Showing posts with label April Fools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label April Fools. Show all posts
Monday, December 1, 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Parrots: Avoid fools, associate with wise
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| I had to get out of that situation. I'd rather fly alone than keep company with a fool. |
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| 25 funniest comics about parrots, illustrated by keeper of the birds herself (boredcomics.com) |
- In honor of World Parrot Day (Protecting Our Feathered Friends) WORLD PARROT DAY 2025 (National Today), we bring back this classic post.
Stay far away from fools, and instead associate with the wise
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to the deserving,
This is [among] life's highest blessings.
Sattigumba and Pupphaka
Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ
etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Maṅgala Sutra
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| That's a good bird! - Thank you, sir. |
The Commentary to this verse explains: Fools commit unskillful karma (demeritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind).
The wise create skillful karma (meritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind). The wise develop virtue (sila, morality, ethical conduct).
Lay Buddhists keep Five Precepts, Eight Precepts on fasting (lunar observance) days, and Ten Precepts on retreat or during intensive practice). Monastics vow to adhere to 227 Precepts, including eight more for females who follow the garudhammas.
When a wise person hears about or recollects the Five Precepts, or a wise monastic hears about or calls to mind the 227 Precepts, that person becomes happy.
When one hears of the unskillful karma created by breaking precepts, one becomes happy because of not having broken those precepts and knowing that bad karmic results (resultants and fruits or vipaka and phala) will be avoided.
When one hears of skillful karma due to virtue, one becomes happy, knowing that welcome results will come. This is true for "wise" people, according to the Bālapaṇḍita Sutra (MN 129).
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| I'm not a fool. I'm drunk -- and loving it. 🤢🤮 |
Suppose a fool is sitting in a council hall, street, or crossroads, where people are discussing what is proper and suitable. And suppose that fool is someone who kills living creatures, steals, engages in sexual misconduct, lies (deceives), and uses intoxicants that occasion negligence. That fool thinks:
"‘These people are discussing what is proper and fitting; those things are found in me, and I am seen in them!’
"This is the first kind of suffering and sadness a fool experiences in the present life.
"Those who fail to uphold the Five Precepts [which are useful for all humans of whatever religion or philosophy] for lay practitioners or 227 for monastics become fearful when they hear these precepts and the negative results from breaking them. They are called fools."
Actually, the ones who become afraid have some hints of wisdom, for they know they should change [so as to avoid future suffering].
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| I'm starting to think you might be a bad influence on me. - Shut the front door, Birdbrain. |
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It is the ones without fear who do not become afraid at all when hearing these things who are absolute fools. They are the most dangerous because they hold wrong views and act on them. They are dangerous because they believe the unskillful actions they do are actually skillful, and they spread these wrong views with others.
The Commentary to the Maṅgala Sutra, "The Discourse on Blessings," says that this is like a house on fire, burning: It easily spreads to neighboring houses.
Spiritual development starts with being morally wise. After morality is developed, one is capable of developing stillness of mind (samatha, samadhi).
Those who have developed stillness (samadhi, unification, concentration, coherence) have completed the second part of “being wise.”
The third part is to develop insight knowledge or vipassana. One must have the ability to focus, be calm, and remain still to develop insight knowledge. And one must have virtue (morality) to develop focus (non-distractedness).
That is why it is said that virtue, stillness, and wisdom (sīla, samādhi, and paññā), in this order and not in any other order, is the path to enlightenment.
The highest level of insight is the glimpsing or realization of nirvana (Pali nibbāna). And the highest level of attaining nirvana (while still alive) is full enlightenment or arahant knowledge.
- While a person yet lives, this is called enlightenment with remainder because one is still experiencing the results of previous karma, while no longer accruing any new karma. All intentional actions at this point are called kriyas or "simple (functional) actions." They do not bear fruit. When one enters final nirvana or parinibbana, this is enlightenment without remainder.
An arhat (arahant) is someone in whom passion (greed and clinging), aversion (hatred and fear), and delusion (ignorance and wrong views) are completely destroyed without remainder. These are the noble ones who have laid down the burden, who have made an end of suffering and rebirth here and now.
