bathroom (or whatever you do to ward dead spirits and whatnot) so they could get the other guy to come in and identify who the dead guy was. Monk goes in, does his thing, speaks to the live man and bestows a small blessing on him and is then on his merry way. Live guy, incredibly distraught up to this point and adamant about not entering the bathroom, then proceeds to walk right in.

[–]i_am_stardust 1258 points1259 points ago

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I'm an atheist but I have to say the humanity of this photo is beautiful nonetheless.

[–]Mackinstyle 702 points703 points ago

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Yeah as someone who doesn't follow any religion, I think they've all generally got some value. Buddhism seems to have a ton of value to embiggening people's lives.

[–]sxestrobe 212 points213 points ago

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Buddhism believes in loving and kindness without expecting return. I am not religious in any sense but that applying that value correctly has changed my life.

[–]jesses2 26 points27 points ago

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All Redditors are sort-of Buddhist because we all want good karma :)

[–]caligula213 334 points335 points ago

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What a cromulent statement!

[–]Surfinonluck 417 points418 points ago

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[–]Svelemoe 35 points36 points ago

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I have two bookmarks on my phone. Reddit.com and that gif.

[–]sede3ed 109 points110 points ago

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this gif just won.

[–]sede3ed 64 points65 points ago

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im fucked right now and could watch this til eternity grinds to a halt

[–]farceur318 18 points19 points ago

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To quote Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Book of Mormon: "It may have been a bunch of made up bullshit, but it pointed to something bigger."

[–][deleted] 34 points35 points ago

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Buddhism is the least religious religion, in a fantastic way.

[–]UncleDucker 14 points15 points ago

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I'd say Taoism is probably less religious than Buddhism. Not as big a religion, but still over 400 million Taoists in the world.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points ago

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Taoism is on the very thin line between religion and philosophy

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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sometimes i think i'm the least redditor redditor

[–]Wondering_Wandering 10 points11 points ago

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Buddhism! The only atheistic religion!*

*Theistic, deistic, agnostic, pantheist and polytheistic flavors optional

[–]jetboyterp 159 points160 points ago

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Why is it that the atheist hivemind on reddit find a Buddhist monk praying so wonderful and beautiful...but tear apart Christians as morons and idiots?

[–]tommytwotats 239 points240 points ago

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because the average redditor is a 20 something know it all who has the world figured out. Then they turn 40 eventually and come to realize they didn't know shit. We all go though it, its a process, its not their fault, they aren't capable of more.

[–]mycroft2000 233 points234 points ago*

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Allow this 43-year-old to suggest that it's also because most vocal Reddit atheists are Americans who have developed a personal animosity against Christianity, as that religion is expressed by their families, friends, and colleagues. In other words, they resent it because it's in their face much of the time, and its proponents are people who have some sort of power over them.

Buddhism, on the other hand, is more exotic to them, and its stereotypes are self-evidently much more benign, and so it becomes more attractive.

So it's not just the self-assuredness of youth at play here.

[–]Windows_97 20 points21 points ago

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applauding

[–]GrouchoPiddington 54 points55 points ago

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When does the bitterness come into play?

[–]Lochmon 34 points35 points ago

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When you realize how fucking fast the clock is ticking.

But it's not just a bitterness, it's a bitter sweetness.

[–]dorkula02 110 points111 points ago

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because the monk in this case is not passing judgement on the dead man

[–]CookieMan0 10 points11 points ago

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It's one person hoping for a good outcome for another person, and doing whatever they can to help. It's that simple and beautiful.

[–]quantifiably_godlike 8 points9 points ago

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His face is so calming

[–]holst09 199 points200 points ago

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No need to qualify your religious background

[–]tontyismynameyeh 22 points23 points ago

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I think he was trying to say something about how humanity transcends religious boundaries. That, despite being an outsider to the monk's world, he can empathise with him.

[–]KineticShampoo 188 points189 points ago

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But he's an atheist, and just like vegans they have to let everybody know at every corner.

[–][deleted] 99 points100 points ago

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And iPhone users!

posted from my iPhone

[–]Hubes 30 points31 points ago

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What gets me are the posts begin with "As an atheist, I wonder how..." or "A friendly atheist with a few questions..." or "Can you explain to me, an atheist..." and then ask questions that have nothing to do with one's religious alignment.

[–]KineticShampoo 38 points39 points ago

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"Can you explain to me, an atheist, how I can filter my pool so it doesn't turn dark green during the summer?"

