Norwegian Symphonic Black Metal: DB

When does harmony corruption peak?

It's hard-listening (as opposed to easy-listening) music(k). "Keep it brutal," Cannibal Corpse and others like to say. Is Dimmu Borgir (pronounced \dee-moo bore-gur\) now the greatest band ever -- in the extreme rock category in general and symphonic black metal in particular?

Cradle of Filth, whom they used to be compared to all the time, can't hold a candle to this symphonic virtuosity. And limp Larstellica is just common stock rock (except calm Kirk, who's kool). The thrash element makes sense, the punk intensity, but it's the unimaginable precision, the technical proficiency, the innate talent to put all this together into a beautiful whole, and never mind the addition of the real orchestra. It is all too much, in the best way, monstrous elements and all. These hits are from Death Cult Armageddon.

See if anyone can name this classical tune.

So one day we went to a yoga class in Venice Beach, California, and the instructor told everyone to call him "Maestro." After class, next to my beautiful girlfriend he was staring at, I asked him why "Maestro"? It turns out he was a classical music buff pulling a Seinfeld, feeling himself much more of an orchestra conductor in life than a yoga teacher. He claimed he could recognize any classical song in just a few notes, not only the Beethoven stuff but obscure tunes, too. I always wanted to stymie him and prove him wrong with the following song, "Eradication Instincts Defined," because he would never guess it was a bunch of anti-church Norwegian hooligans playing extreme black metal with such sophistication in orchestration:

"Eradication Instincts Defined"

They really do make music like this, with a real-life orchestra.

(D'N'A Reacts) We Yanks are so -- but we mean well in big hearted Texas

D'N'A Reacts: "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse" live at Wacken, EU

LYRICS: "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse"

[Verse 1: Shagrath]

The battle raged on and on

Fueled by the venom of hatred for man

Consistently without the eyes to see

By those who revel in sewers equally

We the prosperity of the future seal

Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind

Born to capture the essence of

The trails of our kind

[Verse 2: Shagrath]

Repeat Verse 1

Metal too extreme?

Metal Evolution - Extreme Metal | FULL EPISODE

[Chorus: Vortex]

Discover and conceive the secret wealth

And pass it unto your breed

Become your own congregation

Measure the sovereignty of its invigoration

[Instrumental]

[Bridge: Shagrath]

We, who do not deny the animal of our nature

We, who yearn to preserve our liberation

We, who face darkness in our hearts with a solemn fire

We, who aspire to the truth and pursue its strength

[Verse 4: Shagrath]

Are we not the undisputed prodigy of warfare

Fearing all the mediocrity that they possess

Should we not hunt the bastards down with our might

Reinforce and claim the throne that is rightfully ours

Consider the god we could be without the grace

Once and for all

Diminish the sub-principle and leave its toxic trace

Once and for all

Man cries, has spiritual experience reviewing

Vocalist's first reaction to Dimmu Borgir | "Gateways" (live - Forces of the Northern Night)

Hell on Earth: Euro rape, trafficking, war

WARNING: Extremely sensitive material, real life trauma, sexual abuse, trafficking, slavery, abuse!

I was sold to the highest bidder for my organs | Minutes With

(LADbible TV) July 28, 2024: In this episode of Minutes With, we speak to the incredible Lurata Lyon about her experience as a survivor of kidnap, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

Lyon describes her childhood in former Yugoslavia (Europe), remembering when political tensions reached a boiling point in the early 1990s and led to war and ethnic cleansing for her family and villagers.

After fleeing her home to escape the threat of abuse, Lyon is kidnapped by a human trafficking gang who sell her to the highest bidder for her virginity in forced prostitution and eventually for her organs.

• Soldiers who gang rape Israeli style

Lyon's story is one of incredible human resilience, strength, and bravery in the face of inhumane darkness. Her story shines a light on the crime of human trafficking.

