BUDDHISM – THE GIFT OF INDIA

In the over 10,000 years of India’s glorious history, Buddhism stands out as the most significant contribution made by this country. The religion is internationally acclaimed and widely followed in large parts of Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, it is the religion of intellectuals and entails a philosophy which is sound, scientific and universally favoured.

Buddhism is an ultimate experience. It is the crux of the solution to the problems of the world, it provides a vision, which is achieved after seeing ‘THE ENTIRETY’ in it’s completeness, with a strong sense of logic & reasoning, and the basis of pragmatism. It is the flowering of the Indian Spiritual wisdom to it’s farthest end. Buddhism is the THE VIRTUAL MIDDLE PATH and stands at the centre of the world composition. It lies between sensuality and austerity, between selfism and nihislism, between theism and atheism. The Religion is the most preferred one among the scientists and logically oriented persons, and is growing at a very fast pace in the western world, perhaps second only to Islam.

Buddhism is philosophically scientific and ethically anti-dogmatic. It does not call upon it’s followers to follow the percepts slavishly or for the sake of it, on the contrary it gives the freedom to test the values and religio-spiritual premises for yourself and accept them only when they pass your personal test. The religion, which took birth in hierarchical India, is dead against caste system and any discrimination based on creed, language, nationality. The Religion traditionally gave relatively higher status to women. It is strongly anti-superstitious and anti-ritualist.

Buddhism is compassionately humanistic, and it lays greatest of stress on developing a sense of compassion (Karuna) for the suffering humanity and other living beings. It strongly believes in Non-Violence which is to be practiced towards even the animals and the lower life forms. This Compassion  ultimately culminates in the Mahayanist idea of the Boddhisatva Ideal. Boddhisatva is a great saint, who is so much in love with humanity and the living beings that he postpones his nirvana (liberation) so that he can serve humanity for some more time.

Buddhism is different from other religions in more than several sense. One of it’s notable features is that it doesn’t believe in a universal spirit. It is not spirit which survives death and is born again and again, rather it it some desires, some symptoms of change which are created and are reborn. Buddhism is diplomatically silent on the existence of GOD. It doesn’t consider it necessary to discuss such issues. The religion aims at treating suffering rather than delving into metaphysical issues.

Buddhism having born in India spread to various parts of the world and in a very short time became an international religion. In the process of it’s growth and spread, never even a single drop of blood was shed, nor a sword raised, never was intimidation or the lust of wealth used to expand it. The religion stands for peace, harmony and brotherhood and has practiced these percepts practically. It attracted the Greatest of Kings of India and other countries in the past, like The Great Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha. The religion is highly tolerant towards other religions.

In some quarters, Buddhism is compared with Christianity. But unlike the latter, it has no gory-bloody history, it does not promise a kingdom in the heaven, rather it beleives that the kingdom of heaven lies in each one of us, which can be achieved if we fulfill certain conditions. Indeed, Buddhism is THE MOST REMARKABLE GIFT OF INDIA TO THE WORLD.

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THE VISION OF UNIVERSE– AS AN INTERPLAY OF ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN ATOMS – WITH A TINGE OF BUDDHISM

THE VISION OF UNIVERSE– AS AN INTERPLAY OF ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN ATOMS – WITH A TINGE OF BUDDHISM

Our Cosmos is quintessentially a presentation of various combinations of arrangements of atoms and molecules, varying over time and space ranging up to the units of billions of years (time) and Light Years (Space), creating THE GREAT PLAY, with an inherent design and AN INTELLIGENCE, which forms the basis of THE ULTIMATE KNOWLEDGE, for the human mind, beyond any limitations, boundaries and restrictions of narrow-minded and incomprehensive lines of thinking.

