Oddities of Holland and the Netherlands

We are uniquely European and almost part of Scandinavia (Buddhism in the Netherlands)

• Buddhism in the Netherlands: The first awareness of Buddhism in the Netherlands can be traced back to early books [2] with references to Buddhism appearing in 1651 [3], 1843 [4], and 1878 [5], with the first book on Buddhism being written in the Dutch language in 1879 [6]. The turn of the century saw more popular books on Buddhism published in Dutch... More
• Intro to the Dutch Sangha: Buddhism in the Netherlands
• Dutch collector ordered to return rare Buddha statue
• [Stolen] Buddha statue contains mummy of Buddhist monk in “advanced state of meditation”
• Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe - Buddhist monks walking down a street

15 strange and crazy things only found in the Netherlands

We're the original flower people.

(Discoverize) First, what is this poor place in Europe called? It's called both the Netherlands (maybe because it's below sea level and constantly at risk of being underwater) and Holland, which is a coastal region of the country.

Are Steppe Eurasians Caucasian?

Second, this is the land of the Dutch, like The Little Dutch Boy (not to be confused with the Deutsche speaking people of Pennsylvania, who speak "Pennsylvania Dutch," which is German).

Third, welcome to Discoverize, which dives into the most exciting and unbelievable things that the world has to offer. From ancient artifacts to mind-blowing scientific theories, there's never a dull moment on this channel. Join in to embark on a thrilling journey of discovery and wonder about Holland. Get ready to have socks knocked off feet by the amazing things uncovered. Whether viewers are lifelong learners or just looking for a good time, this channel is sure to entertain and educate. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

• Mindful approach to animals (trust-technique.com)
• Discoverize, Aug. 17, 2024 (for copyright matters, please contact: juliabaker0312@gmail.com); Amber Larson, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Why the rich love pretending to be poor

Why rich people love pretending to be poor

(Horses) March 21, 2023. Don't be fooled. Ed Sheeran is a phony as are others, even Marie Antoinette.

Music: Beyond Words - Many Moons Ago La Vuelta a Lerida - Vendla It Goes On - Peace Reels Torn Apart - Infinity Ripple Synesthesia (scaled down version) - Peter Sandberg Photography: Lisa Fotios, Skylar Kang, Inga Seliverstova, ph.galtri, yaroslava bondareva Art: Midjourney AI engine.

China is hiding its homeless (video)

Serpentza, July 15, 2023; CC Liu, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

China is hiding its homeless people -- pretending they don't exist

(Serpentza) No one is allowed to see homeless people in China, especially the outside world. Join Serpentza for The China Show, a weekly dive into what's happening in China: advpodcasts.

We are the most prosperous and lucky nation!

Check out the stunning footage used in background of No Place to Place (the shared bicycles) • and No Place to Place 2 (the shared cars). And remember the secret Monday Show: patreon.com/advpodcasts. Support Asian wife Sasha and Serpentza on Patreon: patreon.com/serpentza. Bitcoin - bc1qxfjp2t6x5dpslv59u0jl89m6k643hcn8h2jsvp Ethereum - 0x6Da150a2A8529110017Ed4db68B3dF0084900280 Paypal: paypal.me/serpentza.

DOCUMENTARY VIMEO LINKS: Conquering China Boxset SPECIAL, Conquering Southern China, Conquering Northern China, Stay Awesome China (Serpentza's new documentary).

For motorcycle adventures around the world and a talk-show on two wheels, go to ADVChina every Monday 1pm EST: advchina. For a realistic perspective on China and world travel from an American father and a Chinese mother with two half-Chinese daughters, go to Laowhy86 every Wednesday 1pm EST • Chinese People Wo... For a no-nonsense on the street look at Chinese culture and beyond from China's original YouTuber, join SerpentZA on Friday at 1pm EST: serpentza. Join me on Facebook: facebook.com/winstoninchina Twitter: @serpentza Instagram: serpent_za. Protect yourself online with Guardio: guard.io/serpentza

Ajahn Lee: Drop the labels

Ajahn Lee via Ven. Sujato, Ellie Askew, Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Theravada Buddhist novices, NE Thailand

We're taught to no longer hold onto concepts — all the labels and names we have for things.

We have to let ourselves be "poor." It's when people are poor that they become ingenious and resourceful.

If we won't let ourselves be poor [due to fearing unsatisfactoriness (disappointment, suffering, woe)], we'll never gain discernment (wisdom, insight, liberating knowledge). In other words, we don't have to be afraid of being stupid or of missing out on things.

We don't have to be afraid that we've hit a dead end. We don't want any of the insights we've gained from listening to others or from reading books, because they're concepts and therefore inconstant (impermanent, in flux, undependable).

What is the path to the light (nimitta)?