• 00:00-00:30 - Intro
• 00:30-02:19 - Life in Yugoslavia
• 02:19-03:57 - War and Ethnic Cleansing
• 03:57-09:20 - Village massacre
• 09:20-14:35 - Fleeing my home
• 14:35-16:44 - Kidnap
• 16:44-19:47 - The Boss was waiting
• 19:47-22:43 - Groomed at gunpoint
• 22:43-23:40 - Sold to the highest bidder
• 23:40-24:44 - Stopped at the border
•  24:44-28:30 - Moments from death
•  28:30-32:00 - He heard my scream
• 32:00-34:00 - The only witness
• 34:00-36:19 - Taken by prisoners of war
• 36:19-37:32 - Torture
• 37:32-40:50 - Solitary confinement
• 40:50-43:01 - Rescue
• 43:01-44:38 - I'm a survivor

Subscribe to LADbible TV: @ladbible. TikTok: lad. Facebook: ladbible. Instagram: ladbible. X: ladbible. Be in LADbible videos: ladbiblecasting. License this video: licensing@ladbiblegroup.com #LADbible

The great Czech monk: Ven. Dhammadipa

Ven. Dhammadipa, Buddhistdoor Global, March 16, 2016; Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Ven. Dhammadipa on the Buddhist Education Project in Sakarwadi, India

(BDG: Buddhistdoor Global) Born in the Czech Republic, for many years Venerable Dhammadipa traveled the world, ordaining in Chinese Mahayana then in Burmese Theravada at the world-renown Pa Auk Forest Monastery, where he trained with Pa Auk Sayadaw, attaining distinction in knowledge and vision.

• Ven. Dhammadipa (Xing-Kong) AUDIO (BAUS)
• Mahayana, Theravada? There is only ONE Buddhism
• Czech Ven. Dhammadipa | Loving Kindness in CT

Yogi: Ven. Dhammadipa (mahalaya-nepal.com)

He then continued his travels, giving teachings on serenity and insight meditation and Buddhist Studies. In this interview with Buddhistdoor Global, he discusses his landmark Buddhist Education Project in Sakarwadi, India, which is designed to educate the local Buddhist community (mostly composed of Dalits, formerly "Untouchables," who practice but know little about Buddhism) on bettering their poverty-stricken lives.

Be inspired by more Buddhist content at the Buddhistdoor website: buddhistdoor.net

Happy New Year, Full Moon (Beth Upton)

Beth Upton (bethupton.com and Community in Spain); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Happy New Year! Today is Beth Upton's first day back after a long break for rest and retreat over the past month. It has been a wonderful time for her -- a time to deepen her own practice, to reconnect with nature, and to spend some much needed time with friends and family.

She spent much of early December meditating at Bodh Gaya ("Enlightenment Grove" in Buddhist India) and the other Buddhist holy sites in India and Nepal. It was an incredible thing to be immersed in a space that is sacred to Buddhist traditions from around the world, each in their own way dedicating their lives to the Dharma.

Something about being there, in India, in the very same places where the historical Buddha lived and taught, made the Buddha's life and work seem all the more real to her and has filled her with inspiration for the year to come. And there is much to look forward to in 2023.

Having spent much of 2022 working hard on the preliminary bureaucracy for the new cave meditation community in Spain, she will be doing her best this year to actually buy the land and start transforming the space into a meditation home for all.

Also this year she looks forward to diving into some deeper aspects of calm and insight (samatha and vipassana) on her YouTube channel, taking part in some great interviews and podcasts, and perhaps even getting started on writing a book...

But above all, this year will be another year dedicated to leading meditation retreats. Having had the pleasure of practicing with many in person through 2022, she is happy to announce that she will be leading six more retreats through the first half of this year.

Indeed, her first retreat of the year starts this week, at Javorie in Slovakia. She looks forward to seeing the participants there. For more information about these retreats, take a look here.

IMG-20230103-WA0005

Full moon gathering

Today, Friday, January 6th, 2023 (8:00-10:00 pm UK), will be kicking off the new year with a full moon gathering. These gatherings are a great opportunity to come together to deepen our connections to the Dharma and to each other.

This month's gathering will be on the timely new year's topic of changing habits. Everyone is welcome! Book a place at the gathering here.

Appointments

Beth Upton will be restarting her one-on-one Zoom appointments next week. As some have noticed, as demand increases it is getting more difficult to book appointments with her. For this reason she encourages all, in the service of the community as a whole, to only book as much time as is really needed.

