The Museum of Buddhist Art in Bangkok is reputed to have the biggest collection of Buddha statues, sculptures and figurines based on Buddhist art work from kingdoms dating back to the 6th century AD. The exhibits reflect the cultural heritage of the various kingdoms in Thailand and neighboring kingdoms as well.

Visitors to the Museum of Buddhist Art are usually advised to start their tour in an annex to the main building that houses the Kuan Yin Palace and Museum which displays statues of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The courtyard outside this museum has six miniature wooden palaces housing Chinese deities.

The main theme of the Museum of Buddhist Art, however, is housed in eight rooms upstairs in the main building displaying Buddha statues, sculptures and figurines from the different kingdoms that had an impact on Thai art and culture.

The various schools of Buddhist art of each era blended with the previous and added its distinct touch. Detailed explanations are provided for the Buddha statues, their characteristics, different postures and subtle variations in the folds of the robes.

The museum is a useful source of knowledge for the scholar of Buddhist art and Buddha sculptures. The casual visitor, seeking an overview of an important aspect of Thai culture, would find this museum interesting as well.

Buddhist art from the various kingdoms displayed in the Museum of Buddhist Art

Dvaravati art (6th – 11th centuries AD)

Dvaravati art is based on the culture of the United Kingdom of Dvaravati in Nakhon Phahom, Central Thailand established by the Mon from Burma. The Buddhist art work of this period is based on the Southern India and Sri Lanka models.

Srivijaya art (7th – 14th centuries)

The Srivijaya kingdom covered Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula and Southern Thailand, right up to Surat Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The art form from this era had a rich mix of Indian, Khmer, Sri Lanka, Java and Sumatra cultures.

Khmer art (11th - 19th centuries)

From 6th – 14th centuries, the Khmer Empire in Cambodia ruled over Laos and northeastern Thailand (Isarn). Khmer art was to have an enduring legacy on Buddhist art work for centuries to come.

Burmese art (11th - 19th centuries)

Burmese art evolved from the various ethnic groups in the ancient Burmese kingdom of Pagan. The Burmese, Mon, Arakan, Tai-yai kingdoms developed Buddhist art during their respective reigns. All these groups had an influence on Thai art.

Sukhothai art (13th – 15th centuries)

Art flourished in the Sukhothai Kingdom under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng. Classic Sukhothai art soon emerged from the Khmer influence and established its unique style.

Ayuthaya art (1350 – 1767)

The exhibits on Ayuthaya art in the Museum of Buddhist Art represents the longest period in Thai art. Pre-Ayuthaya art was a combination of Khmer art of the Bayon period (the Bayon temples in Cambodia) and Dvaravati art, a mixture which was known as U Thong Art.

The establishment of Ayuthaya produced a blend of Khmer and Sukhothai styles which gradually evolved into its own distinctive character in the 16th century.

Lanna art (13th - 20th centuries)

The Lanna kingdom (Land of a Million Fields) was established by King Mengrai in northern Thailand in 1296. Pure Lanna art developed when the kingdom was independent. Lanna came under Burmese rule and later under Thai rule. The Buddha statues during these periods had their subtle differences.

Lan Xang art (14th – 18th centuries)

The Lan Xang kingdom (Land of a Million Elephants) was founded by King Fah Ngum in the 14th century after the fall of Sukhothai. The kingdom covered present day Laos and parts of northeastern Thailand. King Fah Ngum made Buddhism the state religion and so began an art form that also left its mark on Buddhist art.

Thonburi art (1767 – 1782)

Thonburi art had a brief period as the kingdom lasted for only 15 years.

Rattanakosin art (1782 – present)

What followed was Rattanakosin art of the modern Bangkok era. The Buddha statues and sculptures during the reign of the Chakri Kings developed a distinct identity of their own.

The other eight rooms in the Museum of Buddhist Art are not directly related to the central theme but are equally interesting. These cover artifacts from the pre-historic Ban Chiang culture, Yao paintings, stone sculptures.

An unusual set of exhibits in this museum is the room displaying statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, a reflection of the religious tolerance in Buddhist society.

