Gov't Exhibit BB-51 shows Aimee Bock beside Rolls-Royce with Empress Malcolm Watson Jr. Prosecutors say image illustrates network's lifestyle but did not accuse Bock of buying it (DOJ).
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The Squad's Ilhan Omar involved?
The alleged "mastermind" behind Minnesota’s $250 million Feeding Our Futurefraud scandal tied to the Somali community is accused of wielding extraordinary power through threats and what the government described as "fake claims of racism."
Aimee Bock, who founded the Feeding Our Future nonprofit in 2016, used her growing authority to silence dissent, discourage scrutiny from state regulators and cut off operators who refused to comply, prosecutors said.
While other defendants splurged on luxury homes, cars and overseas property, prosecutors said, Bock instead controlled the levers of approval and reimbursement that allowed the scheme to flourish.
One witness even recently described Bock as a "God" in how she enforced her authority. Court records show that more than $1 million flowed to Bock's longtime boyfriend, who appeared in trial exhibits posing inside a Rolls-Royce with Bock standing nearby, underscoring her alleged proximity to the wealth generated by the scheme.
Trial evidence painted a picture of a dramatic rise, with Bock going from running a little-known nonprofit to overseeing one of the largest federal meal sponsors in Minnesota as she gained influence, visibility and access to powerful political circles. More
Banned.Video: Alex Jones never left, and he's hot on the case of Somali elitists in USA, particularly in Minnesota, being involved in fraud and corruption with the help of beloved Ilhan Omar
"Hell money" (Chinese 冥鈔, Pinyin míngchāo) is a modernized form of joss paper printed to resemble legal tender bank notes. The notes are not an official form of recognized currency or legal tender [except among greedy ghosts] as their sole intended purpose is to be offered as burnt offerings to the deceased as a solution to resolve their assumed monetary problems in the afterlife. This ritual has been practiced by modern Chinese and across East Asia since the late 19th century, and some Wicca-based pagan traditions in recent years have adopted this practice [1]. Early 20th century examples bore resemblance to minor commercial currency of the type issued by businesses across China until the mid-1940s [2]. The identification of this type of joss paper as "hell bank notes" or "hell money" is largely a Western construct, since these items are simply regarded as yet another form of joss paper (冥幣, 陰司紙, 紙錢, or 金紙) in East Asian cultures and have no special name or status. More: Hell money
FREE: The Los Angeles Hungry Ghost Festival: Sunday, Sept. 7, 4:00 pm
This is the second annual festival. Through performance, ritual altars, and community celebration, we honor our departed ancestors and appease hungry ghosts. Building on last year’s success, this year’s festival features lion dance and Zodiac play by The East Wind Foundation for Youth, live music by Micah Huang and Annie Zhou, dance performances by The Sunset Light Dance Team, and martial arts demonstrations by Misako. Activities for youth include cultural crafts tables, face paint station, bouncy house, and a scavenger hunt. The festival is FREE and open to the public. More
The seventh month, beginning on August 23, 2025, is known as Ghost Month. During this period, it is believed that the Gates of Hell and Heaven open, allowing restless spirits to enter the human world.
However, not all of these spirits are “hungry ghosts” (petas or pretas). The term usually refers to those who passed away tragically or without proper funerary rituals, while many others are thought to simply visit their loved ones.
As the days pass, the neglected spirits are said to grow hungrier and angrier. By the 15th day, their hunger supposedly reaches its peak, which is why this day is considered the Hungry Ghost Festival.
This explains why offerings on the 15th day are so important. The Hungry Ghost Festival, then, is not the entire month but just that one crucial day.
For 2025, this falls on September 6, the 15th day of Ghost Month. Some groups, particularly Chinese Cantonese-speaking communities, choose to make offerings on the 14th instead.
This is partly because the number four sounds like “death” in Cantonese and Mandarin, making the 14th symbolically significant. Another explanation comes from old timekeeping systems where the hours from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am spanned two days, meaning some regarded the 14th as the proper day.
Transferring a gift of merit (Sanskrit pariṇāmanā, Pali pattidāna or pattānumodanā) is a standard part of Theravada Buddhist spiritual discipline.
The Buddhist practitioner's merit, resulting from wholesome deeds, is transferred to deceased relatives (the grateful dead), to deities (devas), or to ALL sentient beings.
Such a "transfer" is done ritually and mentally, and it is believed that the recipient (the ghost, the deceased person) can often receive this merit, if that recipient rejoices in the meritorious acts of the person doing the transferring.
In Buddhism, merit transfer (sending beneficial karma) is seen as a much better alternative to mourning.
Pouring overflowing water in ceremony
Scholars have discussed how the doctrine of transfer of merit can be reconciled with the individual nature of karma in Buddhism.