All matter is made up of the most fundamental particles – atoms and molecules, each atom in turn is constituted of positively charged protons, negatively charged electrons and neutral neutrons. If we analyze, in this light, the theories of BIG BANG and THE PULSATING UNIVERSE, we realize that the entire cosmic cycle beginning from the birth of universe, in a BIG BIG EXPLOSION, called THE BIG BANG and in a cycle of billions of years, ending up in an EQUALLY MASSIVE IMPLOSION, namely THE BIG CRUNCH, is but a GREAT SUPER PLAY OF INTERACTION BETWEEN ATOMS AND MOLECULES. All that is, can be seen, felt or experienced is fundamentally composed of smallest particles called the atoms. All the variations we see around us is because atoms have different arrangements of electrons, etc and thus exhibit different properties, and when they combine differently in different places and different situations, they create all the different elements, compounds, mixtures, in other words they create things, beings, worlds and our entire lovely Universe.  

The living beings and ultimately The Human Being have come out of this Matter-ial Pool. They are in some sense the end product of the churning process carried out by nature, on this planet, which has taken billions of years. Each atom exhibits certain properties. This is by virtue of it’s electronic configuration, i.e the number of electrons the atom has in it’s electronic orbits. All the different things in the universe, or for the sake of simplicity, let us say on Earth, say for example, wind, water, coal, etc are a collection of atoms (Molecules) which exhibit similar characteristics and thus provide the unique characteristics to the respective element. In case of human beings and other animals and plants, they are composed of structural and functional units called cells, which in turn are composed of numerous atoms.

THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS     

Man is the most unique and crucial element/being/factor on this planet and in the entire known cosmos. He is composed of cells, which are but collection of certain atoms of certain types, differenciated in their properties, on the basis of differences in the structures they make up. But Man is endowed with the Highest Level of consciousness and his potential is even higher, is evident from the ‘Divine Powers’ exhibited by the Greatest of Men like Buddha, Krishna, Christ and Mohammad. When the atoms combine in unique situations and form a whole, the result is Human Being. The Highest of Consciousness is produced by the Most Appropriate combination of atoms, i.e. in the form of Human Being. Each atom exhibits certain level of consciousness, but this is at the most primitive stage. When they combine in ordinary situations, they form inanimate objects, who are no more conscious than these most primitive particles. But when they combine in special and most special ways, the result is a conscious animal or a highly intelligent Human Being respectively. Thus the level of Consciousness is a result of the manner of combination and interaction between atoms and cells.

THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Just as it would be sacriscientifical to question the Einstein’s Basic Equation relating Matter and Energy, their interchangeability, etc. so it would be grossly unscientific to argue that the entire cosmos goes on without any underlying basis, the Force that creates order, that whom The Vedantists describe as Neti Neti (Neither This, Neither This), and whom the Jains & Buddhists call the Soul and the Order and Who is known in Christianity and Islam as the Founder Father of the Universe, the Creator and it’s absolute ruler. That design governs the order in the universe. The Human Factors – Karma, Emotions, Sense Perceptions, intelligence, body consciousness are but the functions of the Consciousness created by the the combinations of atoms. To me, it is not soul or some unchanging entity that survives death and is reborn again, rather it is these Human Factors -  Karma, Emotions, Sense Perceptions, intelligence, body consciousness that take rebirth. One who knows one’s real identity and this Entire Process fully well, is freed from Rebirth. He goes in Shunya/The Zero/Void/Nothingness and enjoys eternity.

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INDIA’S NEED FOR BJP – A PARTY WHICH CAN REDEFINE NATIONAL PARADIGM VIS A VIS THE WORLD

INDIA’S NEED FOR BJP – A PARTY WHICH CAN REDEFINE NATIONAL PARADIGM VIS A VIS THE WORLD

Indeed Bhartiya Janta Party is the party with ‘a difference’ for in it’s about 6 years of rule it had done for India’s military prowess and national self-confidence what Indian National Congress was unable to achieve in it’s preceeding 5 decades long ‘Tryst with Destiny’.

Hardcore Secularists abhore it, most National Mainstream Parties stay away from it and major sections of the Minorities fear it as ‘The Hindu Nazi’. That is the way assumedly Pro-Hindu BJP is seen in this country. Come what may, but if we see the last over 60 years of Indian Independence objectively, then we find the 6 years of BJP led NDA rule as a period of rejuvenation, resurgence, confidence and hope. It was when the country came out of it’s political timidity, emerged strong militarily and gained diplomatic acclaim and recognition. The country also saw a robust economic growth during this period, but at the same time learnt lessons for it’s pursuing a version of unbridled capitalism and privatization – a serious miscalculation for which the NDA coalition lost the power and it’s growing support base.

