BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese streaming platforms including Tencent Video and iQiyi have taken down films and video content starring Canadian actor Keanu Reeves after he participated in a Tibet-related concert organised by a non-profit founded by the Dalai Lama.

Checks by Reuters showed his acclaimed works, the Matrix and John Wick franchises, as well as Speed, were among the films that have been removed. Reuters could not determine when the films were taken down.

The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the content removal on Thursday said at least 19 of his movies were pulled from Tencent Video.

While content related to the Matrix films and some of Reeves's other work were still searchable on WeChat, China's ubiquitous messaging service, searches for his English name and its Chinese translation yielded no results.

iQiyi and Tencent Holdings, the parent company that owns Tencent Video and WeChat, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for Reeves was not immediately available for comment.

In late January, Reeves received heavy criticism from Chinese social media users, some of whom called for a boycott of his work in China, after it emerged that he planned to appear in a March 3 concert organised by Tibet House US, a New York-based nonprofit founded at the request of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader.

Reeves participated in the concert, which was held virtually due to restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, prompting more criticism online.

Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama, exiled in neighbouring India, of fomenting separatism in the Tibet region and instead recognises the current Panchen Lama, put in place by the Communist Party, as the highest religious figure in Tibet.

China has ruled the remote western region since 1951, after its People's Liberation Army marched in and took control in what it calls a "peaceful liberation".

Other high-profile Western figures that have been blocked from Chinese social media and video platforms after making comments criticising China's actions in Tibet include former NBA player Enes Kanter who at the time played for the Boston Celtics.

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista)

Go here to see the original:

Keanu Reeves axed by Chinese video platforms after Tibet concert - Yahoo Finance

Paubha remains a common painting method in Nepal but the austere religious observances once followed by its artists have fallen out of practice

With a shaved head and an empty stomach, artist Ujay Bajracharya dips his brush to line the eyes of the deity Tara as a soothing Buddhist hymn warbles in the background.

The 40-year-old is applying the final strokes to his paubha painting, a devotional art form known for its minute detail, intense colors and the strict purification rituals traditionally required of its practitioners. It took three months for Bajracharya to complete his rendition of the Green Tara, a goddess of compassion revered by Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal.

Before work began, he shaved off his hair and clipped his nails, while a Buddhist priest blessed his canvas and selected a day auspicious enough for the artist to commence his labors.

Bajracharya woke up early each morning and did not eat until his days work was over, adopting a strict vegetarian diet that also excluded garlic, tomatoes and onion when he broke his fast.

My body felt light and I felt more focused and motivated to paint, he said. Changing my lifestyle was a bit difficult at first but I had the support of my family and friends, so that helped me stay disciplined.

Paubha remains a common painting method in Nepal but the austere religious observances once followed by its artists have fallen out of practice.

Bajracharyas adoption of these rituals began last year, when he approached a museum in the capital Kathmandu about painting another Buddhist deity while adhering to the forgotten traditions.

Rajan Shakya, founder of the Museum of Nepali Art, said that they immediately agreed to the idea of reviving the practice.

It is part of what makes paubha art unique and valuable. The more people learn about it, the more demand there will be for Nepali artists. And then we know our art will survive, our culture will survive, Shakya said.

Bajracharya has committed to observing these rules for future paintings, beginning with his exacting work on the Green Tara, which he crafted for worship in a private prayer room at his home.

I felt that we should preserve this method and the next generation should also be aware people should know about the spiritual aspect of these paintings, he said.

Paubha artworks use cotton or silk canvases, and colors were traditionally made by grinding minerals and plants into fine powder. Some works even used pure gold and silver.

The oldest preserved paubha painting dates to the 13th century, but scholars believe the tradition is much older, with earlier examples likely disappearing because of the fragile materials used.

Its artists are believed to have inspired trends in thangkas, a similar type of devotional painting in neighboring Tibet that has been recognized in UNESCOs list of intangible cultural heritage.

A FORM OF MEDITATION

Priest Dipak Bajracharya a member of Ujays caste but of no relation to the painter said that in earlier times paubha artists would stay pure to ensure the sanctity of the images they produced.

