Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

Monday, March 27, 2017

"Genius of the Ancient World: Buddha" (BBC)

BBC.co.uk (via Hosshin Ananda); Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly

Who's a Hindu? The Buddha? Wendy Doniger?

Subhamoy Das (Thoughtco.com, Feb. 24, 2017); Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

What's Wrong with Doniger’s Controversial Book The Hindus?

American

Professor Wendy Doniger's controversial book The Hindus: An Alternative History has outraged Hindus around the world, insulting Indians and offending Hindus.

Doniger, 73, is a Jewish American Indologist and has been a professor at the University of Chicago since 1978.

Although she is a well-known authority on Hinduism, her book has had many factual errors pointed out. And her perspective of many things Indian, Vedic, and Hindu have been questioned time and again.

Hey, Wendy, I'm a Hindu! - Actor Julia Roberts

Published in 2009, The Hindus became the #1 bestseller in the non-fiction category in India despite [or more likely because of] a furor of criticism and protest from the American Hindu community.

In 2010, Mr. Aseem Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation debated various elements of the book with Doniger herself on his blog.

Historian Vishal Agarwal attacked Prof. Doniger's research chapter by chapter and pointed out numerous errors. In 2011, a New Delhi-based group, Shiksha Bachao Andolan, filed a civil lawsuit against Penguin, Donger's Indian publisher, and two other criminal complaints were lodged against the book.

Finally, on February 4th, Penguin decided to stop publishing it and agreed to pulp all remaining copies of the book officially stating that... More

Who is a Hindu?
Subhamoy Das (Thoughtco.com, April 26, 2015)

Seven Features of Hinduism Recognized by Indian Courts

The Supreme Court of India defined the features of a Hindu in its 1995 ruling of the case “Bramchari Sidheswar Shai and others Versus State of West Bengal.”

In one part, it states that the court identifies the following seven defining characteristics of Hinduism and by extension of a Hindu:

Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence as the highest authority in religious and philosophic matters... More

Not the Buddha

Buddha Gautama, Shakyamuni (Gandhara)

Well, right there, the Buddha would not qualify. For the Buddha was not a Hindu, nor were the Shakyians/Scythians his family clan.

But his father, King Suddhodana, may certainly have employed Brahmin advisors, counselors, chaplain, ministers, and astrologers. Any and every king of the day might have. First of all there was no such thing as "Hinduism" at that time.

Hinduism only came into being a few centuries ago with Sri Shankara, who systematized it into a formal "religion" or doctrine with universal tenets cobbling together many disparate traditions in India.

Shankara regarded the Buddha as foreigner whose Dharma was an outside influence on India, not something born in it. He was right. It came from the Northwest frontier where Brahmins were not the highest cast.

That place, Scythia or Saka Land, had its own ways. There was no actual "India" at that time either, although there may have been in the distant past pre-or-post Indus Valley Civilization if any emperor before the Buddhist Asoka had brought together warring kingdoms to make Mahabharata, "Great Bharat," a name used for what is today more or less thought of as "India."

There was at that time Brahmanism (the Vedic belief-system of the Brahmin priestly caste, which regarded Brahman as the "ultimate"), and the Buddha was not a Brahmin adhering or promoting the Vedas.

And although beautiful modern Hinduism may co-opt "Lord Buddha" as a god in the pantheon -- which is very nice as it facilitates good relations between the two great Dharmic traditions -- the Buddha himself in his lifetime rejected the Vedas.

What Brahmanism thought of as ideal, "temple priests" (brahmana) tied to texts, rote memorization, mantras, and tradition, the Buddha rejected. In its place he promoted the "wandering ascetic (shramana) ideal. And Buddhism and Jainism, both accepted by Hinduism today, are actually the two remaining examples of that protest movement.

The shramaṇa movements arose in the same circles of mendicants in ancient "India" [which was not yet "India" but a bunch of kingdoms and territories with uneasy and changing alliances who in no way thought of themselves as one country until and when one king or group conquered another] that led to the development of yogic practices, as well as the popular concepts common to all major Indian religions such as saṃsāra (the problem of the endless Cycle of Birth and Death) and moksha (final liberation from that cycle). More

And the Buddha stated unequivocably that he was not a god (deva), not an incarnation (avatar), and that he did not adhere to the central tenets of the Vedas, like things stated about the soul/self (atman) -- teaching the radical, unheard of "doctrine of no-self" (anatta) unique to buddhas.

