People
who are attached to sutras and a scriptural teaching of words can lack
faith in the living, mysterious experience of meditation that leads to a
sudden insight.
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Buddhism asks us to go beyond the self, not to perfect the self.
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Every
moment of experience is contingent on a vast complex of myriad
conditions. Nothing exists in and of itself as 'this' or 'that,' 'self'
or 'other.' Everything is what it is only in relation to what it is not.
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When
we make the effort to understand what may seem strange in the religious
practices of others, we may find that it opens the door to something
beyond the particular case, something quite general: the capacity of
humans to participate in divinity.
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The
more we can get the self out of the way, the more clearly we can see
the effect of our thoughts, words, and action upon ourselves and others.
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Today’s order is yet another federal court victory for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples in California and around the nation,” said AFER co-founder Chad Griffin. “The final chapter of the Proposition 8 case has now begun. Should the United States Supreme Court decide to review the Ninth Circuit’s decision in our case, I am confident that the Justices will stand on the side of fairness and equality.” On February 7, 2012, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit concluded that Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Ninth Circuit panel majority held: "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.”Human Rights Campaign
Once again, a federal court has affirmed that the cherished guarantees of our Constitution are there to protect all Americans – including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For over three years, the plaintiffs, the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies have shown tremendous fortitude and perseverance in their fight for marriage equality. With today’s announcement, we are one step closer to ensuring that gay and lesbian Californians – and, one day, our entire community nationwide – are able to join the institution of marriage and have their love and commitment respected equally.Marriage Equality USA
The momentum for the freedom to marry seems unstoppable. Three weeks ago, the President of the United States announced his support for marriage equality. Last week, the 1st Circuit Federal Court of Appeals held that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. And today, the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals upheld its earlier decision striking down Proposition 8. Nationwide polls have shown majority support for the freedom to marry for the last two years, and Californians now favor marriage equality by a 59 – 34 percent margin, according to the latest polling.National Center for Lesbian Rights
Today’s refusal by the Ninth Circuit to grant further review is a testament to the meticulous and well-reasoned opinion originally issued by the Court. While the supporters of Proposition 8 will now seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no doubt that they are on the wrong side of history. Excluding same-sex couples from the right to marry runs counter to our highest ideals of equality and fairness.More reactions to follow as they arrive...
Here's the ruling: The full court was advised of the petition for rehearing en banc. A judge requested a vote on whether to rehear the matter en banc. The matter failed to receive a majority of the votes of the non-recused active judges in favor of en banc consideration. Fed. R. App. P. 35. The petition for rehearing en banc is DENIED. The mandate is stayed for ninety days pending the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court. If such a petition is filed, the stay shall continue until final disposition by the Supreme Court.Reactions and analysis to follow shortly....
For
Buddhism, faith doesn't mean the blind acceptance of teachings as
unquestionable dogmas. Rather, faith suggests a combination of trust in
the Buddha as a fully enlightened teacher, confidence in the Buddha and
in his guidance, and feelings of devotion and reverence towards the
Buddha. This quality of faith is to be strengthened because it's what
builds our own commitment to the entire practice.
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KQED's Scott Shafer said this is almost surely the decision on whether to rehear the case en banc. An en banc panel is made up of 11 judges, chosen at random from the circuit. If the 9th Circuit denies the request, Prop 8 supporters will almost certainly ask the United States Supreme Court to hear the case. Proponents of Prop 8, California's same-sex marriage ban, asked the 9th Circuit for the en banc review in February, after a ruling by a three-judge panel upheld Judge Vaughn Walker's 2010 decision striking down the law as unconstitutional.Prop 8 Trial Tracker has more on what could happen.
If that happens, Judge Reinhardt’s narrow opinion stands, and the proponents of Proposition 8 can then petition for certiorari at the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court were to deny review, the Ninth Circuit’s decision would stand, and Proposition 8 would be struck down. Gay and lesbian couples would be allowed to marry in California. If the Supreme Court grants review, there will be briefing and oral argument and a decision next year.
Government should treat all citizens impartially, without regard to wealth, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, sex, political affiliation or national origin. We oppose all forms of invidious discrimination. Sexual orientation is not an appropriate category.The GOP's platform also opposes adoption by same-sex couples.
Hundreds of straight Mormon allies marched yesterday in Salt Lake City's gay pride parade. Before
the drag queens in heels danced across Main Street, more than 300
members of the LDS Church left Utah Gay Pride Parade spectators in tears
Sunday morning. One Mormon father turned to the crowd and thanked
people for forgiving him. The group, Mormons Building Bridges, said they
wanted to send a message of love to the state’s LGBT community, a
message they believe is compatible with their faith. Emily Vandyke, 50,
carried a sign with the words from an LDS children’s song: "I’ll walk
with you, I’ll talk with you. That’s how I’ll show my love for you."
Several blocks along the parade route, she embraced a tall woman weeping
at the edge of the crowd who said, "Thank you." "I haven’t recognized
them as equals," Vandyke said a few minutes later. "They have been
invisible to me." Later, parade Grand Marshal Dustin Lance Black,
tweeted: "In tears. Over 300 straight, active Mormons showed up to march
with me at the Utah Pride parade in support of LGBT people."
Moments after expressing support for transgender beauty pageant contestants, Miss Rhode Island was crowned Miss USA last night. GLAAD reports:When asked "Would it be fair if a transgender woman won the Miss USA title," Culpo responded, "I do think it would be fair..." because "there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it's a free country." The crowd erupted with cheers.
What
it all comes down to is that even if you practice meditation to become a
paragon of love and wisdom, all it can do is put you face-to-face with
who you are and with what is, which is where all meditation begins.
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