The process itself is considered a form of meditation, he said.

While the traditional religious value remains, paubha paintings are now commonly seen as decorative hangings in museums or the homes of collectors.

A growing international appreciation for the craft has proven lucrative for artists, with interested buyers in China, Japan and Western countries.

Paubha paintings have now become a business, but their aim is not commercial they are actually objects of respect and worship, the priest said.

Dipak returned to Ujays home once the latters hair had grown back for a final religious ceremony, culminating in a ritual to breathe life into the finished painting.

The ceremonial practice invites the Green Tara to reside in the work as a vessel for worship.

This is not art alone, the faith of Buddhists and Hindus is tied to it, said Ujay Bajracharya. If we dont preserve this art form, the faith will also slowly fade away.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

More:

Nepal artist breathes life into sacred painting tradition -

Shunmyo Masuno, a Zen Buddhist priest and author of Zen: The Art of Simple Living, is back with more pithy, compassionate teachings in his newest book, Dont Worry: 48 Lessons on Relieving Anxiety from a Zen Buddhist Monk.

Dont Worry: 48 Lessons on Relieving Anxiety from a Zen Buddhist Monk,by Shunmyo MasunoTranslated by Allison Markin Powell224 pagesPENGUIN LIFE

The slim work earnestly addresses those who are unable or unwilling to live a less stressful life, specifically the people caught up in the conveyor belt of corporate life. By aligning his advice with scenarios from the business world, Masuno tackles issues such as competition, anxiety, stress, staying relevant and transactional relationships. However, readers dont need to be corporate types to find value in the books practical messages.

Dont Worry is divided into five sections, each containing several short chapters. Every chapter is a self-contained whole, making it easy to process Masunos lessons, which always include one to three Zengo (Zen phrases or sayings). The author firmly contextualizes these nuggets of wisdom with his unique storytelling to relate them to the present.

Part of the books charm is how it lays out Zen advice while fully recognizing hectic daily schedules. Zen teachings can be very accessible, Masuno explains in the opening pages. They are closely connected to our everyday lives. One chapter urges us to create a spot in your living space where your spirit can settle it can be as simple as a comfortable space, surrounded by photographs of loved ones. Another encourages us to establish morning rituals to slow down and make time for reflection, while in a section about improving relationships, Masuno reminds us to cherish our connections and become aware of the intricate array of circumstances that allow our paths to cross with that of another individual. Masuno ties the importance of these chance encounters to ichi go ichi e (one time, one meeting), a Japanese proverb used in tea ceremony to treasure every interaction, as every moment is fleeting.

Allison Markin Powells translation captures the direct simplicity of Masunos words. With its engaging and familiar tone, Masunos knowledge of modern issues is apparent, yet he retains the calm wisdom expected from Zen guides. The book also includes an appendix of all the Zengo used throughout the chapters.

Toward the end of the book, Masuno addresses the pitfalls of leaders who try to control every aspect of their job. Anytime youre in a position to lead and inspire, there is a flow that is beyond your control, he writes. Go with it. Water doesnt battle with the rock; it takes a slightly different course and keeps moving. Its good advice to keep in mind, no matter where you work or your position on the corporate ladder. For anyone in need of practical ideas to ease anxiety, look no further than Dont Worry.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Continued here:

'Don't Worry': Take a breather from the corporate grind with Zen lessons - The Japan Times

About 50,000 colorful lotus lanterns light up the courtyard at Samgwang Temple in Busan, 453 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Sunday, three days ahead of Buddha's Birthday. (Yonhap)

"Last year's listing of Yeondeunghoe as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage marked a big joyous occasion. It's natural wanting to celebrate the feat, but the Buddhist community decided to cancel this year's lantern festival and hold an online event instead," Moon said in the message posted on social media.

Yeondeunghoe, South Korea's lantern lighting festival held as part of the Buddha's Birthday celebration, was officially inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in December of last year.

Moon also thanked Buddhist leaders for providing support for the nation's medical and quarantine workers, small business owners and self-employed workers going through tough times due to the pandemic.