Where do I ordain?
Wanting to practice a direct path to enlightenment free of all worldly distractions, many people ask where to ordain. To find a proper abbey, look for spiritually wise monastics. While this is difficult to discern by merely looking, morally wise monastics are easier to detect.
One cannot be spiritually wise without being morally wise. Therefore, start at a place where both the monastic rules (vinaya) and meditation are regarded as important.
Rotten apple
[In the West, one bad apple rots the entire barrel.] In addition to a burning house spreading fire to another, the Maṅgala Sutra Commentary speaks of rotten fish spreading rot to nearby objects.
One who ties up putrid fish
with blades of kusa grass
makes the kusa grass smell foul:
so it is in the following fools
(It 68, 9-12, Ja IV 435, 28-29, JaVI 236 4-5).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: In contrast, the commentary explains that if one were to wrap tagara jasmine flowers with leaves, those leaves would become wonderfully fragrant.
One who ties up tagara
with leaves [fallen from a tree]
makes the leaves sweetly fragrant:
So it is in following the wise
(It 68, 13-16, Ja IV 436, 1-2, Ja VI 236, 6-7).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: This is literally used to explain that whatever is near to us can easily “rub off” on us. Perhaps the best example of this is our language or accent.
Not long ago, if someone were from New York City or Long Island, one could easily tell by the way that person talked.
My father is from the Bronx, and everyone who hears him speak knows it. This is becoming a thing of the past because of TV and internet videos that are homogenizing us.
Think about it. Television and internet media affect us in deeply rooted and subconscious ways. They affect the way we speak without us realizing it. If they can affect the way we sound to others, why would they not impact our attitudes, beliefs, and morals without us realizing it?
As internet algorithms choose more and more polarizing and extreme material to present to us, those things will become a part of us. They become the new normal. They already have.
We are encouraged to associate or live with the wise, with those who are higher than us in terms of morality and wisdom. This is very important because it will be easy for this to rub off on us, such as the fragrance of flowers.
The twin parrots Buddhist birth story
It is the tale of two parrots born as twins. A storm comes, and they are separated shortly after birth.
One bird is raised by a gang of thieves, the other by hermit wandering ascetics. The king comes across both parrots at different times. The first encounter is the bad parrot who speaks of stealing and killing, while the other speaks of sharing and kindness. The king is moved by the difference between the two.
This story may seem hard to believe, but we can find examples of parrots on YouTube that point this out. Believe it or not, many parrots are in need of shelter. Enter “parrot + a location” into a search engine and see the many organizations looking for new nests for their avian orphans.
- The video above is about a rescued bird who lived with bad people and witnessed a terrible crime.
This parrot witnessed the murder of its owner. It became a key witness at the trial in the human world. Likewise, there are numerous channels with loving parrots who obviously had loving owners, such as this one:
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| Hey, give me a kiss. - Sure, 'bout time you asked. Hey, WTH? Why you you little love-blocker! |
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| Hello? What the H do you want? - Les, is that U? |
This post by Bhante, now edited by Wisdom Quarterly, is dedicated to Bhante’s cousin, Les Brodie, who died. He had a well-trained talking bird and told me about what a joy it was to have it. It had its own bike, and the bird would often pick up the house phone with its claw on the first ring and imitate his voice, “Hello? Uh huh...ummm...yes...uh huh…”
Apparently, sometimes his friends would have whole conversations with the bird without Les knowing it. He was a very special bird, and his person was not so bad either.
If we are parents, our children are our parrots. They are watching and listening whether we like it or not, and they will mimic and model themselves after us.
Moreover, WE are all talking birds, parroting whomever we follow and associate with. Those with whom we associate rub off on us like wrapping around stinky fish or fragrant flowers. So it is wise to be wise in choosing our associates.
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to those worthy of it,
This is life’s highest blessing.
