Showing posts with label Engaged Buddhists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Engaged Buddhists. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2026

May Day: Int'l Workers Day solidarity



What is May Day?

Pyramid of Capitalist System
International Workers' Day ("May Day" to most of the world outside the U.S.): International Workers' Day, also called Labor Day in some countries [1] and often referred to as "May Day" [2, 3] is a celebration of laborers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labor movement and occurs every year on May 1st [4, 5] or the first Monday in May [6, 7].

Traditionally, May 1st is the date of the European spring festival of May Day. The International Workers Congress held in Paris in 1889 established the Second International for labor, socialist, and Marxist parties.


It adopted a resolution for a "great international demonstration" in support of working-class demands for the 8-hour day.

The date was chosen by the American Federation of Labor to commemorate a general strike in the United States, which had begun on May 1, 1886, and culminated in the Haymarket affair on May 4th.

The demonstration subsequently became a yearly event [5]. The 1904 Sixth Conference of the Second International, called on "all Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace" [8]. More

Friday, December 19, 2025

JewBus: Jewish Buddhist like Rob Reiner


Rob Reiner: The Buddha's cool
Murdered father (and beloved Hollywood actor, director, comedian, and genius) Rob Reiner, son of Carl Reiner, said his childhood home was not observantly Jewish, although he did have a bar mitzvah ceremony [63]. [What Jewish kid wouldn't, given the money and friendships to be made?]

His father, Carl Reiner, had become an atheist in response to Hitler and the Jewish Holocaust [64].

Rob Reiner identified as an atheist on the Jan. 13, 2012, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher [65][66].

He later said that, while he rejected organized religion, he was sympathetic to the ideas of Buddhism [65].

In a September 2025 interview with Piers Morgan, Rob Reiner said, "I'm Jewish, but I believe in the teachings of Jesus, and I believe in 'do unto others,' and I believe in forgiveness" [all very nice Buddhist "ideas"] [67]. More

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

OMG, TRAylor engaged, Lil Nas X felon?

We pretend we (USA) don't have royalty, but we have "stars" and a king in the White Castle
Now that our stars are settling down and aging, what will they look like in a few years?

Swift's not the only Nazi Barbie. Amatue, too
The news (spectacle) gets to be so much nowadays that there's no way to consume it except maybe in TikTok morsels. But that sort of chunkification is not good for the attention spans, focus, or dopamine addiction and serotonin levels in the mind. More sugar! It's almost as if some giant PR firm working on Fleet Street is bombarding us to keep us constantly distracted and spinning. That way no one notices real news items like Zionist Israel's atrocities, Trump's long history of inc3st and child s3x crim3s, the economy, the enrichment of the military-industrial complex under a leader who was supposed to be the peace candidate pulling us out of foreign involvements.

Look at me, everybody, pick me
It's almost as if Zionists run the Deep State and therefore the country, with blackmailed Trump their witless victim. He has no power to stand up to anyone but fellow moles in the blue wing of his party, the Money Party, the duopoly that rules the swamp.

Now, it's onto the most important story on the planet, Princess Tay has accepted the hand of her football Beau, and NPR is at a fever pitch about it: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce engagement cheered by brands (NPR) They're raising their voice to above a whisper. Taylor Swift talks new album on ‘New Heights’ podcast (NPR)

There's just too much snap news:
What's the most important story grabbing our attention gay demon worshipping pop rapper Lil Montero Hill Nas X getting a visit from the contract signer to make good on his deal with the devil? Maybe he should have referred to Lil Uzi Vert for advice on the wording because he's barely had a few hit songs to already be out of his gourd on drugs walking nearly naked down the streets behind Tinsel Town?

Diddy is in even BIGGER trouble? We thought Trump was ready to pardon him and his other close, personal, child molesting associates like Ghislaine Maxwell. Hulk Hogan didn't die of a heart attack from working out too much and shooting up steroids? It was a surgical disaster during an operation that killed him, medical malpractice, fourth degree negligent murder???
"Old Town Road" (rejected country hit)

Will he make a comeback after catching charges while intoxicated and being arrested, spending a "terrifying" four days in jail and getting traumatized? It seems like only a few years ago he was living at his sister's house, being thrown out, throwing a Hail Mary pass with a song-idea combining country and rap in his breakout hit "Old Town Road." Then came the over Satanism, Illuminati behavior, overt homosexuality, and Garden of Eden themes. Did Diddy or Beyonce's hubby Mr. Carter produce this?

