Seeing Fresh: Contemplative Photo of the Week
Seeing Fresh: Contemplative Photo of the Week |
- Seeing Fresh: Contemplative Photo of the Week
- Buddhist monk shares lessons of kindness at Lincoln-Sudbury
- A healing trip to temples in fall
- Buddhist Mount Wutai listed World Heritage
- Buddhist conclave to draw global delegates
- Soul searching
- Sanchi Buddhist varsity to have 5 departments
- Buddhist nuns congregate in Spokane to honor faith, commitments
- Starbucks near Buddhist temple triggers debate
- India's Supreme Court admits Buddhists' plea to manage Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya
- Samsara - The Movie
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama Meets Vietnamese Group for Discussion
- Filmmaker trying to save ancient Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan
- Hundreds of Tibetans meet in India to discuss self-immolation protests and Tibet’s future
- New Mexico stupa moved today after constitutionality challenges
- What does it mean to be a Buddhist and a Jew?
| Seeing Fresh: Contemplative Photo of the Week Posted: 26 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT Contemplative photography is a method for working with the contemplative state of mind, seeing the world in fresh ways, and expressing this experience photographically. Each week we choose an image that's been submitted to seeingfresh.com that really exemplifies this practice. This week's photo is by Mark Bessoudo. It is such a quirky image, with the clothespins reflecting the shape of the red exclamation point. How can you not smile at such a fine example of fresh seeing?
For more about contemplative photography, and lots of other great photos, visit seeingfresh.com. And don't miss this video or this article on contemplative photography. You can see all our Seeing Fresh posts on Shambhala SunSpace here. Read More @ Source
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| Buddhist monk shares lessons of kindness at Lincoln-Sudbury Posted: 26 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT By Kristin Cantu, Wicked Local Lincoln, Sep 24, 2012Lincoln, MA (USA) -- Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School students and residents of Lincoln and Sudbury gathered recently to learn lessons in kindness and suffering from Buddhist monk and teacher Geshe Pema Dorjee.
Dorjee's first audience was with curious high school student to talk about kindness. "We picked kindness because it relates to a lot of the work the whole school does at the beginning of every year," said Sandy Crawford, L-S housemaster and event organizer. "We talk a lot about the values of the school and remind them the first value we have is caring and cooperative relationships." "I thought it would be good to hear about kindness from him," Crawford added. "Here's a person who has devoted his life to kindness."
"I think it's very interesting how someone from such a different culture can have such an enduring message to everyone," Berkowitz said. "I think it says a lot about the character of this school that we're excepting of it and ... that someone like him feels at home here." After the school day, Dorjee began a weekend-long conference at the school focusing on, "The Four Noble Truths," which address suffering in life. The conference, which was hosted by the nonprofit Jhamtse International based in Acton, was open to all regardless of one's ability to make a donation. Sandy Wood, Jhamtse International board member, said the idea of "The Four Noble Truths" is being able to get "rid of the attachment to the self and the ego." Dorjee, who often smiles and laughs when he speaks, is able to connect to his audience because he too is seeking the same thing as them – wisdom, truth and enlightenment, he said during the conference. While he spoke on the roots of suffering, he made it clear that living means one will suffer because of the nature of the world we live in. Everyday problems rooted in ignorance cause our suffering, Dorjee said, adding that humans instinctively use their suffering to make others suffer as well. While one can work towards ending suffering, it's a process that many spend their entire lives trying to achieve, he said. "There's a path to finding contentedness," Wood said. "It's redefining perspective to create a lifestyle to being happy and content." Read More @ Source
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| A healing trip to temples in fall Posted: 26 Sep 2012 03:00 AM PDT By Cho Chung-un, Korean Herald, Sept 24, 2012
A variety of Templestay programs are offered for Chuseok holidays and throughout the fall Seoul, South Korea -- The change of the season has started to turn leaves into red and gold, urging many to hit the road for a fall foliage trip. If you are trying to find an alternative to mountain climbing, try a two-day trip to Buddhist temples across the country already surrounded by beautiful autumnal foliage and where you can actually become a part of the great nature.
"Templestay programs in autumn are designed to offer people a chance to heal their mind and soul at historic temples located in the inner mountains around the country," said an official at the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism.
