Question: What is the correct approach one must practice to stop people who are persistently bad, like extremists?
Answer: There’s a need to befriend them, to express concern for their general welfare first, before finding out why they think the way they do, and to gently persuade them to think otherwise, for their benefit and that of others. Compassion is more touching than bullets and condemnation, but we need people with powerful and ‘extreme’ compassion and wisdom to affect them positively! What one can’t do individually, more need to do collectively. Mass loving-kindness (metta) in mass action! Our metta must be more persistent than their ways to touch and transform them.
i wish to suggest that all will eventually succumb to kindness. initially however, we all respond to either the hard or soft approach depending on our personalities.
That’s why even the most benevolent Bodhisattvas do manifest their most ‘malevolent’ (wrathful) forms at times. Tough love that’s true love!
Was onboard a cab with my mum recently and the driver was a elder lady, rare encounters for a cab driver. She was initially playing some music but I believe seeing my mum as an elderly, she switched & lowered the volume to a Hokkien Christian talk. I believe she is trying in her way to spread her religion for those who is of affinity.
The volume was low so those who may not like the idea may not find it disturbing and yet those with affinity will then enjoy. Haha, too bad my mum when I asked after alighting how she feels abt the incidence was not aware abt it so her effort not fruitful but I really admire the lady’s act. Wish we have more Buddhist sharing Dharma in similar ways.
I had encountered a few cabbies playing Buddhist themed music or talks
It’s not a big deal to play whatever they like in their cab. But it would be harassment if a cabby won’t take no to something unpalatable for an answer, who keeps pushing religion to the passengers.
I met such a cabby before. I understand his passion and he’s probably very eager to share his new found meaning in life, but I just wanted a quiet ride home to nurse my headache. It was just sad that I had to threaten him with a complaint to shut him up…
When cabbies insist on sharing their faith with me, I get them to promise they will hear me share mine too.