Hulk Hogan cover-up mystery

Why is HE here with his girlfriend/daughter? - Shhh, Taylor, he'll destroy you on Turd Social!
.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Budding Lotus in the West: Feminists


Budding Lotus in the West: Buddhism from an Immigrant's Feminist Perspective
Author Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần has 5.0 out of 5 stars with 15 ratings. "[This is a] fiery debut... [Tran's] perceptive textual criticism and willingness to call out bias are refreshing. [This book] is a valuable contribution to the literature on Buddhism." Publishers Weekly

​"A refreshingly frank, critical, yet ultimately loving analysis of Buddhism, challenging interpretations shaped by patriarchal views.

"This well-researched page-turner references early Buddhist texts to explore today's hot-button issues, such as abortion, gun rights, LGBTQIA+ identity, and gender equality. [Tran] weaves deeply personal experiences throughout with notable vulnerability and humor, making this book equally compelling as a memoir."Lion's Roar

Budding Lotus in the West (p.1)
Born into a family legacy of Buddhist spirituality in Việt Nam, Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần immigrated to the US at age 10.

Budding Lotus in the West follows her journey and unveils the complexities of Buddhist teachings woven into American fabric. With raw authenticity, Trần combines personal narratives, scholarly insights, and critical analysis to share her experiences with Buddhism and provide a fundamental understanding of key Buddhist concepts and traditions.

Examining the interplay between ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges, she invites spiritual seekers and curious minds to relate these principles to their own lived realities.

Budding Lotus in the West (p.1)
For example, what would the Buddha say about abortion, gun, and LGBT rights, prejudice, discrimination, and gender equality?

How can Buddhist practitioners more skillfully navigate romance in their sangha (spiritual community)? Whether one is a longtime Buddhist practitioner or just beginning to explore the practice, Budding Lotus in the West offers wisdom, inspiration, and a path toward an evolving, authentic, and inclusive spirituality in the modern world. More

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
Seattle 🌸 Cherry Blossom Sangha
Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần
 (kneetran.com) immigrated with her family from Vietnam to the US at age 10 through the Humanitarian Operation Program [Express].

Now residing in Seattle, she cofounded the Cherry Blossom Sangha, a mindfulness community dedicated to fostering inner serenity, mutual understanding, and universal compassion.

AmeEx
Her diverse exploration of Buddhism, from Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions to secular applications, has been enriched by Buddhist pilgrimages to India and Nepal and a residential internship at a Zen monastery.

Her book, Budding Lotus in the West, reflects these experiences, focusing on gender equality and social change. She is also a devoted patron of Tu Viện Giác Hải, a monastery in Khánh Hòa founded by her great-uncle, Venerable Thích Viên Giác.

Where's the Cherry Blossom Sangha? Map
She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Seattle University and enjoys exploring culinary delights from around the globe, always with a side of sriracha or chili pepper hot sauce. She is represented by literary agent Leticia Gomez (Savvy Literary Agency).

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Enraged Buddhism: getting angry (Q&A)

Dhr. Seven, Mr. Like, Ananda (Dharma Budd Meditation), Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly
Sign language: "F.U., I'm walkin here, I'm walkin here!" - You call yourself a "monk," sir?
Who wants a holy water blessing? I'll beat the bad karma out of ya! Leave, demons, leave them!