The Museum of Buddhist Art embodies not just the art and culture evolved for more than a millennium through the rise and fall of several kingdoms. It symbolizes the philosophy of moderation and tolerance, values that serve as a beacon of light in these troubled times.

For more Bangkok Museums.

The Museum of Buddhist Art first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok.

The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Long gone from the fabric of the Nations Capital is St. Vincent’s Orpahage. The orphanage was first at Tenth Street, then later moved to Edgewood in 1900. The orphanage and school was operated by the Sisters of Charity.

During World War I, the orphanage housed a group of young women known as "War Workers." These ladies were government employees primarily secretaries and note-takers. Mary Burke was among the young ladies.

The following information is taken from the out-of-print book, St. Vincent’s Centennial 1925.

Of her stay at St. Vincent’s, Mary says, "..nothing short of Heaven itself, will ever be comparable with the home I had at St.Vincent’s." Mary said that just about the only restriction of the stay was when they were to be back at the home at night.

Mary experienced the hard edge of government employment. She explained that the web of regulations often got tangled and repremands tended to fall on the lower employees. She and the other young women were usually rushed to complete projects that were often not well planned by management.

Of course, looking back, this was a time of intense compartmentalization of work efforts by women. Few opportunities for advancement, and fewer accolades were issued to these toilers. In fact, women weren’t even allowed to vote in those days. However, the contribution of these women was consistent and exemplary.

Mary tells us of the peace, love and caring of the Sisters at the Orphanage; how evenings were filled with conversation. The orphange was an escape from the madness outside the grounds.

We owe a lot to our servicemen and women and to those who supported our country during hard times. Mary Burke-Thank You!

References:

St. Vincent’s Centennial, 1925, Private Printing Forever In Our Hearts, Nita Mondonedo Smith, PublishAmerica, 2005, ISBN# 1-4137-3850-8

Gene Smith is a writer living in West Virginia. He has written many other articles on the web. He lives near Charles Town, West Virginia

"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink…" I first read Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner when I was in high school. Alongside with Poe’s Annabel Lee, Ulalume, and Raven, this was one of those first verse-epics that made me love narrative poetry.

The ancient mariner himself was an alienated traveler as most of us are on earth. As blundering roamers on our planet, we too slip and slide into unwanted, dangerous predicaments. No wonder! When one becomes alien to the inner workings of any thing or place, one is destined to make mistakes in or out of water.

Water is one of the most important natural resources, vital for any living thing. All kinds of theories on water conservation, from water harvesting to desalination to waste water management, has been put on the table. Specifically, drinking water has encouraged the creative urges of the public health professionals as well as the sales pitches of the fly-by-night, money-hungry, and wily sales people.

Commercial concerns aside, betraying nature has its consequences as the ancient mariner did by shooting the albatross. Still, the nature was kind and forgiving since it forgave the ancient mariner when he showed remorse, and I am sure nature will also forgive our past mistakes and keep providing for us if we change our messy ways.

If we don’t know how to use our resources, our water supply, or our oceans, whose fault is this?

Water connects us to life, as do our relationships and our bond to humankind. With nearly six billion people on earth, at one time or another, most of us have felt not just alone but also lonely.

When we watch the way our own body systems and our psyche works, we understand the value of water. Without water there is no cleansing; without tears and true remorse, forgiveness or transformation is hard to obtain.

In technical sense, there is such a process called desalination that takes the salt out of sea water and makes it usable and drinkable. If so, why can’t we take the salt out of relating to one another and never feel the thirst?

As there has to be a catalyst to take the salt out of the sea water, and I believe there are catalysts to take the salt out of the ocean of people in regard to our relationships with them. One of these catalysts starts with will for good, not just to do good, but also to see, hear, say, think, and intend good. These are very difficult things to do and they may take more than a lifetime to perfect, since we first have to unlearn age-old suspicions and the way we look at each other.

Another catalyst has to be love and acceptance. For this, we have to get rid of our fear of getting hurt. This too is very difficult because self-protection is a natural instinct.

Yet, man becomes human only when he can corral natural instincts and tame them to feel his own positive presence on earth. When we identify ourselves with our fears, we influence and restrict our emotional make-up into loneliness.

