Come join us in celebrating the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment, and final nirvana. Chanting, food, tea, and blessings, everyone is welcome.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, we celebrate Vesak, a day to commemorate the Buddha's birth, mahabodhi, and parinirvana.
Hopefully we will become more aware of the fact that we are intrinsically the same as all buddhas and thus will be inspired to use the Buddha’s teachings, his Dharma (Doctrine), to help ourselves and others.
(NBC Bay Area) What used to be an unofficial cannabis celebration on April 20th (four-twenty in American cannabis culture) in San Francisco has grown into a huge, city-sanctioned free event, and just about anyone one walks up to is happy to expound on what he or she loves about it.
Entheogenic use of cannabis to 'bring out the divine': Marijuana [or Chinese Ma Huang, pronounced as if it were the Spanish name Marijuana/MaryJane, from Mexico] has served as an entheogen—a chemical substance used in religious or spiritual contexts [1] to bring to the surface inner divinity—in the Indian subcontinent since the Vedic period, dating back to approximately 1500 BCE, but perhaps as far back as 2500 BCE in ancient China. It was introduced to the New World by the Spaniards in 1530-1545... More
KROQ's Klein.Ally.Show, the Number 1 morning radio show in Los Angeles, takes pot-infused gummies in a cautionary tale to tokers
NBC News, Bay Area, April 25, 2023; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
This world has lost Erich von Däniken, influential author of Chariots of the Gods?. Swiss author Erich Anton Paul von Däniken (April 14, 1935–January 10, 2026) was the author of several scientific (critics deem "pseudoscientific") books that claimed extraterrestrial (ET) influences on early human culture, including the bestselling Chariots of the Gods?, which was published in 1968. Däniken was one of the main figures responsible for popularizing the ancient astronauts or "paleo-contact" hypothesis. More
(Stash - Free Documentaries) This documentary is about controversial Ohio American punk "Zen Master"Brad Warner (former Zero Defex 0DFX bass player), who has sought to strip the sheen off many taboo topics in Zen Buddhism and exhibit a healthy dose of reality to his readers. For more info on this film: imdb.com/title/tt3057770. Stars: Brad Warner, Randy Blythe, Nina Hartley, Pirooz Kalayeh. Directed by Pirooz Kalayeh.
Punk in the Park, North America’s premier outdoor punk rock and craft festival, returns to Southern California this Saturday, Oct. 4th and Sunday, Oct. 5th for two epic days of punk rock at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
Punk in the Park Los Angeles takes over Berth 46 at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro with 40+ bands on 3 stages, along with a Craft Festival, Punk Rock Swap Meet, and Vinyl Village.
Punk in the Park Los Angeles features headlining performances from Bad Religion and Pennywise (Saturday), Descendents and The Interrupters (Sunday), along with:
Location: Berth 46, 3011 Miner St., San Pedro, CA 90731
TICKETS
WEEKEND PASSES (2 DAYS)
General Admission tickets start at: $149.99 + fees
VIP tickets start at: $279.99 + fees
San Pedro, Los Angeles, California
Oct. 4th and 5th, 2025 | Berth 46
All tickets provide access to music performances and the option for craft tasting as a $15 add-on purchase for 21+. VIP tickets include access to all GA areas plus
commemorative VIP laminate, dedicated festival VIP entrance lanes, dedicated VIP main stage viewing area, access to VIP lounge with seating, dedicated food, and VIP bars.
True stories are oftentimes more outrageous than anything we see in fictional films. Non-niction has the largest variety of tales, from small and personal to global and impactful. Enjoy these true-life tales that will educate, inspire, and entertain, all for free on Stash - Free Documentaries. Original programming available solely on Stash - Free Documentaries. Watch hundreds of documentaries for free. Enjoy unlimited streaming with no credit cards, no subscription, and half the ads of regular TV. Stash - Free Documentaries is building the world’s largest catalog of free documentaries. All of the films on this channel are under legal license from various copyright holders and distributors through Filmhub. For copyright concerns or takedown requests, please contact Filmhub Account Manager or visit filmhub.com and they will help resolve issues. Filmmakers who want to include films on this channel, visit: filmhub.com.
The offending naked part (the "savage" penis) was scratched off by moral vandals long ago.