Also, a quick reminder that there is a two-week booking window on her calendar, meaning that one can book appointments up to two weeks in advance, and also meaning that new appointments are coming up most weekdays, so do check back regularly. Book appointments with her here.

On Tuesday January 10th, she will be holding the first group interview of the year. These weekly online sessions offer the chance not only to ask questions about one's own meditation, but also to listen and learn from the questions of others.

These group sessions are open to everyone and are also a good option if one is having difficulty booking a one-on-one Zoom appointment with her. Book a place at the group interviews up to a month in advance here.

As ever, all of her work is given on a donation basis. Please note, if making a donation via a bank transfer that her bank details have recently changed, and although the old ones do still work, it would be much more convenient to use the new ones posted on her website.

For information about all the ways in which her work can be supported, take a look here.

With much metta and gratitude!

Visiting Czech Buddhist abbey Karuna Sevena

M.S. (Karuna Sevena, Oct. 31, 2018); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Visiting a European Buddhist abbey

Summer, art nouveau (Alfons Mucha)

I walked into the monastic dwelling or ārāma called Karuṇā Sevena in the Czech Republic for the first time in my life a few months ago.

I was injured, chronically tired, sleep deprived, and overwhelmed with obligations and aspirations. I am a mom, a wife, and an entrepreneur.

I'd been involved in many projects which I enjoyed but was overwhelmed with choices and stretched thin on time.

Voluntary work projects were hitting walls. I was disappointed, burnt out, and confused. In other words, I’d say I was an average ambitious person for my age and situation trying to help others in an average developed country. A few days later I left the ārāma.

Map of the Czech Republic, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia united under Prague (wiki)

The former Czechoslovakia is now the Bohemian Czech Republic next to Germany.

.

The first thing I wanted to do was go back to the temple. For it was a place of acceptance,

• where I could be what I am,
• where there seemed to be no expectations,
• where I could give freely and receive freely,
• where I felt genuine cared for and genuinely cared for others,
• where I wasn’t afraid of any hidden agendas.
• where others happily accepted my little contributions.

Northern Czech Republic (Marek Stransky)

I would wake up as if I were in my mom’s arms, happy and safe. My children were welcome, and their noises were welcome, too. There was no need to worry.

When I walked out, I noticed how much my outlook had changed. I was suddenly OK with the chaos of the choices at my disposal. I was OK with my obligations. I was OK with my aspirations.

Historic Prague, UNESCO World Heritage Site

I wasn’t afraid of people’s agendas. I got some sleep. I took care of my injury. I rested. I became more present.

I was more lovingly kind toward my kids. I was more lovingly kind toward my husband. I was there for them. And they noticed it, too. It was subtle, yet it profoundly changed my world.

Czech Venus of Dolni (29-25K BCE)

I am grateful to Bhikkhunī Visuddhi [Buddhist nun "Purification"], who despite her illness was still available for visits. I am grateful for her listening, her advice, and her warm and welcoming presence.

I know I’m just one of many for whom her listening and advice (spiritual guidance) has this kind of influence.

I’ve witnessed others, such as a lady who left her job to help support immigrants stuck in Greece, on the verge of burn out.

Autumn (Alfons Mucha)

In just one meeting with Ven. Visuddhi, she seems to have gotten calmer, more energized, and inspired. It was as if she herself found a new direction. All she needed was Ven. Visuddhi’s presence, patience, and occasional advice.

Ven. Visuddhi lives in the abbey Karuṇā Sevena, which needs repairs so others can continue to receive the benefits of her free and patient giving of herself.

If you are interested in supporting her, follow this website. - M.S.

Ven. Dhammadipa in Los Angeles (Jan. 19-23)

Ven. Dhammadipa (UBEF.org at wisdomlife.info); Jessie, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

• 日期 Date： January 19-20, 2019, 9:00 am-4:30 pm
• (備有午餐。 lunch served)
• Jan. 21-23, 2019, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
• 主辦 Sponsor: 妙林蘭若 UBEF
• 地點 Location: 14614 Palm Ave., Hacienda Heights
• 請看詳細內容

What's so special about this enlightened meditation master?

