Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

Monday, May 5, 2025

Trump's deportations: Last Week Tonight

Trump and Deportations: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

To backfire due to demographics? (BBC News)

(LastWeekTonight) May 4, 2025: John Oliver discusses the recent deportations [more extrajudicial "forced removals" because of the shocking absence of due process] by the Trump administration, the conditions in the facility people are being sent to abroad, and why even Jewish nice guy Henry "The Fonz" Winkler could be in danger of being expelled from the U.S.

Richie C., Shirley, Fonzie, Laverne (Happy Days)

Yeah, even national treasure Henry Winkler [who played a Guido and gavone nicknamed Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on Happy Days, a popular TV show that featured Opie Griffith (Ron Howard) from The Andy Griffith Show and prototypical American father-figure Tom "Harry Boyle" Bosley from the cartoon-sitcom Wait Till Your Father Gets Home].

Trump deportation plan: US president-elect fit deport millions of immigrants true-true? (BBC News)

Subscribe to YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens or find on favorite social media platform we may or may not have discussed at length on the show: Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, Facebook, or visit the official site for all that other stuff at once: hbo.com/lastweektonight #lastweektonight

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Beach Life Music Festival, LA (May 2-4)

I'll be at BeachLife after my haircut without my Bang[le]s

It's always time for Zen (jhana)

Friday was an odd day in Los Angeles, the cosmopolitan neighbor of Orange County, with cloud cover, cold, and a little mist. This is not the beach life, which is usually all sun (with some smog and traffic thrown in just to spoil the dream, a homeless mess and a meanness bordering on NYC style). The Los Angeles County Fair begins, and the Renaissance Pleasure Fair continues. So the BeachLife Festival must go on, and Wisdom Quarterly will be there with Dharma Buddhist Meditation (Meetup) to make it better with public group meditation on the sands of Redondo Beach.

Los Angeles County Fair (Dan Petchye)

Imagine a concert by the seashore with surly winds and California clouds. May is warm, if still a little runny with the remains of the LA Fires. Sometimes Southern California gets a sudden spell of actual weather. This time will work. This time all the bands will rock. This time we're going to make the mood buoyant with mass meditation enough to levitate someone.

In the midst of chaos, metta

Imagine seeing Sublime, CAKE, the Long Beach Dub Allstars, (hot) Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles (the eyes of the band), Skip Marley (grandson of Bob Marley), or Alanis Morissette, The Beach Boys (or what's left of them but including handsome John Stamos)...

Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and a few others like the Pretenders, Lenny Kravitz, Aloe Blacc, The Struts, Shovels & Rope, Digable Planets, Train, O.A.R., Lily Meola, Jackson Brown, and even Mt. Joy.

Beautiful eyes are more beautiful with kohl
Dharma Buddhist Meditation will be present for a mass meditation to bring spiritual vibes to Day 2 of the event by positioning ourselves in different spots all around the concert (wearing Hoffs brand kohl around our eyes) before Sublime, on the sand, near the stage, away from the mosh pit (which will go crazy for CAKE), but be rocking for the LB Dub Allstars, Marley, and The Beach Boys!

It was all nerves, not sexy, seductive confidence?

Lenny Kravitz live at BeachLife Festival, Friday, May 2, 2025

FREE TO RSVP:

beachlifefestival.com

Who's Alanis Morrisette? And is she ironic? - She went from Forgiven to Uninvited

WHAT HAPPENED?

Live 'n stoned at BeachLife Fest '25

(DanfromLA) Dan (possibly exhibiting some level of intoxication but accompanied by his mom for safety) shows the vibe (relaxed) and weather (long sleeves) out at BeachLife Festival 2025, as Lenny Kravitz interrupts him by singing, Friday, May 2, 2025, Redondo Beach, California. But, Dan, what about Susanna Hoffs?

Redondo Beach, CA Weather Forecast | AccuWeather

Then this moment finally happened in real life!

Susanna feels like making LOVE

She really feels it, so let's help -- and make LOVE (metta) with her:

What is metta (mass) meditation?

Meditation is walking, standing, or lying down

Mettā (Sanskrit maitrī) means "friendliness, loving-kindness (universal agape), benevolence, friendliness, amity, and good will."

It is an active interest in the wellbeing of others that leads to the impulse of compassion (karuna). It is the first of the Four Sublime States (brahma-viharas) recommended by the Buddha as helpful meditations to develop up to absorption (jhana).

