Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Via Lion's Roar: Buddhist figures, communities respond to Orlando massacre
The Buddhist flag (right) debuted in Sri Lanka in 1855 and was adopted internationally in 1952. The rainbow pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, has become a symbol of LGBTIQ hope and progress worldwide.
Note: this page has been updated with additional comments since it was originally posted. These most recently added comments start immediately following here.
Larry Yang, East Bay Meditation Center:
In the chaos of violence, senselessness,
carnage, and despair, we can take care of each other. We can hold each
other with the most precious thing we can offer, our compassionate
attention. Unwavering, we can love one another without questioning or
second-guessing any aspect of that love or anyone’s life experience or
identity. There is great Power in that coming together from wherever we
are. In that solidarity with the deepest of places of our tender
humanity, we begin to live the truth that the Buddha spoke of:
Hate never yet dispelled hate. Only love dispels hate.
This is the law, ancient and inexhaustible.
This is the law, ancient and inexhaustible.
We begin to create justice in the only
ways possible—through just means. Instead of trading Homophobia with
Xenophobia as an insidious pattern of the market economy—Instead of
displacing and playing off the oppression of one, for the oppression of
another—we endeavor to dispel all oppressions, for the freedom of all
beings. We can only create justice through just means—that is the law,
ancient and inexhaustible.
San Francisco Zen Center:
Dear sangha,
Today, many of us are experiencing great
sorrow and disbelief at the recent tragedy in Orlando. We are deeply
saddened that one individual, whose mind may be clouded by ignorance and
hate, has taken the lives of 50 people
at a gay dance club in Orlando and injured 53 more. At this difficult
time, we turn to our practice – to our loving, compassionate heart-minds
– and hold everyone tenderly in Buddha’s embrace.
May we focus our hearts and minds now on
unity, acceptance, and resilience rather than blame and hate. May we
bring the world into our hearts and extend our loving kindness to those
affected by this violent act.
May we turn our hearts and minds towards
the conditions for realizing our Bodhisattva vow of freeing all beings
from suffering and the causes of suffering.
Eyes of Compassion
Observing Sentient Beings
Assemble an Ocean of Blessings
Beyond Measure
—Chapter 25, Lotus Sutra
Observing Sentient Beings
Assemble an Ocean of Blessings
Beyond Measure
—Chapter 25, Lotus Sutra
Adapted from City Center Tanto David
Zimmerman’s opening remarks at a memorial service today for the victims
of the recent shooting in Orlando.
Tara Brach:
The tragedy in Orlando brings us together in deep sorrow and prayer.
May those suffering loss feel held in our love;
may those suffering from hatred be healed with compassion;
may yet more violence awaken our collective dedication to living from peaceful, open hearts.
May those suffering loss feel held in our love;
may those suffering from hatred be healed with compassion;
may yet more violence awaken our collective dedication to living from peaceful, open hearts.
Lama Rod Owens of Natural Dharma Fellowship:
Remembering the loss of life everywhere this morning. I continue to watch, fight, and pray. May you continue to do the same.
The Dalai Lama:
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama today led a minute of silent prayer, in recognition of the events in Orlando, noting that he “is quite skeptical about the effects of prayer. The real change, effect, comes through action.” Watch his full comments here.Mushim Patricia Ikeda:
This morning I offered a Dharma talk
titled “Let’s all become buddhas together: the importance of spiritual
friendship” to the full house Sangha gathering at Insight Meditation
Center of Redwood City, California. When I left my home in Oakland, the
first report of 20 people who died in the mass shooting at Pulse
nightclub in Orlando, Florida was in the news; by the time I returned
home, there was a report of 50 dead and 53 wounded.
Acknowledging this
hate crime in my talk, I said: “I
propose that, considering all of the desperate and liberatory people’s
movements now happening all over the world, that we need to look deeply
and continuously — as continuously as we return to the physical
sensations of the breath or whatever the object of our meditation
practice is — to ask whether we are creating not only community, but
whether we are creating *beloved* community. After all, this is more
than an abstract question. We live in earthquake country, and at any
moment those of us gathered in this meditation hall, whether we know one
another or not, might need one another in ways that are highly intimate
and highly unromantic. The Big One could happen at any time.
Then we
would need to rely on that essential human bond, in moments of crisis,
which asks: ‘Even if I am not your parent, your child, your sibling,
your coworker, your neighbor, will you help me? Will you be my spiritual
friend?’ When I was in the Korean Buddhist monastery in 1988, I learned
the phrase ‘songbul hashipshio,” which I was told translates into
English as ‘Let’s all become buddhas together.’ Creating beloved
community this year and next year and beyond is an urgent matter.”