[How can it work? Everyone's karma is one's own. The giver generates skillful karma by giving with the intention to give, which gives the recipient the chance to share in that good karma by rejoicing (pattanumo) over such kindness, compassion, and giving (dana).] More: Transfer of merit
...“When he was reborn, [the being-bent-on-supreme-enlightenment] the Bodhisattva’s voice was clear, gentle, and harmonious like the voice of a kalaviṅka bird.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“He was like the bird of the Himalayas
That drinks flower nectar and sings.
The most exalted of bipeds [the Buddha]
Had a voice that was just as clear.
“When he was reborn, the Bodhisattva’s vision could see clearly as far away as a yojana.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“As a result of practicing pure deeds [good karma],
“When he was reborn, the Bodhisattva grew up to adulthood and was educated in the way [of governing] in the royal hall. His favor reached the common people, and his reputation for virtue was heard [about] far away.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“In the royal hall, that young man
Educated the world with the way.
He made a variety of decisions,
So he was called Vipaśyin.
His pure knowledge was vast
And deep like the ocean.
He delighted the mass of beings
And improved their wisdom.
Gandhara=Scythia=Saka Land
“At that point, the Bodhisattva wanted to go out sight-seeing, so he ordered his driver to prepare a chariot and horses to go tour a forest park. Once the chariot and horses were ready, the driver returned and said, ‘Now is a good time.’ The prince then rode in the precious chariot to the scenic park. While they were on the road, they saw an elderly man. His hair was white, his teeth had fallen out, and his wrinkled body was bent. He walked wearily with a cane and was short of breath.
“The prince asked his aide, ‘What sort of man is that?’
“He answered, ‘This is an old man.’
“The prince also asked, ‘What is “old”?’
“He answered, ‘Old age happens as the end of one’s life approaches. When there aren’t many years left, it’s called being old.’
“The prince asked, ‘Will I be likewise? Will I not escape this hardship [inherent defect in rebirth]?’
“He answered, ‘Yes, anyone born is sure to become old. It doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor.’
“The prince was disturbed and unhappy at that point. He told his driver to turn the chariot around and go back to the palace. He silently thought to himself, ‘To think I’ll also have to suffer being old!’”
Thus have I heard: One time, the Buddha was at the Flowering Grove Hut in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī [Savatthi]. He was accompanied by a large assembly of 1,250 monastics.
It was then that the monastics gathered in the Flowering Grove Hall after gathering alms. They engaged in a discussion with each other: “Venerables, the unsurpassed sage is so extraordinary! His miraculous powers are far-reaching, and his authority is tremendous. He has come to know the countless buddhas [supremely enlightened beings] of the past who have entered nirvāṇa, broken the bonds [of death], and eliminated idle speculation.”
“He also knows how many aeons [kalpas] ago those buddhas lived as well as their names, surnames, the clans to which they were reborn, the meals they had, the length of their lives, and what disappointment and happiness they experienced.”
“He also knows that those buddhas possessed such precepts, such principles, such wisdom, such liberation, and such abodes.”
“What do you think, friends? Does the Tathāgata [the Wayfarer, the Thus Come One, the Well Gone One, the Buddha] know this by discerning well the nature of things, or does he know these things because the gods (devas) come and tell him about them?”
The Bhagavān [the Blessed One, the Buddha] was in a quiet place at the time and clearly overheard the monastics having that discussion with his divine ear. He rose from his [meditation] seat, went to the Flowering Grove Hall, prepared a seat, and sat down.
He knew the answer, but the Bhagavān still asked them, “Monastics, what have you been discussing after gathering here?” The monastics then related to him what it had been.
The Bhagavān told them, “Good, good! With correct faith [saddha, confidence, conviction], you’ve left home to cultivate the path [to enlightenment and liberation], and you practice as you should. All of you have two types of conduct. The first is noble discussion of the Teaching, and the second is noble silence.
“This discussion of yours is as it should be: ‘The Tathāgata’s miraculous powers [are far-reaching,] and his authority are tremendous. He fully knows the events of countless aeons in the past. He knows it because he understands well the nature of things and because the gods come and tell him.’”
He again asked the monastics, “Would you like to hear about the circumstances of past buddhas that the Tathāgata knows with the knowledge of past lives? I’ll tell you about them.”
The monastics said: “Bhagavān, now would be a good time for it.” “We’d be glad to hear it.” “Excellent, Bhagavān!” “If there’s time for a discourse (sutra), we’ll approve of it.”
The Buddha told the monastics, “Listen closely! Listen closely, and consider it well. I’ll discern and explain.” The monastics then accepted the teaching and listened.
