[webnrrd2k]

Characterizing Tibetian Buddhism, practiced by many people around the world, as "a tool of political domination" is, to say the least, a bit of a stretch...

One obvious counter point is that the Dalai Lama, as the main representative of Tibetian Buddhism, is far more interested in political reconciliation than any sort of political domination. There are no tibetian lamas Buddhists that I know that seem interested in political domination. Quite the opposite, in fact. They are generally the most accomodating and open minded people. I know.

Also, I think the quote you are using is misleading for several reasons. First, for several paragraphs befor the exerpt, that particular sutta talks about being skillful with regard to those thoughts, abandoning them, ignoring them, questioning them, and being mindful of them without reacting to them. Also that passage is from a later translation of an early text, and the passage about crushing down or forcing your thoughts doesn't exist in the earlier text itself. This strongly suggests that beating down unskillful thoughts wasn't an original teaching, but was added later by a translator.

One last point, in general the idea of forcing your mind to do anything in particular isn't in-line with Buddhist teachings.

[AlexCoventry]

  > that passage is from a later translation of an early 
  > text, and the passage about crushing down or forcing your 
  > thoughts doesn't exist in the earlier text itself

Where can I read more about this?