Sumeru - Latest Comments

Re: Toronto Wesak 2012 update

Chandralekhamuhamdiram — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:08:18 -0000

Namo buddaya

Re: Toronto Wesak 2012 update

Chandralekhamuhamdiram — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:07:09 -0000

_/\_

Re: “I Won’t Fall Down” by Montreal band Sunrise and Good People

javier torres espino — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:51:34 -0000

thank you Yonten

Re: HH Dalai Lama Ottawa 2012 website / tickets

Marnie Pomeroy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:02:19 -0000

I understand that Prime Minister Stephen Harper was photographed with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on a previous year, but this time, to avoid offending China. It is enraging that Canadians have to tiptoe around China to secure trade deals. If China doesn't like our guests, that had better be their problem.

Re: Cutting through spiritual materialism in virtual reality?

Bph33 — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:34:44 -0000

It just appears that people in general including many Buddhists seem to think earning money by the selling and promotion of Buddhist items is wrong. It's only wrong if there's greed involved.

I think the selling of such items in the virtual world is the real world. The idea that people create a second life in the virtual world is true and that those people are very much pathless to a large degree. Although they may claim otherwise. They are confused with real life.

I realize though, that attaining right view is a process too. For many it is hard to let go of those illusions and for the most part VL is an illusion as most people don't present themselves as they are in flesh and blood. They are basically interacting with many others in the same illusive manner.

Yes, I think that Right Livelihood should be practiced whether in VL or the real world. I also believe that Right Effort should be applied as well and that may be the problem with those that have have slim Buddhist credentials.

In other words, it takes a fair amount of effort to walk the Eightfold Path in order to attain those credentials. Or, to walk the walk, and not simply spouting talk that isn't put into practice. Many people that quote the Buddha don't even understand the Eightfold Path. As a result they miss the intention behind the teachings.

Hope this makes sense.

Re: Cutting through spiritual materialism in virtual reality?

Yonten — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:33:07 -0000

Good point. So are you saying that virtual reality is/should be a mirror of how one practices Right Livelihood in the real world?

Re: Cutting through spiritual materialism in virtual reality?

Bph33 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:38:42 -0000

Or, maybe Right Livelihood is a good thing?

Re: Cutting through spiritual materialism in virtual reality?

Yonten — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:48:13 -0000

The advent of massively multi-player online environments has allowed us to launch avatars in virtual reality who are essentially the beings we dream ourselves to be. Like any other digital advance, it has enormous implications. Most of these environments are violent (WoW, CoD, Halo, etc.), but Second Life is not. Its "adult" rated section is promoted as focused on sexuality/relationships rather than violence.

While the case could be made that time spent "in-world" is a poor substitute for real life, or at best merely mirrors the samsaric nature of real life, it also offers the potential to explore alternate personas and futures that may be difficult to take on in the flesh. One of those opportunities is in spirituality. Whatever you may choose to believe, the fact is that many many people spend many many hours living in Second Life. Consequently, a virtual economy has arisen to meet the "needs" of that culture.

Buddhist scholars have taken scant note of this development. Most of the "Buddhist" presence in Second Life is created and fostered by people whose Buddhist credentials are slim (as can be seen if you follow the money). However, there are some Buddhist teachers and communities who have embraced Second Life and seek to offer valid teachings, practices and community for SL denizens.

My reference to Chogyam Trungpa's book "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" was meant to highlight the pitfall of mistaking the trappings of a spiritual life for real personal growth. Noting that the amount of items for sale is greatest for Zen (greater even than meditation in general), one can ponder whether the meaning of Zen has become so diluted as to mean very little. The whole thing has the aroma of one giant dharma-burger, but it's not going away so we had better figure out the best way to transform it.

Re: Cutting through spiritual materialism in virtual reality?

Bph33 — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:32:11 -0000

What are you not sure about?

Re: Prof. Sugunasiri featured by Tony Blair Faith Foundation

Aleksandar Satara — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:08:13 -0000

There is in Buddha teaching (english translation of Buddhist book done several decades ago) explained theory of relativity: relative point of view with several very good examples (but normally at Buddha time without mathematical model).

Einstein himself admitted he studied Buddha teaching and he was inspired by it, saying the Buddhism is great philosophy/religion for future generation.

I found too (in last several years) that Buddhism could be great inspiration for Scientists, by meditating/experimenting relationship between existing and non-existing (where are all future systems/devices and theories belong) worlds.

Another great Scientist/Inventor and Genius NIKOLA TESLA paid respect to Buddha as the Greatest Teacher, by his intuitive/meditative/deep insight way producing thousands of inventions.