How we look at ourselves and how we identify ourselves within an ocean of people, with no fear, with acceptance of others, with good intentions will help us transcend our limitations and will facilitate our unity with others. Then, we won’t need to say: "water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."

Joy Cagil is an author on a site for Creative Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/ ) Her education is in foreign languages and linguistics. She has also trained in psychology, science, mental health, and humanities. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag

Going through the history of International relations in the post- cold war era, you can observe several political crises originating from the military and clandestine operations of the United States. This overflow of international crises dealing with America’s operations are better defined as" US interventions". This concept of intervention is a well- known term in the political history of the world, especially during the 90s in the United States, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton’s presidency. Not a single country has ever meddled with international affairs irrelevant to its country than the United States, However, in some periods Soviet Union was playing US exceptional current role in the world. Through history, it has been proved that US foreign policy is basically laid upon its national interests, whether political or economical. These policies are mostly legitimized by expressing moralities and ethical issues. But the motivation attracting US to persue such policies is to introduce himself as a new economic and political ruler for the world, as William Blum indicated; "The engine of American foreign policy has been fueled not by a devotion to any kind of morality, but rather by the necessity to serve other imperatives".1

The end of Cold War provided United States with a kind of unprecedented preponderance over other countries. US economy and its defense spending a much greater than its rivals, "its economy is 40% larger than the second country. U.S. military spending ($343 billion in the year 2000) is 69 percent greater than that of the next five highest nations combined" (qtd. in. Zoltan Grossman, 2001)2. US is now ruling the world in higher education, scientific research and advance technology so that others can hardly catch up with this superpower. This extraordinary strategic position of the US is a great implication for its foreign policy. When Soviet Union has gone, US leaders can pursue their goals without worrying how others will respond and these goals will undoubtedly affect other countries. During the 90s, United States had the most number of international interventions all over the world, approximately 17 cases in which the most important ones occurred in Middle East. The major interventions are as follows: 1990 in Iraq (Gulf War), 1991 in Haiti, 1992-1994 in Yugoslavia, 1993- 1995 in Bosnia, 1994- 1996 in Haiti, 1995 in Croatia, 1996- 1997 in Zaire (Congo), 1997 in Liberia, 1998 in Sudan, 1998 in Afghanistan, 1998 in Iraq, 1999 in Yugoslavia, 2001 in Macedonia, 2001 in Afghanistan and so many other sanctions signed in UN Security council against Iran, Iraq and Cuba. All of these military interventions can be defined through the idea of New World Order first stated by George H. W. Bush, which US administrators have always been thinking "they" are to realize this "Order"- believed to be a real disorder by others- by all means.

Here, we will be discussing some more important interventions. 1990, After Iraq invades Kuwait, the U.S. deployed forces in the Persian Gulf which turned Washington against its former Iraqi ally Saddam Hussein. U.S. supported the Kuwaiti monarchy and the Muslim fundamentalist monarchy against the secular Iraq regime. US drop more bombs than in all of Vietnam or World War II, the air campaign kills between 100,000 and 200,000 Iraqis and destroys civilian infrastructure. US allow Iraqi helicopters use of "No-fly Zone" airspace to crush the uprising. Relentless bombing for more than 40 days and nights, against one of the most advanced nations in the Middle East, devastating its ancient and modern capital city; depleted uranium weapons incinerating people, causing cancer; blasting chemical and biological weapon storage and oil facilities; poisoning the atmosphere to a degree perhaps never happened anywhere; burying soldiers alive, deliberately; sanctions continued to this day multiplying the health problems; perhaps a million children dead by now from malnutrition and disease. Iraq was the strongest military power among the Arab states. This may have been their crime. Another reason dealing US intervention in pulling out Iraq from Kuwait is "not to keep oil prices low, but to keep Washington, Wall Street, and their allies in charge of setting oil prices" (qtd. in. Noam Chomsky, 1991)3. "It’s been a leading, driving doctrine of U.S. foreign policy since the 1940s that the vast and unparalleled energy resources of the Gulf region will be effectively dominated by the United States and its clients, and, crucially, that no independent, indigenous force will be permitted to have a substantial influence on the administration of oil production and price." (qtd. In. Noam Chosky, 1991)4.