- Pa Auk Sayadaw student Bhante Subhuti (americanmonk.org), 4/22/22; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly orig. published June 3, 2024
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Short Attn Span Theater: April Fools pranks
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| April Fools prank Denmark, Copenhagen subway (in reality retired car from Stockholm subway) |
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| Annual "Washing of the Lions," April 1, 1857 |
Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April Fools!" at the recipient. The corporate mass media (and even serious spiritual journals) can be involved with these pranks, which may be revealed as such the following day.
The custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon our neighbors has been common in the world historically [2].
The Onion buys Alex Jones' InfoWars.com
- (InfoWars) LIVE Liberation Day (April 2) Coverage: Markets surge ahead of Trump tariff announcements, Elon Musk considers closing DOGE as Russia warns of TOTAL disaster if US attacks Iran! Plus, SpaceX completes first human orbit of Planet Earth’s poles! This is a must-watch/share live broadcast
Jimmy Kimmel PRANK livestream
Origins of April Fools' Day
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| The Fool Tarot Card meaning (edelwyn.com) |
A disputed association between April 1st and foolishness is in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (1392) [3]. In the "Nun's Priest's Tale," a vain cock, Chauntecleer, is tricked by a fox "Since March began, full thirty days and two" [4, 5], that is, the 32nd day from March 1st, which is April 1st [6]. However, it is not clear that Chaucer was referencing April 1st since...
In 1508, French poet Eloy d'Amerval referred to a poisson d'avril (April fool but literally "April's fish"), possibly the first reference to the celebration in France [9].
Some historians suggest that April Fools' originated because, in the Middle Ages, New Year's Day was celebrated on March 25 in most European towns [10], with a holiday that in some areas of France, specifically, ended on April 1 [11, 12], and those who celebrated New Year's Day on January 1 made fun of those who celebrated on other dates by the invention of April Fools' Day [13].
The use of January 1 as New Year's Day became common in France only in the mid-16th century [8], and that date was not adopted officially until 1564, by the Edict of Roussillon, as called for during the Council of Trent in 1563 [14].
However, there are issues with this theory because there is an unambiguous reference to April Fools' Day in a 1561 poem by Flemish poet Eduard de Dene of a nobleman who sent his servant on foolish errands on April 1st, predating the change [8].
April Fools' Day was also an established tradition in Great Britain before January 1 was established as the start of the calendar year [15, 16]. More: April Fools' Day
AI is used to make porn unrelated to video short
- April Fools video; Jimmy Kimmel Live, April Fool's Day, 2025; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit
Monday, March 31, 2025
Wisdom Quarterly converts to Gnosticism
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| OM, knowledge is king and compassion queen. |
Watch the full documentary movie FREE right now at christspiracy.com
- The official Christian/Catholic European Church doesn't want you to know, so this knowledge is banned! Avert your eyes from forbidden wisdom...or else!
- Gnosticism
- Gnosticism in modern times
- Princeton Prof. Elaine Pagels, Bible scholar, The Gnostic Gospels
- Professor Elaine Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels
- Dr. Ammon Hillman, Greek Bible scholar, on ancient drugs
- Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret: Jesus the Nazarene (St. Issa as he was called in Tibetan Buddhism of Ladakh as recorded in Hemis Gompa) was a kind and compassionate vegan
The latest revelation from MorgueOfficial, a creepy name but a good person
- MorgueOfficial, Gnostic Teacher, Wisdom Quarterly, April 1, 2025
What is the history and point of April Fool's Day? - Who's the God? I'M the God, Lord Craig!
Sunday, April 9, 2023
National Poetry Month reading, LA (4/29)
Altadenapoetryreview.com, Trumba.com/events; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
National Poetry Month: Annual event, April 29, 2023 reading
ALTADENA POETS LAUREATE present Poetry & Cookies. Join fellow writers for readings by poets published in the Altadena Poetry Review. This program is made possible by the Friends of the Altadena Library:
- Event type: Author/Talks. Literature & Poetry
- Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Audience: Free, all-ages welcome
- Home: Altadena Poetry Review
- Events: Altadena Libraries (altadenalibrary.org)
- Main Library Main Floor
- LIVESTREAMED at YOUTUBE.COM/ALTADENALIBRARY
Special Reading April 4
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| Who needs poetry in a post-literate world? |
This event is hosted by Poets Laureate Carla Sameth and Peter J. Harris livestreamed at youtube.com/altadenalibrary.
