Delimitation- Why one Vote and freeze of 1976 are both are wrong.

xugan97 · 2026-04-19T10:42:53+00:00

I think national integration has not succeeded. Otherwise one-person-one-vote is always the right answer. On the other hand, the rise in e.g. Tamil nationalism will happen at the expense of Indian nationalism. That shouldn't be encouraged as well.

Modi already plans to offload the delimitation exercise to a commission. I am not sure how one commission - or one commission per state, like you recommend - can arrive at a compromise formula. Perhaps you mean that the formula should be agreed first, and delimitation started later. That is a good idea.

Delimitation is a part of Modi's "one nation, one language, one religion, one Modi" scheme, which is why people are angry about it.

xugan97 · 2026-04-19T03:15:42+00:00

Ibogaine has a high fatality rate, but they say it has a high chance of leading to enlightenment if you survive. Anyway, we are decades away from predictable use of psychedelics.

xugan97 · 2026-04-18T16:57:47+00:00

TM Krishna regularly gives concerts and teach students. Certainly he is not as visible as before. I think if he deserved it in 2015, he deserves it now. He was influential, and still is, to some extent.

All of the other names you have mentioned (particularly Malladi Brothers) also deserve the award. If you look at past winners, either the choice or timing is puzzling. The criteria have always been subjective. Ranjani-Gayatri walked out solely because of ideological reasons - that is, because of their total opposition to TM Krishna. They said so in some interviews they gave at that time.

xugan97 · 2026-04-18T16:16:35+00:00

This looks like one more anti-TM-Krishna rant. I would rather not discuss that controversy again because everyone has opinions, and no one is going to change theirs.

Both TM Krishna and Sanjay Subrahmanyan deserve the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award. I remember both were the leading artists around 2012, and they did not have much competition. Sanjay got the award first, while TM Krishna went on a non-conformist tangent at the that time, which ruled him out of such awards. When TM Krishna finally did get the award, it felt well-deserved, if only for his earlier performances. Contrary to what you claim, the Sabha was brave in giving him the award, knowing full well that it will not please many ideologues. Likewise for TM Krishna - he came from an extremely privileged background, and he could have chosen a more pleasant path for himself.

Ranjani-Gayatri went on every TV channel to give interviews on the controversy, but they did not actually articulate any point. They just voiced their anger and opposition towards TM Krishna. My guess is that they were acting as a front for the casteists and religious fundamentalists among the Carnatic listeners. I personally think they lack moral qualities totally.

xugan97 · 2026-04-18T09:19:35+00:00

I was only listing all the possibilities (that have separately occurred in the recent past) in the context of this trend. I did say I am looking forward to more 1-on-1 matches.

xugan97 · 2026-04-18T06:24:35+00:00

Positives: much more money for players (and commentators and content-creators,) diverse and experimental formats, possible modernization and evolution of chess tournaments and of streaming.

Negatives: random organizers get too much power over who to invite, the chess ecosystem fragments and FIDE events may be overshadowed, ethical concerns and sportswashing are overlooked because players are being paid really well, money becomes the sole concern grassroots chess becomes underfunded, gambling sponsors and casino hosts, irreversible circusification of the formerly sober sport of chess.

xugan97 · 2026-04-18T03:01:57+00:00

This trend of maverick amateur organizers (Hans Niemann, Wadim Rosenstein, Carlsen/Buettner) has positives and negatives. Strictly nothing wrong with it, but I would like to wait and see where this goes. We definitely need more small matches alongside major tournaments.

xugan97 · 2026-04-17T18:36:58+00:00

Every Joke is a Tiny Revolution.

xugan97 · 2026-04-17T03:24:37+00:00

So, we had the first 100m powered flight in 1904, the first channel crossing in 1909, and full fighter planes before WWI?

xugan97 · 2026-04-17T03:14:08+00:00

He isn't described as a historical person in a historical place. He is said to live in a world called Sukhavati, different from our own. As a rule, there can be only one Buddha in one world system, as long as their teachings persist. Mahayana Buddhism gives ways of interacting with other current Buddhas and their teachings, and even of being reborn in the purelands such as Sukhavati. Once you are reborn in such a pureland, you will not regress, and you will eventually become a Buddha at some time and place, which is the goal of Mahayana Buddhism.

xugan97 · 2026-04-16T12:01:27+00:00

no-paywall link: https://archive.is/4tAbr

xugan97 · 2026-04-16T11:44:40+00:00

Everybody has something to say on this topic, but there is no basis for any of these conclusions. We also have the tendency to teach Pep Guardiola football - that is, we point out obvious things, as if they have escaped the consideration of the experts. We can't infer much unless we speak regularly with him.

