Tag Archives: compassion
Heartwarming
Take 4 minutes out of your day to watch this short video about a principal in Las Vegas reaching out to her young students – over 80% of which are homeless. When I saw the children eating ketchup for lunch…it just … Continue reading
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There were 19 victims in Arizona
I really don’t have much time to post lately, and I have thoughts of closing the blog down for good as I really don’t see myself being able to make time to commit to posting. More on that some … Continue reading
Affirm life; do not kill
How do we affirm life and support everyone involved? How do we apply the Bodhisattva vow when it comes to abortion? Continue reading
My thoughts on “Socially Engaged” Buddhism
So really I’m fairly undecided about all this. And that was the real intent behind this post. I realized that I had no preconceived opinion about Socially Engaged Buddhism. And that listening to all the dialogue going back and forth was interesting, but it wasn’t an organic way to form an opinion that was mine. I’m usually quite opinionated, but for some reason this issue threw up a huge road block for me. It was awesome. I’ve no doubt that social conditioning has some part to play in whatever opinion I do ultimately form around this, but it’s liberating and refreshing knowing that I can walk into a discussion and have zero knee-jerk responses. I’m not sure the last time that has happened.
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Everyone is homeless…
I contacted Anoki over at Buddha Badges a few weeks ago about creating a special badge that centered around homelessness (something near to my heart as I’ve blogged about previously…), and using Homeless Kodo (Kodo Sawaki) as a theme for … Continue reading
Intentions and raccoons
Friday evening there was a knock on our door. An old man, out of breath from climbing our stairs was at our door, flashlight in hand. He was looking for his cat that had escaped. He informed us that she … Continue reading
Building the Mosque “at” ground zero, and crafted responses
We have to remember that it was terrorists that took down those buildings. And their purpose wasn’t to destroy the buildings, it was to terrorize. It was to instill fear into the hearts of Americans. If we oppose this Mosque out of a fear of Islam, then haven’t they succeeded? We are a country that is supposed to champion religous freedom, not hinder it.
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We're all one, man!
Personally, I find it a little insulting when people say that we’re all practicing the same religion, or that all paths lead to God. Sorry, I gave up on God well over a decade ago. I took up the Buddhist path because it ends in liberation, not because I believe I’ll end up in a literal heaven with God for eternity. I also think it’s a little disrespectful to not recognize that there is a difference in what we are practicing and trying to achieve, and to then attempt to re-define my beliefs to more closely align with yours. Continue reading
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Hero for the day……
If this many people can come together for one day, for one boy, for one wish, then surely there is hope in this world. Continue reading
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Earth Day Post: Blue Dharma
Today is Earth Day. Now, I know that the Buddha never lectured on water conservation, solar energy, or global climate change. But he did talk at length about compassion. He did speak of karma. What we need is more awareness … Continue reading
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Something brewing in the atmosphere
Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. It was a terrible, gruesome act perpetrated by a home-grown terrorist. It’s been recently pointed out in the media and the blogosphere that the current political atmosphere is comparable to what it was … Continue reading
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Article Swap #3 – Buddhist Ethics in Political Dialogue (guest post by Justin Whitaker)
The following is a guest post from Justin of the wonderful blog, American Buddhist Perspective. This is part of the great “Buddhoblogosphere Blog Swap” that was set up by Nate over at Precious Metal. Check out this post for a … Continue reading
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No Direction Home…….
Besides the epic emptiness of life that comes with being homeless, there is one more crippling ailment. It is the isolation. You can’t help but feel like the stereotypical Dicken’s street urchin outside of a bakery window salivating over the freshly made cherry pie on the counter. Only the whole world is that bakery. Society as we know it is that pie, and it would bring such joyous comfort if it was even just a taste. Continue reading
And more snow related suffering…….
Yes, I’m white. But that doesn’t mean that I want my news and information white-washed for me. Native Americans have suffered more than any other racial/ethnic group in the history of this continent, and they continue to be marginalized. I’m not one of those people who gets pissed off because there’s an NHL team in Chicago called “The Blackhawks”. But was does irk me is how my ancestor’s entire history, culture, and contribution to the world we live in today has been white-washed and almost completely ignored. Continue reading
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SnOMG!!!!
Right now, there are millions of people and livestock that have it much, much worse. I’m not talking about the people on the East Coast right now. I’m talking about the people of Mongolia in the midst of a dzud. Continue reading
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Please Help Haiti
Update: There is actually a Buddhist organization there in Haiti now as well! Continue reading
The Brit Hume fallout: Victory for The Extremists
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Pagans, I’ve known many people of many faiths in my life, and gotten along with them all splendidly. However, there is one group of people who I really can’t stand: Extremists. Extreme atheists, Christians, Buddhists, liberals, whatever. They always speak the loudest, they get in people’s faces, they cause violence and instill fear. Continue reading
On Compassion
We have less of a hands-on approach to life than we ever have before. All of our food comes pre-packaged for easy consumption. Our grapes come from Chile, our Chili comes from a can, and who the hell knows where hot dogs come from? Our clothes come from China, our news comes from a box, and our relationships come to us via MySpace. We rarely touch the things that affect us most in life; and are mostly clueless and unaware of their true nature and origins. If we’ve become this disconnected from our food, our shelter, our every day necessities, isn’t only natural that the next great disconnect would be with each other? Continue reading
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