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, Golgulsa presents a two-day program at the temple which includes various Korean cultural events and activities in addition to existing programs designed to offer a better understanding of Korean Buddhist culture. Participants are invited to enjoy traditional folk games and to take part in making songpyeon, or half moon-shaped rice cake, the special food the Koreans eat to celebrate the harvest time of the year, organizers said. The temple also plans to perform an ancestral rite with the visitors. Registration price is 50,000 won for adults and 40,000 won for children under age 7. Call (054) 744-1689 for more information. Hongbupsa runs a three-day event from Sept. 28 to 30 also for foreigners. The Chuseok program at the temple includes perhaps more active programs including a class for Korean traditional dance, yoga and ganggangsullae, a traditional Korean dance play performed under the bright full moon. The registration fee is 80,000 won for the three-day program. For more information, visit www.busanbuddhism.com or call (051) 508-0345. Both programs are offered in English. Not only for the Chuseok holiday, a variety of templestay programs are offered throughout the season. Participants can travel around the far southern part of the country or Namdo in Korean, by taking a three-day trip to Baeryonsa in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province. Under the title "A journey to find one's true self," the temple's program will take visitors to Sanggyeonseongam where many Buddhist monks practiced asceticism for more than 1,000 years. Naesosa near Buan, North Jeolla Province, offers "Trekking Templestay" which takes participants to inner Naebyeon Mountain for Zen meditation and communion with nature. The registration fee for templestay programs around the country ranges from 50,000 won to 100,000 won for a two-day program and from 100,000 won to 120,000 won for a three-day program. For more information, visit www.templestay.com or call (02) 2031-2000. Read More @ Source
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| Buddhist Mount Wutai listed World Heritage Posted: 26 Sep 2012 02:00 AM PDT China Daily, Sept 24, 2012Mt. Wutai, China -- China's Mount Wutai became China's 38th site to join UNESCO's World Heritage List as a cultural landscape.
Mount Wutai, literally the five-terrace mountain, is a sacred Buddhist mountain with five flat peaks. The cultural landscape features 53 monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, a structure that was built in 857 during the Tang Dynasty (618-917) and is one of the oldest wooden buildings in China. It also features the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three dimensional pictures of mountains and water.
Mount Wutai, located in Shanxi Province, is the highest mountain in northern China and is remarkable for its morphology characterized by precipitous sides with five open treeless peaks. Temples were built on the site from the first century AD to the early 20th century. The 33rd Session of the World Heritage Committee, chaired by Maria Jesus San Segundo, the ambassador and permanent delegate of Spain to UNESCO, was expected to add additional sites to its list from the 37 nominations later Friday and Saturday. Read More @ Source
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| Buddhist conclave to draw global delegates Posted: 26 Sep 2012 01:00 AM PDT TNN, Sep 25, 2012VARANASI, India -- As many as 28 countries have confirmed their participation in the proposed three-day International Buddhist Conclave (IBC) which will begin in the city from September 28. Around 350 delegates from 30 countries and 16 states of India will participate in the conclave being organised by governments of state and centre. According to director UP Tourism Abhilash Sharma, "The countries participating are Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia in the far East Asia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal in South Asia, The Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Hungry, Serbia, Italy and Spain in Europe, besides USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand." A special Ganga Arti has been organised for the delegates on September 28 at Dashaswamedh Ghat, prior to the inaugural ceremony on the next day. There will be a panel discussion on 'Buddhist Pilgrimage in India' followed by presentation by 16 states of India, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Pawan Hans. Delegates will also visit museum and archaeological sites in Sarnath. Besides, a cultural evening will also be organised at Sarnath the same day in which noted danseuse Dr Mallika Sarabhai and her troupe will stage a dance drama 'On His Foot Steps', depicting Lord Buddha's life, philosophy and teachings. Apart from that, an exhibition will be organised at the same venue in which the states of India will showcase Buddhist shrines and other tourism potentials. The conclave proceedings will resume on September 30 at the venue, beginning with a workshop on 'Linking Tourism Potential of Future Buddhist Tourists in India'. Thereafter, the delegates will leave for Bodh Gaya in Bihar where the conclave concludes on October 1. 
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| Posted: 26 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT by Gauri Kohli, Hindustan Times, September 25, 2012New Delhi, India -- Delhi University's department of Buddhist studies has been a major centre for the study of Buddhism for many years, attracting a large number of students from as many as 37 countries.
