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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 11, 2012

 

Maintaining Authentic Presence

In lovingkindness, our minds are open and expansive—spacious enough to contain all the pleasures and pains of a life fully lived. Pain, in this context, doesn’t feel like betrayal or an overwhelming force. It is part of the reality of human experience, and an opportunity for us to practice maintaining our authentic presence.

- Sharon Salzberg, "Working with Metta"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through June 13, 2012
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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 10, 2012

Mysterious Experience

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.

- So Sahn, "The Zen of Confidence"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 9, 2012

Beyond the Self

Buddhism asks us to go beyond the self, not to perfect the self.

- Dharmavidya David Brazier, "Living Buddhism"
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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 8, 2012

Understanding Emptiness

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.

- Stephen Batchelor, "Nagarjuna's Verses from the Center"

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Via Being Liberal:

Being Liberal

I wish more people would preach about what the Bible loves than what the Bible hates.

 

 

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 7, 2012

Open Understanding

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.

- Robert Bellah, "The R Word"
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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 6, 2012

Moral Health

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.

- Andrew Olendzki, "Moral Health"
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Via JMG: Reactions To Prop 8 Ruling

American Foundation for Equal Rights

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...

Labels: California, HRC, LGBT rights, Proposition 8

BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals DENIES Rehearing Of Proposition 8

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....

Labels: California, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Ninth Circuit Court., Proposition 8

Reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report:

Corporate support swings behind marriage equality
 
Starbucks, Microsoft, Boeing and Google are among a growing number of companies taking stands in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry, a development some say is emblematic of a major shift in corporate America’s approach to LGBT issues. “Earlier on there was more risk than reward. Now there’s far more talk about the reward and less about the risk,” said Bob Witeck, a consultant who advises corporations on LGBT issues. Another sign of the sea change in corporate thinking on the issue: Target is selling T-shirts with LGBT-positive messages to help raise money for the Family Equality Council, a group which is part of coalition fighting a marriage amendment in Minnesota. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (6/3), The Washington Post/The Associated Press

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

AFA hate group: "It is all together right to discriminate against homosexuals"

This is the same hate group that is threatening Target with a boycott over some Pride t-shirts the chain is selling. I'll say this for AFA, at least they're consistent in their hate.  They've said a lot of hateful things about Jews in the past.  And now they continue to pull no punches in their intolerance and bigotry towards gays. The thing is, AFA always ends up losing...

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 5, 2012

Building Faith, Building Commitment

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.

- Bhikkhu Bodhi, "Recollection of the Buddha" (Tricycle Online Retreat, June 2012)
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Via JMG: Full Movie: The Laramie Project

Posted to YouTube today in its entirety. Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It follows and in some cases re-enacts the chronology of Shepard's visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes with a Laramie staging of "Angels in America" a year after Shephard's death.

Labels: hate crimes, Laramie Project, Matthew Shepard

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: The Cost Of Gay Marriage Bans

Embiggen or go here.

Labels: LGBT rights, marriage equality

Reposted from Joe
 

Via JMG: Ninth Circuit Likely To Rule Tomorrow On Rehearing Prop 8 With More Judges

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an alert that a ruling will come tomorrow on whether to rehear Prop 8 with a larger panel of judges. Insiders speculate:

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.

Labels: California, Ninth Circuit Court., Proposition 8

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: NC GOP Platform Endorses Discrimination

Think Progress points us to this just-adopted plank in North Carolina's official Republican Party platform.

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.

Labels: bigotry, GOP, LGBT rights, North Carolina

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Mormon Allies March In Salt Lake Pride

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."

Labels: gay Pride, LDS, Mormons, Salt Lake City

Reposted by Joe

Via JMG:

Expressing Support For Trans Contestants

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.

Labels: beauty pageants, Miss USA, transgender issues

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 4, 2012

Where Meditation Begins

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.

- Stephen Schettini, "What to Expect When You’re Reflecting"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Time For Change