Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Via Good News Network
A 64 year-old man in Istanbul decided to brighten the neighborhood
by painting rainbow colors on some wide, gray, crumbling stairs. When
municipal officials sent workers after nightfall to hurriedly repaint
the steps gray, a quiet revolution
started on Twitter. Not only did volunteers come out to repaint those
stairs that Huseyin Cetinel had spent hundreds of dollars on, they
painted other stairs and walkways in cities around Turkey, posting
photos on social media. A Pandora's Box of color had unwittingly been
opened.
VIDEO at Good News Network: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/civics/brightly-painted-stairway-in-turkey-starts-color-revolution-against-drab-gray.html
Photo credit: Gürol Demirutku
VIDEO at Good News Network: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/civics/brightly-painted-stairway-in-turkey-starts-color-revolution-against-drab-gray.html
Photo credit: Gürol Demirutku
Via Daily Dharma
Why Meditate on Skeletons? | June 17, 2014
In urging his followers to meditate on
skeletons and bloody remains, the Buddha was advocating consciousness,
not disdain for the body. When we are aware of all the intricate
processes and parts that make up our bodies, we are less likely to
identify the overall image as 'me.' Disdain for our bodies is, in fact,
born not of detachment but of identification.
—Hannah Tennant-Moore, "Not Our Bodies, Not Ourselves"
Monday, June 16, 2014
Via Flower of the Day
"It's
a great challenge to speak about the truth, since it is an experience,
and it is always difficult to translate an experience into words. How
can we transform the experience of love into words? How do we explain
joy, ecstasy and compassion? Words are too small to express the
greatness of the truth, but they can be used as a bridge to reach this
experience. Words can help you transition from the state of the mind to
the state of ‘no-mind.’ As your questions are answered, the mind starts
to calm down and become free of anxiety. The mind then becomes receptive
to being flooded with the awareness that comes with the experience of
the truth."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Tricycle:
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June 16, 2014
| New at Tricycle: Restoring Zen's female lineage, learning to listen
deeply, and kicking off the Fourth Annual Tricycle | BuddhaFest Online
Film Festival. |
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 | MAGAZINE: ROUSED FROM A DREAM | ||||
| The importance of lineage in Zen Buddhism cannot be overstated. Yet the transmission of Zen has been documented through an exclusively male lineage chart—until now. Journalist Mary Fowles reports on restoring Zen’s female lineage and embodying a new story for Zen, "a story that includes women." | |||||
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Via Daily Dharma
End This Suffering, Too | June 16, 2014
Buddhism is, of course, a tradition
that strives to end suffering, but concern with the suffering that is
caused by gender stereotypes, constrictive narratives, and
discriminatory customs is relatively new, at least in its public
discourse. How women’s lives have been marginalized from the Buddhist
narrative is still being discovered, acknowledged, and remedied.
—Mary Fowles, “Roused from a Dream”
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
Spiritual Hunger | June 14, 2014
The spiritual journey involves stepping into unknown territory with a hunger to know what is true.
—Aura Glaser, “Into the Demon’s Mouth”
Friday, June 13, 2014
Via JMG: AFA Refuses Donation With Milk Stamp
How much do anti-gay groups hate the new Harvey Milk stamps from the U.S. Postal Service? One organization refused to even open a mailed donation to their cause using one such stamp as postage. Staying true to their announcement that they would boycott all mail with the Milk stamps, the American Family Association told The Wire that the organization had mailed back our attempted $5 donation to their anti-gay group unopened. Speaking to The Wire, AFA's Director of Issues Analysis Bryan Fischer said that the very existence of the Harvey Milk stamp was akin to "honoring Jeffrey Dahmer on a postage stamp designed to honor the culinary arts." That's because Fischer and the AFA, citing a line from a biography of Milk, believe that Milk was a sexual predator. "He is not somebody that should ever be honored on a postage stamp," Fischer said.Maybe the Wire shouldn't have announced the attempt two weeks ago? Focus On The Family and the Family Research Council both processed Milk-stamped donations sent by the Wire.
Labels: AFA, Bryan Fischer, crackpots, douchebaggery, ex-gay. religion, Harvey Milk, hate groups, USPS
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
Beware of Celebrity Teachers | June 12, 2014
Western people who really want to study
Buddhism should not follow celebrities. Of course, His Holiness the
Dalai Lama is a great master. And of course people can receive his
teachings. That’s no problem. But if somebody wants to be a good
student, they might look for a learned teacher, and among the learned
lamas, one that has renounced.
—Shamar Rinpoche, "Tulku, Inc.: The Perils of Picking a Teacher"
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Moral Health | June 11, 2014
That morality is a natural feature of
the natural world is an insight we all have to learn if we hope to be
deeply well. The more the sense of an autonomous self is injected into
any situation, the more it acts as a lightning rod for greed, hatred,
and delusion, which inevitably bring suffering. 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"
Monday, June 9, 2014
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
6 June 2014
Her Excellency Ms. Dilma Rousseff,
President ofthe Federative Republic of Brazil
Your Excellency,
In response to your kind invitation, we take pleasure in sending the following message on the occasion of the opening of the 2014 World Cup.