[–]sturmeh 1 point2 points ago

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Well since you can't pray to God, Jesus, Allah, etc. to have it done for you, you will have to go to the pool store and buy a...

[–]petriomelony 2 points3 points ago

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Well, I'm glad you specified, KineticShampoo. I was going to tell you to simply sprinkle holy water into your pool, but you probably don't have any. Have you tried that devil magic called chlorine? I've heard it does things.

[–]dmitchel0820 97 points98 points ago

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I don't think most serious Buddhists believe in god, at least not in the Christian sky daddy kind of way. Buddha himself said the question of whether god exists is irrelevant , and that we should try to find a way to end our suffering in this life.

[–]jurble 28 points29 points ago

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Most Buddhists mix-and-match beliefs. In Japan, Buddhism is mixed with native Shintoism, even though the government tried to separate them in the 1800s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haibutsu_kishaku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinbutsu_bunri

To those Japanese who still have any sort of religious inclination, Buddhism and Shinto still exist as this folk-mix.

In China, it's sorta the same. To the common man, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are all picked-and-chosen from for beliefs. All 3 are technically non-deistic, but traditionally were mixed with Chinese ancestor-worship and Heaven worship (if you ever play Dynasty Warriors, that's what the Mandate of Heaven refers too, the Chinese traditionally worshiped Heaven, Tian, analogous to the Mongolian and Turkish Tengri.)

In general, Buddhism, because it's non-deistic, tends to get comfortably along with native-beliefs.

And the Buddha was a Hindu. The nature of the Buddhist-belief system was based on the axiomatic assumption that Hindu metaphysics (reincarnation, karma) was correct.

[–]Kryptus 12 points13 points ago

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To give an example of how this works in Japan... People go to pray at a Shinto temple for things like health and good grades on exams. People go to a Buddhist temple for funerals. And they go to Hawaii to get married.

[–]mtskeptic 4 points5 points ago

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And the Buddhist priests are seen as an almost reaper like figure. A Buddhist monk in a Japanese hospital is more likely to be shooed away than asked over to say a prayer.

[–]CytoIt 3 points4 points ago

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This. Modern Japanese people go to (Shinto) shrines to wish/pray for good health, good grades, good year, etc. then get married in a traditional Japanese way and at a (Christian) church for the Western way of getting married, and when they die they have a (Buddhist) funeral.

Japanese people also still have Confucius elements mixed in with Buddhism and Shintoism, but generally don't know it. Besides, majority of the Japanese people are not religious.

My family is from Japan, and we're basically agnostic, even though we're Buddhist (not in a religious sense, but in a traditional/cultural way), if that makes any sense.

[–]Taniwha_NZ 2 points3 points ago

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I don't think I've ever met a Japanese person who was into any kind of 'proper' religion, but they very nearly all used Shinto, Christian, and Buddhist temples exactly like you say.

In the same way, none of them would believe in 'God' as a single physical deity like Christians do, but they nearly all believe that there is 'something' bigger than us and stuff like destiny or fate are real.

My wife has been known to pray to herself just before something scary or dangerous happens, she isn't praying to God but she is invoking some kind of traditional spirit-thing that she learned as a kid.

So they aren't really atheists as we think of that word.

[–]zanflyheit 2 points3 points ago

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This. This is so true. My family are Buddhist but they worship the heavens as well.

[–]dmitchel0820 2 points3 points ago*

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The thing with Buddhism is that it is a process of removing conditioned beliefs, opinions, and thoughts though meditation. According to Buddhism, the experience of a separate self is conditioning as well.

This is just my thinking, but without the experience of a separate self, then it would seem as though everybody is the same being, experiencing itself subjectively. It would also mean that by doing something to someone else, you are doing to yourself. IMO, reincarnation and karma are a simple observation by an unconditioned mind misunderstood to be a supernatural process.

[–]Beakerbite 42 points43 points ago*

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Buddhism is definitely the most palatable of all religions I'm aware of. The religion isn't tangled up with human rights nonsense (gay marriage, etc) and is more concerned with making yourself a better person. You can have asshole Buddhists, but the religion doesn't encourage it like many others.

[–]BrotherStarkness 29 points30 points ago

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Your comment would have been more meaningful without the " I'm an atheist but,"

[–]sick_of_dreams 15 points16 points ago

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I'm not religious but I find religion fascinating. It's things like this that make me wish I could feel some kind of connection to it.