The BJP led NDA Govt by ordering the Nuclear Tests on 11^th and 13^th May, 1998 changed forever the way World looked at India or for that matter the Vice Verca. It made India a de-facto Nuclear Weapons state and added a further supporting dimension to it’s long pending demand of a permanent seat in The United Nations Security Council. It was undoubtedly the biggest boost for the political India and things were never the same again.  A nuclear India, even if flanked by a nuclear Pakistan, was criticized more, boycotted more, feared more, heard more and eventually respected more.

The NDA government had also taken a rash yet courageous hard stand against China. In fact, the Defence Minister in that Govt Mr George Fernandes went on to call China as the potential threat number one for India. It was a well calculated step of de-hyphenating India from it’s small Western Neighbour and hyphenating it with the Giant Eastern Neighbour.

Mr Vajpayee, a firm believer of Democracy and the politics of consensus gave peace several chances in the Kashmir episode. India was backstabbed. It strengthened the country’s resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism with an iron fist. The victory of Kargil highlights this point. Moreover India gradually realized that it had to fight it’s own war against terror. USA will always keep it’s own interests above the need to tackle terrorism on a common platform as a curse against humanity.

No rose is without a thorn. The blot of Godhra carnage and the subsequent riots in Gujarat sums up this phrase very appropriately. It was an extremely tragic event in Indian history but something over which BJP didn’t have the fullest of control.  There is a need for greater accountability in cases of Mass Communal carnages which scourge this nation time and again, whether these are the anti-sikh riots of Delhi (1984) or the anti-muslim riots of Mumbai (1992-93) and Gujarat (2002).

I as an Indian say this with pride and enthusiasm that our Country deserves not to be merely a developed country, rather it must and will become the Number One Country in the world, in Defence, Economy, Political clout and ethical standards. A country with such a rich and glorious heritage, with a population of over 120 crores, with the most abundant availability of arable land and vast scope for growth of talent and ability which lies untapped, deserves nothing less than that.

We have the ammunition ready, what we need is a lofty vision,  a strong and enabling leadership, and committed support. BJP, is the party which comes closest to fulfilling these requirements, as it is a new party and is charged with patriotism and has a vast and disciplined  cadre which can provide able leaders who can do the needful in the best possible manner.

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THE LIQUIDIFICATION OF RELIGIOSITIES AND THE MAKING OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER

THE LIQUIDIFICATION OF  RELIGIOSITIES AND THE MAKING OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER

The Cult of Religion has been radically refined and redefined in the last few centuries, across different parts of the world, in varying proportions and in different ways. But the underlying motivation and intention of this change and reformation has been seeing the Whole Aspect of World, Society and Human Being in a newer light, something which is necessitated by the discoveries of new Scientific and Social Theories, advancements made in technologies and the resultant newer dimensions and meanings of social and human aspects which have been thereby revealed. The new found Human Wisdom has questioned and in many cases put aside certain aspects of Religion, Tradition and things which were considered as part of prevalent human cultures for many millennia. However, the most important and revolutionary change has been the starting of the process of religion becoming more individualized than organized, falling into the realm of absolute individual choice, and thus the belief in religion is increasingly and will even more increasingly turn into something which is like having confidence in a scientific theory or  a particular philosophy so that there are no or very few clear cut and well defined Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims etc in the World but only clear cut and well defined Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam,etc.

Human Civilization stands today at a crucial cross roads. Various issues are vexing the human mind like never before. One of the important thing is the question of religion-it’s importance as it ought to be in the new world and it’s relationship with Human Being and other aspects. The new age has brought in it’s wake certain revolutionary changes in the thinking of man. One of it’s important features has been the growth in universal tolerance particularly between the different religions. So much so that more and more men increasingly treat religions as varying manifestations of the One Truth separated by the times  and geography of their creation. Or alternatively, people see Religion, generally as an expression of Man’s Helplessness, which can be put to rest with the help of a strong mind, scientific temper and  advancements in technologies.

