Shaolin Buddhist Kung Fu

Shaolin kung fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Buddhist Monastery. Of the tens of thousands of kung fu wushu styles, several hundred have some relationship to Shaolin; however, aside from a few very well known systems, such as Shaolin Five Animal, the 108 Movements of the Wooden Man Hall, Enchanted Staff, White Eyebrow, and so on, it would be almost impossible to establish a verifiable connection to the temple for any one particular art.

Internal vs. External Arts

Huang Zongxi described Chinese martial arts in terms of Shaolin (external arts) versus Wudang (internal arts) in 1669. Since then Shaolin in popular term Shaolin has been synonymous with what are considered the external Chinese martial arts, whether or not the particular style in question has any connection to the Shaolin Monastery.

Some say that there is no differentiation between the so-called internal and external systems of the Chinese martial arts, while other well known teachers have expressed differing opinions. For example, the Taijiquan teacher Wu Jianquan stated: Those who practice Shaolinquan leap about with strength and force; people not proficient at this kind of training soon lose their breath and are exhausted. Taijiquan is unlike this. Strive for quiescence of body, mind, and intention. More>>

Charitable Giving in the US (listen)

Charitable Contributions Drop, But Not Dramatically

Charitable giving reached an estimated $307.65 billion in the United States in 2008 — a 2 percent drop from the previous year (npr.org/news/graphics).

(NPR) Charitable giving declined last year, along with the economy. But it didn't go down by as much as some people had thought, according to a new report out Wednesday. [But giving to religious organizations seemed to be up.]

Charitable giving in the United States dropped 2 percent in 2008 from the year before. Even so, people gave more than $307 billion, which begs the question: Is this good news or bad news?

"I think $300 billion-plus — two years in a row — is great news," said Nancy Raybin, chair of the Giving Institute, whose Giving USA Foundation reports annually on charitable trends.

She said that after the stock market tumbled last September, people expected the worst. "People expected that as the economy tanked, charitable giving would tank along with it," Raybin said. "And that didn't happen. It may have happened to some organizations, but it didn't happen to every organization across the country." More>>

Change Thinking, Change Environment

We live on a finite planet. Sometimes our impact on it is greater than we realize. The choices we make every day — from our morning beverage to our business practices — are links in a chain of awesome connections we rarely imagine. But the bottom line is, our health is directly connected to the health of business and the health of the natural world. All three wither or grow and flourish together.

• WWF US (worldwildlife.org)
  World Wildlife Fund - The leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species. Careers - Contact - Donate - Adopt - Who We Are - Species - E-cards - Gear
• VIDEO: Zen Buddhism: Future weapons on Discovery Channel
  Mack reveals how the inner discipline of Zen transformed his life. Self-discipline
• The First Emperor of China: Personality Scale
  How Would You Rule China? Emperor of China Personality Scale Quiz
• Koppel on Discovery China: Field Dispatches
  Associate producer John Alexander was based in Chongqing, China, during production of Koppel on Discovery: The People's Republic of Capitalism. During his time there, he e-mailed friends and family with thoughts and observations about what it's like to live in and report on modern China.

Wisdom Network News

Bhutanese dancers at annual Tsechu festival, 9/28/09, costumed dancers perform masked dance-dramas celebrating events in the life of Guru Rimpoche, who introduced Buddhism in its Tantric form to Bhutan in the 8th century (Reuters/Singye Wangchuk).

Bored to death meets the New York reality index
What New Yorker hasn't turned to a bastardization of Buddhism in times of personal crisis? (NY Magazine).

Leadership isn't about leaders
...in the fact that it had never voluntarily attacked another land, a nation that had cradled great nonviolent religions -- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism.... (Forbes, Sangeeth Varghese).

Jaku — Tranquility
Jaku refers to the enlightenment of Buddhism. Now I am nervous as I believe I am not an enlightened person (surely one would know?) although I also believe... (The Epoch Times, Alex Fraser).

Philippines university works to promote religious understanding
Taking part in the university's interfaith week are representatives from Buddhism, the Baha'i faith, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, indigenous spirituality... (Ekklesia).

Festivals in India
...features fancifully costumed dancers performing masked dance-dramas celebrating events in the life of Guru Rimpoche, who introduced Buddhism in its... (Toronto Sun).

Balance is for Buddhists
‎Balance is a central tenet of Buddhism, foundational to the four noble truths and the eight-fold way. Balance is a superb notion and I... (CounterCurrents.org, Guy R McPherson).