Insight Meditation Society:
IMS stands in solidarity with the LGBTIQ
community grieving over the Orlando Massacre. May you rest in abiding
love during this tragedy.
Maia Duerr of the Liberated Life Project:
Feeling kind of stunned today, in the
aftermath of the news from Orlando… I am remembering back to years that I
lived in Oregon when hate crimes against LGBT were commonplace, and
when legislation to discriminate against our community was being pushed
on everyone.
This level of violence, hatred, and
bigotry is traumatizing… any group of people that has experienced
oppression has experienced that. May we never forget what this trauma
can do to people, and let that help us to have great forbearance with each other in the days to come.
I keep remembering something that dear Frank Ostaseski
has said — “There is endless suffering. There is also endless
compassion.” Let us abide in that place of compassion in the days and
weeks ahead…
Kalu Rimpoche:
I heard and saw on television news the
tragic event that happened in Orlando Florida for those who were simply
having fun in their life. I am strongly doing my prayers for those who
have passed away, those that are hurt and those who are going through a
difficult time. All my love and caring and respect to the LGBT community
and individuals around the world.
All the teachings from the great masters comes with nonviolence, kindness, love and compassion. This is the foundation of the teachings of all religions and all the great masters. We must continue with that direction for what we believe.
Be proud of who you are and don’t let any
religion tell you what you have to be. Just look for happiness and
quality and wisdom in mind. Happiness and truthfulness is never based on
lies, violence and ignorance. It Is always based on wisdom and equality
and living the life we want with simplicity and freedom.
Love and care from your Kalu Rimpoche
Jack Kornfield:
As I learn of the shootings in Florida, I
am filled with tears and an ocean of compassion for so many who have
been harmed. Sitting quietly, this tragedy strengthens my resolve to not let terror and fear take over my heart.
As we move through this beautiful and
troubled world, may we vow to be a beacon of peace, a fearless carrier
of respect and lovingkindness for all life, a teller of truth , a voice
for justice, a protector of those who are vulnerable or targeted. May
the power of wisdom, integrity and compassion be our guide.
And may I/we follow these instructions of the Buddha…….
Others will kill. We shall not kill. Thus we should direct our hearts.
Others will be cruel. We shall not be cruel. Thus should we direct our hearts.
Others will speak falsely. We will speak what is true. Thus we should direct our hearts.
Others will be fraudulent. We shall not be fraudulent. Thus we should direct our hearts.
Others will be hateful. We shall become loving. Thus we shall direct our hearts.
Others will be unwise. We shall become wise. Thus we shall direct our hearts.
May I/we carry these intentions with courage, as a beacon and a medicine, as a blessing to all we touch.
Metta, Jack
Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families and all those affected in Orlando, FL.
When Rinpoche heard about this tragedy he immediately started doing prayers.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche always advises to make strong prayers to Medicine Buddha
for anyone who is dying, sick, injured or who has already passed away.
Also this can be dedicated to anyone who needs protection, support,
strength and love.
Lodro Rinzler:
I am very sad and tired today. But
posting things on the internet doesn’t seem like enough today. So I’m
committing to volunteering for a nonprofit that does gun violence
prevention work going forward. Do you have one you’d recommend? Willing
to put in a few hours a week.
[Rinzler also wrote a piece for Huffington Post called “Meditation Isn’t Enough: A Call to Take Action Against Gun Violence.”]
Miguel Chen:
This pain belongs to all of us.
Senseless, awful violence. May we unite from a place of compassion,
rather than divide from a place of fear. Our brothers and sisters need
our love.
Greg Snyder of Brooklyn Zen Center:
This morning I got really irritated about
something not that important and realized I was resisting letting my
heart break for Orlando. Then it just did. I have no idea what to say
here, other than Charleston, Orlando, on and on – enough with the
hatred, all of us. I am speaking from grief, so forgive my insistent
tone; but we have just got to stop as a nation, as a people of many
peoples, communities, and take stock, slap ourselves in the collective
face and wake up to the ways we are
creating the conditions for this. People are being executed… executed in
nightclubs and churches, on streets for nothing. Nothing.
