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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 26, 2013

Allegiance to Life

Feeling alarm or devastation can guide us to a deep sanity, reminding us of who we are and what we need. It can remind us that we belong to this larger body and that we care for it. Our power to act, our power to take part in the healing of our world, our power to bring things back into balance, comes from the same source as that devastation. Our pain for the world, and our power to take part in the healing of our world, both come from the same place.

- Joanna Macy, "Allegiance to Life"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 25, 2013

Gradual Transformation

The movement from ordinary states of self-concern to selfless giving always involves a gradual transformation of character, not a sudden leap. Like any form of strength, generosity needs to be intentionally cultivated over time, and everyone must begin in whatever state of mind they already happen to be.

- Dale S. Wright, “The Bodhisattva’s Gift”

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Just as the word chariot is merely a means of expressing how axle, body, wheel, and poles are brought together in a certain relationship, but when we look at each of them one by one there is no chariot in an absolute sense; and just as the word house is a way of expressing how wood and other materials stand in relationship to each other in a certain space, but in the absolute sense there is no house; and just as the word fist is an expression for the finger and thumb in relationship, and tree for trunk, branches, leaves, and so on, but in an absolute sense there is no fist or tree--in exactly the same way the words living entity and person are but ways of expressing the relationship of body, feeling, and consciousness, but when we come to examine the elements of being, one by one, we find there is no entity there. In the absolute sense there is only name and form and the mystery which they express. Such ideas as "I" and "I am" are not absolute. - Visuddhi Magga More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 24, 2013

Knowing is not Enough

If you know dharma but do not apply it, then you have more regret than if you had never learned any dharma in the first place. If you are not going to apply dharma knowledge to your life—better not to know it at all.

- Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, "Keys to Happiness"

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Ordinary life and Buddhahood have no distinction. Great knowledge is not different from ignorance. Why should one seek outwardly for a treasure, when the field of the body has its own bright jewel? - Pao-chih, "The Nonduality of Buddhahood and Ordinary Life" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Brazilians Protest "Gay Cure" Bill

Brazilians Protest "Gay Cure" Bill

EuroNews reports:

In the midst of the biggest nationwide protests against the government in decades Brazilians have taken to the streets to express their anger at a controversial law known as the “gay cure” proposed by the the president of the Brazilian Parliament’s Commission for Human Rights, Marco Feliciano. If passed the change in legislation would permit psychologists to treat “homosexuality” as an illness.

(Tipped by JMG reader Robert)

Labels: Brazil, ex-gay, LGBT rights, protests

Reposted from Joe 

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 23, 2013

What Nature Teaches

Nature teaches us simplicity and contentment, because in its presence we realize we need very little to be happy.

- Mark Coleman, "A Breath of Fresh Air"

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Rudolf Brazda, last of the Pink Triangles, tells his story

Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey

Hello friends,

I wanted to share an interesting, yet upsetting situation out of Springfield Missouri's Baha'i community concerning participation in an LGBT civil rights survey.  As always there is something to be learned from such a situation, and of course I had to write the National Spiritual Assembly bringing this to their attention.  A lot has happened in the American Baha'i community as we face this sensitive , yet timely subject.  Much I do not agree with, but any talk is good (voice of optimism).  Progress can only happen if those who remain silent speak up and bring forth a voice of reason, love, acceptance to the table.  I look forward to National's response. 

love,

S R

Palm Springs, CA

____

Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2013 11:37 PM
Subject: Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey

Dear National Spiritual Assembly,

With a heavy heart I write you with news published online and in print concerning a survey that representatives of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Springfield Missouri took part in.  The survey is from a local faith subcommittee task force on faith and gender identity concerning LGBT civil rights and protection in the city of Springfield. As a gay man I am concerned that an LSA would publicly endorse discrimination against LGBT people in light of your recent guidance that has been recirculated this year.  The civil rights of LGBT people (workplace protection, fair and equal housing, and inclusion in being a protected minority class) does not conflict with Baha'i law.  There has been some progress in the American Baha'i community in regards to this topic, discussions are occurring, presentations are being made, LGBT Baha'is are meeting each other for the first time in a spirit of love and support, yet moments like this take our community ten steps back.  The following was the response of the Springfield LSA to the survey:

1. Do you agree that the Springfield City Code should be amended to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
2. Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes
3. If the task force finds that there is discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in housing, employment, and/or public accommodations in Springfield, would you support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
4. Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes

http://www.springfieldmo.gov/taskforce/sogi/pdfs/faithSubcomRpt.pdf

I do hope that there can be consultation with the LSA of Springfield Missouri regarding this sensitive topic.  I appreciate your continued efforts in addressing this topic, and look forward to your guidance in the future.  

With love always,

S R

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 22, 2013

Imagination vs Fantasy

Imagination confronts desire directly, in all its discomfort and intensity, deepening the world right where we are. Fantasy and reality are opposing forces, but imagination and reality are not in opposition: Imagination goes toward reality, shapes and evokes it.