The Buddha told the monastics, “Ninety-one aeons ago, there was a buddha named Vipaśyin who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat [fully enlightened], who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, thirty-one aeons ago, there was a buddha named Śikhin who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat, who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, thirty-one aeons ago, there was another buddha named Viśvabhū who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat, who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, during this present fortunate aeon, there was a buddha named Krakucchanda, another who was named Kanakamuni, and another who was named Kāśyapa. [It is called a "fortunate aeon" for having four buddhas.] Now, I’ve also achieved the supreme and complete awakening during this present aeon of fortune.”
(Buddha's Wisdom) March 30, 2025:
🔍 WHAT IF WE FELL INTO OUR PHYSICAL BODIES?
What if we weren't born into a body but fell into one? An ancient Buddhist text called the Aggañña Sutta (DN 27) describes space beings of pure light who once floated about freely through space until they alighted on earth, devolved, and developed something we all struggle with today — sensual craving or desire (tanha). That first craving for sensual pleasure began our descent into increasingly dense physical form, creating humans bound by the very cravings that landed us here and kept us stuck in the quagmire of craving, karma, and karmic results. DISCOVER:
How the Buddha taught that consciousness preceded physical form, not the other way around
The striking parallels between Buddhist cosmology and modern scientific theories
Why a human birth is considered extraordinarily rare as the Buddha taught
The unexpected connection between desire and the densification of our physical bodies
How understanding our origins can transform our approach to spiritual practice today
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Were we once beings of light?
02:06 The Buddhist cosmological view
06:17 Scientific parallels with Buddhist origin stories
08:40 The mental evolution of humanity
12:41 Why human birth is so precious
16:33 The mystery element: Where do we go from here?
The Buddha's Creation Story: Myth as History and Inspiration
(Doug's Dharma) Should ancient stories be looked at as historical myths or as inspirational literature? Let's look at both options through the lens of the Aggañña Sutta, a famous, early Buddhist creation myth. 📙 New book by Dr. Doug Smith, PhD: A Handbook of Early Buddhist Wisdom, with foreword by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi. 🧡 Find this material useful? Check out Patreon and get fun benefits like exclusive videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: dougsseculardharma
Thus have I heard. The Exalted One (the Buddha) was once staying near Sāvatthī, in the East Park, inside the mansion of Migāra's Mother. Now at that time Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were passing their probationary period among the wandering ascetics, wishing to become fully ordained Buddhist monks.
Then in the evening the Exalted One, having arisen from his meditations, came down, and was walking back and forth in the open air, in the shade of the mansion. When Vāseṭṭha saw this, he told Bhāradvāja, adding:
“Let's go, friend Bhāradvāja, let's approach the Exalted One, because we might have the good fortune to hear from the Exalted One a talk on matters of Dhamma (Doctrine)."
“Even so, friend," Bhāradvāja replied. So Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja approached the Exalted One and, having saluted him, they walked behind him as he walked back and forth. Then the Exalted One said:
“Vāseṭṭha, being Brahmin (brahmana) by birth and family lineage, have gone forth from a Brahmin family and home into the left-home life of a wandering ascetic (sramana), do the other Brahmins blame and revile you?
“Venerable sir, yes, indeed, Brahmins do blame and revile us with characteristic abuse, copious, not holding back."
“Vāseṭṭha, with what words do they blame you?
“Venerable sir, Brahmins say: 'The Brahmin caste is the best.... Only Brahmins are genuine children of Brahmā, born of Brahma's mouth, offspring of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā. As for you, you have renounced the best human rank and have gone over to that low class — to shaven recluses, to the vulgar [nouveau-riche] rich, to those of dark skins, to those born of Brahma's feet. In these terms, venerable sir, do Brahmins blame and revile us with characteristic abuse, copious, not holding back....
"Vāseṭṭha, surely those Brahmins have forgotten the past (ancient lore) when they say so? On the contrary, Brahmin females, wives of Brahmins, are known to be fertile, are seen to be pregnant with child, bringing forth and nursing children. Yet, it is these very [human] womb-born Brahmins who say such things… 'Brahmins are genuine children of Brahmā, born from his mouth; his offspring, his creation, and his heirs'! By this they make a travesty of the nature of Brahmā. It is false what they say, and great is the demerit that they thereby earn." More (suttacentral.net)
CIA Agent Stan Marsh can be a bit of a control freak. Here, he puts a gun to God's head to get his way. And God laughs...then shoots Stan in the head because that's just the kind of god he is, all vengeful and full of love (American Dad, "Rapture's Delight").
THE BUDDHA: Now, there comes a time, meditators, when, sooner or later,
after the lapse of a [cosmologically] long period, this world-system [devolves and] passes away.
When this happens, beings have mostly been
reborn [due to their previous skillful karma, their wholesome deeds] in the World of Radiance (ābhassara deva loka), and there they dwell made
of mind and feeding on joy, emitting light from themselves,
traversing the air, continuing in glory (streaming radiance). They remain this way for a long period of time.