"The department allows us to explore this subject from as many different points of view as possible. My course has taught me to be more calm and composed and has improved my interpersonal skills," says Savita Chhikara, an MPhil student at the Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University. Most students who take admission to this department are foreigners who come from different countries where Buddhism is a major religion. In those countries, Buddhist studies is a very popular subject in the schools, colleges, and universities and considering that Buddhism is the original home of India, getting a degree from here is considered very important.
USP: "We teach our students about spirituality and culture. In today's profit-oriented world, we constantly think about fulfilling the basic needs of food and shelter. This is why we focus on spirituality because it makes us humane and compassionate," says Sarao. A few students even feel "enlightened" after coming here. "When we study Buddhism, we are studying ourselves. The emphasis is on more practical matters such as how to keep our everyday lives peaceful and healthy, how to lead our lives and how to integrate our minds. We learn a lot through experiential knowledge," says Sapna, an MPhil student who also holds a master's degree in Buddhist studies. With a BEd degree also in hand, she plans to go for a PhD in the same subject to be able to become a teacher. Programmes: Academic courses offered are PhD, MPhil and MA in Buddhist studies, diploma in Pali language and literature; diploma in Tibetan language and literature; certificate course in Pali language and literature; certificate course in Tibetan language and literature. Faculty: The permanent faculty comprises six members and others have been appointed by on ad-hoc basis as guest lecturers. IT quotient: All the teachers' rooms and offices are equipped with computers and internet. Students and research scholars have access to the IT facilities of the university in the arts faculty and central library. All classrooms are fitted with LCD projectors. Infrastructure: The departmental library is a unique feature which contains the Pali Tipitaka in Nagari, Roman, Sinhalese, Burmese, and Cambodian scripts and other books dealing with various aspects of Buddhist studies. Projects and activities: The department has been publishing its annual journal known as Buddhist Studies since 1974. Teachers, research students, alumni and renowned scholars from outside the department are invited to contribute to this journal. Students also participate in national and international conferences and seminars on the subject. Factfile Wishlist 
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| Sanchi Buddhist varsity to have 5 departments Posted: 25 Sep 2012 11:00 PM PDT Daily Pioneer, 19 September 2012Bhopal, India -- Sanchi Buddhist and Indian Knowledge Studies University, proposed to be established in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, will have five departments, including Buddhist Philosophy, Sanatan Dharma and Indian Knowledge Studies, International Buddha Studies, Comparative Studies of Religions and Languages and Literature and Arts. About 100 acre land has been reserved for the university's premises and building at Sanchi. Construction of building will cost Rs 200 crore.
At the university, research and teaching will be done on all aspects of Indian systems along with Buddhist in India and abroad. The university will conduct studies on Buddhist education, contemporary philosophies and traditions. The university will coordinate between basic principles of Indian knowledge and concepts with those of other cultures and civilizations of the world and promote research and studies to this effect. Besides promoting world peace and harmony by bringing Asian cultures and civilizations on one platform, the university will also impart teaching and training in Asian arts, sculpture etc. Participation of Asian and international scholars and other willing persons will be ensured for furthering objectives of the university. On September 22, a two-day Dhamma-Dharma Convention will be held at Bhopal. The keynote speaker on the first day of the convention will be Prof Anand Guruge who is professor in USA. Vedacharya David Frawley (Vamdev Shastri) of Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA will be the keynote speaker on the second day. Read More @ Source
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| Buddhist nuns congregate in Spokane to honor faith, commitments Posted: 25 Sep 2012 10:00 PM PDT by Julie Krug, The Spokane Review, September 22, 2012Spokane, WA (USA) -- Next Saturday, a flock of Buddhist nuns – with their bright smiles, maroon and ochre robes, and shaved heads – will head to Spokane for a celebration.
These rare birds of the Inland Northwest are known as bhikkhunis: Women who've shed their former selves to become fully ordained Buddhist nuns. And their home, Sravasti Abbey, is nested in the mountains of Newport, 50 miles outside of Spokane. They'll join the community of Spokane and fellow monastics in celebrating the Second International Bhikkhuni Day at the Universal Unitarian Church in Spokane. Sravasti Abbey is rare – it's one of the only communities of fully ordained Buddhist nuns in the country. The event on Sept. 29 will honor these women and their efforts in ordination.