About the Poets
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| Native US poet laureate |
Vickie Vértiz is the oldest child of an immigrant Mexican family. Her poetry and essays are featured in the New York Times magazine, Huizache, the Los Angeles Review of Books, KCET Departures, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among many publications. Her second book, Auto/Body, won the 2023 Sandeen Poetry Prize from the University of Notre Dame. She is a recipient of fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, Bread Loaf Environmental Writers Conference, VONA, CantoMundo, and Macondo. Prof. Vértiz teaches writing at UC Santa Barbara and lives in Los Angeles. vickievertiz.com
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| Erika L. Sanchez makes an impact. |
- Audience: Adults
- Event Type: Literature & Poetry. Performance
- Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Main Library Community Room
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Exorcist's WARNING: Holy Spirit Board
BallerAlert via MSN.com, April 1, 2023; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
Catholic exorcist warns “Holy Spirit Board” could allow Devil to disguise as the God
(Gibson Precious, BallerAlert, April 1, 2023)
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| There are many ways to walk down the stairs in a stairwell to... But old time crab walk? |
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| Exorcisms are real, Kids. |
A Catholic exorcist is sounding the alarm, warning against a seemingly innocent game that may have evil intent or at least potential.
Father Ernesto Caro, an exorcist in the Diocese of Monterey, Mexico, appeared on EWTN News Nightly recently, where he voiced his concerns about a game known as the “Holy Spirit Board.”
Per Amazon.com, the board allows users to speak directly to God, who’ll communicate through the board to “answer all of life’s most important questions.”
“It’s not a game. It’s a trap from the Devil,” Caro explained. He says the comments are indicative of people falling for the “trap,” as many claims that the Holy Spirit spoke to them through the colorful board. More
COMMENTARY
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| All-American Rockefeller art of the 1920s when the USA was Flapper-cool and elegant. |
Best source of news: RENSE.COM
Jeff Rense (rense.com, April 1, 2023); Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
The mainstream media cannot be trusted to provide real news. Popular outlets are pro-government, pro-establishment, pro-business "info-tainment" also known as propaganda. Who will stand up at a time of universal deceit and fraud and dare speak the truth? It won't be the networks or AM band traffic and weather on the tens (courtesy of the money-making juggernaut Salem Radio Network).
Sadly, it won't even be "public" radio like NPR or PBS. They are all controlled assets in the pocket of the CIA. But there's a fringe element, now mostly on the right, that dares to speak its mind and question the unquestionable, the unthinkable, the unspeakable.
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| Ashley Biden lived in fear of incest and molestation at the hands of father Joe Biden? |
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| Granddaughter Finnegan Biden kissed on the lips by creepy granddad Joe Biden (nypost.com) |
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| Oh no, it's creepy Uncle Joe at the window again! He's not even our real uncle! |
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| We bought and blackmailed them all (CIA) |
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| 1984: predicative programming |
Someone or something has to provoke cancel culture and the controlled opposition. The world has Jimmy Dore before he's taken down. There's weak sauce like coasttocoastam.com and democracynow.org and Pacifica in Berkeley, Los Angeles, New York, growing gaia.com and the spectacle that is nypost.com.
There are old cranks and their beer-guzzling sons somewhere in the Bayou putting on podcasts. There are the ravings of Steve Quayle and Russell Brand, and Joe Rogan. But Jeff Rense (RENSE.COM), even if he is offensive and racist, puts it on the line. Rense.com is the best source of an alternative point of view.
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| We're the Mercers. You don't know us, but we're movers and shakers. |
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| When was pediatric gender transition made a medical emergency in need of immediate "cure"? |
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| President Joe before he was possessed, a creep, or even a politician. Ah, those were the days. |
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