Now 70 years old, Ven. Dhammadipa (Thomas Peter Gutman) was born in Czechoslovakia in 1949.

He studied Chinese literature and philosophy at Prague University, graduating in 1969, then studied Russian literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he received a degree in 1973.

In the late 1970s Ven. Dhammadipa began his Buddhist studies in Berlin, Germany, where he had immigrated as a refugee after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

In 1977, he received a Master's degree in Chinese literature and philosophy at the University of Paris. In 1979, he enrolled at Nalanda University in India (where he also taught French and German) to study Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy. After receiving a degree at Nalanda in 1984, he returned to serve as the associate librarian at Berlin University.

Three ordinations
In 1986, he went to Japan [took Bodhisattva vows, which is tantamount to ordination there] and studied under Zen Master Harada Serrei Roshi of the Soto school (Chinese Caodong). He was given the Dharma-name Xing-Kong ("Nature of Emptiness").

In 1987, with the encouragement of Ven. Athurugiriye Nyanavimala Mahathera, Ven. Wijayasoma Mahathera, and Ven. Dikwelle Mahinda he ordained as a Theravada Buddhist novice in Meetirigala, Sri Lanka, and was given the Dharma-name Dhammadipa ("Island or Light of Dharma"). He then received full Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced forest meditation under the guidance of his preceptor, Ven. Nanarama Mahathera.

In 1989, he received also received ordination as a Mahayana Buddhist monk [while keeping his Zen and Theravada ordinations] at Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, California, and began teaching Dharma in the USA, Germany, and Taiwan.

In 1996, he went to Burma (now Myanmar) to practice meditation with the enlightened contemporary Buddhist master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. He was recognized as the first of Pa Auk Sayadaw's Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. [This is a humble way of saying that he attained enlightenment and was therefore able to teach others the path to awakening.]

He has since been teaching serenity (samatha) and insight (vipassana) meditation -- tranquility as preparatory for direct seeing of the Dharma -- at monasteries and universities worldwide.

Ven. Dhammadipa speaks English, Czech, Pali, Sanskrit, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and fluent Chinese. He also translates ancient Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit.

His translated works in French and Czech include the Treatise on the Awakening of Faith in Mahayana (Mahayana-sraddhotpada-sastra), Entry into the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhicaryavatara), and a Collection of Han-San's Poems. His teachings in Taiwan have been compiled and printed in Chinese.

Over the years he has presented Dharma teachings and led meditation retreats around North America (BAUS.org), Europe, Taiwan, mainland China, India, and Southeast Asia. Personally he has a larger than life personality conjoined with a gentle and easygoing manner.

Teaching
His teaching follows the framework of the classic Theravada Buddhist commentarial work, The Path of Purification or Visuddhimagga: One starts with training in virtue (the precepts), which lays the foundation for training in serenity/concentration, and then one systematically develops insight/wisdom through establishing oneself in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

He teaches that knowledge of the Buddha's Middle Way should be applied, practiced, and verified through direct (firsthand) experience. One ought to make a great vow to tread the Way and realize the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. Ven. Dhammadipa is indeed a rare gem in contemporary Buddhism.

• Text originally published courtesy of Lansing Buddhist Association, Michigan, USA; originally written by Hanlin Wang, translated by George Yeh, edited by Bill Rittenberg and edited by Dhr. Seven (2019) for Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal.

Pope bombs in Czech Republic

PRAGUE – Pope Benedict XVI wrap-ped up a low-key pilgrimage to the fiercely secular Czech Republic on Monday, reaching out to non-believers and calling on an increasingly diverse Europe to embrace Christian teachings. Throughout the three-day visit, the crowds were contained, and so was the pope's rhetoric. More>>

• Ignore the bells and the smells and the lovely Raphaels, the Pope's visit to Britain is nothing to celebrate (Tanya Gold of The Guardian: Gordon Brown is "delighted," David Cameron is "delighted." I am "repelled.") Religion news

RETREAT: Ven. Dhammadipa

“Ven. Dhammadipa is a highly gifted meditation teacher who has trained in both samatha and vipassana meditation under eminent teachers of Sri Lanka and Burma. He is skilled in teaching both westerners and Asians”

-- Bhikkhu Bodhi

.