A  growing trend particularly in the Scientifically Enlightened Western and Other Developed Countries has been the end of Religion being an invaluable personal possession of man, which can not ever be diluted (read polluted), and which will remain with the man till his last breadth. Rather there are numerous countries in Europe, like the Scandinavian Countries in the Northern Europe, and in other parts of the World like Korea in East Asia, where most people do not have any clear cut religious orientations. The same person may at the same time practice more than one religion or may be even Non-Religious, Non-Religionist, Agnostic or Atheist.

This trend though not common yet in The developing world is gradually but consistently catching up in popularity and numbers. It’s  a Healthy Trend which got to be encouraged by the Managers and  the Authoritarians of Nation states. The end of organized religion, dogmatic creeds, superstitious and blind thinking, etc is very desirable. But certain levels of caution is necessary. We can not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The Essence of Religion- Spirit of Sacrifice, Emotional Bonding between people-within generations and between them, Care and Respect for Elderly and Handicapped Persons, Harmonious Living within the family and between Husband and Wife and other aspects of Social Consciousness, etc. need to be encouraged, imbibed and implanted among people. These will and always need to be the cherished ideals and ethics of the community.

As religion loose their hold over society, the govts and other social establishments will need to promote more and more of the Humane Values.  We Would love to live in a world where there are no religions at all but Most People are ’Highly Religious’, in the true sense of term.

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INSIDE CHINA - A SOCIAL EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN

INSIDE CHINA - A SOCIAL EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN

The Chinese Nation, in certain respects, epitomizes and symbolizes the limits of Human Potential and Achievement. It is the commitment made by the approximately 1.40 billion strong nation, it’s hunger for the ultimate achievement, it’s strong, earnest and unifocussed desire to become the numero uno, to be the leader of the world in almost each and every field, which fills all of us with awe and sets an example, which all of us at least dream to realize. But there only, the dream vanishes. All the explosive growth and development taking place in the ‘Middle Kingdom’ is at the cost of Human Freedom, The Rights and Dignity of Human Expression, The Choice to Take a Different stand than that of the Establishment, etc   And it is a flaw of the highest order, which is going to prove very costly for the Communist-Capitalist-Millitarist ‘Pragmatic yet Confused’ Mass Nation State, in the not so distant future.

China, the land of the Hans, these days is receiving grand accolades, from a variety of cross-section of people ranging from media experts and academic luminaries to foreign diplomats and political leaders of various hues. Indeed, what it has been achieving in the last 25 to 30 or so years is unprecedented in Human History. So many people transforming themselves into such heights in such a short span of time at such a rapid speed is undoubtedly a feat which is not merely ‘Historic’ but something that creates epochs and transforms ages. If we see China 20-25 years down the line, at this pace, it is bound to  out develop United States of America and Become the number one economy in the World, a feat which brings lot of cheers but at the same time certain level of apprehensions to the minds of most people.  

The country is today the manufacturing hub of the world, it’s infrastructure is making even some of the richer nations envious, in short it’s economic clout is growing by leaps and bounds, waiting for that auspicious day when it would wear the crown. Historically a Communist State since 1949, the Country has of late followed a more ‘pragmatic’ liberalized, capitalist-like   Economic Policy which has made it a de-facto Economic Superpower, however retained the Communist Party Dictatorship form of Authoritarianist Rule.

The County’s meteoric economic rise is completely lopsided in the sense it is not matched with corresponding increase in the freedom which is ought to be granted to it’s people in the form of Free Press, Multi Party Political System, Freedom to Practice Religion (Any Religion for that matter as the Country is officially atheist) etc. This creates a serious discrepancy, a dichotomy which can have very serious repercussions.

The serious ‘Policy of Repression’ which the establishment has been pursuing there, is a matter of utmost concern and seriousness and something which is bound to annihiliate itself but will also create disturbances, disruptions and destructions for the national structure, material and psyche.