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(KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA) How dare an artist depict the genocide of the American Indians by the planting of infected blankets for all to see! What if kids see it and start asking questions, uncomfortable questions about ethnic cleansing and the United States' ongoing genocide? Is censorship better?
(KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco) The property manager has told tenants it plans to paint over a mural at 41st Street and Piedmont Avenue depicting interaction between Ohlone Native Americans and Spanish settlers. Critics of the artwork point to nudity and alleged insensitivity in the mural.
His nudity is historically accurate, but is that any reason to be naked?! Yes, we think it's a great reason. The mural depicts the Catholic missionaries coming to enslave, rape, and ethnically cleanse the Natives from the land. No one wants to see facts like that where schoolkids might see it and start asking questions that buck the system.
There is a good life, that of a nomadic hippie -- free as the wind (no savings), enjoying free love, doing whatever one wishes whenever one wishes, feeling good, dropping chemical-assistance anytime (haunted by addiction). That may have been true in the 1960s and 1970s; it is less true now. There's a superficially similar but much better life, that of wandering ascetics like the Buddha, Mahavira, and others in the sramana movement. What is the difference? Underlying motive. Both may be spiritual seekers, but only one is likely to make any progress. Why? Vice and drugs make one possible, whereas the other relies on virtue and restraint.
The word śramaṇa is pronounced /shra-ma-na/ like the English word shaman, a wandering aiming for spiritual development through simplicity, voluntary poverty (relinquishing everything), and often penances or austerities in the misguided attempt to subdue "sin" and evil and develop virtue and self-restraint. Of the many schools and teachers at the time of the Buddha that rebelled against the devotional functions of temple priests (brahmanas), only three seem to have survived to today, Buddhism, Jainism, and wandering yogi sadhus.
Trash recipes
Assortment of dumpster diving finds (wiki)
If one is going to eat "trash," and we do not recommend it, put drugs and drug paraphernalia away, put down the phone, tell pimp or madame you will call them later, and dive into a dumpster, preferably in a group with someone holding a flashlight. Panhandling is a better option, as is eating things growing naturally from trees as well as wild edible plants from the park or other public places. There are always also charitable organizations offering food. But all those sources having failed (and people will usually give food even if they refuse to give change), pick clean greens. Avoid all meat and dairy. Give everything the sniff test. Keep any food found in cool place, which should be easy in SF because it's usually cold at night. Boil over burning dumpster fire or one of those hobo oil barrels. Do not boil a shoe or old boot as that provides no nutrition and is likely to have toxic industrial products, plastics, dyes, and dioxin. Ask a John or Jane to cook or to offer food. Stand by the exit of a restaurant and ask for leavings before customers trash them. Seek public social services. Get a side job at a restaurant that doesn't mind employees eating extras. Finally, pretend you're in lockup, jail, or prison and consider all the jailhouse delicacies crafty and creative inmates dream up. By the addition of crumbled potato chips (which are full of deadly acrylamides in the best of circumstances) seems to make anything palatable. Avoid sugar (particularly high fructose corn syrup) and glutens (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and buckwheat, all of which have very harmful plant lichens that destroy the gut lining and lead to deficiencies, according to Dr. Joel Wallach).
A better way to be a nomad: wandering asceticism
The śramaṇas [a] are people who labor, toil, or exert themselves for some higher or religious [spiritual] purpose [1, 2], a "seeker, or ascetic, one who performs acts of austerity [tapas]" [3, 4, 5, 6].
Looking down on UC Berkeley and SF
The śramaṇa tradition includes primarily Jainism [7], Buddhism [8], and others such as the Ājīvika [9, 10].
The śramaṇa religions became popular in the circles of alms-gathering mendicants from greater Magadha (the adopted home of the Buddha) that led to the development of spiritual practices [11], as well as the popular concepts in all major Indian religions such as saṃsāra (the endless cycle of rebirth and suffering) and moksha (liberation from that cycle) [12, Note 1].