As monastic life has called for, these nuns have shaved their heads and donned traditional robes to pursue a life of asceticism, ritual meditation, prayer and good works. "By their example of renunciation," Conover said, "and choosing to live without worldly comforts, they remind us of what's important in life." Today there are six fully ordained nuns and six novices at the abbey. Currently, there are only ordained women at Sravasti. But the abbey welcomes men to come and train. Venerable Thubten Chodron, the founder and abbess at Sravasti, was ordained in 1977 and studied with the Dalai Lama. "By taking ordination," Chodron said, "we assume the responsibility to continue the Buddha's teachings in the same complete way that they have been passed down to us." Out of her own desire to continue the teachings, Chodron founded Sravasti Abbey in 2003. It's one of the first monasteries in the U.S. to train monastics in the Tibetan tradition. Chodron emphasizes the continued need for monastics. "The world needs people whose job it is to live in ethical conduct, cultivate love and compassion for all beings … and guide others in the cultivation of these qualities." While female monastics, known as bhikkhunis (or bhikshunis, depending on the tradition), are rare in this region, they're needed, she says. "Since women are half of the world's population, their leadership in this area is important," Chodron said. Next Saturday's celebration includes a workshop on compassion and the roles of women in spiritual leadership, guided meditations and a talk with Chodron. If you go Second International Bhikkhuni Day Info: For more on Sravasti Abbey visit: www.sravastiabbey.org; For more on the Alliance for Bhikkhunis visit: www.bhikkhuni.net Read More @ Source
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| Starbucks near Buddhist temple triggers debate Posted: 25 Sep 2012 09:00 PM PDT Xinhua, Sept 24, 2012HANGZHOU, China -- International coffee company and coffeehouse Starbucks has again brewed debate over business versus historical interests in China after its opening of an outlet near a famed Buddhist temple in east China.
The controversial Starbucks outlet opened on Saturday in the scenic zone of the quiet, secluded Lingyin Temple, or the Temple of Soul's Retreat, which is located in a wooded area on the bank of the West Lake in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province.
Some people have expressed concerns about the American coffee chain's presence near the peaceful temple. "The smell of the combination of coffee beans and burning incense must be the fragrant smell of money," Sina Weibo user "Liulianxiaobawang" wrote. "Starbucks turned to the Buddha after it had 'entered' the Imperial Palace," wrote "Tangboxiaohu." "Actually, the coffeehouse is a long distance from the temple. It is located in the tourist service area on Lingyin Road outside of the temple, as part of the supporting facilities," said Wang Shan, deputy director of the Lingyin Administration of the West Lake Administration in Hangzhou, provincial capital of Zhejiang. The temple's administration has urged the cafe to change its name from "Lingyin Temple Starbucks" to "Lingyin Starbucks" to make it clear that it is not located inside the temple. "Starbucks chose a relatively remote place in the scenic zone that is not along the tourist paths. It takes 20 minutes to walk from the temple gate to the coffeehouse," said a Starbucks staff member who declined to be named. The cafe released a statement on its official Weibo account on Monday afternoon, explaining the cafe's location and professing its respect for Chinese history and traditional culture. Meanwhile, a KFC outlet opened about 50 meters away from the controversial Starbucks months ago, joining other supermarkets and restaurants in the area. The Starbucks outlet was the administration's final plan for the service area. Wang Shan said the administration has strictly controlled the commercial business environment surrounding the temple. "Many shops have been removed from the scenic area and new businesses can only open after a series of examinations, in order to protect the environment and culture of the Lingyin Temple." Read More @ Source
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| India's Supreme Court admits Buddhists' plea to manage Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya Posted: 25 Sep 2012 08:00 PM PDT TNN Sep 22, 2012NEW DELHI, India -- The Supreme Court on Friday admitted a petition seeking transfer of exclusive management rights of 2,500 year-old Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, a World Heritage site since 2002, to the Buddhists from the government.
A bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and J Chelameswar issued notices to the Centre, Bihar government and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a petition by the Buddhist organization, Bhante Arya Nagarjun Shurai Sasai, and sought Attorney General G E Vahanvati's assistance in the matter. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan said the management of the holiest Buddhist shrine by persons from other religions hurt the religious sentiments of the Buddhists and questioned the constitutional validity of provisions of 60-year-old Bodh Gaya Temple management Act, which permitted it. The petitioner said, "Lakhs of Indian Buddhists continue to be denied the exclusive right of management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on account of the offending provisions of the 1949 Act. At present, due to mismanagement and indifference to the temple, the sacred Bodhi tree is in danger of decay as found by a committee of the ASI."
