The Next Dalai Lama, HHDL's Official Statement

Blinded by their own ignorance borne of samsara, Beijing would love to manipulate the recognition of the next Dalai Lama. This is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's take on all this. It's a great read both for its historical background and the clarity of His position and intentions. http://dalailama.com/messages/tibet/reincarnation-statement

Let the Dalai Lama Visit Chinese Quake Damage

The Dalai Lama would like to visit the earthquake damaged areas of China. Please sign this petition in support of His Holiness.

South African govt is a pussy!

Let me get this straight: South Africa won't invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a peace conference because they don't want to piss off China. Why? Because China is a big trade partner of theirs.

Chickenshits. Talk about turning your back on basic human rights and dignity. Aren't you the ones we all protested for all those years? Didn't the world support Mandela when he was imprisoned? And now you don't have the balls to stand up to Beijing cause they're putting money in your pockets???

Pussies!

An Open Letter to Barack Obama

Read Alice Walker's open letter to President Obama.

I loved where it was going and then at the end she draws parallels to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It doesn't get much better.

Some day.

Woke up to a 7 am "I'm moving out" phone call.

My office building had a fire this afternoon.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Seattle today for a 5 day event.

I got my lowest solitaire hand ever.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Tibet is a thorn in Beijing's side. A noble cause celebre headed by a guy the world just loves. The Dalai Lama arm wrestles with the Communists. The Party wants to control HHDL's reincarnation. The whole world's watching.

This piece is a good overview. To know the man is to laugh about PRC's arrogance while crying over the distraction.

Om mani padme hum.

No more Dalai Lamas?

As if the idea the Chinese can dictate and regulate one's reincarnation isn't outlandish enough comes word that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is talking about redefining the succession of Dalai Lamas and perhaps ending the chain with him. His recent remarks reported here are cause for pause.

I for one always thought HHDL would be with us. I selfishly assumed that I would be able to study with him whenever I wanted, now or in the future.

Vatican Snubs His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Well. The Pope is a coward. Bowing to pressure from Beijing, he won't meet with HHDL. when he's in Italy. Seems kissing China's butt is more important than doing the right thing.

So much for "liberation theology" ehhh?

Vows Taken

The part of my trip to Bloomington I haven't talked about was taking refuge. Sorta like getting baptised by the Pope. The funny thing is that I've watched the video a couple of times and I swear I hear something else. Guess that's what they mean by direct transmission.

Ben says I'm a card carrying Buddhist now.

Pilgrimage to India(na)

This is my third time hearing His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak (Vancouver & San Francisco, now Bloomington) and the second teaching. This one is on The Lamp For the Path to Enlightenment. First time I'm seeing him w/o Lisa.

I quickly realized that the two previous trips were easy. This one has been a true pilgrimage, not a vacation. How so?

For starters I had a list of work and domestic things I really wanted to get done before I left. Oh I got the list done and then some. Missed my flight thanks to a security checker who thought she was a docent. Chatty don't cut it when you're trying to make a plane. The happy ending was an American Airlines staff member who got me on a redeye without a change fee (as in one hundred dollars plus the difference in airfare). She'd read about the Dalai Lama's visit and cut me major slack.

I'm changing planes in Dallas-Fort Worth, snag chai at Starbucks, and what's my barista's name? Om. Yep, I asked just to make sure. Land at DFW and the brother at Thrifty and I strike up a conversation and before I know it I have a free upgrade.

Bloomington is in Indiana. And Indiana appears to be white. Quite white. Beautiful campus though. I missed the morning session the first day and found the afternoon session lacking in focus. Or perhaps it was me, having not slept much en route. Then again I heard others mumbling about "not getting it" too. All was saved when Robert Thurmon spoke in the evening. a.) he's Uma's dad b.) he's a reknown Buddhist scholar c.) he's been haning with HHDL for years and d.) he was a wicked sense of humor.

Today's sessions were great. In many ways they picked up where the San Francisco teachings left off (In Praise of Dependent Origination). Did I mention I'm in love with Thupten Jinpa, the Dalai Lama's translator? For many of us he's the voice of His Holiness.

Sidenote: I met the development person from the Tibetan Nun Project here. The funny thing is that I had to come to IN to meet someone who lives and works in Seattle.

One more day and then back to Skeedattle for this one. The good news is that I feel more focused about resuming an active practice than I have in months.

Om mani padme hum.

HHDL in Bloomington

I've never been to Bloomington IN but I have a reason to go now. In fact, I'm excited to go to Bloomington!