- Published on
Courage is that quality of mind which enables one to encounter dangers, trials and difficulties with firmness and without fear. - Swami Sivananda
- Published on
(public domain photo www.pixabay.com)
Ven. Zhi Xian, a Chinese Buddhist monk in Shanghai, has made his mark on the city, rescuing almost 8,000 stray dogs since the early 1990s. The head monk of Bao’en Temple in northeast Shanghai began saving dogs and cats in 1993, eight years after he first became a monk.
Traditionally, Chinese people in cities did not keep pets. Those were found in rural areas where they were used to assist humans - cats to capture mice and other small prey; dogs for protection.
As China prospered materially, city dwellers began to include pets as part of their families. However, as in the west, if an animal became ill, was too much work, or simply no longer wanted, the animals are abandoned. According to state media, there were some 50 million stray animals in China in 2019, with numbers roughly doubling each year.
Ven. Zhi said he has noted a sharp increase in the number of stray and injured animals in recent years, the result, he says, of well-meaning but poorly prepared pet owners abandoning unwanted animals. “I have to rescue them because if I don’t, they will die for sure,” said the 51-year-old monk.
“This is not caused by people who dislike dogs, or by the government, but by so-called dog lovers who don’t have proper animal-caring knowledge,” said Ven. Zhi. (WION)
Animals saved by Ven. Zhi go to his temple, to a shelter he runs in Shanghai, or to new homes around the world. Aided by a team of volunteers, Ven. Zhi has filled his temple—which still acts as a place of worship—with many dogs who are sick and in need of care, along with some 200 cats and a small collection of chickens, geese, and peacocks.
(read the full story: www.buddhanet.com)
- Published on
“If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke” said Irish poet Brendan Francis.
Put your talent to good use by generously sharing it. If you’re an attorney, guide someone who could not afford legal services. If you’re a medical professional, devote some of your time, unpaid, at a clinic which serves low income families. If your talent is writing, then help someone write up a resume for a job search. If you are fluent in another language, help a person by being their interpreter.
Remind yourself that a talent you have is not for yourself only. It is there so you can help others around you just like we benefit from Steve Jobs’ Apple creations, from Thomas Edison’s electricity, from Henry Ford’s automobile production, from Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone.
Put your talent to good use by generously sharing it. If you’re an attorney, guide someone who could not afford legal services. If you’re a medical professional, devote some of your time, unpaid, at a clinic which serves low income families. If your talent is writing, then help someone write up a resume for a job search. If you are fluent in another language, help a person by being their interpreter.
Remind yourself that a talent you have is not for yourself only. It is there so you can help others around you just like we benefit from Steve Jobs’ Apple creations, from Thomas Edison’s electricity, from Henry Ford’s automobile production, from Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone.
- Published on
As to national defense, it is simply wasteful. It diverts treasure from education, public health, social welfare, the arts, and from the construction and maintenance of transportation systems and public utilities. The poor suffer, we all suffer. - Robert Aitken
- Published on
The ignorant man is an ox. He grows in size, not in wisdom. - Buddha
- Published on
"Buddhism is about liberation from suffering and sympathetic joy for all, so it makes perfect sense that Buddhists of all backgrounds would support a holiday celebrating freedom from bondage and the joy that comes with being free."
- Pamela Ayo Yetunde
(read more www.lionsroar.com)
- Pamela Ayo Yetunde
(read more www.lionsroar.com)
- Published on
The life we have is not just a gift; it didn’t just happen to you. You have earned this life—this opportunity, this capability and potential for the ultimate achievement of enlightenment. - Gelek Rimpoche
- Published on
Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, New York, the personal monastery and North American seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, announced in a public a statement on Friday plans to build the first Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center on its grounds in upstate New York. A development campaign to raise an initial $5 million has been started.
The Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center is intended as a repository for the collected works of all 14 Dalai Lamas—a spiritual lineage that dates to the 15th century—as well as serving as a public place for study that will welcome students, scholars, community leaders, and practitioners of all spiritual traditions. The Learning Center, which will be accessible in person and online, is expected to offer a range of free and low-cost classes, talks, seminars, guided meditation, and more.