I nodded off in Zen, better beat me, too, Guru!
  1. Q: Like, do Buddhist monks have emotions, like, do they get angry?
  2. WQ:  What do you mean?
  3. Q: Like, do they get angry?
  4. WQ: What, like, humans?
  5. Q: Yeah, like, or like regular non-monks.
  6. WQ: People? Are you asking if monks are people?
  7. Q: No, I'm asking, do they, like, have emotions?
  8. WQ: What do you mean?
  9. Q: Like, do they get angry?
  10. WQ: But isn't anger an emotion?
  11. Q: Yeah, like, exactly, right?
  12. WQ: So you mean you're asking if monks are humans, who have emotions, and one of those emotions is anger, so do Buddhist monks, who being human and therefore not beyond emotions, one of which is anger, will they experience that emotion?
  13. Q: Exactly.
  14. WQ: No.
  15. Q: No???!!! But, like, you just said they're human with normal emotions like any other humans.
  16. WQ: Yeah, sure, they have human emotions, and anger is a human emotion, but they don't have anger.
  17. Q: Like, how, how could they not have anger?
  18. WQ: Exactly, right? I mean, they must, if they're human. They're human, right?
  19. Q: Yeah, like, aren't they?
  20. WQ: They look human but I don't think they could have anger.
  21. Q: Like, how not?
  22. WQ: Exactly. You're right. I mean, but they're monks. I always see them so well behaved, well, not always.
  23. Q: Aha, like, so you have seen them angry?
  24. WQ: What the human ones?
  25. Q: Yeah, like, aren't they all human?
  26. WQ: I thought so, but then someone asked me if they get angry, so now I'm not so sure.
  27. Q: Like, wouldn't they, if they're all human?
  28. WQ: Yeah, I'm just yanking your chain. I've seen some angry. I've seen some so self-possessed as to be unflappable and they won't show it. Almost all of them are very well behaved. It's very odd to see one who isn't disciplined enough to behave. Except in Thailand, the temporary ordination novices look just like monks. People wouldn't know that's not a monk and so might think it is. But they're usually very well behaved, too, because they're just temporary and will soon revert to household life.
  29. Q: So, like, they get angry?
  30. Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. and Thay/Thich Nhat Hanh
    WQ: I guess that depends on what we mean by "get angry" because for you and me, if we get angry, everybody's going to know it. We're going to yell, cry, sulk, act out with exasperation, sarcasm, or less than 100% loving kindness. There's Engaged Buddhism, which is good, following the social justice work of Thich Nhat Hanh and MLK Jr. during the secret U.S. War on Buddhist Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. And there's Enraged Buddhism, where some monks think it's okay to hurt people who hurt you -- rather than turning the other cheek, amping up the sympathy and special counter-emotions called The Four Supreme Abidings, which are positive emotions that counter our common base behavior of anger, callousness, envy/jealously, and favoritism.
  31. Q: Like, what could counter those?
  32. WQ: Anger is countered with loving-kindness (boundless-friendliness), callousness with compassion, envy with joy in the joy of others (mudita), and bias with equanimity or seeing everyone as the same in receiving these positive emotions and intentions from us, not more because we like them or less because we don't (which is called upekkha or "looking on at all with a sense of balance and ease, a fairness and impartiality).
  33. The miracle is not his bad choice but that he remains calm. He neither clings nor identifies, likes nor dislikes. It's only feeling, pain, body, like Bahiya of the Barkcloth. In jhana, one is safe. If enlightened, one is free of all suffering. Was Aaron Bushnell?
  34. Q: Like, can anyone really do that?
  35. WQ: Yeah, anyone can. Imagine if we had been practicing that since childhood. Do you think we'd have any good mental karma stored up?
  36. Q: Like, yeah.
  37. WQ: And we might even say nice things, pleasant things, friendly and inoffensive things, for good verbal karma?
  38. Q: Yeah, like, of course.
  39. WQ: Then might we even think good things about people and the living beings we meet for the generating of good mental karma?
  40. Q: Yeah, sure, like, if we're saying nice things and doing nice things, we're probably thinking nice things.
  41. WQ: ALL of us?
  42. Q: Well, like , anyone who practices.
  43. WQ: So you're saying the ones who practice?
  44. Q: Like...well,  yeah!
  45. WQ: But isn't it enough to be human?
  46. Q: No, humans, like have emotions, like anger, and like if they don't practice, they're going to think, say, and do harmful and offensive things sometimes.
  47. WQ: Like get angry?
  48. Q: Like, yeah.
  49. WQ: But isn't it enough to become a Buddhist monk?
  50. Q: I don't know, like, don't you have to practice?
  51. WQ: Yeah.
  52. Practice for self-control, not to control others.
    Q: So, like, I don't think it would be enough to be human or be a monk...but I think, like, it would be enough to practice.
  53. WQ: But wouldn't I still get angry?
  54. Q: Like, well, you might, but then it wouldn't get out of hand, or you could reel it in really fast if you slipped and it did.
  55. WQ: That sounds human, and doable, even for us non-monks. What was your question?
  56. Q: Like, do monks get angry?
  57. WQ: Human ones?
  58. Q: *Laughing* Yeah, human ones, like, that's the only kind, right?
  59. WQ: Right.
  60. Q: So, like, yeah, right?
  61. WQ: Naw, I don't think so. I mean they may act like it, but on the inside, after all that practice, it probably doesn't come up that much.
  62. Q: But they're still human, so like it'll probably come up a little?