SF is very liberal and full of compassion
The Śramaṇic traditions have a diverse range of beliefs, ranging from accepting or denying the concept of an eternal soul, fatalism (that all things are preordained) to free will, idealization of extreme asceticism (penance) to that of family life, renunciation, strict ahimsa (non-violence), and vegetarianism to permissibility of violence and meat-eating [13, 14]. More
Los Angeles’s collapsing streets: a city in crisis as the homeless take over block by block
(Discovery Globe - Life Documentary) Aug. 2, 2025: HOA KỲ. In this urgent street documentary, let's explore the reality behind the headlines as Los Angeles homeless communities grow larger, block by block.
Glittering Hollywood: The Home of Dreams
Once known for ambition, sunshine, and opportunity, L.A. (aka Tinsel Town) is now recognized as a city in crisis, where LA's collapsing streets reflect deeper problems beneath the surface.
What was once temporary has become "structural" (systemic, a permanent problem)—an unfolding homeless crisis USA in one of America’s most iconic cities.
Captured throughout LA at night, this footage reveals a hidden world shaped by urban decay, growing encampments, and the visible homeless takeover of sidewalks, parks, and business zones.
With each passing week, more areas fall into block by block takeover, changing how the city looks, feels, and functions.
As poverty in LA surges and public service systems strain, the reality of LA's decline becomes harder to ignore. The rise of LA's tent cities in every direction—from Skid Row to Venice Beach—signals a long-brewing social collapse of California now erupting in plain sight.
These changes aren’t isolated; they form part of the broader seedy side of America, where prosperity and suffering share the same streets.
The crime in LA increases alongside the growing instability. As emergency services struggle to respond, parts of the city are left with little protection or support. In many places, urban decay LA defines the new normal, where infrastructure breaks down and basic needs go unmet.
Through real interviews and firsthand footage, we trace how the LA homeless population adapts, survives, and expands amid the chaos.
This street documentary does not seek blame—but rather seeks understanding. From the fall of LA's collapsing streets to the expanding takeover, the footage examines how long-standing economic gaps, housing shortages, and social fragmentation have fueled the homeless crisis now overtaking the West Coast’s largest metro area.
By highlighting the interconnected issues of poverty in LA (and California's second city, San Francisco), the social collapse of California, and the USA's decline, this documentary invites reflection on what the future holds—not only for LA, but for urban centers on the edge.
The images of LA at night tell a deeper story—one of resilience, desperation, and the urgent need for systemic response.
📌 Please note: Thumbnails are crafted to capture attention and spark curiosity. They are designed creatively and may not always represent the video’s full content. We appreciate understanding and hope viewers enjoy what we’ve put together. This video is intended to provide insights for educational and informational purposes only. The content draws from a variety of sources—news articles, forums, social media posts, and public commentary—and aims to present a range of perspectives. While we make every effort to ensure reliability, this is not an official or definitive source. We encourage viewers to cross-check facts, explore multiple viewpoints, and remain thoughtful and discerning when engaging with online content.
📌 This video does not aim to attack or judge any person, group, or country. Instead, our goal is to foster meaningful reflection and learn from the complexities of real-world events. #homeless #homelesscrisis #homelessness #losangeles #california
Evening twilight over Berkeley, California (Alfred Georg Sonsalla/Getty Images)
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Beloved city has neighborhoods and Cal (UC)
What is the healthiest city in the U.S. to live in? Niche.com did its annual analysis, and a California destination came out on top.
Berkeley, California, was named the healthiest city in the USA by niche.com. The Northern California Alameda County city (just across the bay from overpriced San Francisco) enjoys an average of 256 sunny days each year and a mild Mediterranean climate, allowing residents to spend ample time outdoors.