(read more: www.buddhistdoor.net)
The Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center is intended as a repository for the collected works of all 14 Dalai Lamas—a spiritual lineage that dates to the 15th century—as well as serving as a public place for study that will welcome students, scholars, community leaders, and practitioners of all spiritual traditions. The Learning Center, which will be accessible in person and online, is expected to offer a range of free and low-cost classes, talks, seminars, guided meditation, and more.
(read more: www.buddhistdoor.net)
- Published on
In ancient China, there lived a monk who meditated high up in a massive tree. No matter if the tree swayed in fierce winds and rain, the monk settled himself comfortably, high up in the branches.
Because of this, he was nicknamed “Birdsnest” by local villagers. Many of these residents passed beneath the monk while hunting or while gathering wood in the forest, so they grew used to him. Some began to stop and share their troubles with Birdsnest. They liked the things he had to say, and soon Birdsnest become known for his kind words and helpful insights.
After some years, the monk’s wise reputation spread throughout the province. Visitors from distant towns and cities hiked to the remote forest for advice. He became something of a Buddhist tourist attraction. One day the governor of the area, a spiritual seeker, traveled two days to visit Birdsnest where he found the monk sitting calmly up in the tree.
Looking up, the Governor shouted, “Birdsnest! I am the governor of this Provence, and I have come a great distance to speak with you! I have a most important question!” The governor waited for a reply but heard only the pleasant sounds of leaves stirring in the breeze. The governor continued, “This is my question, tell me, Birdsnest, what is it that all the wise ones have taught? Can you tell me the most important thing the Buddha ever said?” There was a long pause – just the soft rustle of leaves again. Finally, the monk called down from the tree: “This is your answer, Governor: Don’t do bad things. Always do good things. That’s what the Buddha’s taught.”
But the governor thought this answer far too simple to have walked two days for! Irritated and annoyed, he stammered, “Don’t do bad things; always do good things! I knew that when I was three years old, monk!” Looking down at the governor, Birdsnest replied with a wry smile, “Yes the 3-year old knows it, but the adult still finds it difficult to do!”
Because of this, he was nicknamed “Birdsnest” by local villagers. Many of these residents passed beneath the monk while hunting or while gathering wood in the forest, so they grew used to him. Some began to stop and share their troubles with Birdsnest. They liked the things he had to say, and soon Birdsnest become known for his kind words and helpful insights.
After some years, the monk’s wise reputation spread throughout the province. Visitors from distant towns and cities hiked to the remote forest for advice. He became something of a Buddhist tourist attraction. One day the governor of the area, a spiritual seeker, traveled two days to visit Birdsnest where he found the monk sitting calmly up in the tree.
Looking up, the Governor shouted, “Birdsnest! I am the governor of this Provence, and I have come a great distance to speak with you! I have a most important question!” The governor waited for a reply but heard only the pleasant sounds of leaves stirring in the breeze. The governor continued, “This is my question, tell me, Birdsnest, what is it that all the wise ones have taught? Can you tell me the most important thing the Buddha ever said?” There was a long pause – just the soft rustle of leaves again. Finally, the monk called down from the tree: “This is your answer, Governor: Don’t do bad things. Always do good things. That’s what the Buddha’s taught.”
But the governor thought this answer far too simple to have walked two days for! Irritated and annoyed, he stammered, “Don’t do bad things; always do good things! I knew that when I was three years old, monk!” Looking down at the governor, Birdsnest replied with a wry smile, “Yes the 3-year old knows it, but the adult still finds it difficult to do!”
- Published on
Elevate your experience and remain wide open, like the sky.
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive, like the earth.
Steady your attention and remain unshakeable, like a mountain.
Brighten your awareness and remain shining, like a flame.
Clear your thought-free wakefulness and remain lucid, like a crystal.
—Dakpo Tashi Namgyal
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive, like the earth.
Steady your attention and remain unshakeable, like a mountain.
Brighten your awareness and remain shining, like a flame.
Clear your thought-free wakefulness and remain lucid, like a crystal.
—Dakpo Tashi Namgyal