TRAVEL: One thing to do in each country

Suzy Strutner (HuffingtonPost.com); Ashley Wells (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

The one thing you must do in each country, according to tourists

Top tourist attractions (vouchercloud)

If you could only do one thing in each country you visited, what would it be?

UK travel site Vouchercloud compiled a map that shows the top-rated “Thing to Do” on TripAdvisor in nations around the world.

Some picks seem on-point; others may sound inaccurate to seasoned travelers. Take Peru, for example. Machu Picchu is listed as the top attraction. That’s certainly credible, it being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But is a Harry Potter Studio Tour really the No. 1 thing to do in the UK? It's not hard to think of more authentic options. (See larger map). More

All the lands you'll never visit outside the mountains of ice surrounding our lands.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Vegan Street Fair, L.A., March 26 (FREE)

VeganStreetFair.com; Dhr. Seven, Kelly, Wisdom Quarterly

Not satisfied with FREE admission? Get a VIP pass for only $40 extra (eventbrite.com)

Not yet a vegan? Try a FREE starter kit to set off in the right direction (peta.org)

(WQ) It was an amazing sight. All of Chandler alongside the NoHo Metro Station was tent after tent of vegan outlets. It extended four city blocks, crossing the street to the beer garden and DJ booth, where the food trucks parked. See, the fair curved up at Lankershim where it took up another block. Some line were about 200 hipsters long. Others were much shorter. There was all kinds of food -- but people want one thing: carnival, circus, temporary amusement park food: fried anything, tacos, burgers, pizza, donuts, potatoes. One big seller was the tornado potato, a skewered russet straight from the toxic fryer. Others were cookies, cupcakes, candy bars, and various drinks, chocolate protein shakes, and lots of common condiments. It's good at the base but, as the teeshirts tell us, "Anything you can I can eat vegan." Recommended. And another one is coming to the Valley soon.

PHOTOS: Vegan Street Fair
11223 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601 between Weddington St. and Bakman Ave.
Get Directions
Phone (347) 508-3343
veganstreetfair.com
Coming soon: Eat Drink Vegan, Pasadena, Memorial Day, May 27, 2017 (75+ Restaurants) Spring just started but it's never too soon to dream of summer and the big vegan party by the Rose Bowl
Vegan Food Art Show, March 25, 6-10 PM, Greens Center, ELA

Vegan Food Art Show, FREE ENTRY, March 25, 6:00-10:00 PM. Join the monthly Underground Vegan Supper Club by Iris Green at this great space near DTLA (GreensCenter.com)

Colorado guards against Fed POT crackdown

Associated Press (ap.org, March 25, 2017); Seth Auberon (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

A bill pending in the Legislature would allow pot growers and retailers to reclassify their recreational pot as medical pot if a change in federal law or enforcement occurs.

It's the boldest attempt yet by a U.S. marijuana state to avoid federal intervention in its weed market.

The bill would allow Colorado's 500 or so licensed recreational pot growers to instantly reclassify their weed. A switch would cost the state more than $100 million a year because Colorado taxes medical pot much more lightly than recreational weed -- 2.9 percent versus 17.9 percent.

The measure says licensed growers could immediately become medical licensees "based on a business need due to a change in local, state or federal law or enforcement policy."

The gov't wants you to smoke, so don't (AP).

The change wouldn't take recreational marijuana off the books, but it wouldn't entirely safeguard it either. What it could do is help growers protect their inventory in case federal authorities start seizing recreational pot.

The provision is getting a lot of attention in the marijuana industry following recent comments from members of President Donald Trump's administration.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer has said there's a "big difference" between medical and recreational pot. More

Friday, March 24, 2017

Off the Mat into the World (YOGA)

OffTheMatIntoTheWorld.org; Yogi Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Yoga is a tool for change. Rooted in compassion and connection, we are called to awaken to the suffering we and others experience and take wise ACTION in response, creating a peaceful, just, and connected global community. How will we take our yoga off the mat and into the world?