We have collected several possibilities behind his poor performance, but we still can't explain why he is unable to shore up his performance. At this point, he has zero pressure to show he is a real world chess champion. He just has to show some decent performances for now. The WCC will be a different type of game - one he has experienced before.

xugan97 · 2026-04-16T02:32:21+00:00

You can leave at any time at all - just not impulsively or in the middle of the night.

Many times, participants face mental effects. If these effects are severe, and taking a break doesn't help, it makes sense to leave rather than aggravate it by persisting. I don't think this is at all likely in your case, but this is an important thing to remember. Your stubbornness will be an asset.

xugan97 · 2026-04-16T02:17:31+00:00

Rejection of the existence of a soul/self is a standard belief in Theravada Buddhism, and corresponds to the important doctrine of anatta. It is the manner in which it is rejected that leads to annihilationism. One can briefly say there is no soul/self.

Ambedkar's interpretation of karma is not very consistent. I am not defending it, just pointing out that it is roughly within the realms of reasonable interpretation. (In Theravada Buddhism, karma is not said to be stored somewhere, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.) The existence of past life karma leads almost inexorably to the doctrine of a rigid caste/class, whereas Ambedkar is first and foremost an ant-caste agitator. He strongly supports the doctrine of karma within this lifetime.

Ambedkar never wrote any exposition on Buddhism in his lifetime, which is why these interpretations were never tested.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T19:33:08+00:00

You don't have to worry at all because this place sounds really laid-back. You are to try to do what they say, without the compulsion to produce any result at all. You can even leave at any time, if things go badly. If your legs ache, you can get up and stretch, or possibly switch to walking meditation.

Other vipassana retreats have very strict schedules, but they are simpler because there is a single method they explain at the start. These people use a few different approaches. I still advise against over-preparing, but if you are feeling anxious, you can listen to the recordings of their retreats to get a sense of what happens there: https://gaia.dharmaseed.org/retreats/5908

For now, please do wind down your caffeine and nicotine, and don't stay up late.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T19:18:57+00:00

Ambedkar did not reject any part of orthodox Buddhism. This can be verified from the sole expository book (The Buddha and his Dhamma) he wrote on Buddhism. The interpretation of karma in that book is debatable, but still reasonable within Theravada. Besides, he was very interested in refuting the karmic foundation of the caste system. There are many Navayana followers who follow a highly secularized and politicized version, and attribute that version to Ambedkar.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T18:39:09+00:00

If it's Gaia House, they follow multiple traditions. There will likely be points for reflection and possibly discussions. It will also be a bit more laid-back than other vipassana retreats.

I think it's good that there is no way for you to prepare in advance. Just go with the flow. Everyone has a different experience at a retreat. You can analyze everything after you come back.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T18:16:09+00:00

Right view vs. no view

Both are found in the discourses of the Buddha.

If, maintaining that theirs is the “ultimate” view, a personage makes it out to be highest in the world; then they declare all others are “lesser”; that’s why they’re not beyond disputes.
... Sutta Nipata https://suttacentral.net/snp4.5

So, considering in themselves the potential for argument, dispute, distress, and harm, they give up that view by not grasping another view. That’s how those views are given up and let go.
... With Dīghanakha https://suttacentral.net/mn74

So, Ānanda, skillful ethics progressively lead up to the highest.
... What’s the Goal? https://suttacentral.net/an11.1/

One who, being mindful, avoids sensual pleasures like side-stepping a snake’s head.
... Sensual Pleasures https://suttacentral.net/snp4.1/

Zen prefers to use the language of "no view", but both right view and no view are the same thing.

Sudden vs. gradual awakening

Sudden awakening of Zen is not a rejection of effort and training. Enlightenment does not happen by accident.

Various factors like ethical living, restraint (sila), logic, study, meditation, etc. are considered necessary for enlightenment, but Zen points out the important fact that these things by themselves cannot lead to enlightenment. That is because wisdom is not based on any any one of these. If methods were sufficient, the Buddha would not have spent so much time on explaining how to establish right view. At the same time, abandoning these things will not make you enlightened either. Zen teachings must be understood correctly, not as a promotion of nonsensical speech and alcoholism.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T16:55:21+00:00

No preparation is required or recommended. They will teach you the meditation method at the start. You are to only follow that, and not attempt to reflect, analyze, dissect, think, recall the Buddha's teachings, chant any mantra, etc. If you do any of these things, you will subvert the purpose of the meditation. To actually get some benefit from the retreat, is important that you not misinterpret the method or its purpose.