Nothing. They
are worshipping and dancing and walking. I pray every person with a
shred of sanity – especially those of privilege and power – train her or
his heart on love and, from that place, work to expose and heal hatred
wherever we see it. I would encourage us all to take up the practice of
watching our every word and silence, every action and inaction, every
thought and distraction, every vote and political shrug of the
shoulders, and ask ourselves – Am I right now cultivating a world of
love or hate? Is the language I’m getting behind a language of love or
hate? I know I fail at this intention everyday of my life, but all I
feel right now is that we must work tirelessly to cultivate a society
deeply rooted in love. Most of us will fear this because love is both
personally and societally revolutionary. Love will shake us to our core
as people and as nations. But it’s so long past time. It has been said
so many times that it’s boring, but business as usual really has to stop
being business as usual. I can already see the story unfolding in the
news and soon it will be all too easy just to blame this on ISIS and
take no stock of who we are. We too easily use this or that terrorist or
sociopath as a free ticket for moving on. This too has to stop. We have
to bring the world into our hearts and make love our first thought, our
first intention for ourselves and every person we meet. That means we
have to critically engage the mental and societal habits that resist
love. Despite all we can do to each other, I choose to have faith in
humanity. Yes, we can be a wind of fire that leaves scars and burning,
but we are also dear and precious and deserving of our birthright of
peace and happiness, every one of us. I vow to focus my heart on the
latter, knowing that we must learn to clearly see and end the conditions
for the former. May the mystery forever cradle those murdered in
Orlando and may we all learn to care for each other while here. Love to
the families and communities of those lost. Love to all of you, my
sacred sisters and brothers.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center:
May we be free from hatred and the
suffering caused by hatred. May we hold our suffering and the suffering
of the world with fierce, deep, and tender compassion.
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del dΓa - Flower of the day - 13/06/2016
“O desvendar do amor Γ© um processo que se inicia com a identificação
das capas que o encobrem. Ao identificar seus padrΓ΅es destrutivos, vocΓͺ
dÑ o primeiro passo em direção ao amor. E essa identificação só é
possΓvel se houver honestidade – honestidade para aceitar suas
imperfeiçáes.”
“El develardel amor es un proceso que comienza con la identificaciΓ³n de las capas que lo encubren. Al identificar tus patrones destructivos, das el primer paso en direcciΓ³n al amor. Y esta identificaciΓ³n solo es posible si hubierahonestidad - honestidad para aceptar tus imperfecciones.”
“El develardel amor es un proceso que comienza con la identificaciΓ³n de las capas que lo encubren. Al identificar tus patrones destructivos, das el primer paso en direcciΓ³n al amor. Y esta identificaciΓ³n solo es posible si hubierahonestidad - honestidad para aceptar tus imperfecciones.”
“The unveiling of love is a process that begins with actually
identifying the layers that cover our capacity to love. When we identify
our destructive patterns, we take the first step in the direction
towards love. This identification is only possible if we are capable of
honesty. We must be honest enough to accept our imperfections.”
Via Daily Dharma / June 14, 2016: The Consequence of Understanding
|
When you understand interconnectedness, it makes you more afraid of hating than of dying.
—Robert A. F. Thurman, "Rising to the Challenge: Cool Heroism" |
Monday, June 13, 2016
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del dΓa - Flower of the day - 13/06/2016
“O desvendar do amor Γ© um processo que se inicia com a identificação
das capas que o encobrem. Ao identificar seus padrΓ΅es destrutivos, vocΓͺ
dÑ o primeiro passo em direção ao amor. E essa identificação só é
possΓvel se houver honestidade – honestidade para aceitar suas
imperfeiçáes.”
“El develardel amor es un proceso que comienza con la identificaciΓ³n de las capas que lo encubren. Al identificar tus patrones destructivos, das el primer paso en direcciΓ³n al amor. Y esta identificaciΓ³n solo es posible si hubierahonestidad - honestidad para aceptar tus imperfecciones.”
“El develardel amor es un proceso que comienza con la identificaciΓ³n de las capas que lo encubren. Al identificar tus patrones destructivos, das el primer paso en direcciΓ³n al amor. Y esta identificaciΓ³n solo es posible si hubierahonestidad - honestidad para aceptar tus imperfecciones.”
“The unveiling of love is a process that begins with actually
identifying the layers that cover our capacity to love. When we identify
our destructive patterns, we take the first step in the direction
towards love. This identification is only possible if we are capable of
honesty. We must be honest enough to accept our imperfections.”
Via Daily Dharma / June 13, 2016: Finding Balance Through Moderation
I
would say that not doing too much is the important thing. We tend to
try to overdo everything. Such conceptual actions just create more
karma. Consider nondoing, nonaction, for a while, and leaving things as
they are.
—His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, "Awareness Itself"
—His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, "Awareness Itself"
GoFundMe Campaign To Support Orlando Victims Surpasses $1.6 Million
A GoFundMe campaign
set up by Equality Florida to help support the victims of Sunday’s
horrific shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub, has reached over $1.6
million thus far.
Equality Florida, the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, will ensure that all funds raised will go ‘directly to the victims and families affected by the horrific shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub.’