Another great Philosopher Friedrich Nitche paid respect to Buddha as the Greatest Teacher, by his writing in e.g. On Another side of Good and Evil, that is the same Buddha's Middle Way.

I can list dozens of Western great minds who were inspired by Buddha Teachings.

Just to be short, I can comment that Buddha Enlightenment includes gaining Perfect Knowledge, and I was meditated that this includes knowledge of super luminar speeds and objects.

Kind Regars from yours,

Buddha Teaching follower Aleksandar Satara, Bsc. in EE

phone #:604-526-9735
email: bsatara@shaw.ca

Re: Investigating + Integrating Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care + Society

Lynette Monteiro — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:05:41 -0000

My colleagues, Dr. Steven Hickman and Allan Goldsteing of the UCSD Center for Mindfulness and I (The Ottawa Mindfulness Clinic)will be presenting a pre-conference institute:
‎"Holding the Heart of MBSR: Reflection, Collaboration and Dialogue on Modification or Adaptation of the 8-Week Program".

Re: “Dharma Rising” screening, Toronto, 12.8.11

david palmer — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:05:24 -0000

excellent film. well worth seeing. buddhism's rise in the west and the issues facing all of us on how it's being assimilated into our culture.

Re: “I Won’t Fall Down” by Montreal band Sunrise and Good People

Yonten — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:09:46 -0000

OK, asked the band to send me the lyrics and they did. Thanx. Added.

Re: “I Won’t Fall Down” by Montreal band Sunrise and Good People

Yonten — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:23:15 -0000

I checked around but don't see them on the web. Easiest solution is to use the contact form on the band's website and ask them. Perhaps they'll post the lyrics. Good suggestion!

Re: “I Won’t Fall Down” by Montreal band Sunrise and Good People

guest375 — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:12:02 -0000

Is there a place where I could find the lyrics to this song, I won't fall down?

Re: Three Buddhist TV shows by David Cherniack on ONE network

Yonten — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:34:47 -0000

Here's a link to the film-maker's website. You can order direct. http://AllinOneFilms.com/Home....

Re: Three Buddhist TV shows by David Cherniack on ONE network

Catalina — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:52:17 -0000

Excelent excelent series. Well done clearly explained,and honest.
We find that the teacher,the main one,and also some of the others,talk too fast and it therefore becomes difficult to integrate all this vast knowledge.
Need to be seen several times.How can one acquire the series ?

Re: Buddhism in Canada conference update

Chariksa — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:09:25 -0000

It is truly inspirational learn practice of Dharma in Canada

Re: Untouchable Woman’s Odyssey

Suwanda Sugunasiri — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:12:08 -0000

The redeeming feature of the female protagonist is not the discrimination per se, but how the untouchable woman facing social discrimination overcomes them, discovering and putting to use the inherent personal strengths within, as well as reaching spiritual heights, providing a case study for / living up to the lines in the novel, "Not by birth is one a vasala [untouchable], not by birth ... a Brahmin, but by action alone...." (the Buddha).

Re: Untouchable Woman’s Odyssey

neerav patel — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:08:43 -0000

is it a mere love story or does it in anyway reflect the discrimination and exploitation faced by the untouchables, for i didn't see a word in prof frank's quote in this regard?

neerav patel,
ahmedabad , india

Re: Ryan Gauvin’s Tibet photos

custom posters — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:28:29 -0000

Those stunning grey scale photos really shows how serious the inspiration was, really caught my eye. The views, and the usual scene that we usually encounter on the street. Amazing how such photos represents what had happened, tragic indeed.

Re: An American Buddhist Life

Yonten — Tue, 10 May 2011 07:27:50 -0000

Thanks for your interest! We expect the book to launch early in June, after which time it will be available through all major online bookstores.

Re: An American Buddhist Life

Jeff — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:54:04 -0000

I would like my university to order a copy of this book. How do we go about ordering one?

Re: Buddhist Council of Canada revived

FullContactTMcG — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:40:09 -0000

Thanks for posting this. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes about from this group.

Re: Reverend Leslie Kawamura – in memoriam

Suwanda H J Sugunasiri — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:50:51 -0000

It is with great regret I heard the news of the passing away of Prof. Kawamura. He was a good friend of Buddhism, and I cherish his personal friendship as well. May he atttain Nibbana! - Prof. Suwanda Sugunasiri, President, Buddhist Council of Canada; Founder, Nalanda College of Buddhist Studies.