Fundraiser with Seane Corn, March 25, 2017
Russell Simmons presents, Tantris Center for Yoga Science
Yoga: 6:30-8:30 PM, Reception: 9:00-10:30 PM
9200 Sunset Bl., West Hollywood 90069

Why I love the Buddha (song, doc)

Richard Gere (PBS.org); Mason Jennings; Jack Johnson; Crystal Quintero, Wisdom Quarterly

The Buddha persisted past the ogre Mara

This documentary tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by American teachers, contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and the Dalai Lama.

Official music video for Jack Johnson's "Buddha" (Sleep Through the Static)

Alan Watts explains Buddhism (video)

Alan Watts (alanwatts.org); Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly

Top 10 Misconceptions about Buddhism (video)

Simon/TT (, Feb. 9, 2017); Ashley Wells (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Buddhism is an extremely fast growing practice, and estimates put its adherents at somewhere around one billion (without counting an additional billion Buddhists in China the communist party does not count in its census).

Earliest depictions of the Buddha: Gandhara art

Although Buddhism is so popular, many in the Western world, where it is barely practiced, have a poor understanding of it. Not only have many people gained a completely incorrect understanding of it, but some attempt to practice it without proper guidance and end up doing it completely wrong and thinking that this is "Zen," a kind of individualistic rebellion against all rules and teachers. Poppycock!

The virg yin Kwan Yin gets more attention.

Now while their hearts are in the right place, it might be wise to find a knowledgeable Buddhist teacher. They do exist even in the Western world, whether because they are Americans who went to Asia to study or are Asians who came to America to teach. And it is possible to learn quite a lot from them. One may also have noticed that nowhere in this introduction have I actually referred to Buddhism as a "religion" or even as a philosophy, and the reason for this is explained below.

Coming up:

10. Religion.
9. Pacifists.
8. Meditation.
7. The Dalai Lama.
6. The Buddha.
5. Paganism.
4. Suffering.
3. Diet.
2. Rebirth (not Reincarnation).
1. Siddhartha Gautama.

Sources/Further reading:

Find more lists at toptenz.net
Top 10 objects clearly invented just to annoy physics
Facebook.com/TopTenz
Instagram.com/theoriginal...
Top 10 Misconceptions about the Ancient World
Top 10 Huge Historical Myths

World Festival of Sacred Music

World Festival of Sacred Music (festivalofsacredmusic.org); CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly

Burma's most famous Buddhist monument, the expansive Shwedagon Pagoda complex

Anatomy of a stupa, pagoda (Sky89/Hintha)

The World Festival of Sacred Music-Los Angeles is a citywide festival that takes place in L.A. every three years.

A 16-day celebration of the rich sacred music and movement traditions of the people of L.A., with events produced in diverse venues ranging from the city's major stages to intimate places of worship.

The Aratani World Series of the WFSM

The Festival was initiated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1999 as part of an unprecedented celebration of the human spirit. The Festival is a largely volunteer and grassroots effort based on the intention to utilize the arts festival model to build genuine community cooperation and understanding. More

RETURN TO MYANMAR with Kyaw Kyaw Naing

The great artist of Burma, Kyaw Kyaw Naing, has lived as a political refugee for 16 years. To witness his music is to enter the deepest regions of the human heart and to dream of another reality -- the reality of hope and ties to the land. More (TICKETS)

The Basic History of Buddhism 101 (video)

Keith Hughes; Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

Buddhism Explained: Religions in Global History

What does a Buddhist practice, believe, live out? What are the basic beliefs of Buddhists? This is an introductory lecture on the basics of Buddhism. Support HHH for more world history videos for the kids! The Hindu lecture might make Buddhism clearer

"Anti-Semitism"? Israel arrests Jewish suspect

Associated Press (ap.org, Mar. 24, 2017); Sheldon S., Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Anti-Semitism is rampant in the US, and at less than 1% of the US population, our Jewish minority is mercilessly skewered on the US's favorite show, "Family Guy." Oh, the humanity!

(NY) US Jews [that number fewer than 1 million] wrestle with arrest of a terrorist Jew in "anti-Semitic" bomb threats case: Jewish groups had pointed to scores of bomb threats against their communities as the most dramatic example of what they considered a surge in anti-Semitism. Some blamed a far-right emboldened by Pres. Trump. Now, that profitable propaganda, which leads to many more donations from scared and shamed US Jews, has been upturned by the arrest of an Israeli-American Jewish hacker for the crimes (AP).