The other crucial intervention which is called a "humanitarian intervention" ocuured in Bosnia and Yugoslavia during 1993- 1995 and 1999. Other so-called "humanitarian interventions" were centered in the Balkan region of Europe, after the 1992 breakup of the federation of Yugoslavia. The U.S. watched for three years as Serb forces killed Muslim civilians in Bosnia, before its launched decisive bombing raids in 1995. Even then, it never intervened to stop atrocities by Croatian forces against Muslim and Serb civilians, because those forces were aided by the U.S. In 1999, the U.S. bombed Serbia to force President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw forces from the ethnic Albanian province of Kosovo. The bombing intensified Serbian expulsions and killings of Albanian civilians from Kosovo, and caused the deaths of thousands of Serbian civilians, even in cities that had voted strongly against Milosevic. When a NATO occupation force enabled Albanians to move back, U.S. forces did little or nothing to prevent similar brutality against Serb and other non-Albanian civilians. The U.S. was viewed as a biased player.

1998, in Sudan the US had missile attacks on a pharmaceutical plant alleged to be "terrorist" nerve gas plant. Over 30000 civilians were injured. US blocks UN war-crimes inquiry at the Security Council. The last but not the least intervention is still going on. In 2003, to pursue its post 9/11 policies, US invaded Iraq with large ground, air and naval forces oust government of Saddam Hussein and established a new government. Since the September 11 attacks on the United States, most people in the world agree that the perpetrators need to be brought to justice, without killing many thousands of civilians in the process. But unfortunately, the U.S. military has always accepted massive civilian deaths as part of the cost of war. The military is now poised to kill thousands of foreign civilians, in order to prove that killing U.S. civilians is wrong.

"It is a big idea: a new world order… only the United States has both the moral standing & the means to back it up." Former President George Bush, USA Jan. 29, 1991

What is today very much apparent is that US is showing its crisis management all over the world roling as an international police. The final goal US is trying to obtain is "the extension of its political and economic hegemony as wide as possible".

References:
1. Blum, William. "A Brief History of US Interventions: 1945 to the Present", Z magazine, June 1999. See also www.thirdworldtraveler.com/ Blum
2. Grossman, Zoltan. "A Century of US Military Interventions: From Wounded Knee to Afghanistan", Znet, September 2001. Web Site: Academic.evergreen.edu
3. Chomsky, Noam. "Gulf War Pullout", Zmagazine, Febraury 1991. Web Site: http://www.chomsky.info/articles
4. www.al-bab.com

Azadeh Ghahghaei did her BA in English language and literature at the University of tehran. She is currently doing her MA in American Studies at the University of Tehran, Institute for North American and European Studies.She is mostly interested in international relations, US foreign policy and US cinema.

We often have been reading lately that the United States is not very nice in the world. Of course they do not mention our generosity around the world and gifts. They do not mention promoting freedom or even funding the United Nations. No sir, they say things like the United States is an evil empire and such ridiculous lies and I have some thing to say about that really.

“Hey wait a minute. This is the greatest nation in the world to live in. People are breaking in just to live here. We also give more to the world monetarily as well, sure because we can, but that does not negate the fact we do and big time.”

Still the negative World Media will say we act like a Queen Bee making all other nations bow to our demands? Interesting comment but also remember it is the queen bee also moves the hive to separate and swarm to start a completely new colony and is the leader of that new direction.

Hey this is a super duper wonderful place to live, a giving people who care, a powerful nation, yes that too and rich beyond the imagination, indeed. Ever stopped to think that the United States is that way for a reason?

And consumers, yes we over do ourselves and some have larger mid sections to prove that point of contention indeed. However all in all, I am very happy to be an American, where the water is clean and clear, food is plentiful and freedom abounds. It is such a wonderful country in every regard and we should never knock, those who live here know that. Those of us who have traveled as you too have know of its amenities.