The events surrounding the Tiannean Square were only a fore event, a signal of much more serious things which are going to happen in the not so distant future. Human Beings have a limit to tolerate, to bear oppression. Their patience is not infinite. It is bound to run out. This would be all the more true when the Chinese people see progressiveness and liberalism all around the Developed World and would surely not want their nation to be an isle in this ocean. The rising economic divide between Urban and Rural AND between the Rich and the Poor populations may add further fuel to the social unrest.

I foresee a Major Rebellion in China within the next 30 years. This could take the shape of a constructive Revolution, or as is more likely it could be a massive socio-political unrest which could democraticize and disintegrate China and at the same time dwindle it’s power and influence to a very big extent.

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HINDUISM, JAINISM AND BUDDHISM – THE THREE FOUNTAINHEADS OF FUNDAMENTAL INDIAN SPIRITUAL WISDOM – THEIR MUTUAL LINKS AND COMPARISON

HINDUISM, JAINISM AND BUDDHISM – THE THREE FOUNTAINHEADS OF FUNDAMENTAL INDIAN SPIRITUAL WISDOM – THEIR MUTUAL LINKS AND COMPARISON

India, the land of mystic speculations and the birthplace of profound philosophies, is particularly enriched and livened by three Major Religio-Spirituo-Philosophical traditions, namely Hinduism (Formerly alternatively known as The Vedic Religion or The Brahminical Religion or sometimes simply as The Sanatan Dharma {Or The Eternal Religion, owing to the remoteness in antiquity of it’s origin}), Jainism-The Religion of Ascetism, Austerities and Penance AND Buddhism, the largest Religion of Eastern and South East Asian Regions today. All three of them originated in India but created separate destinies for themselves. While Hinduism, the original Major Religious Current of the Indian Subcontinent, remained confined to this country, but it is the largest of the three religions today in terms of number of adherents. The Other two religious Movements, Jainism and Buddhism could not challenge Hinduism for long. Whereas Buddhism almost got extinct in the country of it’s origin within 1500-1600 years of it’s birth, Jainism was always there but confined to a few regions and among few people.

Hinduism, is undisputedly, called the Mother of all Indian Religions (Here, by Indian Religions is meant only those Religions which originated in India, and not those which came here from Foreign Lands. Definitely the religions in the Latter Case, and their religionists are as much ‘Indians’ today as anybody else). In it’s early years Hinduism gave birth to Many Philosophies, sects, cults, etc. One Significant event in the churning process that took place in the 6^th Century BC in a Certain Region of Northern India (The Regions now occupied by Modern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Nepal) was the birth and development of two Strong, Distinguished and Potent Religio-Philosophical Movements - Jainism and Buddhism. These two religions rejected the authority of the Vedas and hence were banished from the Hindu Fold.  However in the Pluralist-Liberal-All Encompassing India, these Religions were hardly ever Persecuted or even looked down upon.

The three Religions differed on certain important aspects of Philosophy, Ethics, Rituals, Societal Norms as they ought to be, etc. However all three Religions shared a Common Belief in Rebirth and The Karma Theory (The Eternal Law of Cause and Effect). Hinduism believes in a strong Soul and Strongest God (Brahman), Jainism negates the existence of God but believes in a very strong Soul, while Buddhism is the Middle Path Between Nihilism and Selfism, and believes not in exactly in a soul but in certain ‘Changing Entity’ which takes Birth Again and again.

While Jainism Prescribes complete Austerities, Penance and abstinence for it’s Followers ; Buddhism is for the Middle path Between Sensualities of Charvak and Austerities of the Jains.

THE COMMON THREAD AND THE MESSAGE IMPORT-:

All the three Religions essentially stand for social harmony. They teach concern for ‘the other’. They profess and practice high reverence for life, even for the smallest forms. If I were to define each of the three Religions in one word each and then infer the link between the three, I would state something like this -:

Hinduism predominantly emphasizes Love (Prema) for all beings, Jainism sums up it’s Philosophy and ethics in the Practice of Non-Violence (Ahimsa) while Buddhism Centers around developing the Quality of Compassion (Karuna). Now – When Compassion has fully developed and established in the Mind, only then one can Practice Complete Non Violence for all Beings, and By practicing Non Violence Day and Night, the person starts loving everything and everyone.

