Sepuku, such an interesting concept. Something considered by the Japanese to be the ultimate in honorable actions, considered by most any other culture to be completely the opposite. Selfishness is the word used to describe such actions in the states.
Somtimes I wonder which culture has it right. Admiting that one does not have the strength to carry on with the dishonor they have brought to their name. I think that something painless, such as a shot gun to the cranium is dishonorable, but something as painful as sepuku would be far more honorable. It's a very painful process to go through. Theres not very much worse you could ever feel. Your entrails being exposed while you bleed to death. Your family around you grieving, however knowing that you have not only admited your dishonor, but the fact that you can not continue with it.
In the states the general view on it is of selfishness. That you didn't care who you hurt or who/what you've left behind. That you only cared about yourself. I suppose the only thing that makes sepuku honorable is the act in and of itself. Knowing that it is one of the most painful ways to die.. knowing that you'd do that to yourself knowing the full extent of the pain.
Who am I to "puss" out. who am I to continue on as I am. I want none of what Karma has for me. However, who am I to interfere with it... to... contradict what is in store for me... what if it's good... what if it's bad... Would I even care..?
As an Athiest I have a very vague grasp of the concept of what happens after death. In my eyes it is nothing. You cease to exist. Which begs the question "Would I even know or care that I'm dead?" What of my possible happy life? What of the wife that is destined for me? What of my supposed children? What of my ideal of immortality?
There are very few people that know of my view of immortailty. I believe that you live immortally through your children. As long as you can use your experiences to better the lives of your children or friends you'll live forever in a sense. Flame me if you want... I don't mean living vicariously through your children by forcing them into the mold you tried (and failed) so hard to force yourself into. I mean helping them by helping them understand more fully your ignorances and faults.
If you can be a lesson for everybody else than who's to say you've fully died and are nothing? You're something aren't you? You still affect many people. A fine (however far too "overplayed" ) example are the Buddhist Monks who set themselves on fire in a show of non-violent protest. They (in my eyes) are dead and dust... but in fact they do still have a profound affect on the world around us. They are still here. Nobody could ever deny the affect they've had on the past, present, or future.
Which again leads me to the question of sepuku... The monks commited a form of that same act. They are reguarded as both heros and fools.
If I can help at least one person through such an act would that be considered selfless? Would the "honor" I've brought back to my name both by commiting such an act be considered heroic? Would it not be considered more heroic based upon the fact that I knew what criticizm I'd receive from my friends and family?
Wouldn't this be considered more of a selfish act? Knowing that I believe I will not care what happens to me after I'm dead. Wouldn't I be considered to be going out in a "blaze of glory?"
These are the questions I pose of myself every day.... and yet ever day I have the same answer for this person who is asking. I do not know.
I wish there were a definite answer either way, at this point I'd be more than apt to take it. In a way I hope that there never is.... so that I might live on to pose such pointless questions, which I think are profound, of myself daily. However, I also wish that there were so I could chose one or the other and be satisfied in some way with a decision made on my part.
Somtimes I wonder which culture has it right. Admiting that one does not have the strength to carry on with the dishonor they have brought to their name. I think that something painless, such as a shot gun to the cranium is dishonorable, but something as painful as sepuku would be far more honorable. It's a very painful process to go through. Theres not very much worse you could ever feel. Your entrails being exposed while you bleed to death. Your family around you grieving, however knowing that you have not only admited your dishonor, but the fact that you can not continue with it.
In the states the general view on it is of selfishness. That you didn't care who you hurt or who/what you've left behind. That you only cared about yourself. I suppose the only thing that makes sepuku honorable is the act in and of itself. Knowing that it is one of the most painful ways to die.. knowing that you'd do that to yourself knowing the full extent of the pain.
Who am I to "puss" out. who am I to continue on as I am. I want none of what Karma has for me. However, who am I to interfere with it... to... contradict what is in store for me... what if it's good... what if it's bad... Would I even care..?
As an Athiest I have a very vague grasp of the concept of what happens after death. In my eyes it is nothing. You cease to exist. Which begs the question "Would I even know or care that I'm dead?" What of my possible happy life? What of the wife that is destined for me? What of my supposed children? What of my ideal of immortality?
There are very few people that know of my view of immortailty. I believe that you live immortally through your children. As long as you can use your experiences to better the lives of your children or friends you'll live forever in a sense. Flame me if you want... I don't mean living vicariously through your children by forcing them into the mold you tried (and failed) so hard to force yourself into. I mean helping them by helping them understand more fully your ignorances and faults.
If you can be a lesson for everybody else than who's to say you've fully died and are nothing? You're something aren't you? You still affect many people. A fine (however far too "overplayed" ) example are the Buddhist Monks who set themselves on fire in a show of non-violent protest. They (in my eyes) are dead and dust... but in fact they do still have a profound affect on the world around us. They are still here. Nobody could ever deny the affect they've had on the past, present, or future.
Which again leads me to the question of sepuku... The monks commited a form of that same act. They are reguarded as both heros and fools.
If I can help at least one person through such an act would that be considered selfless? Would the "honor" I've brought back to my name both by commiting such an act be considered heroic? Would it not be considered more heroic based upon the fact that I knew what criticizm I'd receive from my friends and family?
Wouldn't this be considered more of a selfish act? Knowing that I believe I will not care what happens to me after I'm dead. Wouldn't I be considered to be going out in a "blaze of glory?"
These are the questions I pose of myself every day.... and yet ever day I have the same answer for this person who is asking. I do not know.
I wish there were a definite answer either way, at this point I'd be more than apt to take it. In a way I hope that there never is.... so that I might live on to pose such pointless questions, which I think are profound, of myself daily. However, I also wish that there were so I could chose one or the other and be satisfied in some way with a decision made on my part.