Buddhist Quote: Pema Chodron on Tea Boys, Race Riots...
A good Buddhist quote on how annoying people can turn into bitter enemies, and how Buddhism uses the "tea boy" analogy to keep your enemies as close as you... (Beliefnet.com).

“Japan's road to harmonious decline”
... way: this is a country where thousands of cult leaders offer myriad paths to Happiness, in particular a glib mishmash of New Age and Zen Buddhism.... (BusinessWorld Online, Guy Sorman).

Changing poison into medicine
I do it by turning to my practice of Buddhism (in fact, according to the Buddhist view, chanting guarantees us we can change poison into medicine).... (Psychology Today blog, Alex Lickerman).

Dancers at Tsechu festival in Thimphu, Bhutan, 9/28/09 (Reuters/Singye Wangchuk).

Atwood at the end of the world
Buddhism and Hinduism never got away from their roots, their connection to the natural world. In Islam, the Qur'an is quite clear that animals have their... (Calgary Herald).

Offerings without an altar
Buddhism, considered a philosophy rather than a religion per se, teaches moderation, acceptance, the inevitability of change, and self-trust.... (OpEdNews, Elayne Clift‎).

53rd Dhammachakra Pravartan day celebrated in Nagpur
Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism way back on October 14, 1956 on the occasion of Dussehra and the day is celebrated by his followers all over the country and... (Press Trust of India).

• 53rd Dhammachakra Pravartan day celebrated in Nagpur
  A Thai Buddhist monk director of international Buddhists affairs, Thailand, Savai Chhotico was the chief guest while Samiti secretary Sadanand Fulzele... (Daily News & Analysis).

Dalai Lama in Vancouver: Peace and compassion...
Mpho Tutu (Desmond had to cancel on the Summit because of a ruptured disc); French Buddhist monk and author Matthieu Ricard (whom the European media have ... (Vancouver Sun).

Mind & Supermind, plus some Santa Barbara books
His books on Buddhism, Christianity, the poet Rumi, gay mystics, and the common threads shared by all religions have made the seemingly obscure much less so... (Santa Barbara Independent, Colin Marshall).

Compassion in troubled times
The situation hasn't changed with China, and it has for some time suppressed Buddhism. Can we talk of genocide? Public opinion has its way of judging... (The Gazette, Montreal).

Praying for change
...is more about dos and don'ts and is not an inherently spiritual religion and are therefore seeking out spirituality in other religions such as Buddhism.... (Guardian.co.uk).

Between state and God
Similarly, the existence of right-wing Indian Hinduism and genocidal Sinhalese [Sri Lankan] Buddhism do little to inspire love for people outside of their congregations.... (Thought Leader).

China marks 2560th birthday of Confucius
...revival of religious belief and practice in China over the past 25 years, particularly the long-established creeds of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. ... (Earthtimes, press release).

Angelina Jolie: Celebrating kids' birthdays greatest pleasures
We're very interested in all types of religions, especially Buddhism. We discussed it and agreed that at home we will celebrate and learn every other... (Thaindian.com).

Ikenaba master visits from Japan
Ikebana's origins lie in Buddhism, and this spirituality is one of the main features that distinguishes it from the western decorative craft of flower... (Hamilton Spectator‎).

Vietnam Buddhists flee amid threats: monks
HANOI — Followers of one of the world's most influential Buddhist monks said on Monday they had fled their Vietnamese monastery after threats from ... (AFP).

Students lack knowledge of Japanese literature
Some scholars in the audience asked him about the influence of Zen Buddhism on Japanese literature, aesthetics, and attitude towards nature.... (Viet Nam News).

World leaders urged to end Sri Lankan camps

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Express) - An international rights group on Wednesday urged world leaders to call on Sri Lanka to free hundreds of thousands of displaced people detained in camps since the island's civil war ended.

New York-based Human Rights watch urged leaders to raise the issue with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake when he participates in the UN General Assembly sessions this week.

