setthanada - the lion's supreme roar: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

IN THE NEWS: Tibet issue is raised by France with China

THE EXAMINER WRITES: On April 26, 2013, the Central Tibetan Administration reported, France Raises Tibet Issue with China. French President Francois Hollande has said he raised the issue of Tibet during his talks with the new leadership in China. The situation in Tibet has been becoming increasingly tragic as 117 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet.

RECIPE: One-pan summer eggs

FROM BBC GOOD FOOD: Satisfy your hunger with this fresh and easy vegetarian supper, or brunch if you prefer

5 Flexible Jobs for Flexible People

MY YOGA ONLINE WRITES: If you’re a yoga enthusiast, along with being physically flexible, you may have also adopted a flexible mindset. Breathing,meditation, focus -- doing these on a regular basis can kind of change your whole outlook on life.

IN THE NEWS: A sacred strategy emerges

THE NATION WRITES: A breeze was blowing, the birds were singing. It was a sunny day in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pakchong district, perfect for a rare interview with the globally revered Vietnamese Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Urban Food Forests in Seattle

MINDFUL LIVING NETWORK WRITES: Seattle, Washington is reported to be one of the top ten green cities in the United States. And, it seems now that Seattle is taking their eco-friendly initiative a step further by planting the largest urban food forest on public land in the U.S.

IN THE NEWS: Nepali TV host earns Guinness record for longest talk show

REUTERS WRITES: A Nepali television host has earned the Guinness world record for the longest television talk show in a marathon discussion about the founder of Buddhism which lasted more than two days.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

IN THE NEWS: Buddhism in the Midwest

LORI ERICKSON WRITES: Chicago, USA -- Inside the main hall of the Drepung Gomang Institute, gilded statues of Buddha and brilliantly colored images of fierce deities adorn the altar. As the smell of incense wafts through the air, a Tibetan monk chants a sutra, his low tones weaving a soothing, meditative melody.

The genre of Jataka Legends

DR. SENARATH TENNAKOON WRITES: The Pali Cannon is also known as the Tipitaka (three baskets). The Vinaya Pitaka (monastic law), Sutta Pitaka (The Buddha's Discourses) and Abhidhamma (scholastic treaties) are these three baskets. The fifth and last division of the Sutta Pitaka is caleed Khuddaka Nikaya (Minor collection). Under the Khuddaka Nikaya there are fifteen works in all and the title of the tenth book is the Jataka (Birth Stories) which contains 547 stories of the Buddha's previous lives.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Random act of kindness surprises area couple

FOX 11 NEWS WRITES: GREEN BAY - A simple trip to Green Bay's East Town Mall turned into an unexpected gift for a local double amputee. But this random act of kindness will impact more than just the one individual.

IN THE NEWS: Zen and the art of keeping the NHS bill under control

THE GUARDIAN WRITES: Jon Kabat-Zinn is widely credited as the man who brought Zen Buddhism to the masses. Now he's bringing it to Downing Street.

Saturday, April 06, 2013

Food is My Friend: 6 Tips for Mindful Eating

AMANDA OWEN WRITES: Thank you for this food we are about to eat.

Many of us grew up with families who began each meal with a blessing. These prayers followed people from generation to generation like an affectionate family member showing up when everyone sat down at the dinner table.

These days, this honoring ritual is largely absent as we pick up food in a bag at a drive-through window, eat from cartons taken directly from the refrigerator without bothering to put the food on a plate or sit down, and spend meal times separated from family members.

When did our connection to the food we eat become so distant and problematic?

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

IN THE NEWS: Blackwater to Integrate Intensive Mindfulness Course into Tactics and Weapons Training

ALEX CARING-LOBEL WRITES: Last week Academi LLC, formerly Blackwater Worldwide, announced the introduction of a mindfulness course module into their universal tactics and weapons basic training course.

ARTICLE FROM THE EDITOR: The Four Divine Abodes

The Four Divine Abodes (Pāli: cattāri brahma-vihāra) are four virtuous states of mind which once developed, according to the Lord Buddha, lead to higher rebirth in the Brahma realm (Pāli: Brahmaloka) and beyond. To cultivate each of the Four Divine Abodes, there are four corresponding meditation practices.

Changing My Mind, Year After Year

JACK KORNFIELD WRITES: Asked to reflect on how I have changed my mind and perspective over years of Dharma practice and teaching, I recognize that I have changed my mind about a hundred things. Effort in meditation is one example.