  63. WQ: Well, yeah, I guess, a little, but with so much practice, they can probably reign it in really quickly or notice it arise and avert an outburst. That's probably why they can behave so well so much of the time.
  64. Q: Hey, like, I might want to be a monk.
  65. WQ: If you do, will you get angry?
  66. Q: Like, I don't know. I hope not. That's why I might want to try it, like, at least a temporary monk that you said.
  67. WQ: Yeah, good idea, then you can practice so much that even if you disrobe and return to the household life, you'll probably be a lot nicer.
  68. Q: Yeah, like, right?
  69. WQ: And if you practice so well that anger hardly comes up, your meditation will grow so great you may have a breakthrough so that it never comes up again.
  70. Q: Is that possible?
  71. WQ: Oh, yes. Fully enlightened beings, arhats, don't get angry, though they may have the habit, the residual, the custom of being annoyed, or the symptoms of aversion. But on the inside, it doesn't overtake them anymore. It can't. They can, however, act like it does. The Buddha says some things sometimes in some sutras that sure sound like he's upset or annoyed or finds some people wearisome and vexing, like his brother-in-law Devadatta or the monks of Kosambi who used to like to argue and debate rather than practicing and realizing. The Buddha would distinguish them from great examples of monks such as Ven. Kimbila, his fellow monks (Anuruddha and Nandiya), Ananda, and his ten principal disciples. Two Buddhist nuns, Ven. Khema and Ven. Uppalavanna, were always restrained and able to abide in the Four Supreme Abodes, even if they got sick or were attacked.
  72. Q: Like, attacked-attacked?
  73. There is no "punishment" for karma, just nature.
    WQ: One time this guy was praising how not-angry and wise Ven. Sariputta was, the male monastic declared foremost in wisdom, to this other guy who didn't believe him. So the other guy rolled his eyes and told his friend that the reason he didn't get angry was because his friend never saw Ven. Sariputta meet with a bad (anger-inspiring) situation. So to help his friend, he said he'd show him Ven. Sariputta's anger. The friend was surprised. Ven. Sariputta was a good monk, always practicing, a great disciple, a chief disciple, and a special assistant to the Buddha, teaching other monks and bringing them to the first stage of enlightenment before passing them on to the other chief male monastic, Ven. Maha Moggallana, who would continue to teach them and bring them to full enlightenment. (One has to think the same set up was happening with the female monastics, first taught by Ven. Khema, a great disciple, a chief disciple, the female disciple declared foremost in wisdom by the Buddha, then passed on to Ven. Uppalavanna, who brought nuns to full enlightenment just as Ven. Maha Moggallana did for monks). This is almost certainly why the Buddha had four chief monastic disciples helping him train and enlighten tens of thousands of people he met and countless devas most could not see but some could).
  74. Q: Like, what happened to that monk, like, did he get angry?
  75. He doesn't get angry? We'll see.
  76. WQ: Oh, the friend stood in the bushes by the path where Ven. Sariputta passed every morning on his way for alms. We he passed, the man stepped out behind him and punched him in the back of the head as hard as he could then was amazed when he heard Ven. Sariputta look up -- without turning around to see who hit him -- and exclaim, "I wonder what that was" as he continued on his way. The man, startled, started to burn up with remorse, in disbelief that this monk really didn't get angry or want to know who or what hit him or why, and didn't want retaliation, revenge, or even to criticize or condemn. He begged the monk's forgiveness, and Ven. Sariputta freely gave it. But the humans who saw him do it were not going to let it go. They moved in to apprehend him to drag him off to the king to request a death sentence for such a [blank] who would hit an innocent monk who wasn't hurting anyone. The man said he felt bad, and had apologized, and his apology had been accepted, and that he didn't want to be reported to the king and punished, certainly not beheaded. It was just an experiment. But the people were furious and were not going to let this matter go, they were not going to drop it, and they were forcibly going to drag him before the king that very day and see to it that the king imposed the higher punishment of death as the mob grabbed him. Ven. Sariputta had to intervene on the man's behalf to save him from the mob, allaying their anger and telling them everything was all right and that the man who hit him was fine with no need for anyone to do anything. The man was astonished. The monk he just punched as hard as he could was doing everything he could to calm the mob that would surely have him destroyed, because no doubt the king would sentence him to death over the mob's testimony.
  77. Q: Wow, like, did that really happen?
  78. WQ: It is written so I assume so. The question is, Do you think enlightened Ven. Sariputta got angry?
  79. Q: Not, like, if he didn't look back. Anybody would have immediately swerved around to look back and see what was happening just to save their lives. Do you think he did?
  80. WQ: I don't think so, even though he was human and had human emotions. Now he had superhuman positive responses to override human habits of reacting because the Buddha had taught him and the others The Parable of the Saw, a short sutra on how to respond if someone is hurting you.
  81. Q: How, like, run?
  82. WQ: That's a good idea. But, you know, if you run and get away from the immediate danger, you won't have outrun the feeling, the emotions, the anger over what happened to you, how unfair it was, how the person got away with it...
  83. Q: Yeah, like, there's that. What about that?