Now, there comes a time, meditators, when, sooner or later, this
world-system begins to re-evolve. When this happens the
Palace of the Supreme (Brahmā-loka) appears, but it is empty. And some [high-born] being
or other, either because its* span of years has passed or its
merit [the store of karma that allowed it to live there] is exhausted, falls from the World of Radiance and reappears [is reborn, comes to life] in the Palace of the Supreme.
[*Brahmas do not undergo sexual dimorphism and therefore are neither male nor female, as is true of all beings above the level of brahmas, but may be said to be androgynous, encompassing or capable of encompassing characteristics of either gender.]
And there also that being lives made of mind and feeding on joy, emitting light from
itself, traversing the air, continuing in streaming glory, and thus remains for a long, long period of time.
Now there arises in this being, from dwelling alone there so long, a dissatisfaction and a longing: "O, would that other
beings might come to join me in this place!”
[NOTE: Buddhism is not atheistic but ultimately nontheistic, with many polytheistic overtones. There is not just one God but many gods (brahmas and devas), none of whom are the actual ultimate creator or first cause. Because time and universes happen in cycles, evolving and devolving, there could be an alpha and omega of sorts, but it isn't real or ultimate because there are higher-born beings than that. A brahma sees to the extent of its plane of existence and not hire, where it cannot access. So it is not omniscient nor omnipotent and either is not aware of the other "Gods" or is willfully ignorant so as to not have to ponder how they came to be there.]
And, just then,
either because their span of years had passed or their merit was exhausted, other beings fall from the World of
Radiance and appear in the Palace of the Supreme as
companions, who in all respects are like it.
There are many heavenly worlds (sagga, deva-lokas) and many Gods (brahmas) and gods (devas) among the general 31 Planes of Existence. There are countless individual worlds categorized into these general planes. See Buddhist cosmology.
On this happening, meditators, the one who was first reborn there thinks to
itself:
“I am Brahmā [the Supreme], the Great Brahmā, the Supreme One,
the Mighty, the All-Seeing, the Ruler, the Lord of All [the Universe], the
Maker, the Creator, the Chief of All, appointing to each its place, the Ancient of Days, the Father of All who are and are ever to be. These other beings are of my creation. Why is
that so? A while ago I thought, 'Would that they might
come!’ And on my mental aspiration, behold the beings
came!”
A.I. almost gets it right, missing sight of what the
Buddha really was: a human who rose above Gods.
The Gods are not awakened/enlightened. He was.
Moreover, those beings themselves also think: “This must be
Brahmā, the Supreme, the Mighty, the All-Seeing, the Ruler,
the Lord of All, the Maker, the Creator, the Chief of All,
appointing to each its place, the Ancient of Days, the Father
of All who are and ever are to be. And we must have been created
by this being. Why? It is because, as we see, it was this being who was
here first, and we came after.”
On this, meditators, the one who first came into existence [on that plane] is of longer life and more glorious [brighter, streaming more radiance], and more powerful than
those who appeared afterward.
And it might well be, meditators,
that some being on falling from that state, should come
here. And having come here, he might go forth from the
household life into the left-home life. And having become a wandering ascetic he, by reason of ardor, persistent exertion, consistent application, earnestness, and careful thought [balanced effort] reaches such rapture of heart [piti born of meditative absorption called jhana] that, rapt in heart, he calls to mind his past life (his last
dwelling-place) but not the ones prior to that.
God didn't really create the world out of nothing?
He says to
himself, “That illustrious Brahmā, the Great Brahmā, the
Supreme One, the Mighty, the All-Seeing, the Ruler, the
Lord of All, the Maker, the Creator, the Chief of All,
appointing to each its place, the Ancient of Days, the Father
of All who are and ever are to be, the One by whom we were created,
that One is steadfast, immutable, eternal, of a nature that knows
no change and will remain so for ever and ever, whereas we
who were created by that being have come here as beings who are impermanent, mutable, limited in duration of life.”
This, meditators, is the first state of things on account of which,
starting out from which, some wandering ascetics and Brahmin priests, being
Eternalists as to some things and Non-Eternalists as to
others, maintain that the soul [self, atta, atman] and the world are partly
eternal and partly not.
Seth MacFarlane, American Dad; Long Discourses of the Buddha (DN 1), "The All-Embracing Net of Views," Dīgha Nikāya1, Brahmajāla Sutta, translated by Prof. Rhys Davids and edited by Dhr. Seven (Dec. 2024), from Ven. Nyanaponika(formerly Mr. Siegmund Feniger) Wheel #47: Buddhism and the God-Idea: Selected Texts, 1962 (Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka) for Wisdom Quarterly
Too Good to Go; Gary & Shannon (KFI AM); CC Liu, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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Shelfy (vitesy.com, October 2023); Crystal Quintero, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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