Currently giving retreats internationally: United States, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, and India. US locations include Vancouver, Toronto (2/09), Ohio, Atlanta Georgia, Lansing Michigan, West Lafayette Indiana, and San Jose (3/16)...then onto Taiwan, Malaysia, and India (12/09). Info: Gary at netherwood26@yahoo.com.

Born in Czechoslovakia and fluent in eight languages, Ven. Dhammadipa is a world-renowned meditation teacher, with a deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Exposed to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism in Czechoslovakia, he has lived and studied in various Asian countries. Over the past ten years, Ven. Dhammadipa has taught meditation at Western and Asian monasteries and universities around the world.

• In 1987, he first received ordination as a Theravada monk under Ven. Nanarama in Sri Lanka.
• In 1989, he also received ordination as a Mahayana monk at Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles.
• In 1996, he practiced meditation with the world's foremost meditation master, Ven. Pa Auk Tawya Sayadaw, in Burma and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first Western disciple qualified to teach meditation.

5 Day Anāpānā Sati Meditation Retreat
Ven. Dhammadipa will lead retreat participants in breath meditation practice (anapana sati), as taught by the Buddha. Breath meditation leads to tranquil mental states (samatha) and direct seeing of the Dharma (vipassana). Retreat participants will practice sitting and walking meditation, supported by the personal guidance of Ven. Dhammadipa through individual and group interviews. This is a golden opportunity for the serious student of the Dharma to practice alongside a seasoned master and to experience the liberating benefits of the Buddha's teachings.

Location: Toronto Mahavihara Society

4698 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1E 2P9
DATES: February 5-9, 2009
Times: 8:45 am-7:00 pm (refreshments but no lunch provided)
Please PRE-REGISTER

Contact: torontodhamma@gmail.com

Email: irenepandit@rogers.com or kpandit91@rogers.com

Telephone: 905-790-1146 or 416-208-9276

Ven. Dhammadipa Retreats

The renowned expert is scheduled to give numerous retreats beginning today in New Mexico, onward to Vancouver and Toronto, Ohio, Atlanta Georgia, Lansing Michigan, West Lafyette Indiana, and culminating in San Jose on March 16 for a 21 day retreat before setting off for Taiwan. More information: Gary at netherwood26@yahoo.com or Rev. Sudharma at baucym@aol.com.

“Ven. Dhammadipa is a highly
gifted meditation teacher who
has trained in both samatha and
vipassana meditation under eminent
teachers of Sri Lanka and
Burma. He is skilled in teaching
both westerners and Asians.”
--Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi

Born in Czechoslovakia, Ven. Dhammadipa is a world-renowned meditation teacher, with
a deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In
1987, he received traditional Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced
meditation under Ven. Sri Nanarama Mahathera.

In 1989, he received ordination as a
Mahayana monk at Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles.

In 1996, he practiced meditation with the world's foremost meditation master, Ven. Pa
Auk Sayadaw in Myanmar and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first Western disciple qualified to teach meditation.

Over the past ten years, Ven. Dhammadipa has taught meditation at Western and Asian monasteries and universities
around the world.

5 Day Anāpānā Sati Meditation Retreat

with Ven. Dhammadipa

Ven. Dhammadipa will lead retreatants in breath meditation
practice (anapana sati), as taught by the Buddha. Breath
meditation leads to tranquil mental states (samatha) and

direct seeing of the Dhamma (vipassana). Retreatants will
practice sitting and walking meditation, supported by the personal
guidance of Ven. Dhammadipa through individual and
group interviews. This will be a golden opportunity for the serious
student of Dhamma to practice alongside a seasoned
meditation master, to experience the wonderful mind-liberating
benefits of this ancient meditation practice.

Location: Toronto Mahavihara Society
4698 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1E 2P9

DATES: February 5-9, 2009

Times: 8:45am-7:00pm
Lunch not provided--please bring you own, tea provided

Please PRE-REGISTER

Main Contact: torontodhamma@gmail.com
Additional contacts: irenepandit@rogers.com or kpandit91@rogers.com
Telephone: 905-790-1146 or 416-208-9276