"The civilians locked up in these detention camps have a right to liberty now, not when the government gets around to it," said Brad Adams, Asia director for the group. More>>

Gold tops $1,000 an ounce

Johannesburg – The gold miners gather in front of the old Crown Gold Mines and begin a peculiarly South African form of protest. They dance, hoot horns, wave knob-kerry sticks, and generally appear to be having a fabulous time. But the joyous mood hides a serious problem. These workers are striking for a 13 percent salary increase. Food prices here are skyrocketing, and gold prices are hovering at more than $1,000 an ounce. More>>

Job cuts deal a blow to Social Security
For the first time in over 20 years, the agency will pay out more in benefits than it collects from workers. Effect

• Calculate your benefits
• Formula changing Jan. 1
• Common questions

Why they don't call back
Recruiters reveal why they don't even bother to contact many job appli-cants. "They're just not that into you"

Surprising jobs that pay $25 an hour
Many people overlook these careers that pay well and don't require advanced degrees. 7 to consider

• Make your boss love you
• Real work-at-home jobs
• Six-figure careers

New poll reveals surprising opinions
A recent U.S. poll reveals the nation's feelings on everything from Wal-Mart to Twitter. Clooney tops Obama

"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" dies

(DailyMail) Lucy Vodden, the woman who inspired the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" died at 46 after battling disease. The song was featured on the ground-breaking 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. John Lennon's elder son Julian said it was inspired by a picture he drew of his classmate Lucy O'Donnell when they were at a nursery school in Weybridge, Surrey, in 1966. More>>

Bodhisattva? Mystical Powers

Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - The Virtue of Mystical Powers
Beliefnet.com (Treeleaf Zen)

We now come to the bodhisattva virtue of miraculous, mystical powers (bala). ["Mystical powers" are, in fact, called abhiñña, not bala. Bala are meditatively useful "strengths."] Mahayana sutras and lore refer to a variety of supernatural powers developed through meditation and Buddhist practice, said to be of aid to the bodhisattva -- such as the ability to:

• foretell the future
• see the past lives of beings
• read minds
• radiate light
• cause rain
• and others too

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy" [Shakespeare]. Taigen Dan Leighton writes [that the] "Buddhist attitude toward such powers has often been ambivalent, particularly in the Zen tradition, which emphasizes attention to ordinary, everyday activity."

• Zen Buddhist Meditation
• Meditation Techniques
• Guided Meditation

This outlook was epitomized in the legendary utterance by the great eighth-century Chinese adept, Layman Pang, that the ultimate supernatural power was chopping wood and carrying water. The ordinary world, just as it is, can be appreciated as an amazing, wondrous event. And experiences that seem supernatural and miraculous may only appear so to the limited portions of our mental and spiritual faculties that we conventionally employ. More>>

850 pale, underground creatures discovered

850 mostly blind, pale creatures discovered underground
LiveScience.com
Down under in Australia, down underground that is, scientists have found 850 previously unknown species living in subterranean water, caves, and micro-caverns. These insects, crustaceans, spiders, and worms are likely only about one-fifth of the number of undiscovered species the researchers think exist underground amid the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. Two species of blind fish and two of blind eels were also uncovered.

• Top 10 scariest sea creatures
• Animals think about thinking, research suggests
• Therapy fixes color blindness in monkeys

"What we've found is that you don't have to go searching in the depths of the ocean to discover new species of invertebrate animals — you just have to look in your own backyard," said researcher Andy Austin, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Adelaide in Australia. [Scientists say only a fraction of the species of plants and animals on the planet have been discovered.]

Only half of the species discovered have so far been named, the scientists announced today. Generically, the animals found in underground water are known as "stygofauna" and those from caves and micro-caverns are known as "troglofauna." More>>

• Man-sized dinosaur was a tiny T. Rex
• New worm species discovered on dead whales
• Why odd egg-laying mammals still exist

Advice for Atheists

We're getting advice from Christians now! Look and laugh at this list: Five things that would make atheists seem nicer. It's gone awry even with the title. I especially appre-ciate the word "seem," because Lord knows there's nothing that could make us actually nice, and obviously we need the suggestions of a Christian, since we're all such not-nice people. I should make a counter-list of "five things that would make Christians seem intelligent" More>>

• Is Buddhism Atheistic? (ReligionFacts)
  Discusses whether Buddhism is atheistic or includes belief in God or deities of some kind.
• Is Buddhism "Nontheistic"?
• Pope wraps up Czech trip with mass near Prague

Mob, police force nuns to leave monastery

HANOI, Vietnam — Followers of a world-famous Buddhist teacher [Thich Nhat Hanh] say police and an angry mob have forced them out of a monastery in central Vietnam, ending a religious experiment in the communist country that turned into a months-long standoff with authorities.