[–]redditallreddy 2 points3 points ago

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I have tried to have a reasonable discussion in r/atheism before, and it is difficult. I understand your atheism... you simply don't believe. You may be able to find some solace in Buddhism for the community of it (without ever needing any of the spiritualism). I find it hard to understand the hard evangelicalism of many of the atheists on reddit.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points ago

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even though death scares me, there's something calming about the image.

[–]funkshanker 19 points20 points ago

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How do you know when someone's an atheist?

[–]69_comments_share 42 points43 points ago

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I hopped into the comments to look for some just like this by atheists....I felt confident I would discover a few comments appreciating the beauty of the scene because, well, it is beautiful.

But...I can't help but wonder if atheists would feel the same if it was a leader from a different religion. would the feeling inspired be the same if it were a baptist preacher praying over a keeled-over shopper in a kentucky wal-mart?

[–]MdmeLibrarian 58 points59 points ago

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I think it's more to do with the humanity in how he's holding the hand of an elderly man who died "alone" (without anyone close to him around), and how he's "sending him on". If I saw a Baptist preacher holding the hand of a keeled-over shopper in a Kentucky Walmart, praying, I might be equally as touched. It's the lack of fear of death-cooties and the willingness to love another human being whom they have never met.

[–]sluggo140 13 points14 points ago

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Bingo because its that display of humanity. We all hear so much negative shit that when we see something like this it affects us deeply because its not something we see everyday. At this moment in time, that monk saw that the greatest thing he could have done was to provide some comfort to what was left of that person. Even though the person was dead, the monk saw it fit to pray for him. The rest of the people could have thought he was a moron or they could have been impressed by it. The point is that he saw fit to do it. That is what we miss so much of is that people don't see fit to do things so much anymore. Ironically all that monk may have been saying was "Today you, Tomorrow me." The fact that he was saying it was the only thing that mattered.

[–]cccrazy 2 points3 points ago

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Upvote for "death-cooties." Perfect term.

[–]Jesusslice 19 points20 points ago

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I'm an atheist, and I want the karma for saying that.

[–]i_am_stardust 4 points5 points ago

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it's now appears to be my cake day, can i get some more karma?

[–]DiaperParty 61 points62 points ago*

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OMG even ATHEISTS can appreciate an excellent photo?

PS: So brave!

[–][deleted] 31 points32 points ago

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This has nothing to fucking do with religion. Well I mean it does, but that's not the point of the picture.

[–]DiaperParty 23 points24 points ago

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But then how would he point out his atheism and bravery?!

[–]Muttonclop 46 points47 points ago

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Nah, the monk was just shaking hands with the guy, but mid-shake the man died so the monk kinda just rolled with it.

[–]roylez 10 points11 points ago

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As a native Chinese, I guess it is my chance to get some upvotes by showing off all photos of this incident.

[–]estin 14 points15 points ago

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wow, what a powerful image

[–]jaihu 5 points6 points ago

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This is an awesome picture. I'm also very curious to understand why so many people are commenting about how amazing they think this picture is with a qualification that they are atheist ... why does it matter?

[–]kittyzipper 3 points4 points ago

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How we treat our dead is a reflection upon us as a society. To me this is beautiful. Thank you.

[–]masterdll7 5 points6 points ago

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Oh, the humanity!

[–]CheekySprite 164 points165 points ago

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If it were a Catholic priest, you would all be hooting and hollering like a bunch of hypocritical monkeys.

This picture is amazing.

[–]TehObviousAnswer 58 points59 points ago

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Very true. I honestly don't understand Reddit, why can't we all just get along?

[–]mynoduesp 22 points23 points ago

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Because, fuck you! That's why.

[–]clamb 5 points6 points ago

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Thank you, things were getting too chummy around here

[–]master_gopher 25 points26 points ago

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People keep making this comment; why not comment when it actually happens, rather than criticising a hypothetical reaction that "reddit" might have to a hypothetical picture? This kind of comment is creating an argument about religion where previously there wasn't one - most commenters are saying how moving the picture is and not being critical of religion at all.

[–]ramblerandgambler 31 points32 points ago

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Very true, I think a lot of "anti-theists" are unsure how to feel about Buddhism., it's interesting to see the difference in reaction.

[–]saibog38 27 points28 points ago

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Atheism and Buddhism are very compatible.