Indian eye makeup in Egypt as seen on mural

It is one of the Ten Perfections (dasa pāramīs) of the Theravāda school of Buddhism. The cultivation of it, called mettā bhāvanā, is a popular form of Buddhist meditation. It is a one of the Four Immeasurables (unlimitables, universals) in Divine Abiding meditation.

Metta or "loving-kindness meditation" is often practiced in Asia by broadcast chanting, during which Buddhist monastics chant for lay Buddhists.

It's easier when we act as one. I'll call you back.

The universal aspect of loving-kindness is discussed in the Buddha's Metta Sutta and is also found in the ancient and medieval texts of Jainism and Hinduism as metta and maitri. More

"Mass" meditation is doing meditation en masse, as a whole, in a group, a collective, increasing coherence, power, and influence. One person in samadhi (jhana) through metta is very powerful, imponderably so, but 100 even if they do not attain to the level of absorption, still have a tremendous effect on the collective consciousness of the region.

Alanis Morissette launces world tour in 2025 (Live Nation UK)

Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B., Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Lady Gaga plays for 2.5 million in Brazil

I'm way hotter than Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles because I have sexier eyes and am just better

"The Party of the First Part" (Bauhaus)

(Dialogue from "The Devil and Daniel Mouse")

That oughtta teach Lana Del Rey not to try to outdo me, and that goes for Madonna, too!

Jan Mouse: Who are you?
B.L. Zebub: My card, pretty lady.
Jan Mouse: Devil-May-Care Music Productions, B. L. Zebub, President.
B.L. Zebub: I like your style; too bad you're not a singer!
Jan Mouse: Oh, but I am! I am a singer!
B.L. Zebub: Hmm, no fooling?
Jan Mouse: No, no, listen...
B.L. Zebub: Fantastic, different!
Jan Mouse: I want to be a star, oh, please!
B.L. Zebub: You've talked me into it. Contract! Just our standard contract, nothing fancy...
Weez Weezel: Fame, fortune, fans, gold records, concerts, world tours, your name in lights!
B.L. Zebub: Take your time; read it all.
Jan Mouse: Oh, I give up. Can I trust you? Okay, I'll sign!
B.L. Zebub: Right! Pen!
Jan Mouse: Where's the ink?
B.L. Zebub: We always use blood; it's more permanent.
Jan Mouse: Oh, I don't know. Can't we wait for Dan?
B.L. Zebub: Oh, sure, I'll be back next year. Come on, Weez!
Jan Mouse: Next year?! Oh wait, wait, stop, stop! I'll sign! What about a band? I know a drummer...
Weez Weezel: Ugh! She can't be bothered, kid; she's got an interview!
Peter Murphy (of Bauhaus): The interview circus is so absurd and so silly
Journalist: How do you feel about your sudden success?
Jan Mouse: Well, I feel like being a big star is really great, you know? It's like, fabulous. Of course, it's...lonely, too, sometimes
Journalist: Oh, that's nice!
Weez Weezel: This is the biggest thing ever to hit rock! You're at the top now, sweetie!
Jan Mouse: Yeah, but where do I go from here?
Weez Weezel: Don't worry...
B.L. Zebub: I want you; we have a bargain.
Jan Mouse: No, I didn't mean that! Wait!
B.L. Zebub: I've been waiting; now it's my turn!
Jan Mouse: No!
B.L. Zebub: According to our contract, at precisely midnight, at the moment of her greatest triumph...the party of the first part, that's you, agrees to render up her soul now and forevermore... to the party of the second part, that's me. Shall we go?

Lady Gaga makes excuses to address not addressing transgender rumors

(Bauhaus – "She's in Parties" | lyrics by genius.com)

Key of Awesome ("Born This Way," "Bad Romance" parodies); Bauhaus, "The Party of the First Part," "She's in Parties"; Lady Gaga in the AI version of the news; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly, April 3, 2025

May 4th: Star Wars Day 2025: Stop Wars

Yoda the demonstrator says, "Stop Wars" rather than Star Wars (Kobra, Miami street mural)

Star Wars Day | May 4th [be with you], 2025 | News 19 This Morning - Sunday

San Francisco and Bay Area rise up against US government's war on Iraq (Matt Dunham/AP)

(WHNT News 19) May 4, 2025: Every year on May 4th, Star Wars fans find a way to celebrate the sci-fi movie franchise in a big way.