Followers of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnam-born [Zen] monk who has popularized Buddhism in the West, said about 150 monks were forced from the Bat Nha monastery in Lam Dong province Sunday, and about 230 nuns left on their own Monday morning.

"The Vietnamese government has won," said Sister Dang Nghiem, speaking by telephone Monday from a monastery in San Diego, California, where Thich Nhat Hanh is visiting. "Their 'victory' is that Bat Nha is completely destroyed. Everything is smashed." More>>

Burmese recall Saffron Revolution 2 yrs later

Than Lwin Htun, VOA
At the end of September two years ago, Burma's military government ordered troops to crush pro-democracy demon-strations led by monks. As the second anniversary of the demonstrations approaches, security forces in Burma's largest city, Rangoon, are on high alert to prevent a repeat of the Saffron Revolution, named after the robes worn by the monks who led the movement.

But as we learn in the following report, some of which contains video smuggled to VOA from inside Burma, the country's pro-democracy forces want to ensure that the Burmese people, and their government, remember what happened two years ago. Kaye Lin of VOA's Burmese Service narrates the story.

Security is tight in the city of Rangoon and the streets are quiet, very different from how they were two years ago, when tens of thousands of people marched in the streets calling for an end to military rule. At the forefront of the demonstrations were Bud-dhist monks, who chanted prayers, or metta, for the success of the demonstrations. "All peacefully get together and march. With metta ["loving kindness"] meditation, we will help each other. I will also be there," said a monk. More>>

• India, Pakistan at impasse in top diplomats' talks
• http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10362248-71.html
• Swami Ramdev-ji Yoga in Scotland

This Week: Wisdom Network News

Ayuthaya (Quintes/Flickr)

• Will the financial meltdown have a lasting cultural impact?
• Pope urges Europe to remember Christian heritage
• Gold climbs over $1,000 an ounce

Gov't to uphold ethnic minority policies
There are now more than 1,700 Tibetan Buddhist temples in Tibet and more than 20,000 mosques in Xinjiang, Wu said, adding people there enjoy full freedom of... (China Daily, Xie Yu).

"The biggest sin is to think the way we were always taught"
That is why Buddhism is called a practice and not a religion. You have to practice, and it's always five steps ahead, four and a half steps behind.... (Indian Express).

The Couch Surfer: "Swayze's character in Point...
Bodhi was a Buddhist whose name means "enlightenment" in Sanskrit. Buddhism, of course, seems incredibly cool to pretentious pubescent males, as does armed... (Independent).‎

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's...
Book review: Moore has the young-adult Joshua travel around the ancient world, learning of spiritual traditions such as Buddhism, and incorporating various ideas and... (Blogcritics.org blog, Whitney Gallien).‎

Where the Wild Things Are, TV spots
Also, it seems like all the awards contenders are more spread out through the last three months of the year. Not as much of a December glut. Argh!... (Awards Daily blog).

Zen Buddhist Davie Alan
Later in life he became interested in Zen Buddhism and he chose to reject existentialism and represent in his works immediate emotions (Artline).

Where the Wild Things Are, TV spots
Gotta love the second-chances of cinematic Buddhism. The Road -- Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Director: John Hillcoat... (Awards Daily blog, Ryan Adams).

‎
Novel facility to create interest among tourists
Foreigners show greater interest in meditation and Buddhism. We must make proper use of this to promote tourism in the country, he said.... (Ceylon Daily News)‎.

Angie loves to celebrate kids' birthdays
We're very interested in all types of religions, especially Buddhism. We discussed it and agreed that at home we will celebrate and learn about each... (Ireland Online).

Science and religion are not mutually exclusive
A first glance at Buddhism — and most Westerners have had at most a quick glance at this ancient religion — suggests that it has little in common with... (Vancouver Sun‎).

Pop Zen or The Branding of Buddhism: Remix
A few weeks ago, Jerry Kolber wrote an article on this blog about the Branding of Buddhism. His piece presented an intriguing argument for... (Beliefnet.com, Evelyn Cash‎).

Christianity should't be easy topic, author says
Karen Armstrong, a former Catholic nun and the author of books about Islam and Buddhism as well as Christianity, has no intention of making the idea of God... (Columbus Dispatch, Margaret Quamme).‎

• Karen Armstrong's "The Case for God"...
  Knopf, 406 pp, $27.95 Cracking open "The Case for God" is like receiving an invitation to the grown-ups' table. ... (The Plain Dealer, cleveland.com, Karen R. Long).‎
• Light shone on modern views of religion
  By Karen Armstrong Jean Jacques Rousseau summed up religion by saying "God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favour.... (Winnipeg Free Press, Bill Rambo).‎

Ripon College hopes interfaith meal, program will ...
Several Ripon College students from other traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, will explain the meaning of fasting in their... (Oshkosh Northwestern).

