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A recent study was done on the happiest and most miserable states in America. Here are the 8 states which are the most miserable and, interestingly, they are all part of the "bible belt" causing me to wonder why this kind of Christianity makes people so miserable over all. Here's the list of the 8 least happy states in the union:
44. Oklahoma
45. Tennessee
46. Louisiana
47. Arkansas
48. Mississippi
49. Kentucky
50. Alabama
51. West Virginia
44. Oklahoma
45. Tennessee
46. Louisiana
47. Arkansas
48. Mississippi
49. Kentucky
50. Alabama
51. West Virginia
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The common concept of religious freedom fails to embrace the right to freedom from religious intrusion and exploitation, says Padma Kupa in an article published in Hinduism Today.
Predatory Proselytism is a phrase used to describe various unethical methods used in the attempt to gain converts. An ethical conversion is born of genuine faith, belief, study and/or religious experience that creates a true commitment to the new faith. Christian evangelism in India is almost universally predatory. The term "rice" Christian is used by people of India to describe families who need material assistance, reach out to Christian organizations for it, only to discover the aid is dependent upon their conversion. So they "convert" to get the help their family needs. Kupa descrbies one such incident:
"Consider the case of the watchman and his family in my parents' apartment building in Hyderabad. When their young daughter was ill, they obtained medical assistance through the local church. Unfortunately, the assistance from this church (which has ties to the US) came with strings attached: they were asked to convert to Christianity. Not having other means to obtain treatment for their daughter, they complied. And now the church people come every Christmas season to be certain they are still Christian--the visible symbol being a lighted star hung over their home. Seethamma continues to wear her traditional sari, her mangala sutra (the Hindu symbol of marriage) and the red mark of kumkum on her forehead; but her daughters now wear Western clothing, seeking to be more like the Christians who converted them."
Kupa and other Indians vigorously challenge the ethics of such predatory evangelism saying it is wrong on three levels:
1. material enticement, in which humanitarian aid or economic, educational, medical or social assistance is offered on condition that the person converts.
2. denigration of the person's own religion in order to make the new religion appear superior.
3. the promotion of bigotry--knowingly and intentionally promoting religious hatred and even violence.
Kupa concludes noting sadly that "predatory proselytization tears apart the fabric of the communities where it occurs and has led to the annihilation of cultures. "
Predatory Proselytism is a phrase used to describe various unethical methods used in the attempt to gain converts. An ethical conversion is born of genuine faith, belief, study and/or religious experience that creates a true commitment to the new faith. Christian evangelism in India is almost universally predatory. The term "rice" Christian is used by people of India to describe families who need material assistance, reach out to Christian organizations for it, only to discover the aid is dependent upon their conversion. So they "convert" to get the help their family needs. Kupa descrbies one such incident:
"Consider the case of the watchman and his family in my parents' apartment building in Hyderabad. When their young daughter was ill, they obtained medical assistance through the local church. Unfortunately, the assistance from this church (which has ties to the US) came with strings attached: they were asked to convert to Christianity. Not having other means to obtain treatment for their daughter, they complied. And now the church people come every Christmas season to be certain they are still Christian--the visible symbol being a lighted star hung over their home. Seethamma continues to wear her traditional sari, her mangala sutra (the Hindu symbol of marriage) and the red mark of kumkum on her forehead; but her daughters now wear Western clothing, seeking to be more like the Christians who converted them."
Kupa and other Indians vigorously challenge the ethics of such predatory evangelism saying it is wrong on three levels:
1. material enticement, in which humanitarian aid or economic, educational, medical or social assistance is offered on condition that the person converts.
2. denigration of the person's own religion in order to make the new religion appear superior.
3. the promotion of bigotry--knowingly and intentionally promoting religious hatred and even violence.
Kupa concludes noting sadly that "predatory proselytization tears apart the fabric of the communities where it occurs and has led to the annihilation of cultures. "
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The National Day of Unplugging is March 1–2 from sundown to sundown. The project was created by the Jewish group Reboot but could also be helpful for Buddhist practitioners looking to take a break from digital distractions. Organizers ask participants to sign a pledge to ignore their devices for 24 hours and provide some advice on how to avoid the urge to reconnect, including an away message for your social media accounts.