  84. Let's cut this one from limb to limb.
    WQ: The Parable of the Saw starts with a question. If someone hurt you, would you get upset -- angry, vengeful, want to strike back, want to force them to stop or not be able to do the same thing to someone else? It might cause you a lot of grief thinking like that, "He hurt me, he wronged me!" With thoughts like that, you're going to be upset and feel a lot of aversion for a long time. That's why it's a good remedy to bring The Parable of the Saw to mind again and again. Forgive (practice khanti, forbearance, tolerance) over and over, every time the feeling comes up. It's not nearly enough to forgive once and think that it's all gone. There's lots of residual, and new feelings of nonforgiveness are bound to arise many, many times. Unless we forgive and forgive again, our reaction to that one act will ruin is over and over again.
  85. Q: Like, what's the parable?
  86. WQ: Imagine someone comes up to you, grabs you, and starts cutting you limb from limb with a two-handled saw. If you were, toward that person doing it, to vent or give rise to thoughts of anger or revenge, you would not be following the Buddha's teaching on metta, "boundless friendliness." Even toward that person doing that at that time, you should cultivate thoughts of loving-kindness/
  87. Q: Like, will that save you?!
  88. WQ: It depends what we mean by "save."
  89. Q: C'mon, man, quit yanking me. Like, will you live doing that?
  90. WQ: You might not. I guess you were right. You should run. But if they catch you, stay friendly and kind. Cultivate sympathy, love, agape, concern, and interest in their welfare. Then, in that sense, what harm can they do you? They can't ruin you. Even though they take this body, cause this pain, commit this great injustice, you will not be disturbed if you have been following the Buddha's advice.
  91. Q: Like, but that takes practice.
  92. WQ: Practice.
  93. Q: Like, but how much practice?
  94. WQ: I don't know, but we should wait until it happens, right? When someone grabs you, holds you down, pulls out the saw, punches you in the back of the head by surprise, THAT'S when you should start practicing for the day someone might insult you.
  95. Q: Huh? Like, are you serious?
  96. WQ: No. It won't work then. What's the chance that never having practiced patience, forbearance, tolerance, boundless friendliness, and forgiveness you're going to be able to start when you're being accosted, assaulted, or threatened?
  97. Q: Like, not much.
  98. What, I get to choose between the two of you?
    WQ: Not much is right. None at all probably. So the time to practice is NOW. There's only now. There's ALWAYS only now. There is no other time. The past doesn't exist. The future doesn't exist. Look at your watch. What time is it? NOW. That's the only time it ever is. And if it ever happens those axe-, I mean saw-murderers come for you, you're ready. Now, it's not likely they will ever come. BUT, what do you think, if we practiced that way, that even for the sake of being sawed into pieces, we wouldn't allow ourselves to get angry or vent or give rise even to thoughts of revenge, what would happen if someone verbally assaulted us, insulted us, said something offensive? Could we bear it?
  99. Q: Hah, like, compared to being cut up, what are mere words?
  100. WQ: Right. Maybe the Buddha was onto something with this crazy teaching in this parable.
  101. Q: I think, like, he meant it.
  102. WQ: Yes, of course, but what's more likely to happen, that someone punches us or holds us down and saws us to pieces?
  103. Q: Like punches us.
  104. WQ: Not like punches us. Actually punches us. Even that's not likely to happen. But you know what is? Insults, verbal and mental. Someone's staring at us, giving us a hard look, the Evil Eye, smirking, puffing his chest...think you could handle that?
  105. Q: Of course, like, he didn't even do anything. He didn't even say anything. He's just thinking or using sign language or telepathy. Who cares about that?
  106. WQ: Well, you know, that's how it happens most of the time. And sometimes words get used. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words?" Thoughts? It'll be easy not to get mad IF?
  107. Q: If, like, it just stays at thoughts?
  108. WQ: No, even if it escalates to full on weaponized violence IF we practice.
  109. Q: Oh yeah, like, I forgot. If we practice.
  110. WQ:  When's that?
  111. Q: Like, later on?
  112. WQ: When?
  113. Q: Like in a little while?
  114. When I practice, anger doesn't arise to begin with.
    WQ: Oh, I was thinking now because "later on" and "in a little while" do not exist right now. They might exist or come into existence at some time. We only have control of ourselves right NOW. And if we do it now, we're likely to have control of ourselves at other times. Yeah?
  115. Q: Like, yeah. No, not like, for sure. Yeah.
  116. WQ: I like that. There's a short booklet about it called Positive Response: How to Meet Evil with Good by Acharya Buddharakkhita.
SELF-IMMOLATION: Though Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc made a decision to protest the imperial US War on Vietnam, and it was a bad choice, yet he remained calm and unperturbed during this act of ritual suicide. Why? The US is the greatest purveyor of war in the world, as MLK told us. HOW? Because he does not identify with the pain, nor cling to this body nor to any feelings, pleasant or unpleasant, nor to any idea of "self," he can endure without complaint. He seems deep in meditative absorption (jhana), guaranteeing a good rebirth outcome if he is not yet liberated, in which case he is already free of all rebirth and suffering.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Yes, scientists LIED about Covid (TJDS)