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In its first 24 hours, the campaign has garnered over 40,000 donations, amounting to over $1.6 million.
The organisation is assuring donors that funds will be properly managed, saying, “We are working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.”
This fabulous button delivers
The Gaily Grind stories to you
on Facebook:
“We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again
destroyed lives in our state and in our country,” the organization
writes.
“Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety. June commemorates our community standing up to anti-LGBTQ violence at the Stonewall Inn, the nightclub that has become the first LGBTQ site recognized as a national monument.”
“We have received a steady stream of emails and messages from those seeking to help or to make sense of the senseless. We make no assumptions on motive. We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger. We stand in solidarity and keep our thoughts on all whose lives have been lost or altered forever in this tragedy.”
If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund.
Equality Florida, the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, will ensure that all funds raised will go ‘directly to the victims and families affected by the horrific shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub.’
The organisation is assuring donors that funds will be properly managed, saying, “We are working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.”
This fabulous button delivers
The Gaily Grind stories to you
on Facebook:
“Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety. June commemorates our community standing up to anti-LGBTQ violence at the Stonewall Inn, the nightclub that has become the first LGBTQ site recognized as a national monument.”
“We have received a steady stream of emails and messages from those seeking to help or to make sense of the senseless. We make no assumptions on motive. We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger. We stand in solidarity and keep our thoughts on all whose lives have been lost or altered forever in this tragedy.”
If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del dΓa - Flower of the day - 11/06/2016
Si amas de verdad, no pides nada a cambio. Si negocias amor justamente
es porque eres incapaz de amar. La negociaciΓ³n funciona asΓ: ‘¿Lo que
quieres es atenciΓ³n? EstΓ‘ bien, te doy atenciΓ³n, pero tendrΓ‘s que hacer
exactamente lo que yo quiero, como yo quiero'. Este es un juego nefasto
cuyo objetivo es hacer del otro un esclavo para atendertus necesidades y
expectativas. Esto genera codependencia, lo que implicadepender
de la miseria del otro para sentirse feliz. Necesitas hacer que el otro
se sienta dΓ©bil para poder sentirte fuerte. De esta forma las
parejasquitan energΓa uno al otroy refuerzan la falsa idea de yo. Pagan
este precio exorbitante, que es la pΓ©rdida de la libertad, porque estΓ‘n
completamente dependientes. Y lo peor es que encima llaman a esoamor.”
Del libro “Amar y Ser Libre”
“When we truly love, we ask for nothing in return. When we try to bargain with love it is because we are not yet capable of truly loving. Negotiating with love looks like this: ‘Is it attention you want? Okay, I’ll give you attention, but you will have to do exactly what I want, in the way that I want it.’ This game’s objectiveis to make the other a slave in order to attend to our needs and expectations. This creates co-dependency and requires the other’s misery in order for us to feel happy. We need the other to feel weak in order for us to feel powerful. Subsequently, as partners, we suck energy from one another, reinforcing this false idea of self. We pay an exorbitant price: the loss of freedom.We become completely dependent on the other. Unfortunately, this is still what we call ‘love’.”
From the book To Love and Be Free
“When we truly love, we ask for nothing in return. When we try to bargain with love it is because we are not yet capable of truly loving. Negotiating with love looks like this: ‘Is it attention you want? Okay, I’ll give you attention, but you will have to do exactly what I want, in the way that I want it.’ This game’s objectiveis to make the other a slave in order to attend to our needs and expectations. This creates co-dependency and requires the other’s misery in order for us to feel happy. We need the other to feel weak in order for us to feel powerful. Subsequently, as partners, we suck energy from one another, reinforcing this false idea of self. We pay an exorbitant price: the loss of freedom.We become completely dependent on the other. Unfortunately, this is still what we call ‘love’.”
From the book To Love and Be Free
Via Ram Dass
June 12, 2016
I'm explicitly making my life a teaching, by expressing the lessons that I've learned through it so it can become a map for other people. Everybody's life could be like that, if they choose to make it so; choose to reflect what they've been through and to share it with others.
Via Daily Dharma / June 12, 2016: Make Your Mind Like the Earth
Disgusting
things get thrown on the earth, but the earth isn’t horrified by them.
When you make your mind like the earth, neither agreeable nor
disagreeable sensory impressions will take charge of it.
—Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "The Joy of Effort"
—Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "The Joy of Effort"
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del dΓa - Flower of the day - 11/06/2016
“O que Γ© certo e o que Γ© errado, no plano do coração, pode ser
completamente diferente do que Γ© certo e do que Γ© errado no plano da
mente. A mente segue tradiçáes, segue elementos da cultura. A tradição
tem uma função na sociedade e durante uma fase da jornada ela é útil,
mas chega um momento em que ela sabota a possibilidade da
transcendΓͺncia.”