We Americans have done a good job, we should be thankful and the world should be thankful for our gifts and before any one puts out a world media hit on the US to try to change that perception they should be thinking of the ramifications. What if America’s heart and money flow stops due to name-calling and poisonous remarks in world media? That would not be a good thing, but it could easily happen and protectionism is so easy when a populations masses form into them or us mob mentality and have the freedom to vote their minds. We need to be thinking here.

The United States is the greatest nation in the history of the human species. And quite frankly if you want to change "nation" with "civilization" you could do that too and run back up to 10,000 years of written recorded history, still the statement remains. Now what we do with it from here on out is up to us and the next periods generation, however, if I were a betting man, I think I would want the US as a friend and a partner, because their population cares and the US has plentiful abundance of resources with the Republic’s generosity and hands extended. That is all I am saying. Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

We have a serious crisis in feeding the world as we approach some 10 billion humans on the planet. That is a lot of people and mouths to feed. Then there are the locust plagues, water issue and agricultural problems they face in the third world, specifically Africa.

Indeed and perhaps there a way to stop locust plagues and help us catch up and solve this problem, as the World Bank and researchers are looking for way to stop the Locust Plagues and re-establish agriculture as a way to feed the African Continent.

It is kind of a tough job once you have everything going and the Locust Plague comes along and eats all your crops. In fact in reading the World Bank white papers of David J. Spielman on private-public agriculture partnerships it appears to me that they would love to lick this problem once and for all. Especially considering the lack of water issues and the loss of lake, river and surface water in Africa.

If there is funding available to solve the African Locust Problem then shouldn’t it be done? Can’t we find a way to prevent millions from starving simply because a locust plague wiped out a season or year’s worth of crops? There has to be a way to figure this out and funds are available for someone who has the answers. Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Is it worth the effort to stop African Killer Bees from swarming and killing humans? Each year there are hundreds of attacks World Wide. Some say we should train the bees to help us rid the world of international terrorism and sting the bad guys to death. Others fear for their lives knowing if large colonies of bees are around they might attack them.

This subject has been of concern and it was brought up at a recently online think tank discussion as a problem, which needed their attention. One online think tank member Warren States; “African killer bees are indeed worth someone’s energy; the chemical folks have been driven back by the environmentalists. To figure out what physical dependencies they have when they act as a single entity in the swarm seems like a worthy effort.”

Surely, although there are bigger problems and the bees do provide plentiful pollination services to crops. Another think tank member was unconcerned about the few number of attacks world wide and stated; “Too me, well I just like to study efficiency, battle tactics and I love winning and therefore it makes sense to look at who is winning and why? Thus how do the bees do it is of value indeed. And in studying that we maybe able to figure out a way to stop them, steer them or defeat a swarm in a military battle if it becomes necessary. There appears to be a component of battle tactics, as well as finding and securing a way to exploit weakness in here.”

It seems people study bee colonies and swarms for many reasons, some to better understand the strategy and some to help people. But it is good to know at least one online think tank is attempting to get to the bottom of this issue as it sorts through these incredible creatures and their swarming techniques to solve problems and protect people. Consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

When looking at a killer bee swarm or locust swarm it is interesting indeed the level of sophistication they have, when you start getting up close and personal. In fact what appears to be a chaotic mess and in the case of a locust plague literally a problem of biblical proportions may actually be quite well refined. One online think tank recently considered this issue.

Warren States; “If you did discover that single swarm related weakness and exploited it, think of the leverage we, as a species would enjoy over these nasty little creatures, think of the plague locusts are in African countries.”

Indeed and I personally had considered a way to steer them, previously from most writings prior to your contacting me. I believe we can steer them and even use them to serve our will in battle against an enemy or to make energy, create methane or cut the grass. So, I see a cooperative possibility using steering techniques. But for those plagues, which devastate the land, surely we need to stop that forthwith.

Warren states; “Think of the tone in the voices of those UN folks who film the onslaught, the narrator on the Discovery Channel as they view the oncoming destruction and mention that of course there is nothing any of us humans can do about it.”