Anti-Vietnam War Thich Nhat Hanh was engaged
It ain't easy being an Engaged Buddhist. Wouldn't it be better to disengage, withdraw, and meditate? Then meditate some more. One is bound to make a breakthrough. But this is the unreal world, so most of us like it better than the real one of ultimate reality (jhana, samadhi, insight, and nirvana). Therefore, let's carry on. Jimmy, what's been going on in the world this week? (Jimmy Dore is one of the only consistently trustworthy voices in the media to find out what's really going on. The mainstream media has an agenda, and that is to deceive, distract, and destroy any semblance of reality, which is a popular thing to do. But we crave truth, we crave honesty and what's real, even if it stinks and sucks, as it does most weeks). What, they're lying about a new pandemic threat, politics, war, climate alarmism, and everything else that matters to us? Yawn. That's what they frequently do. They only want us to live in fear. But we say no to fear.
   

Friday, July 21, 2023

The Jimmy Dore Show: Engaged Buddhists

Jimmy Dore, Kurt Metzger, MikeMacRae.com (jimmydore.com); Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

What is an "Engaged" Buddhist? Is the person about to get married? No, not necessarily. It is someone engaged in the world, aware of politics and the mundane nonsense that governs most of our lives. Protesters, helpers, trust spreaders concerned with saving lives, preserving our rights and health. There is a kind of approach to Buddhism (really, to any spiritual tradition apart from hedonism and maybe Satanism) that is reclusive, withdrawing, inward-turning. That is very important. But the world is still the world, and we are in the world. So it's important to know what's really going on. And more than anyone in the media, it seems Jimmy Dore is the annoying voice speaking truth to power. JP Sears? Redacted Tonight? Russell Brand? Democracy Now!? Joe Rogan? Lots of voices contribute, but Jimmy Dore rises above the rest.



Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Gay teacher exposes school "trans agenda"


Former teacher Ray Shelton exposes trans agenda in U.S. schools
(The Rubin Report) June 25, 2023. THE SIT DOWN | RUBIN REPORT Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks to former 5th-grade teacher Ray Shelton of California’s Glendale Unified School District (Los Angeles County) about
  • How he went viral for his comments on Dr. Phil about trans ideology;
  • Why he decided to risk his career and reputation to speak out against the transgender agenda;
  • How his being gay gives him more freedom to critique the LGBTQ indoctrination occurring in schools;
  • How parents are being lied to about biological boys and girls showering in the same changing room.
Host Dave Rubin also speaks to Mr. Shelton’s lawyer, David Pivtorak, about why Shelton is suing the school and how others can support him in his legal battle, and much more.

Help schoolteacher Ray Shelton fight this important legal battle here: givesendgo.com/Ray_Shelton...
  • 0:00 Intro
  • 1:31 Ray Shelton on Dr. Phil
  • 9:12 How trans ideology infiltrated his school
  • 13:41 The ramifications of denying biology
  • 16:42 How trans ideology confuses kids
  • 23:36 What can parents do legally?
  • 25:48 Receiving support from teachers and parents
  • 29:03 LGBTQ viewpoint as a gay man
Is the state of US news driving viewers crazy? Does the coverage of political news rarely seem “fair and balanced,” like FOX News used to claim?

Serious discussions on US politics are vital to having a healthy democracy. No matter what political party anyone belongs to, we need to be able to hear a variety of political perspectives. Whether one majored in political science or just wants to have a deeper understanding of the issues, check out this playlist: • POLITICS | Rubin...

To never miss a single Rubin Report video, subscribe: @rubinreport. Looking for smart and honest conversations about current events, political news, and "the culture war"?

Want to increase critical thinking by listening to different perspectives on a variety of topics? If so, this is the right place because on The Rubin Report, Dave Rubin engages the ideas of some of society's most interesting thought leaders, authors, politicians, and comedians. The Rubin Report is the largest talk show about free speech and big ideas on YouTube. Rubin allows his guests to speak their minds and his audience to think for themselves. New videos every week. The Rubin Report is fan funded through monthly and one-time donations: rubinreport.com/support

Friday, June 30, 2023

Instructions to the Cook: Zen life lessons

Shambhala.com; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Samu: The Dynamic Expression of Zen Practice (Roshi Joan Halifax's Upaya Zen Center)
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Instructions to the Cook (shambhala.com)
Zen [Japanese, from the Pali word for "meditation" and "meditative absorption" or jhana, Chinese chan] is not just about what we do in the meditation hall, but what we do in the home, the workplace, and the community.

That’s the premise of the book Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life That Matters: how to cook what Zen Buddhists call “the supreme meal” — life.

It has to be nourishing, and it has to be shared. And we can use only the ingredients at hand.

Author Zen Master Bernie Glassman
Inspired by the 13th-century manual of the same title by Zen Master Dogen, the founder of the Japanese Soto Zen school, Instructions to the Cook describes the innovative business model American JuBu Roshi Bernie Glassman developed to revitalize a poverty-stricken section of Yonkers, New York.

Co-author Rick Fields
Using his own story as a base, Roshi Glassman and his co-author Rick Fields (How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative History of Buddhism in America) shows how social engagement can be used as a spiritual practice to promote both personal and societal transformation. More

CO-AUTHORS
  • Bernie Glassman (born 1939) is a Zen master and the first dharma successor to Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Zen Center of Los Angeles (ZCLA). He is well known for integrating Zen practice with social, economic, and educational initiatives, author of Bearing Witness: A Zen Master's Lessons in Making Peace and Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen. More
  • Rick Fields (1942–1999) is the author of several books, including Chop Wood, Carry Water and The Code of the Warrior. He has served as the editor of The Vajradhatu Sun, an international journal of Buddhism (now called Shambhala Sun), and as the editor-at-large of Tricycle: A Buddhist Review. More