- Norman Fischer, "Saved from Freezing"

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Via JMG: A Warning From Oda Mae

Image by my pal NYC DJ Corey Craig.

Labels: DOMA, silliness, Whoopi Goldberg

Reposted fromJoe

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 20, 2013

The Path of Engagement

The starting point is overcoming ignorance. That’s where the Buddha said we should start. We have to make it part of our daily discipline to become better informed about the world we live in. We need to be able to distinguish between truth and falsity such as misinformation from our governments and from mainstream news media. We also have to learn to deal steadfastly and intelligently with suffering.

- Richard Reoch, "The Path of Complete Engagement"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 19, 2013

How to Give

An act of giving is of most benefit when one gives something of value, carefully, with one’s own hand, while showing respect, and with a view that something wholesome will come of it.

- Andrew Olendzki, “Dana: The Practice of Giving"

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	[I]ndulge in lust a little, and like the child it grows apace. The wise man hates it therefore; who would take poison for food? Every sorrow is increased and cherished by the offices of lust. If there is no lustful desire, the risings of sorrow are not produced, the wise man seeing the bitterness of sorrow, stamps out and destroys the risings of desire;... - Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Neither nakedness nor matted hair nor mud nor the refusal of food nor sleeping on the bare ground nor dust & dirt nor squatting austerities cleanses the mortal who's not gone beyond doubt. If, though adorned, one lives in tune with the chaste life --calmed, tamed & assured-- having put down the rod toward all beings, he's a contemplative a brahmin a monk. - Dhammapada, 10, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 18, 2013

Respecting the Practice

When people use spiritual practice to try to compensate for feelings of alienation and low self-esteem, they corrupt the true nature of spiritual practice. Instead of loosening the manipulative ego that tries to control its experience, they strengthen it, and their spiritual practice remains unintegrated with the rest of their life.

- John Welwood, “The Psychology of Awakening”

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Via JMG: Pew Research Survey: 48% Of LGBT USAans Have No Religious Affiliation

In another release from the latest survey from Pew Research, we learn the unsurprising news that gays are more than twice as likely to be atheists or religiously unaffiliated.

When it comes to religion, the LGBT population has a distinctly different profile than the general public. Fewer LGBT adults have a religious affiliation. About half of LGBT respondents describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion (48%)─more than double the portion of the general public that is religiously unaffiliated (20%). Young LGBT adults are particularly likely to have no religious affiliation, a pattern that is also found among the general public. However, compared with the general public, a higher share of LGBT adults are unaffiliated across all age groups. For example, among adults ages 18 to 29 in the general public, 31% are religiously unaffiliated, while roughly double that share (60%) are unaffiliated among LGBT adults of the same age. And roughly one-in-eight adults ages 50 and older in the general public are unaffiliated (13%), compared with about four-in-ten (39%) of older LGBT adults.

Labels: atheism, Pew Research, religion, surveys

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Rallies Planned For "Decision Day"

 

Activist groups across the nation are gearing up for celebrations or protests on the day that the Supreme Court hands down its decisions on DOMA and Prop 8.  Go to this interactive map for details on events near you.  The Bay Area Reporter has details on what is planned for San Francisco:

In San Francisco a group of volunteers known as the Day of Decision Committee is planning for a party, hopefully, in the heart of the gay Castro district. Police are expected to shut down the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the event. Drivers are being warned to avoid parking on Castro Street the evening of the decision; cars will not be towed but vehicles could be stuck there until after the event ends. Should Prop 8 be struck down then the plan is to have sound trucks with DJs playing music and speeches by community leaders. Similar events have been held in the past to either celebrate or protest court decisions.

New Yorkers are invited to gather outside the Stonewall Inn at 5:30PM on the day of the ruling.

Labels: activism, DOMA, Prop 8, SCOTUS

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Pew Poll: When Did You Know?

 

The Washington Post reports:

In a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday, nine in 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults said society has become more accepting of them and that they expect it to become more so in the years ahead. But only 19 percent said there is “a lot” of acceptance for gays, while 59 percent chose to characterize it more softly, as “some” acceptance, and 21 percent said there was little to none.
More than half said they had been subjected to slurs or jokes about gays, and sizable numbers said they had been rejected by friends or family, threatened with physical attack, or made to feel unwelcome at a house of worship. The Pew survey of 1,197 LGBT adults is the first of its kind by a major polling organization. It asked them when they realized they weren’t straight, when they came out and how they have felt ostracized at times. Compared with the general public, Pew said, gay men and lesbians are more liberal, more Democratic, less religious, less happy with their lives, yet more satisfied with the direction the country is headed.

Make you sure visit Pew's fascinating quote farm from the poll's respondents. An interactive graph lets you compare your experiences with your age peers. (Tipped by JMG reader James)

Labels: LGBT culture, LGBT rights, Pew Project

Reposted from Joe