Tricycle Discussion: Jeff Bridges and Zen Peacemakers' Bernie Glassman.

Jeff Bridges has been one of my favorite actors since The Big Lebowski, so I was thrilled to hear about his interest in Buddhism. He was featured in a great discussion between himself and Zen Peacemaker Bernie Glassman. This is part 1--Part 2 will be released next week. Watch the video from Tricycle, (Click here) before reading my analysis of this interview below:

First off, I too found a hint of Zen in Bridges' character "The Dude" in the aforementioned movie but I was more struck by the idea of bringing dignity to those who need some assistance with food. We are good at having pity upon people but being able to help others while helping them maintain their dignity and sense of importance as a human being is less evident in some programs--especially government ones. So, I'm excited to hear about what Bridges and Glassman are up to.

I also liked the idea of setting up Dharma centers that include a cafe that helps feed those who might need a meal or two but doing it in a way where they feel good about being there. That's why Glassman is calling them cafes where they'd be designed to be a comfortable place that you'd want to visit even if you didn't have a hungry stomach. Places that have live musicians providing a nice atmosphere including kid friendly elements. I like that he is working to bring the Dharma center to everyone and not just those who are attending for the day like attending a spa as he put it. Sometimes we can get so self-interested (ironically) while practicing the Dharma instead of how can we use our time at the Dharma center to also help others in our community.

I was even more happy to hear that Glassman would set these up, so that there isn't any proselytizing or "spiritual strings attached" to the help. I get really annoyed by spiritual groups who help people but only after those needing the help listen to a sermon. That's using their basic human needs against them to further push an agenda that is based less on unconditional help and more on running up the numbers of believers. Overall a great intimate discussion. Can't wait for part 2.

~Peace to all beings~

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Daftar Isi Blog Tidak Bertanggal

Artikel tentang Daftar Isi Blog sudah banyak diposting oleh para blogger baik yang berbahasa indonesia maupun berbahasa asing sudah seabrek artikel namun namanya juga manusia tidak ingin susah-susah mencari, maunya langsung saja dipasang di blog kesayangan supaya tidak repot. Begitu kira-kira harapan salah seorang pengikut group Belajar Ilmu Komputer di facebook yang mengirim pesan ke saya

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Receive a Free Pair of Tickets to Hear the Dalai Lama Speak on May 20th-22nd.

The one and only Dalai Lama will be coming to Radio City May 20th-22nd teaching six sessions of holiness and you can receive a free pair of tickets to hear him speak on May 20th! All you have to do is Follow @MSGnyc on Twitter and RT (re-tweet) the following tweet below to enter:

RT @MSGnyc: Win a pair of tix to see the one and only @DalaiLama 5/20 at Radio City! Follow & RT to enter! http://bit.ly/bbxASu

More info on the sessions here: http://www.radiocity.com/events/hh-dalai-lama-510.html

---End of Transmission---

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Guessed it in Our Imaginations. REPOST.

James: I've been reading the excellent blog, "Genkaku Again" for awhile now and always come away from reading his posts with a view of something that I hadn't noticed before. For example, I've often wondered about the authenticity of the canon's claiming to be the words of Buddha but I eventually realized that it's more important if the teachings work than who actually said them. So, when I read this post about the literal nature of Buddhist writings and teachings over at Genkaku's blog--I was riveted:

On a BBC Buddhist bulletin board, in a thread asking "what was the source of Buddha's wisdom?" one fellow, who describes himself as a "peaceful Muslim" posted this:

Do we have anything written by the Buddha himself; or you have guessed it simply in your imagination?

I purely love the question because I purely love the answer that I come up with, i.e., yes, we have simply guessed it in our imaginations. Of course there is nothing written by Gautama Buddha himself any more than there is anything written by Jesus himself or, for all I know, Mohammad himself. Everything was written after the fact, usually out of a strong oral tradition, by disciples and friends and adherents. So it's all second hand at best. And even those who get the word straight from the horse's mouth -- who heard some exalted poo-bah uttering one pearl or another ... STILL we "guessed it" in our imaginations. And so it goes in all spiritual endeavor. Anything called "authentic" is not yet authentic because the one hearing it has not yet put it to the test.

I think this small bit of information should be mandatory in all classes or temples purporting to disseminate so-called religion: The teaching may be very fine indeed, the pointers may be very fine indeed, the wisdom may be very fine indeed ... but it's all second-hand stuff in a world where people yearn to live authentic and peaceful lives ... you know, living first-hand, so to speak.

Calling teachings second-hand stuff is not an insult. It is just an observation. Second-hand stuff can have wonderful pointers and directions. But it needs to be admitted that, yes, we guessed it in our imaginations ... right up until we put it to the test. No more second-hand lifestyle! Guessed it in our imaginations ... I love that.

James: This reminds me of the Kalama Sutra, which is one of my favorite sutras and is probably the one that the foundation of my Buddhist practice is anchored upon. As you can see, Genkaku is a great blogger, and insightful Buddhist. So, you'd find great benefit in adding him to your reader list.

PHOTO: Buddha teaching, found at Dharma Folk.

~Peace to all beings~

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Memilih Modem Terbaik

Internet saat ini sudah tersedia dimana-mana, di sekolah, kampus, warnet, kantin, bar, hotel, kantor pemerintahan baik yang bebas penggunaannya (gratis) maupun yang berbayar.



Untuk yang bebas tentu tidak sebebas yang dipikirkan banyak orang termasuk saya...hehehe...tidak mungkinkan diberikan akses internet gratis begitu saja tentu ada syaratnya. Biasanya di sebuah kantin misalnya terdapat

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