Via Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center / FB:

Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center

‎"Buddism is not a spirituality. Buddhism is all about how to balance our social life that comes with a understanding and appreciation to our inner quality." - Kalu Rinpoche

Via JMG: Obama Backs Illinois Marriage

Through his spokesman, President Obama has issued a statement in support of same-sex marriage in his home state of Illinois.

"While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," White House spokesman Shin Inouye told the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday.
"As he has said, his personal view is that it's wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so. Were the President still in the Illinois State Legislature, he would support this measure that would treat all Illinois couples equally," Inouye said.
The lead sponsors of the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), intend to put the measure up for a vote during the upcoming January lame-duck session. The toughest challenge for gay marriage backers will be winning passage in the Illinois House. Prospects for approval in the Illinois Senate--where Obama once served--are brighter.

As noted above, the current bill will be presented during the lame duck session which ends in just a few weeks.  When the new legislature is seated, Democrats will hold a super-majority in both chambers.

Labels: Barack Obama, Illinois, marriage equality

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 30, 2012

Self-arising Happiness

The more clearly we see the lack of worth in mental and physical sensations, the less desire we'll have for them until, thoroughly disenchanted, craving will be snuffed out automatically. As soon as that occurs, pure happiness will arise by itself.

- Cynthia Thatcher, "What's So Great About Now?"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 31st, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 29, 2012

Do Not Seek Anything Else

There is a simple way to become a buddha: When you refrain from unwholesome actions, are not attached to birth and death, and are compassionate toward all sentient beings, respectful to seniors and kind to juniors, not excluding or desiring anything, with no designing thoughts or worries, you will be called a buddha. Do not seek anything else.

- Eihei Dogen, “Birth and Death”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 31st, 2012
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Via JMGL Pew Poll Religions Breakdown

Source.

Labels: Pew Project, polls, religion

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Uruguay Postpones Marriage Vote

Uruguay's Senate was widely expected to pass its marriage equality bill today.  No such luck. Via On Top Magazine:

The “Marriage Equality Law” seeks to modify some 20 articles of the Civil Code, including whose surname goes first when children are named. Opponents asked for the bill's vote to be postponed until the Senate's first meeting in April to allow more time to study the proposal. The request received unanimous approval. The bill has already received an initial nod in the Senate and it cleared the nation's lower house earlier this month. President Jose Mujica has said he'll sign the bill into law. Uruguay currently recognizes gay couples with civil unions. After a couple has lived in a “stable relationship” for 5 years, they may petition the government for the recognition.

Another report notes that senators opposed to the bill claimed that the ruling party was trying to rush the bill through without "the normal procedures."

Labels: marriage equality, South America, Uruguay

Reposted from Joe