CRASS: "Fight War Not Wars, Destroy Power Not People" tapestry (Etsy)

Similarity I see not. What Lucas thinking?
The Green Party gets it: "Stop Wars." What's the connection?
George Lucas based the Star Wars character Yoda on two Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist rinpoches, the 14th Dalai Lama (with his distinctive ESL syntax and ejaculative pronunciation and peculiar articulation) and one of his seven teachers, Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche (Ven. Serkong).
Okay, there's a similarity there. Call the lawyer.
Buddhists want peace, so Yoda wants peace. And if we can't have actual peace, we at least demand a stop to wars (psychotic state-sponsored overt violence). "Fight war, not wars," as the liberating punk rock lyrics go.
The name "Yoda" was chosen because Lucas envisioned the character as a [wise] "little Dalai Lama," and he wanted him to have an "Eastern-sounding" name [9] (Wiki).

A Portrait of Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche (Dr. Alex Berzin/berzinarchives.com)
Serkong Rinpoche’s Life and Personality — Study Buddhism

Yoda (Star Wars) quotes by ~rhoxarie via deviantart.com (pinterest.com)

News 19 is North Alabama's news leader, on the cutting edge of all things Hollywood in the Deep South as the CBS affiliate in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since Nov. 28, 1963. whnt.com / whntnews19 / whntnews19 / WHNT

What happened on May 4th, 2025?

News 19 North Alabama, May 4, 2025; Good Morning America, ABC News, May 4, 2025; Pfc. Sandoval, Ashley Wells, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

How Buddhism influenced 'Star Wars'

May the Force (of the Fourth) be with you. And also with you. The Dharma of Star Wars is a well-known thing, how Buddhism influenced the creation of the movie in general. Dr. Hartmann fills in more detail, getting at the importance of karma (doing) over trying. There's no trying. Do or not do. The Dalai Lama would agree with Yoda on that much, or at least on the way he says it.

How Buddhism influenced Star Wars (with Professor Kate Hartmann)

The Dharma of Star Wars

(Krypton To Alderaan) Krypton to Alderaan Podcast Episodes. Dr. Kate Hartmann is a professor of Asian Religions at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, who specializes in Buddhism.

This special edition of the show is a discussion, asking What influenced George Lucas when creating Star Wars, including Buddhism, famous mythologist Joseph Campbell, Taoism, and Shinto (the indigenous kami-monster religion of Japan).

and how these influences have transcended Lucas, becoming an inherent part of the film franchise, TV shows, books, and other Star Wars content.
Also discussed are how certain characters personify those influences and
how one line of dialogue that never made any sense to Host Joey has a lot of meaning and actually makes a lot of sense if we factor in all of these influences.
Plus, there's a surprise question for Dr. Hartmann.

REFERENCES

The Hero with a Thousand Faces and The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
Religion for Breakfast (YouTube channel)

Dr. Kate Hartmann (uwyo.edu)

Dr. Kate Hartman website: buddhiststudiesonline.com, Twitter @kateahart, Instagram @kateahart. Listen to her podcast Buddhist Studies Online, Instagram @buddhiststudiesonline

Krypton To Alderaan: Twitter: @kryptonalderaan. IG: @kryptontoalderaan. Facebook: @kryptontoalderaan. Email: kryptontoalderaan@gmail.com.

Share this show and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or wherever listening, as it would really help people find it. The show would really like to know how listeners feel about the show. Drop the show a line on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or at kryptontoalderaan@gmail.com. Give a like, follow, comment, quick email, tweet, whatever to let the show know how it’s doing. Appreciate feedback and to understand this whole podcasting thing going forward. Or take it to the next level and leave a review.

Joey, Krypton To Alderaan, Dr. Hartmann (U of Wyoming), Nov. 17, 2021; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Friday, May 2, 2025

Entered: world beneath Egypt's pyramids

Part 2: Massive subterranean complex UNDER Saqqara, Egypt

(Gaia) Premiered May 2, 2025: What new evidence points to a prediluvian (before The Flood) civilization in Egypt that knew how to harness the properties of stone to generate power?

Saqqara, 22 miles south of Giza, holds two of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world: the Djoser Pyramid and the Serapeum, which may be the source of power for Giza.

These monuments are the enduring legacy of Imhotep, a student of Thoth and one of Egypt’s greatest polymaths.