"The Act ended the Mahant's monopoly over the shrine. However, it entrusted the temple management to a nine-member committee comprising five Hindus and four Buddhists and giving hereditary membership to Saivite Mahant and his successors in Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee," the petitioner said and complained that the decision by the Hindu members, who had majority, prevailed over the opinion of the Buddhists. According to the Unesco, which gave it World Heritage site status, "The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd Century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period." Read More @ Source
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| Posted: 25 Sep 2012 07:00 PM PDT
Anybody see this? Read More @ Source
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama Meets Vietnamese Group for Discussion Posted: 25 Sep 2012 06:00 PM PDT September 25th 2012 Thekchen Choeling, Dharamsala, 24th September 2012 - A group of 102 visitors from Vietnam, about half from the North and half from the South, members of the Vietnamese CEO's Club, had a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama today, during which he encouraged them to ask him questions. They recalled that it is a year since His Holiness first gave teachings to interested people from Vietnam. On this occasion, however, they said they were looking forward to hearing his advice on how to lead a meaningful life. His Holiness began in his customary way, "I always have a feeling when I meet people like this that on a human level we are all the same, there are no differences between us. Whether we are Tibetan or Vietnamese, we are all born the same way and when the time comes we die the same way. We have the same kind of emotions, anger, attachment and jealousy, but we also have the same potential to develop love and compassion. Most important, both you and I want a happy life and we have the same right to achieve it. On this sort of level, there are no differences between human beings, so there is no point in our quarrelling with each other. " When we insist on emphasising differences like race, religion or ideology the result is divisions that can even lead to our fighting and killing each other, as happened during the war in Vietnam. It is this focus on secondary differences that I believe is why so many of our problems can be seen as man-made. I like to point out that our nature is basically compassionate because we are social animals. What brings us together is love and affection. So, stressing the oneness of humanity is my first commitment; but I don't want to be boring like a communist party leader going on and on. I'd prefer we have a discussion."
His Holiness answered a question about how to deal with life's struggles saying that struggle is part of our lives. However, it makes a difference if the struggle is for good not harm, is not only for personal gain to the neglect of others' welfare and is achievable. Once we establish that, we need to be determined and approach it from a realistic point of view, which means we have to employ our common sense and intelligence. A mother of three children wanted to know how to make life easier for them than it had been for her at their age. His Holiness joked that he had no experience of bringing up children and was too old to start now. He has learned from friends who have such experience that children need to be taken care of, they need affection and they need those who give it to be constant and steady. With regard to dealing with those who obstruct what we are trying to do, His Holiness said that it is important to find out if they are acting out of ignorance or deliberately. If they are not aware of the problems they are putting in your way, you may be able to explain it to them. However, if they are being deliberately obstructive, you may have to take counter measures, but do so not out of anger, but with a positive motivation. He gave the example of Tibetans struggling for justice in Tibet, opposing Chinese actions, without cultivating anger or hatred for them. Another questioner wanted to know how religious practice affects living a meaningful life. His Holiness replied that it is not necessary to be religious to live by positive human values, which are the basis of what he calls secular ethics. A simple illustration of this is that the key to family happiness is warm-heartedness. Although there are those who believe ethics must be rooted in religious faith His Holiness feels that this is too limiting because the majority of the world's 7 billion people don't have enough time to take religion seriously. " Nowadays, people think the source of happiness is money and material goods, but it is also clear that in the US and Europe where the standard of living is high and many people are wealthy, too many of them are unhappy inside, racked by suspicion and jealousy. What's more, crime and suicide rates are remarkably high. The solution is not to become more religious, but to develop a warm heart. Happiness is based on trust, while