In the Discovery Channel Feature on Locust Plagues, I found some interesting information as they followed them by air and when I watched this I thought, hmm? Well we could stop them. But not with little crop dusters, no way. We need massive fire-power and of course it goes without saying that we need to exploit their weakness if we are to stop them. No doubt about it. Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

The Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, is a magnificent arts venue dedicated to Queen Victoria’s husband and consort, Prince Albert. Since its opening by Queen Victoria on March 29, 1871 after a welcoming speech by Edward, the Prince of Wales (the Queen being too emotional to speak) the Royal Albert Hall has played host to a multitude of different events and legendary figures and has been affectionately titled ‘The Nation’s Village Hall’. As well as hosting the Proms every summer, the Hall has been used for classical and rock concerts, conferences, ballroom dancing, poetry recitals, education, ballet, opera and the legendary circus, Cirque du Soleil.

Designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Colonel H.Y. Darracott Scott of the Royal Engineers, heavily influenced by ancient amphitheatres, the Hall was constructed mainly of Fareham Red brick, with terra cotta block decoration. The dome (designed by Rowland Mason Ordish) on top was made of steel and glazed. This Grade I listed building is oval in shape, measuring 83m (272 feet) by 72m (238 feet) around the outside, and has a capacity of 8,000 people and has accommodated as many as 9,000, although due to modern safety restrictions the maximum permitted capacity is now 7,000. The breathtaking glass and iron dome roofing the hall is 41 m (135 feet) high. Around the outside of the hall is a stunning terra cotta frieze, depicting "The Triumph of Arts and Sciences", in reference to the hall’s dedication.

The Hall has more recently undergone a rolling programme (1996 - 2004) of renovation and development to enable it to meet the demands of the next century of events and performances. The works included a major refurbishment of the pipe organ by Manders of London and the construction of a new south porch in the same style as the preexisting porches.

The Royal Albert hall has a long and rich history as one of the world’s leading entertaining venues. Since its opening in 1871 over 150,000 performances have taken place inside the auditorium. Now this internationally renowned venue is used as a live music venue.

For an opportunity to experience the wondered that is the Royal Albert Hall visit http://www.superiortickets.co.uk for premium tickets to sold out concerts at Royal Albert Hall.

Japan is a country that is widely known for its technology. But the more popular interests of the people lie in the history of the first descendants and protectors of Japan.

The first protectors of the people were called Samurai. In order to understand the way of the Samurai, you have to first look at the aspects of their education, their lifestyles, and then the end of their era. The term "Samurai" is derived from a common term in pre-industrial Japan meaning "warrior". Most Japanese Samurai were brought up to respect the attributes of honor and loyalty and were expected to set an example to all those below them. If a Samurai were to be disgraced such as losing a battle, or shamed for something they had done, they believed that the only way to retrieve their honor was to commit suicide. More specifically they had to stab themselves in the stomach with their own weapon. It was also said that a friend or co-combatant had to be there to decapitate them after the initial stab.

Life for a Samurai was very demanding and strict but one of the recreational activities that they all enjoyed was called "Kabuki". Kabuki was a form of theater performed by other members or guests. The Japanese men would perform in front of the audience, singing songs, performing mime tricks, and dancing. Not all Samurai were allowed to go to the Kabuki, but hardly any obeyed this strict rule, and they often went in disguise.

The Samurai believed and stood by a rule that if a son was born into a Samurai family, his sure destiny was to be Samurai. The father would teach him "Bushido" which is the "way of the warrior" and the term is the code that is used by all the warrior classes.

Skill in battle was the primary qualification for becoming a Samurai and the higher ranked warriors would usually get to marry higher ranked women. Divorce was frowned upon, as it damaged a warrior’s reputation. Only one reason for divorce was accepted among the people, and that was if the woman could not bear a child.

The coming end of the Samurai period first became apparent during the "Tokugawa" period. Their status was still high, but their incomes became more unstable, and the need for warriors started to decline. Many lower class Samurai would be seen in the streets on their knees begging for money as people walked by and they often had to do dirty deeds or manual labor for the merchants, without any compensation, as a way to pay back their debts. The lower ranked men also had to obey any order given to them by a higher rank without any complaint. This is when the Samurai started to lose all self-respect for themselves and times were so severe that if they somehow could not fulfil an order they would actually kill themselves with the honorable suicide in order to escape from the impossible situation.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan
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