Thus wee see the three Religions are serially linked. And it’s not as if one states something by excluding other things, it’s only the case of Differences in Emphasis.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THE AYODHYA VERDICT ON IT'S EVE

MY THOUGHTS ON THE ‘THE AYODHYA VERDICT’ ON IT’S EVE

  I see the clock in my room, it shows 10.10 PM. Means another less than 17 hours remaining for the THE BIG BIG VERDICT, - The Ayodhya Verdict, for which the people have waited for the last 60 years. The entire Nation, crores and crores of people, cutting across economic classes and religio-cultural groupings are eagerly and impatiently awaiting this decision to be delivered by The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court at 3.30 PM tomorrow that is 30^th September, 2010 the Thursday.

The Entire Movement surrounding Ayodhya - the demand by the Hindus for the liberation of the birth place of Lord Rama, from the construction of a Mosque made arguably on the commands of the Mughal Emperor – Babar somewhere in 1526 AD, is clear and vivid in my memory and in the memories of many a people of my age group and my seniors. The emotions it evoked among the devout and zealot Hindus, in the late 80s and early 90s, many times, almost bordered on Fanaticism, and being enforced with elements of Fundamentalism and strong anti-Muslim hatred. Whatever justification the Sangh Parivar and other elements of the Saffron Brotherhood may give for this aggressive movement which culminated in the demolition of the Babri Mosque, but the fact remains that it was the single largest Mobilisation of the Hindus for Hinduism, and this Communal Storm created serious problems for India as a whole, and in particular the relations between the Hindus and the Muslims got seriously strained.

THE ANALYSIS -:  Long Before the Demolition and the controversy, the Babri structure was a unique religious spot. It was a functioning temple housed in the structure of a mosque. The Idols of Lord Rama existed inside the Mosque and puja was performed there. To use IT savy language, It was the Software of a Temple housed inside the Hardware of a Mosque. No namaz was being read inside and long back it was also known as Masjid-E-Janmsthan (The Mosque of the Birthplace (of Lord Rama)). Thus it symbolized the Unique Hindu-Islamic syncretic form of worship. It is this fact which the High Court must keep in serious consideration.

WHAT THE VERDICT OUGHT TO BE LIKE (AND POSSIBLY IT WILL BE LIKE THIS) -: Hindus have a claim over this spot of land, for as a matter of faith, it is the Birthplace of Lord Rama, the Hindu God of epitome of Idealism. Certain Archaelogical works and other clues hint at this. However Muslims have a claim over this spot, which is as strong, if not stronger than that of Hindus’. It is not clearly proved whether a temple existed there about approx 500 years ago or not, but certainly there was a mosque for so many years. The Court must restore the pre-1992 status there, it can do these-:

1)      Build a Mosque like structure which would house Lord Rama idols and Hindus would have the right to do puja there. Certain level of Muslim Ownership would be allowed, like they can say prayers on some special occasions.

2)      Build both Mosque and Temple, but with a little bit favour towards Muslims, like the Mosque can be built at the exact spot where it stood and temple can come up a little away.

3)      This small little preference to Muslims, because they have suffered in the entire episode and Hindu organizations have acted against them with aggression, thus with a sense of retribution. We got to see the picture in it’s totality.

4)      Basically the New Construction should reflect the Syncretic Hindu-Muslim, Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb (Culture), the heritage of Nothern India.

5)      Or it can be any other solution, but the basic intent should be that both Hindu Mahasabha and Sunni Wakf Board are given joint ownership of the land and then they decide how to go about it, but basically it should satisfy both, reclaim the Muslim Mosque and restore the Hindu Devotion on the Birthplace of Lord Rama. Indeed, Lord Rama, Maryada Purushottam, would be the happiest if HE SEES THE MARRIAGE OF HINDUISM AND ISLAM TAKING PLACE ON HIS BIRTPLACE.

(WRITTEN BY NISHKARSH PANDEY BETWEEN 10.10 PM AND 11.15 PM ON 29^TH SEPTEMBER 2010)

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