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.

It's all about MySpace backgrounds

I noticed that an awful lot of people were visiting my wallpaper images page. Not to break my arm patting myself on the back but they are nice pictures. But I began to follow the links in my site's log file and found an awful lot of links to MySpace.

Following these links proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that a buncha folks are using my photos as the background for the MySpace site. The Om image and the Chicago skull seem to be popular ones.

Since there's no way to beat 'em (not that I'd want to), I quickly decided to join 'em. So I did. I put up a page of custom MySpace background images. If you want a photo for MySpace page, here they are.

Thoughts on Burma

Two things I saw that provide insight on events in Burma: one written by U Thant's son and another written by Yale's Buddhist chaplain.

Let's not forget the monks in Burma

This story about how the Burmese military mistreated protesting monks doesn't surprise me. It saddens me deeply but what do you expect from tyrants?

The jailers are more the victim than the monks. They too suffer from fear and ignorance. The absurdity of them insisting that the monks are no longer sangha rivals the Chinese trying to dictate how and when Tibetans reincarnate. Don't these people understand and appreciate the power of the Three Jewels?

Knaves...

Fortune cookies

I read an article in the NY Times about fortune cookies. Seems some folks are uncomfortable when they don't get a cliched, pseudo-Confucian qwip.

I guess the new ones don't lend themselves to putting "...in bed" or "...dot com" at the end to elicit a half-hearted laugh from one's co-diners.

That's why I wrote my own fortune cookie widget. With it, you're guaranteed to get something atypical. OK, weird.

"This government does not torture people."

Oh we don't torture P.O.W.'s ehhh? Let's ask those held against their will in Guantanamo Bay that question. On live TV. In prime time.

I dare ya Dubya.

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!

Support the Burmese Protesters!

Azalea Software is supporting the protesters in Burma (Myanmar). You should too.

The monks are right. The people united will never be defeated. Clearly a need to smash the state if there ever was one. Put your money where your heart is. Speak out!

Here's another way to support the protesters in Burma.

More About Burma

Again, as I stated in my last post, as a leftist and a Buddhist I'm outraged by what the military rulers are doing in Burma. The monks and nuns (sangha) are the moral voice of Burma and can not be ignored.

For up-to-date news try The Democratic Voice of Burma and this Facebook group about Burma.

I haven't tried to contact the Myanmar embassy in Washington DC but here's their contact info. The principal U.S. Embassy official is Shari Villarosa, the Chargé d'Affaires. The only email I could find is: ConsularRangoo@state.gov and FAX: (95)-(1)-650-306 and (95)-(1)-650-480.

Burma

As a Buddhist I seek refuge in the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the sangha (monks and nuns). I cry when I read reports of the repressive regime in Burma (sic) attacking and killing sangha.

Yes, the military leaders of Burma are fascists. Yes, they must be removed. Yes, the sangha are the moral force in this police state. That is why the citizens formed human chains around the protesting monks and nuns. The Burmese military's actions are all too reminescent of the Chinese government's repression of Tibetans.

Love and compassion. Buddhism is the religon of love and compassion. Let us all pray that the forces of good once again triumph over evil.

As long as there is space, I seek refuge in the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the sangha towards the enlightenment of all sentient beings through love and compassion Om mani padme hum.

Two Words

I have just two words to share with you: "Jena Six"

Sen. Kerry is a pussy!

So someone questions Sen. Kerry and is tasered by Univ of Florida police. My question is: why didn't Kerry stop this thug behavior? Because he's another ruling class pig that's why. He's no reformer, no liberal. Just another punk ass bitch. Here's the proof. Pussy.

Photo of the Day gallery

Like I need yet-another-project. Now I'm doing a photo of the day gallery. Not that I take a breath taking must see picture each and every day but I wanted a stack of snapshots so here it is.

Mt. Rainier & the Dalai Lama

Perhaps mountains are the theme of this post:

This year's 728 Club hike was outstanding. Picture perfect, no one fell, and the oven performed flawlessly. Proof? Look no further than here for proof positive.

Meanwhile our less favorite fascists have decided to regulate reincarnation. Gee, I wonder which Tibetan monk this absurd law is trying to reign in??? Beijing vs. HHDL, who do ya think has more power? Place yer bets. My money's on that lama guy as my kids call him.

NY Times article

Read this article because it's important.

Karl Rove, gone!

Ding dong the witch is dead! Karl Rove, outta there! Who's next?? Dubya???

You love Google? I love Google too!

Hats off to this fellow for doing a Google cheat sheet. The world can't have enough of Google, ehhh?

The Buddha Machine

Looks like the New York Times thinks they're hip. Or at least they got around to discovering the Buddha Machine.

Welcome to the club.

Georgetown, oh Georgetown

It's a STENCIL!!!