The strangest thing about attending UC Berkeley is that no one here calls it "Berkeley." Everyone refers to it as "Cal" (or Cal Berkeley) because "Berkeley" (so often misspelled as Berkley) refers to the city, which is also sometimes called the "Republic of Berserkley" and F everywhere else because this is the best place to go to college, the greatest public university in the world since Nalanda and Timbuktu closed, rivaling the great private universities of the nation. (Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal likely exists because Berkeley exists and, strange and counterintuitive as it may seem to outsiders, half-baked L.A. is more spiritual than Berkeley or S.F. probably because it needs to be, with so many people desperately searching for meaning in the throat chakra of the planet (thanks in large part to Hollywood film, music, radio, and TV industries). That surprised us, thinking we were going to the Shangri-La of the state where everyone would be spiritual, where the Sixties would still be alive, where San Francisco was just a BART ride away to visit Golden Gate Park and join a love in, be in, or free concert, slipping over to Haight Ashbury, but it's always so cold, and Berkeley mostly empties out for the summer when the tourists come and classes are not in session. There is KPFA.org (the founding Pacifica station even older than KPFK.org in LA, where Alan Watts got his start and where he lives on, respectively). There are so many protests on campus and in Berkeley that there is a nationwide media blackout about it. One rarely hears about all that is going on there, and every week something IS going on there. It's a nearly daily occurrence the mainstream media keeps quiet, ignores, and suppresses so that the radicalism doesn't spread as quickly to other campuses across the nation. It is the most progressive of the big schools.
In this famous scene (and song) Ben, "The Graduate" (played by a young Dustin Hoffman), is driving his red convertible to Berkeley, which is funny because he's headed the wrong direction, but that never stopped Hollywood (who needed to show him with the top down, which wouldn't look as good on the lower level that runs toward Berkeley. He's from Los Angeles and going to UC Berkeley in Berkeley to see about a girl, Elaine, which is odd because she's the daughter of Mrs. Robinson, the older married woman he's been having an affair with all summer. Had it not been for a roommate at Cal, I would never have known to see such an important film all about the wonders of legendary California.
Each year, Niche.com reveals the healthiest places in the nation, based on "a comprehensive assessment of the general health levels among residents in an area." The company considers key indicators of personal health, including smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, rates of obesity, and people's access and proximity to health care facilities, including gyms, doctors, and mental health practitioners.
And this year, Niche.com named Berkeley, California, the healthiest city in the U.S.
The Alameda County city is less than half an hour from San Francisco [depending on traffic on the Bay Bridge, it would only take 15 minutes to go between the two] and boasts 256 sunny days per year [but is nearly always cooler than one would think, just like San Francisco is chilly and foggy] and a mild Mediterranean climate.
Residents don't have to travel far to enjoy time in nature and stay active. Why? — Berkeley has over 50 parks with sports facilities, trails, and playgrounds. [There's a secret swimming lake behind the campus, up the mountain on Grizzly Trail.] Additionally, places like Muir Woods National Monument, Yosemite National Park, and Pinnacles National Park offer even more options for outdoor recreation.
In fact, the city was named the No. 1 Healthiest Place to Live in America and the No. 1 Healthiest City, really driving home the point that this is indeed a healthy place.
Berkeley also snagged an A+ rating for its schools, A+ for nightlife, and an A+ for outdoor activities, which surely helps to keep its population in tip-top shape.
The only categories it falls short in are housing, where it scored a C-, crime and safety, which also nabbed it a C-, and the cost of living, where it scored a low D+. And these grades are well reflected in the local reviews. More
Maya, the Illusion of the Self: Alan Watts will transform YOU
(Simply Art - Inspire) May 2, 2025: Alan Watts unpacks the ancient concept of Maya — the illusion of the self (The Matrix) — in this 27‑minute remastered talk, set to soothing meditation music and complete with accurate subtitles. Discover how our sense of “I” is shaped by thought (thing) patterns, why letting go of the selfish ego can open us to deep peace, and practical insights for seeing through what is really an illusion.
What is maya? It literally means "illusion," "magic," or "appearance" [1, 2, 3] but has multiple meanings in Indian philosophies depending on the context. In later Vedic texts, māyā connotes a "magic show, an illusion where things appear to be present but are not what they seem" [2, 4], the principle which shows "attributeless Absolute" as having "attributes" [3].
Māyā also connotes that which "is constantly changing and thus is spiritually unreal" (in opposition to an unchanging Absolute, or Brahman), and therefore "conceals the true character of spiritual reality" [5, 6].
The Mahayana (Hindu-Buddhist) way of saying this is to state that self and all other phenomena are empty (Śūnyatā).
Alan Watts, when there was a Zen boom, provided explanations and answers for Westerners wishing to understand Eastern philosophy and The Way, be that the Buddha's eightfold path or the Tao or the marga as found in the Vedas and Hinduism.
Alan Watts (alanwatts.org), KQED; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
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