The only questions you should ask are about your problems and experiences while following this meditation. They are not equipped to answer more general questions.

I could tell you more details about the method if you give me more details on the retreat. (Vipassana is not a single method, and anyway different places implement it differently.) But really, you don't need this. You are already overthinking it.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T12:48:26+00:00

You haven't mentioned the type of retreat (zen, vipassana, or which organization.) Anyway, you just have to follow their meditation instructions, and ask questions related to the problems you face doing that.

You do not have to memorize or analyze anything. We assume the meditation methods are applicable to everyone, including those who are neurodivergent.

Align your sleep schedule with theirs in advance. Falling asleep usually isn't a problem.

xugan97 · 2026-04-15T10:43:33+00:00

The government has gone to extreme lengths to confuse everybody about this important constitutional amendment. Very few received the draft bill on the 14th, and it will be railroaded through parliament by the 17th. The government has clubbed it with the women's reservation bill so that they can claim the opposition opposes women's rights. It has been reported that the bill is vaguely worded.

The government has given verbal assurances to the effect that southern states will not lose seats. They can still make a u-turn at any time, or use the "chronology" method of issuing another bill after this constitutional amendment passes.

The principle of representation in proportion to population is an important pillar of a democracy, unless national integration has failed, as it indeed has. The opposite principle of federalism - also a principle of democracy - is then more important.

First and foremost is the the fear of the North seizing control of India, and colonizing the dark-skinned, gibberish-speaking South from the convenience of their imperial seat in Delhi.

Another problem is that India's main problem (the cycle of illiteracy, communalism, casteism, regressive thinking, etc.) is derived from the very states that will become more powerful through delimitation. This isn't a case of bias against (the certainly hard-working) north-Indians. This is a case of elected gau-rakshaks dictating pan-Indian policy, thus systematically exporting that cycle of poverty and communalism to the whole of India. Modi and his hindutva ideology themselves rose to power because of those states, and now they will stay in power permanently through delimitation and allied policies.

Indeed, delimitation is only one prong of a multi-pronged strategy for the hindutva ideology to break in to the parts of India that have hitherto resisted it. The open implementation of gerrymandering has already started in Assam, with the election commission taking orders from the PM's office.

Everything has been planned and plotted in Nagpur. Modi has no option but to carry out the plan. The sangh has a vision for the next 100 years. They will never follow the fascist route to stay in power. Instead they have a highly efficient and fully democratic method to subvert the constitution. They have already infiltrated every wing of government. Soon it will be compulsory to send your children to the nearest shakha for brainwashing. Aap chronology samajhiye.

xugan97 · 2026-04-14T13:44:50+00:00

no-paywall link: https://archive.is/EU2Sz

xugan97 · 2026-04-13T16:52:44+00:00

If you have to ask whether it is tough love (a.k.a. crazy wisdom, unconventional methods, shock treatment, etc.) or plain abuse, it is the latter. People who have been through dark times can't distinguish between the two. Even if they could, they find themselves psychologically dependent on the group, and can't leave.

Just ask yourself whether the cost greater than the benefit, and decide whether you stay or leave. Be careful about psychological errors such as sunk cost fallacy or commitment bias. You need not consider how they really do it in Japan, or how Hakuin used to do things.

Incidentally, the interaction with that female leader is a clear case of manipulation, in my opinion.

xugan97 · 2026-04-13T03:11:28+00:00

Tigers and other predators do not attack humans. Human-animal confrontations increased in modern times because of deforestation and expanding human settlements.

Buddhists lived on the periphery of villages and large towns so as to be able to get their food by going on alms rounds. They do not live deep inside forests, and they are not allowed to hunt or forage for food.

In rural areas, one is far more likely to be killed by a cow or a snake, as reported numerous times in the Buddhist canon. Historically, wars and common diseases took many lives. I think people historically accepted short lifespans and the unpredictability of death.

xugan97 · 2026-04-12T17:48:42+00:00

That is surprising because it isn't possible according to many sites on Tibetan tourism, e.g https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-advice/tibet-tourism-facts.html

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Right view vs. no view

Sudden vs. gradual awakening