• Ripon College hosting interfaith meal, program
  Several Ripon College students from other traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, will also make presentations explaining the... (The Reporter).

Daily Planner: September 27
Ati Yoga, the joyful path of the Great Perfection teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.... (Enterprise-Record).

Evans: Bridging a big divide on Yom Kippur
... meditation and ecumenism while cheerily accepting and borrowing from other "wisdom traditions," from Buddhism to Sufism to Hinduism.... (Daily Camera, Clay Evans).

India needs a defense system beyond nuclear weapons
After some time, I found this technique was exactly described in Buddhism as Nirodha Smadhi (free from suffering)." "After some years, I learned the... (Australia.TO, John Hagelin, David Leffler).

Dick Grace: Vintner blends compassion, Cabernet
Not only is the former Smith Barney executive a follower of Buddhism with direct access to the Dalai Lama, but the profits of his winery - after expenses... (SF Chronicle, Jon Bonné ).

Waking up the spirit, and taste buds, too
What, indeed, is less known is that it prides itself as the sacred grounds of three major religions in the country -- Buddhism, Won-Buddhism and... (AsiaOne, Lee Joo-hee).

India needs a defense system beyond nuclear weapons
After some time, I found this technique was exactly described in Buddhism as Nirodha Smadhi (free from suffering)." "After some years, I learned the... (Voxy, John Hagelin, David Leffler).

The origins of Christianity and Islam
Although this was more than 50 years ago I still remember the experience of studying the outlines of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam as well as the works of... (Jamaica Gleaner).‎

Tibetan students savor freedom in United States
She and her family left Tibet in part because she was unable to receive an education in her language or freely practice her religion, Buddhism.... (Norwich Bulletin, Adam Bowles).

At UN, Sri Lanka's speech in near empty hall cheered by defense...
He said "our country is nourished by Buddhism." He spoke of opportunities for investors, tourism on Eastern beaches. Then the Asia Society's Executive Vice ... (Inner City Press, Matthew Russell Lee‎)

Sri Lanka life and Rupavahini
In this world of rush, speed, and noisiness late Bhikkhu Piyadassi of Vajirarama, Colombo in a booklet on "Buddhism" had written, “Music hath charms... (Sunday Times.lk).‎

Crusading for a just world
In the first row, right beside Mrs. Weeramantry, were representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam, while across the aisle sat... (Sunday Times.lk).

The crazy life of Courtney Love
Since then, she has rediscovered Buddhism, reclaimed all the friends who care about her, been compulsive with her music, and redirected her neurosis into... (Times Online).

On that "can't-factor" of the
I think that this is the most positive character that Buddhism has instilled in the overall ethos of the people of Sri Lanka. The people may vote for the... [The Island (subscription), Malinda Seneviratne).

Architect of a new era
Buddhism and ideology refined his political thought. Until his overwhelming victory in 1956, the country was represented by Western-oriented leaders whose... (Sunday Observer).

Controversy over zoo statue
It is a symbol that has meaning not just in the Hindu culture, but also Buddhism and Janism. Even in Muslim countries [which were earlier part of India] one sees depictions of Ganesh in... (Calgary CTV).

Vehicles washed away near Trilokpur Temple in Himachal
PK Abdul Azis who has been kind enough to take personal interest in the matter. lc verma: Dear Sir, I wish Buddhism to spread by leaps and bounds in the... (Northern Voices Online).‎

• AMU degree of MD (Biochemistry) & MD (Forensic Medicine...

Partitas old and recent
[37] Cage also attended, in late 1940s and early 1950s, DT Suzuki's lectures on Zen Buddhism, [38] and read the works of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy.... (Examiner.com).‎

Tibetans and Chinese in Sydney join together to protest...
In the case of Tibetan Buddhism, good examples of the unjust policies of the CCP were the destructions of 6000 monasteries, and the introduction of a law... (Tibetan Culture & News Online).

Beyond Social Exclusion
Buddhism is perhaps one of the earliest manifestations of anti-caste and anti-untouchability uprising. According to Buddhist sources, such drives were often ... (Mainstream).