[–]ramblerandgambler 17 points18 points ago

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Yeah, there's certainly a lot to be gained from living a Buddhist lifestyle, I always used to pass the monks on their morning alms at six thirty when i was coming in from a night of gallivanting and they'd be in their bare feet walking in the middle of the street, I think they felt sorry for me and I for them, but I think I see that they were more right than I was.

[–]davepople 2 points3 points ago

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There aint no circlejerk like a reddit Buddhism circlejerk

[–]jabb0 17 points18 points ago

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In the end it is something we all have coming.

[–]moroz123 22 points23 points ago

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Valar morghulis.

Memento mori.

[–]wonderboy2402 8 points9 points ago

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Wow, great share.

[–]emm22ett 10 points11 points ago

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this is beautiful

[–]BRAPP 6 points7 points ago

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As much as religion is bashed and torn apart on this website, there is something very comforting about this picture and what it represents, good call on the upvotes

[–]naked_ditchdigger 47 points48 points ago

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Now THAT is a humanitarian. Look closely, kiddos.

[–]nd1312 64 points65 points ago

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So did it work?

[–]lift_or_die 65 points66 points ago

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he dead

[–]FabulousLastWords 16 points17 points ago

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Not enough lifting, eh?

[–]hayden_evans 3 points4 points ago

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I wonder how long that guy was dead in that station for

[–]Arx0s 3 points4 points ago

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I love posts like this. It's really heartwarming and sad at the same time. Also, coincidently, the same time I saw this post, Fox Mulder's mom died on TV.

[–]PrplFlavrdZombe 3 points4 points ago

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Christian here, I think it's a beautiful photo

[–]moving0target 3 points4 points ago

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Man...how long was HE waiting for a train?

[–]HoagieHaven1 1 point2 points ago

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Is that Death photobombing in the very top right corner?

[–]tiddre 11 points12 points ago

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that monk is actually so cool

[–]Buhnanah 16 points17 points ago

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I read, "A monkey prays for a dead man...".

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points ago

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Oh good, I wasn't the only one.

[–]nighttmoon 4 points5 points ago

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Shanxi Taiyuan is where I was born and raised. Its not a well known city, not even in China. I don't live there anymore. I also studied Buddhism many years ago. I was taught to be kind to all forms of life (ie: not harm bugs). I was still a kid back then, and didn't understand much of the teachings. Now that I think back, they really do give you a new perspective on life, a way to understand nature.

[–]ekbrf4 6 points7 points ago

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This is very touching. He looks peaceful, the monk is holding his hand tightly, like he is telling him he is not alone.

[–]xFaded 2 points3 points ago

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How did people first find out he's dead? Has he been dead for a long time or something?

[–]broncobob 2 points3 points ago

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That is intense

[–]d0wnside 2 points3 points ago

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Those damn train delays!

[–]roostarr 2 points3 points ago

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Ambivalent buddhist here; this really moved me.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Thank you for this. Today it meant a lot.

[–]back_in_austraya 2 points3 points ago

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This is possibly the most beautiful photo I've ever seen

[–]iwillkillbullboy 2 points3 points ago

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safe to say, one of the most mesmorizing images i've ever laid eyes on..

[–]TruXter 2 points3 points ago

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Monks are cool.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Did anyone else read that as 'monkey'?

[–]syzygt 2 points3 points ago

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I don't understand why we can't respect everyone's religion wether its our own or not. Everyone likes to belong to something bigger then themselves. All of us face birth and death the same. Believe what you feel is the right path and show others respect for doing the same.

[–]singularityneuromanc 2 points3 points ago

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This is amazing. It would be tight as a species if we could stop having conflicts regarding spirituality.

[–]dnsbubba 2 points3 points ago

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I am always amazed at frozen moments of human experience such as this one. Nothing truly extraordinary, just a person at the same end we all face, and the compassion of someone caring for them.

It must happen a million times a day, but it still humbles me to see it.

[–]bartendalot 2 points3 points ago

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How do 15,000 downvote this post? If someone shoops a kitten on the bench next to the dead guy, will upvotes ensue?

[–]KSMKxRAGEx 2 points3 points ago

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Bless you monk :D

[–]digit01 2 points3 points ago

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So one did give a fuck. This is actually nice to see. I mean what the monk is doing.

[–]IamAnAnswer 2 points3 points ago

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I Just had a good friend pass away last week... this picture gives me more comfort than anything else so far.

[–]gorwell 2 points3 points ago

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This is actually a photo of a monk murdering a man with bare hands at a bus stop.