We don't want any of the insights we've gained by reasoning and thinking, because they're concepts and therefore not-self (impersonal, empty, egoless).

Let all these insights disappear, leaving just the mind, firmly intent, leaning neither to the left -- toward self-torment or being displeased -- nor to the right, toward sensual indulgence or being pleased.

Keep the mind still, quiet, neutral, impassive — set tall. And there we are: right concentration.

• Three Basic Facts of Existence II: Suffering (Dukkha), Collected Essays (Buddhist Publication Society, BPS.lk)
• The Real Facts of Life: Reflections on the Three Marks

Mother Teresa becomes official "saint"

Pfc. Sandoval, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Info.AmericanCatholic.org; VOA News; ODN

Soon-to-be Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta would be turning 106 today (VOA News).

.

Through The Mother the world is glorified.

This weekend the Blessed Mother Teresa is finally made an official "saint" of the Catholic Church, now that the Vatican's Office of the Devil's Advocate has been shuttered to make it easier for candidates to be advanced without significant obstruction. Even so, at breakneck speed, it has taken years for a living saint -- as recognized by the people of India -- to be declared a "saint" posthumously. Better late than never, but it would mean much more if the standards had not been lowered to the floor years before. The Church simply uses canonization as a propaganda tool nowadays so that the pope, its titular head, can canonize locals wherever he visits to encourage more recruits to the largest religion in the world. They don't have to be vetted very much, so Africa and China are now ripe recruiting ground even as Europe old faith loses traditional adherents in droves.

(ODN) Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Kolkata), who was born Anjece Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, will be canonized on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

  
Saint of the Gutters 

In earlier centuries, Mother Teresa (Mission of Charity, Calcutta, India) might have been declared a saint upon her death. Though it has taken 19 years, her road to canonization [official Catholic "sainthood" by committee] has been swift. More

Britain's 7 New Social Classes (video)

SOCIAL STUDIES, Wisdom Quarterly; Louie Smith, Mirror.co.uk, 4-3-13; Monty Python

Anarcho-collectivist: "Help, help, I'm being repressed!" (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) 

 

Upper, middle, lower classes (by hat)

The traditional upper class, middle class, and working class system appears to have disappeared, according to a new study.

We are now grouped into seven social classes -- not just upper, middle and working class, experts claimed today.

 

At the top end is an elite consisting of just 6% of the population who have more than £140,000 [$211,000] in the bank and degrees from top universities.

 

At the opposite end of the scale is a so-called "precariat" of 15%, who earn only £8,000 after tax and have savings of £700.

 

Just one in seven people are now “traditional working class” and it is believed this group may eventually die out.

The Great British Class Survey launches on BBC One Show

 
The new boundaries were revealed by a BBC survey of more than 160,000 people living in Britain. The “Great British Class Survey,” carried out online, is the largest ever study of its kind.

 

People who took part answered questions about their income, the value of their home and savings, their cultural interests and hobbies, and the status of people they know.

 

Divides between an upper, middle, and working class were first seen in Britain in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. The new study, carried out in January 2011, shows this traditional model has now “fragmented.”

Social experts believe a more diverse range of occupations may be responsible for changes.
 

The Grumpy Guide To Class in England - Part One

 

This has produced seven different classes: [1] elite, [2] established middle class, [3] technical middle class, [4] new affluent workers, [5] traditional working class, [6] emergent service workers, and [7] the precariat.

 

At one in four of the population, the “established middle class” is the largest group, with household income of £47,000 [$71,000] and some highbrow tastes in music and food.

 

“Emergent service workers” are the youngest group, with a mean age of 34 and high proportions of ethnic minorities.

 

The oldest average age of 66 applies to the “traditional working class” -- which makes up just 14% of the population. More
  
What, no poor?
(BBC News) Manchester Hoodies/Scallies/CHAVS/Thugs/Scrotes Gang  

• RapWorlds Forum: NEDS/CHAVS music
• What about the urban CHAV?

New Hope to Fight Poverty

I am Maza Heineman from Ethiopia. I volunteer for the A Glimmer of Hope Foundation in Austin Texas. Its mission is to help the rural poor of Ethiopia by providing water, education, health care, income generation, and micro financing.

Poverty = Happiness

• Does a flashier car make a man look sexier? (GM America)

Questioning the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Government of Tibet in exile, on the subject of poverty and happiness.

• Why do the poorest people on earth tend to be the happiest?
• Why are we as Americans so terrified of not being "rich"?
• Could it be the way we're marketed to?
• Have we equated power and control with bliss?

Marketing, what marketing? It's even embedded in the News (the Info-tainment): The ridiculous question, Does a flashier car make a man look sexier? is full of subtext: "If you buy more expensive consumer products, then you can have love." And love may just get you happiness.