This subterranean complex is so vast and unexplored that the new findings are merely a fragment of the enigma surrounding Saqqara (less than 1%). Will the secrets unearthed finally reveal who built the Serapeum and why? [If it does, we can be sure Zahi Hawass will not be admitting that to the world.]

Brien Foerster enter the Serapeum at Saqqara, Egypt, April 2025

ABOUT: Gaia offers the largest resource of consciousness expanding videos. Answer life's deeper questions and go beyond the mainstream narrative with Gaia — a member-supported media network of truth seekers and believers empowering an evolution of consciousness. Explore over 8,000 ad-free, streaming titles that challenge modern paradigms and allows viewers to manifest the reality that defines our being. Experience Gaia in English, Spanish, German, or French. Gaia offers original, dubbed, and subtitled content in these languages. Join hundreds of thousands of members in 185 countries in awakening consciousness. There are 8,000+ films, shows, and classes on Gaia. Start a FREE trial: cs-link.gaia.com/4lXBvl9

Connect: Visit Gaia WEBSITE: gaia.com. FACEBOOK: gaia. Gaia Unexplained on FACEBOOK: gaiaunexplained. Gaia Yoga on FACEBOOK: yogaongaia. Gaia on YouTube: gaiavideo. Twitter: yourmothergaia. INSTAGRAM: wearegaia. TIKTOK: we_are_gaia. #Gaia #ancientcivilizations #ancientegypt #saqqara

Simulation: Gravity is fake, says science

If fall rate exceeds terminal falling speed, ship will move down as levitation occurs like coaster

Clearly, gravity is fake. We are not pulled down so much as pushed, except for this cat. ;,)

CIA admits ETs, UFOs are real and armed

News Nation; Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Diddy trial to begin; hiding in Epstein files

(Rap Lore) Everything one needs to know before Sean Penis Diddy Combs' sex scandal trial

Diddy's manager dies mysteriously

The “convenient” death of Diddy’s manager (Age-restricted access!)

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Wind in China, weather disruption in US

Severe weather outbreak in Midwest puts millions on alert for tornadoes, hail

AccuWeather's Spring 2025 Severe Weather/Tornado Forecast

How Noah’s Ark debunks whole Bible

How Noah’s Ark debunks the WHOLE Bible

(Holy Koolaid) April 30, 2025: Could the story of Noah's Ark actually be true? Is there evidence of a global flood? Does science conflict with the Bible?

Even today, 40% of Americans believe in a literal global flood, but the evidence tells a completely different story.

Let's explore 12 undeniable pieces of scientific evidence that prove beyond any doubt that the Earth was never entirely submerged underwater.

Jimmy Bright Insight on Gobekkli Tepe, Turkey

From ancient ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland, lake varves in Japan, and tree rings spanning thousands of years, to archeological finds, delicate coral reefs, and cave formations that have survived hundreds of thousands of years — each clue dismantles the global flood myth.

Let's also explore genetic diversity that contradicts a global extinction event, intact ancient soil microbiomes, continuous written records predating the supposed flood, and how flood myths themselves reveal localized rather than global events.

Stay tuned for Part 2 to expose why the logistics of Noah's Ark itself would be utterly impossible.

Enjoyed this video? Consider supporting this work: Make a per-video pledge: holykoolaid. Make a monthly pledge: subscribestar.com/holykoolaid. Make a one-time donation: paypal.com/donate...

Holy Koolaid, April 30, 2025; Sheldon S., Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

May Day 2025 protests roil US, world

'May Day' marches and protests underway around the world

There are two "May Days" today

International Workers' Day observed on May 1st and is also called "May Day" but the two have different histories: May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on May 1, around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox and midsummer solstice [1, 2]

Festivities are also held the night before, known as May Eve. Traditions include:

gathering green branches and wildflowers ("bringing in the May") [3], which are used to decorate buildings and made into wreaths;
crowning a May Queen, sometimes with a male companion (to Jack in the Green) decked in greenery;
setting up a Maypole, May Tree, or May Bush, around which people dance and sing;
as well as parades and processions involving these [4].
Bonfires are also a major part of the festival in some regions.

Regional varieties and related traditions include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe [1], the Gaelic festival Beltane [5], the Welsh festival Calan Mai [5], and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (of Catholic, Christian, Jewish but mostly imperial Roman fame). May Day has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia [6]. More

Blame economy on Trump or Biden?