Hot docs focus on Tibet, oil
And the other -- just in time for the Dalai Lama's visit to the city on Wednesday -- is Tibet and Buddhism. Today, the documentary Tibet in Song unspools at ... (Canoe.ca, Kevin Williamson‎).

Integrity Camp
This programme was introduced with the aim of passing on knowledge and understanding about moral principles within Buddhism.... (Pattaya People).

Religion calendar for Sept. 26, 2009
(237-8311) “Buddhism, Reason, and Common Sense”: Four-week seminar will run from 7:00 to 8:30 pm Wednesdays at White Lotus Dharma Center, 2740 SW 17th Circle... (Ocala).

Interfaith: Selfless or selfish? Buddhism offers a perspective
Glenn Hughes of Thousand Oaks is a Dharma teacher, ordained Anagarika Vimalakirti in Buddhism's Mahayana tradition.... (Ventura County Star).‎

Sacred Hindu ritual performed for Michael Jackson in India
Founder of Buddhism Gautama Buddha also attained nirvana (enlightenment) in this town under a banyan tree (a tree from the original sapling still stands in... (Thaindian.com).‎

Debauchery, and the art of keeping the faith
And while Buddhism is considered an alcohol- and drug-free zone, the rules are a tad loosey-goosey. Though booze is considered a poison that dulls the mind... (Vancouver Sun, Shelley Fralic).

Bhutan: Like in a sanctified land
...and spirituality, as people in western Bhutan come together to honor Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the seventh century.... (Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper).

In the Area (Sept. 26)
The workshop/retreat draws from the Vipassana tradition of Buddhism. Donations accepted. For more information call: (575) 388-4673 or email... (Silver City Sun News).

1.4 Million New Jersey Students to Learn About Sikhs
"Compare and contrast the tenets of various world religions (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Toaism), their patterns... (PunjabNewsline.com).

Sports: Athletes with doubts retrained to think...
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson says his background in Zen Buddhism has influenced his coaching. Jackson says he has tried to teach his players how to... (Vancouver Sun).

On screen, with spirit: A match made in heaven
The movie can't possibly hope to communicate the deeper principles of Buddhism through any physical means, so like any movie – or any painting – that... (Vancouver Sun).‎

Crisis of ideological constructs or war for human rights
She blamed Ambedkar about why it took him so long to convert to Buddhism. Why does Ambedkar attack Marx and glorify Buddha. In the entire book... (MyNews.in).

Invitation: "Burma VJ" free (movie)

This Week: Wisdom Network News

Ashley Wells (WQ Weekend Editor)

• UN urges Asian nations to get tougher on Burma
• Climate talks resume in Bangkok with deal in doubt

Dick Grace: Vintner blends compassion, Cabernet
Not only is the former Smith Barney executive a follower of Buddhism with direct access to the Dalai Lama, but the profits of his winery -- after expenses... (SF Chronicle, Jon Bonné, 9/26/09).

‎
Interfaith: Selfless or selfish? Buddhism offers a perspective
Glenn Hughes of Thousand Oaks is a dharma teacher, ordained Anagarika Vimalakirti in Buddhism's Mahayana tradition. Reach him at (TheBodhiman@aol.com. ... (Ventura County Star, 9/26/09)‎.

Austinite anchored by two traditions: Judaism and Buddhism
Jordana Raiskin traveled from the Jewish faith of her father to Zen Buddhism and back, not an uncommon journey. There's such a well-worn... (Austin American-Statesman, Eileen Flynn, 9/25/09).

Waking up the spirit, and taste buds, too
What, indeed, is less known is that it prides itself as the sacred grounds of three major religions in the country -- Buddhism, Won-Buddhism and... (AsiaOne, Lee Joo-hee, 9/27/09‎).

Buddhist leader calls video games "emotional therapy"
Ogyen Trinley Dorje--the only senior Buddhist leader recognized by China, Tibet, and India--was recently interviewed during a visit to... (CNET News, Dave Rosenberg, 9/21/09).‎

• Buddhist leader also gamer, hip-hop fan (Gamespy.com)
• Famous Buddhist monk touts games (G4 TV)
• Buddhist leader finds peace in war games (Game Informer)
  Destructoid - Kotaku.com

Gujarat invites Asian experts to develop Buddhist circuit
AHMEDABAD, India -- Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is seeking the assistance of Asian experts to develop Buddhism-related tourism in the...(Bernama, 9/24/09).