the opposite of trust is fear. We absorb affection when we are infants in our mother's care, which is why we have the potential to show affection to others. But if members of a family don't trust each other, how can they be happy together? A lack of trust leads to loneliness, depression and seeking solace in drugs and alcohol. On the other hand if you have self-discipline and people are prepared to share, it's possible to build a happier society." Admitting to an admiration for Marxist economics, particularly the idea of equal distribution of wealth, His Holiness made it clear that he was firmly opposed to totalitarianism, that while he might be a Marxist, he is not a Leninist. Continuing in the afternoon to discuss the compatibility of Marxism with Buddhism he agreed that Marxism is a materialistic doctrine with no talk about mind or past and future lives. However, what it shares with Buddhism is the sense that destiny is in our own hands. A happy society must be created by people themselves, not through prayer alone, but by taking action. Action is the cause of happiness and the distinction between positive and negative action depends largely on our motivation. Buddhism teaches us to change our minds, to change our attitudes and so transform our actions. His Holiness laughed as he told his listeners what he recently told some visiting Chinese, "The Tibetan spirit comes from Buddhism which is a more than 2500 year old tradition in which interest is growing, your system, Chinese communism, is based on ideas that are barely 200 years old and whose influence is declining." With regard to the relation between the mind and body, His Holiness explained that some scientists have begun to see that there are circumstances in which changes in the mind change the brain and have documented this. More and more scientists are showing interest in the mind, in tackling the emotions. In this connection their interest in what Buddhism has to say is growing. Buddhism describes different levels of mind, the sensory consciousnesses which depend on the brain, but also a more subtle level of mental consciousness. Buddhism does not talk about a soul, but
"We can't very well ask someone to die just so we can test what happens afterwards. And then what would we do if they did die but didn't manage to enter the subtle meditation state?" His Holiness's advised, " We need to be 21st century Buddhists. Buddhist practice is to use our intelligence to the maximum to transform our emotions. For this knowledge is very important. Western scholars often suggest that Buddhism is not so much a religion, but more a science of mind. The concept of emptiness of intrinsic existence is also important. When we investigate reality, we cannot find something independently, intrinsically existent. Ignorance, our misconception about reality, is the basis of our destructive emotions. The counter force is reason, taking a scientific approach to correcting our view." One of the Vietnamese group asked about current tensions between Vietnam and China over the Paracel and Spratly Islands off both their coasts. He wanted to know if Vietnamese anger and indignation would be effective in resolving the dispute and suggested that many people would like to invite His Holiness to come and establish a monastery or temple on one of the islands. His Holiness replied that anger would not help, anger would not affect the Chinese mind. It would be far better to try to influence them by friendly means, which is not to say that this can't be done from a position of toughness. He acknowledged that in 1979 when China sought to teach Vietnam a lesson they were faced by a tough, battle hardened Vietnamese army. He concluded, "Actually, I don't especially favour constructing a monastery or temple, I'd prefer to see an academic centre of learning instead, somewhere that could be a focus for the study of Buddhist philosophy, Daoism and secular ethics. I recently told people in Ladakh that they should aim to make their monasteries centres of learning. And if such a centre can be set up, it might be better in Saigon or Hanoi than on one of these islands. Thank you, see you tomorrow."    Read More @ Source 
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| Filmmaker trying to save ancient Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan Posted: 25 Sep 2012 05:00 PM PDT Mes Aynak, located just outside Kabul, is home to a sprawling ancient Buddhist monastery complex, filled with hundreds of historical artifacts. It's also home to the second-largest copper deposit in the world, and the site could be dug up in just a few months. Teams of archaeologists have been frantically trying to salvage as much from the site as they can before excavation starts. Filmmaker Brent Huffman has been documenting the archaeologists' work, and he's hoping he can use his film to raise awareness of Mes Aynak's precarious situation and try to save the site. Below, Huffman talks about the footage of Mes Aynak that he's collected so far, and explains why it's important to save the site.
The Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ARCH) says that the site can preserved if the Chinese mining company that has the rights to the site and the Afghan government can balance cultural and environmental concerns with the mining operation. A petition urges Afghan President Hamid Karzai to ensure that the mining operation is conducted in a way that minimizes damage to the historical sites. You can view and sign the petition here. Without cooperation from the mining company, China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC), owned by the Chinese government, is scheduled to start excavating copper at the beginning of 2013. The ancient temples at Mes Aynak, as well as six villages and a mountain range, will be destroyed to create a vast, open copper mine. Proponents of the mining operation say it could bring much-needed money to Afghanistan, one of the world's most impoverished countries. Huffman, along with ARCH, says this won't happen, though — he says the country is corrupt and only a few people will see any profits from the mine, and MCC will probably bring in Chinese workers, employing Afghans only for low-level and poorly paid positions. ARCH points out that, if preserved, the Mes Aynak site could draw tourists to Afghanistan, which was once a popular destination because of its heritage sites. MCC said they didn't know about the historical site until after they won mining rights in 2007, and in 2009, the company offered archaeologists three years to excavate as much of the site as they could. The three teams of archaeologists at Mes Aynak have limited funds and only basic tools.They are also in danger as locals in Logar Province, upset about the loss of their villages, are partnering with the Taliban to attack the mining operation and the archaeological dig with landmines and rockets. You can read Huffman's full op-ed piece here. For more information, visit the Facebook page for his film-in-progress. Read More @ Source
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| Hundreds of Tibetans meet in India to discuss self-immolation protests and Tibet’s future Posted: 25 Sep 2012 01:00 PM PDT
(Photo by Kevin Wong via Flickr using a CC-BY license.) Read More @ Source
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| New Mexico stupa moved today after constitutionality challenges Posted: 25 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT  Photo: Cyndy Sims Parr via Flickr, CC-BY-SA license A Tibetan Buddhist stupa in New Mexico's Petroglyph National Monument, which has been at the center of a two-year debate over constitutional law, is scheduled for relocation today. The stupa, which will be moved to the entrance of Tijeras Canyon, was constructed on private land before the National Park Service acquired the property through eminent domain in 1996. The solicitor's office in the U.S. Department of Interior issued an oral opinion months ago which stated that park officials "did not have authority to have the Buddhist stupa on park land." Working with members of the Buddhist community, a ceremony was held last month to de-consecrate the stupa in preparation for today's moving date. Watch a 2011 video explaining the stupa's history after the jump. Read More @ Source
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| What does it mean to be a Buddhist and a Jew? Posted: 25 Sep 2012 10:00 AM PDT
For example, take Michael Stroud, who reflects: "My karma has led me from Hebrew School and a Bar Mitzvah in Redwood City to Ch'an retreats in Taiwan to Vipassana retreats in Marin County to Sabbaths in Southern California and back to Hebrew School—this time for my two children. I'm a tiny piece of an interesting phenomenon. Western Buddhist is chock full of Jews: Roshi Bernie Tetsugen Glassman, Lama Surya Das, Natalie Goldberg, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Mel Weitsman, and on and on. So many Jews have taken to Buddhist that a term has been invented to describe them—'Jubu,' or occasionally, 'Buju.'" Whether you consider yourself a Jubu, a Buju, or just hope to have a better sense of how to reconcile (and enjoy!) different religious influences in your life, you'll find Stroud's Shambhala Sun piece, "Coming Home" a worthwhile read. Just click here to read it online. You'll also find lots of other great writing on the intersection of the two religions on our Buddhism and Judaism Spotlight Page. Read More @ Source
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<< Buddhist monk and teacher Geshe Pema Dorjee recently visited Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School..jpg)
The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, an affiliate of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, offers a variety of Templestay programs throughout the fall and particularly for the upcoming Chuseok holidays. Templestay is a cultural program that allows people to stay in mountainside temples and participate in Zen meditation, early-morning chanting and daily chores.
"We've been through a rough path, full of suspense," Tong Mingkang, deputy chief of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage, said after the announcement.
<< Global appeal: The department attracts a large number of students from 37 countries
Culture Minister Laxmikant Sharma has informed that foundation of this unique and first of its kind university will be laid at Sanchi on September 21 at 11.30 am. The foundation laying ceremony will be attended by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bhutanese Prime Minister Leo Jigme Thinley, Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Prakash Ambedkar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Ven Bangal Upastissa Nayak Thero.
<< Sravasti Abbey abbess, Venerable Thubten Chodron (top row, fifth from right) pose with members of the 2012 summer student program at the abbey outside Newport, Wash.
<< A Starbucks waitress serves a monk coffee on Saturday. The US coffee giant Starbucks has opened a cafe shop close to the Lingyin Temple, a Buddhist temple in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, giving rise to controversy. Some say Starbucks is bringing the "stench of money" to the temple. Others say it is only bringing Western culture into proximity with Chinese culture. [Photo/CFP]
<< The revered Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, location where the Buddha attained supreme Enlightenment (Nirvana)
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, starts tonight at sundown — have an easy fast! But wait, some might ask: what does being Jewish have to do with Buddhist? For some of us, plenty; after all, having a Buddhist practice doesn't have to come at the exclusion of the faith of our birth.| You are subscribed to email updates from BuddhaRocks ☸ Buddhist To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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