“Lo que estΓ‘ bien y lo que estΓ‘ mal, en el plano del corazΓ³n, puede ser completamente diferente de lo que estΓ‘ bien y lo que estΓ‘ mal en el plano de la mente. La mente sigue tradiciones, sigue elementos de la cultura. La tradiciΓ³n tiene unafunciΓ³n en la sociedad y durante una fase del camino es ΓΊtil, pero llega un momento en que sabotea la posibilidad de la trascendencia.”
“Lo que estΓ‘ bien y lo que estΓ‘ mal, en el plano del corazΓ³n, puede ser completamente diferente de lo que estΓ‘ bien y lo que estΓ‘ mal en el plano de la mente. La mente sigue tradiciones, sigue elementos de la cultura. La tradiciΓ³n tiene unafunciΓ³n en la sociedad y durante una fase del camino es ΓΊtil, pero llega un momento en que sabotea la posibilidad de la trascendencia.”
“What is
right and what is wrong at the level of the heart can be completely
different from what we deem right and wrong at the level of the mind.
The mind follows traditions; it follows cultural norms. Conditionings
have their place in society and, up until a certain phase of the
journey, are useful. However, there comes a time when these
conditionings sabotage the further possibility of transcendence.”
Via Daily Dharma / June 11, 2016: Everyday Enlightenment
Great enlightenment is the tea and rice of daily activity.
—Dogen, "Tea and Rice"
—Dogen, "Tea and Rice"
Friday, June 10, 2016
Via JMG: Gay Bicyclist Rushing To Hook-Up Gets Tackled By NYPD When He Barrels Into Obama’s Motorcade [VIDEO]
So this happened yesterday. Via TMZ:
President Obama got in the way of potential true love when the people protecting him opened a can of whoop ass on an unsuspecting NYC bicyclist. Daniel Provencio, 59, tells us he was hot to trot for a blind date — pumping “Call Me Maybe” through his headphones — when NYC cops tackled him for riding into a secured area just before the Prez breezed through. Turns out Daniel was on his way to hook up with a guy he met on an online dating website the night before … he wouldn’t say which.The Daily News is questioning the NYPD’s tactics:
A cop grabbed Provencio and knocked him off the bike onto the ground, then fell to the ground himself. A helmeted cop roughly grabbed Provencio’s arm and twisted it behind his back. Cops rolled Provencio over until he was face down, stuck a knee in his back and cuffed him as a Secret Service agent walked over to observe. Obama’s motorcade rolled past during the arrest. Provencio did not appear to be resisting during the encounter. He was issued a summons for disorderly conduct, police said.Provenico says his hook-up lost interest because he was hours late due to being interrogated by the cops. “Manhattan men are huge on punctuality.”
See the video and more here
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del dΓa - Flower of the day - 10/06/2016
“Reconhecer nossas contradiçáes internas Γ© um passo fundamental dentro
do processo evolutivo, porque Γ© o inΓcio de uma mudanΓ§a de consciΓͺncia; Γ©
o inΓcio de uma mudanΓ§a de identidade. Quando pode transcender suas
contradiçáes, o que significa deixar de ser governado pela mente
condicionada e passar a ser guiado pelo coração, vocΓͺ sabe para onde
deve ir e paga o preço que tem que pagar para seguir os comandos do
coração.”
“Reconocer nuestras contradicciones internas es un paso fundamental
dentro del proceso evolutivo, porque es el inicio de un cambio
deconsciencia; es el inicio de un cambio de identidad. Cuando puedes
trascender tus contradicciones, lo que significa dejar de ser gobernado
por la mente condicionada y pasar a ser guiado por el corazΓ³n, sabespara
dΓ³nde debes ir y pagas el precio que hay que pagar para seguir los
comandos del corazΓ³n.”
“To recognize our internal contradictions is a fundamental step within our evolutionary process, because it is the beginning of a change in our consciousness. It signals the beginning of a change in our identity. When we can transcend our contradictions, it means we stop being governed by our conditioned mind and we start being guided by our hearts. We know where we have to go and we pay the necessary price in order to follow the commands of our hearts.”
“To recognize our internal contradictions is a fundamental step within our evolutionary process, because it is the beginning of a change in our consciousness. It signals the beginning of a change in our identity. When we can transcend our contradictions, it means we stop being governed by our conditioned mind and we start being guided by our hearts. We know where we have to go and we pay the necessary price in order to follow the commands of our hearts.”
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