We extend our heartfelt greetings to the people of Brazil as they welcome the representatives of so many countries to their homeland for a celebration of sporting prowess. Few occasions can claim to embrace so wide a cross-section of humanity, comprising peoples of varied ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. It is clear to every observer that the sport that has brought these nations to Brazil is only strengthened by the marvellous diversity of the participants. To rejoice in this fact is to reject prejudice in all its forms. Truly, nothing is more striking about this extraordinary footballing spectacle than its capacity to reflect the global culture that has emerged in this age. And in summoning together the nations in friendship, it powerfully suggests that collaboration and common endeavour are possible in all things.
Humanity today is bound together in a global civilization. As the world advances in its organic evolution, let it reflect at this moment on the many qualities that the Brazilian people so admirably embody. For the path to peace will require expansive hearts, a passion for progress, unbounded creative energy, great resilience, a strength forged from diversity, and minds enlightened by the spirit of the age and inspired by the quest for justice. The peoples of the world are as variegated flowers in one splendid garden. Is any nation more fit to demonstrate this simple but essential truth than Brazil? In the vibrant, interwoven colours of this land the world can imagine its own dazzling future possibilities.
A sporting contest, even one on such a scale as this, cannot obscure the severity of the challenges that confront humankind. But in the weeks to come, we hope that observers everywhere—especially the youth of the world—will take heart from the many examples of teamwork, fair play, valour, and earnest striving that are sure to surface in the tournament. God willing, they will aspire to show those same qualities in their lives, in service to their communities, and in the promotion of peace.
Whether labouring for the elimination of every trace of racism and discrimination, championing the equality of women and men, or seeking to advance justice, the efforts of every member of the human family are necessary. Constructive change is possible everywhere. Man, woman, youth, and child—all have an essential contribution to make.
We anticipate a time when competition among the nations may be a phenomenon chiefly witnessed in the sporting arena, whereas interactions on the global stage will be dominated by cooperation, reciprocity and mutual support. We pray that this present occasion will redound to the honour of the great nation of Brazil as hosts and that the event will inspire not only passing fellowship but lasting solidarity among all who participate and the countless millions who spectate.
signed,
The Universal House of Justice
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
Understanding the Breath | June 7, 2014
Breath takes care of itself. Arising
and passing away quite impersonally, with no one breathing. This
understanding comes through our attention.
—Sylvia Boorstein, “Body as Body”
Friday, June 6, 2014
Via JMG: Gay(er) Marriage Map
Via JMG: FLORIDA: Backlash Grows Against AG Pam Bondi For Supporting Marriage Ban
All adults should have the right to marry and divorce as they see fit. That’s why, in another set of circumstances, I wouldn’t bring up Attorney General Pam Bondi’s two marriages and divorces – and her current relationship with a Tampa ophthalmologist, this time sealed, not with legal ribbon but in a well-publicized “non-binding” celebration in the Cayman Islands in 2012. Her marriages, divorces, and out-of-wedlock relationships are her business – not state business. But it’s hypocritical of this serial bride to use sanctimonious arguments to try to convince a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and SAVE on behalf of gay and lesbian couples seeking to have their out-of-state marriages recognized in Florida.Bondi responded to the criticisms with a statement: “The brief does not argue for or against same-sex marriage as a matter of policy, wisdom, or fairness. Those decisions are for the voters of each state, not for lawyers or courts. It is my duty to protect Florida from the ‘harm’ of a federal injunction overriding the will of Florida voters.”
In another sign of the backlash, yesterday Bondi canceled a speech before a group that works on behalf of homeless LGBT youth.
Bondi was scheduled to speak at the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services annual awards banquet in Sarasota and receive special recognition from the group for her work on fighting human trafficking. But shortly before she was scheduled to speak, the Florida Network organizers announced Bondi had cancelled her appearance. Bondi’s Tallahassee press office did not respond to questions about the cancellation. The Florida Network is a nonprofit statewide association representing agencies that serve homeless, runaway and troubled youths and their families.Did she really cancel or was she disinvited?
RELATED: Bondi took office in 2010 after being endorsed by Sarah Palin. In 2012 Bondi was the lead litigant when she and 26 other state attorneys general unsuccessfully attempted to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
Via JMG: Second-Largest Religions By State
In the Western U.S., Buddhists represent the largest non-Christian religious bloc in most states. In 20 states, mostly in the Midwest and South, Islam is the largest non-Christian faith tradition. And in 15 states, mostly in the Northeast, Judaism has the most followers after Christianity. Hindus come in second place in Arizona and Delaware, and there are more practitioners of the Baha’i faith in South Carolina than anyone else. All these data come from the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, which conducts a U.S. Religion Census every 10 years.Hit the link for a breakdown by every US county. Christianity dominates in all but one of the 3143 counties in the nation.
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