“Unplugging from your phone and computer for 24 hours isn’t easy,” National Day of Unplugging co-creator Dan Rollman said in a press release. “If you can do it, though, it’s a wonderful way to recharge your spiritual batteries and be present with the world around you.”
(source: www.tricycle.com)
“Unplugging from your phone and computer for 24 hours isn’t easy,” National Day of Unplugging co-creator Dan Rollman said in a press release. “If you can do it, though, it’s a wonderful way to recharge your spiritual batteries and be present with the world around you.”
(source: www.tricycle.com)
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I worry that we’re teaching meditation as some kind of linear path that quickly and easily brings great joy and peace. That hasn’t been my experience. - Tim Olmsted
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“The ancestor of every destructive action, every destructive decision, is a negative thought. We do not have to be afraid of negative thoughts as long as we do not welcome them. They are in the air, and they may knock at anyone’s door; but if we do not embrace them, ask them in, and make them our own, they can have no power over us.” - Eknath Easwaran
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Rather than resisting,
practice accepting
followed by
resetting.
- Victor M. Parachin
practice accepting
followed by
resetting.
- Victor M. Parachin
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We need devotion to enlightened beings and compassion to those who are not.
- Tulku Urgyen
- Tulku Urgyen
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama last week urged women to take a more active role in promoting and guiding social values for humanity in the 21st century, noting that more equitable gender roles in society are fundamental to advancing humanity toward peace and economic prosperity for society as a whole.
Speaking to a delegation of 75 women from New Delhi at his official residence in Dharamsala, northern India, on 18 February, His Holiness explained that if more women took up leadership roles in fields such as politics it could have a positive impact on a global scale. He cited as an example former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, the first woman in the history of modern India to hold the post.
“We are now in the 21st century. If we look back at the 20th century, it was a time of violence and fear. Therefore, we should make this century an era of non-violence and compassion,” said the Tibetan spiritual leader. “With regard to compassion, there is scientific evidence that women are more sensitive to others’ pain. Indeed in human history most warriors, or killers, were men, whereas women consistently show more concern for others’ well-being. In this century we should make special efforts to promote loving-kindness and women should take a leading role in this. They shouldn’t just stay at home, but should support and be actively involved with education.”
(source: www.buddhistdoor.net)
Speaking to a delegation of 75 women from New Delhi at his official residence in Dharamsala, northern India, on 18 February, His Holiness explained that if more women took up leadership roles in fields such as politics it could have a positive impact on a global scale. He cited as an example former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, the first woman in the history of modern India to hold the post.
“We are now in the 21st century. If we look back at the 20th century, it was a time of violence and fear. Therefore, we should make this century an era of non-violence and compassion,” said the Tibetan spiritual leader. “With regard to compassion, there is scientific evidence that women are more sensitive to others’ pain. Indeed in human history most warriors, or killers, were men, whereas women consistently show more concern for others’ well-being. In this century we should make special efforts to promote loving-kindness and women should take a leading role in this. They shouldn’t just stay at home, but should support and be actively involved with education.”
(source: www.buddhistdoor.net)
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Though Buddhism has generally avoided the nonsensical in-fighting which characterizes Christianity and it's churches, the Buddha still encountered issues and frequently had to offer teaching such as this one:
There is one thing which, when it appears in the world, appears for the detriment of many, for the misery of many, for the loss, harm, and suffering of many. What is that one thing? It is disunity in the Sangha. When the Sangha is divided there are mutual quarrels, mutual recriminations, mutual denigrations, and mutual rejections. In this situation, those who are unsympathetic to the Dharma remain unsympathetic, and some who are sympathetic change their minds.
There is one thing which, when it appears in the world, appears for the detriment of many, for the misery of many, for the loss, harm, and suffering of many. What is that one thing? It is disunity in the Sangha. When the Sangha is divided there are mutual quarrels, mutual recriminations, mutual denigrations, and mutual rejections. In this situation, those who are unsympathetic to the Dharma remain unsympathetic, and some who are sympathetic change their minds.
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I always like the mantra that “you can have it all, just not all at once.” There are seasons of life where you’ll have less time for yourself and will devote more to school or family or work. This is part of the normal ebb and flow of life. - Tracy Brower