Guj launches fortified flour food scheme for school children (Press Trust of India).

Now, gov't to introduce soyabean flour in mid-day meal (Indian Express)

The Creation of a Mandala in a French Museum NICE—Buddhism started to flourish in France after the arrival of a number of Tibetan Buddhist masters who fled the Chinese army's...(Suzi Loo/The Epoch Times, Eleonora Bryon, 9/25/09).‎

University must take steps to promote diversity, social change (Daily Illini)

Photos by Jenny Wagler (Coast Reporter)

How open-minded are you to uncertainty?
The Dalai Lama (the leader of Tibetan Buddhism) perhaps embodies this type of openness and wisdom better than any other spiritual leader.... (Albert Lea Tribune, 9/25/09)‎.

Monk to speak on Buddhism
Kelsang Jampa, a Buddhist monk from Kadampa Meditation Center in Arlington, Texas, will speak from 10:30 am to noon Saturday at Texarkana Public Library... (Texarkana Gazette, Rhonda Morrow, 9/25/09)‎.

Udupi: Buddhism Losing Sheen in India—Dr. Tamil Selvi
Udupi, Sep 26: “Although Buddhism was founded in India and has deep roots worldwide, it's extremely distressing that the religion is steadily declining in... (Daijiworld.com, 9/25/09).‎

Exploring the nature of reality
A first glance at Buddhism -- and most Westerners have had at most a quick glance at this ancient... (Vancouver Sun, Peter McKnight, 9/26/09).‎

• Debauchery, and the art of keeping the faith (Vancouver Sun)

On that "can't-factor" of the
I think that this is the most positive character that Buddhism has instilled in the overall ethos of the people of Sri Lanka. The people may vote for the... [The Island (subscription), Malinda Seneviratne, 9/26/09)]

Movie showcases beauties of Nepal
Baratz, shying from delving into the history and theology of Buddhism, prefers to skim the surface of Buddhism as a practice, documenting the veneer of... (UW Badger Herald, Francis Bea, 9/24/09)‎.

Few options exist for vegetarians
Vegetarianism and veganism are strongly associated with three religious/ethnic groups, which are currently underrepresented on campus: Buddhism... (The Daily Evergreen, Allison Rowe, 9/24/09).‎

• Vegetarianism: All about the image (InsideVandy)
• Vegetarian diets: Good for your health (KIVI-TV)
• Go vegetarian for your health (Scoop.co.nz, press release)
• More»

Health: Mental exercise like meditation can literally change our minds
“The mindfulness program is for people who aren't sure they're interested in Buddhism, but want to learn to meditate,” Ross said.... (Vancouver Sun, Denise Ryan, 9/25/09).‎

Buddhism is Not a Religion: The God Problem
I am going to continue exploring where I left off last week with my question: is Buddhism a religion or a way to approach living?... (Beliefnet.com, Jerry Kolber, ‎9/23/09).‎

What would Sid do: I had an abortion
How would he combine Buddhism and dating? We all make mistakes on our spiritual journey; here is where they're discussed. Each week I'll take on a new... (Beliefnet.com, Lodro Rinzler, 9/25/09)‎.

Beyond Social Exclusion
Buddhism is perhaps one of the earliest manifestations of anti-caste and anti-untouchability uprising. According to Buddhist sources, such drives were often... (Mainstream, 9/26/09).‎

Annual March of Indian Buddhists reach Deekshabhoomi
Deekshabhoomi is a sacred monument of Buddhism at the place where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was converted to Buddhism along with thousands of his followers on... (Lanka Everything, 9/24/09).‎

The Buddhist in your foxhole
It's about Thomas Dyer, the Army's first Buddhist chaplain. (This isn't that surprising. When I profiled an Army chaplain back in 2005, I learned that of... (GetReligion blog, Brad A. Greenberg, 9/23/09).‎

Against the Stream Buddhist meditation and discussion...
It's great for beginners to Buddhism and meditation, but is also ample ground for some serious meditation work. The philosophies of the Against the Stream ... (Examiner.com, 9/3/09).‎

Shake your Buddha (Creative Loafing)

Museum and Gallery Listings
The paradox of militant Buddhism inspired the Metropolitan's fascinating 2006 exhibition “Warriors of the Himalayas: Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of... (New York Times, 9/24/09).‎

Crusading for a just world
In the first row, right beside Mrs. Weeramantry, were representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam, while across the aisle sat... (Sunday Times.lk, 9/26/09).