UPDATE, March 29, 2017: Israeli Knesset reaches out to US Jews (AP/mail.com)

Israel arrests hacker linked to threats on US Jewish centers

The US-Jewish terrorist, 19, from Israel

JERUSALEM - A 19-year-old American-Israeli Jew was arrested Thursday as the prime suspect in a wave of bomb threats against U.S. Jewish community centers, a startling turn in a case that had stoked fears of rising anti-Semitism in the United States.

I'm the least anti-Semitic person, Jews.

A 19-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen covers his face as he is brought to court in Rishon Lezion, Israel, Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Israeli police said they have arrested a Jewish Israeli man [terrorist] who is the prime suspect behind a wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and other institutions in the United States. The police withheld his identity.

New settlements "may not be helpful" (CNN)

The surprising arrest of the man, a hacker who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, came after a trans-Atlantic investigation with the FBI and other international law enforcement agencies. U.S. Jewish groups welcomed the breakthrough in the case, which had drawn condemnation from Pres. Trump.

Israel passes self-serving law in Palestine (AP)

Israeli police described the suspect as a hacker, but said his motives were still unclear.

"He's the guy who was behind the JCC threats," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, referring to the scores of anonymous threats phoned in to Jewish community centers in the U.S. over the past two months.

Police banned publication of his name, but said he was a dual citizen and would remain in custody until at least March 30. During the arrest raid, they said he tried to grab an officer's gun but was stopped by another officer. More

Bibi: Anti-Semitism in the US is rampant. Why won't damn Trump speak up about it? (AP)

Told you. I have the biggest pro-Israel bias.

What is quantum computing? (Mandela Effect)

; Seth Auberon, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

(IC) The main presentation with Geordie on quantum computing begins at Minute 4:10

In 17 minutes an expert on the subject of quantum computers and computing explains the great potential and danger of taking from parallel universes that must really exist for these $20,000,000.00 D-Wave computers to work.

They are as big as walk in refrigerators to keep components at near absolute zero to do their computations without overheating. And since what they do to be better than silicon chips upsets our reality/universe, it may account for the mysterious "Mandela Effect," covered in earlier posts.

Say the effect is nonsense and not happening, there is still a new world in front of us as this type of computing gains ascendancy from big data manipulators like Google (CIA), Facebook (FBI), and the NSA.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Irish versus American comedy (video)

Spud; Dave Allen; Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

Ireland vs. USA: clips rom The Savage Eye, Hardy Bucks, SNL, and Curb Your Enthusiasm

(DPG) Irish comedian Dave Allen tells a series of religious jokes.

COMEDY: sex, dating, shoplifting (video)

Brittany Wong (Huff Post), VanillaCoolDance; Ashley Wells, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly
(Lynn Jung) "Dating Rules According to the Buddha" [or at least we hope]

SELFISH SEX, EGOS: "I'm pretty sure you came. Goodnight!" - "I'm pretty sure I didn't."

Brittany Wong (HP)

Sick of dating? Here are 10 comics that will speak to you. Are you at the point where you’re debating deleting Tinder and just having someone else set you up and/or arrange your marriage? If you answer, “Yeah, maybe,” here's an Instagram account by Vanilla Cool Dance that just might speak to you. There's so much swipe fatigue. More

10 Sex and Hookup Tips from Dionne Davenport

Caitlin Corsetti (gurl.com/fanpop)

Who would Cher Horowitz be without her BFF Dionne Davenport? No one! Obviously Cher has an equally fabulous best friend: Di IS fabulous. Her hats alone put her on a whole other level. Di is snarky, confident, and knows exactly what she wants. She’s not afraid to stand up for herself, especially to her BF, Murray. Dionne is lovable for her fierce style, amazing sarcasm, and her sex and hookup tips!

How to use Tinder
Family Guy (Seth MacFarlane, FOX TV), "Oh, that Quagmire!"

I didn't molest my hot, 17-y.o. high school student. I just like to smile. - Mrs. Fowlkes

Caught shoplifting

I didn't do nuthin. I'm married to an adult.

A white woman was caught shoplifting at a Rite Aid in Hillsboro, Oregon. A hardworking black employee nabbed her to keep her from getting away until police arrived. That's when she went ape. Aggressive white cop threatens her into submission. Shoplifting bread or food in Oregon is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine because the law is fair to all.