"While suspending ceremonies and events for the sake of antivirus measures, Buddhist monks have opened their temple doors wide," Moon said.

Moon added that the Buddhist community "provided a sense of peace and rest to medical and quarantine workers and those in the travel industry, small business and arts and culture sector by opening up temple stay programs for free." (Yonhap)

See the article here:

Moon thanks Buddhist community for solidarity in virus fight - The Korea Herald

(RNS) Each week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This weeks photo gallery includes the Buddhas birthday, religious vaccination efforts and more.

Note: RNS is expanding Photos of the Week to include reader photos. Please submit current photos of your practice of religion, spirituality or beliefsHERE. We are especially interested in capturing what it looks like as houses of worship reopen as pandemic restrictions ease. See our first installment below.

Buddhists attend a ceremony to celebrate Buddhas birthday, while maintaining social distancing as precaution against the coronavirus, at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Buddhists visit temples across the country to celebrate the Buddhas birthday. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A health worker administers a dose of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to a Buddhist monk at Priest Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2021. Thailand on Friday said it had detected its first locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus variant first found in India, even as it announced the formal rollout of its national vaccination plan for next month. (AP Photo/Anuthep Cheysakron,File)

A visitor takes pictures in front of lanterns on the eve of the Buddhas birthday at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Buddhists arrange desks during a cleanup ahead of Buddhas Birthday, which falls on May 19, at Jogye Temple in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A woman holds out her arms as she prays during a religious march in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, May 15, 2021. Hundreds of Haitians marched on the streets of Port-au-Prince after church services on Saturday to collectively pray outdoors for peace and an end to the wave of kidnappings that have victimized the citys residents. (AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn)

People visit the archaeological site of Templo Mayor in the historic center of Mexico City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The Templo Mayor, or The Greater Temple in Spanish, was the main temple of the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, which fell to Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes after a prolonged siege 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Mourners pray over the bodies of 17 Palestinians who were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Sanad Latifa)

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, center, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, speaks in front of civic and faith leaders outside City Hall, Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. Faith and community leaders in Los Angeles called for peace, tolerance and unity in the wake of violence in the city that is being investigated as potential hate crimes. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Emily Baumgartner, left, and Luke Finley, second from left, join friends from their church group in a birthday toast to one of the members during their weekly Monday Night Hang gathering at the Tiki Bar on Manhattans Upper West Side, Monday, May 17, 2021, in New York. Most of us live alone and we need community, she said. During the pandemic, we started hanging out in the park (Central Park) once a week. Once bars and restaurants reopened, we started coming back to Tiki Bar afterward. Under the latest regulations, vaccinated New Yorkers can shed their masks in most situations. Restaurants, shops, gyms and many other businesses can go back to full occupancy if all patrons are inoculated. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Health workers inoculate residents with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine inside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish church in Quezon City, Philippines, on Monday, May 17, 2021. The church was used to speed up the vaccination process to residents in the area. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Reader Photos

People attend an outdoor service at Stanwich Congregational Church in Greenwich, Connecticut, May 14, 2021. Photo by Nathan Hart

Caroline Perez Hartzel, 8, of Dallas, lets off some pent up energy after her First Holy Communion, Tuesday evening, May 18, 2021. Caroline had just attended Mass for the first time since the pandemic, a special, socially distanced Mass for communicants who studied online all year at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Dallas. Caroline developed a deep love of God in her Family Formation classes, but she also has developed a strong love of soccer that has come roaring back as COVID-19 restrictions end. Photo by Tony Hartzel

Archive Photos

Three American Dominican priests cross Freedom Bridge to Hong Kong from Red China, where they were kept under house arrest in Foochow, Fukien Province, circa 1955. Italian priest father Ambrose Poletti, from left, greeted and escorted fathers Joseph E. Hyde of Lowell, Mass., James G. Joyce of Clinton, Mass., and Frederick A. Gordon. The three were among the first group of American clergymen freed by the communists under the Geneva Agreements. With them on far right is Police Superintendent A. L. Gordon, who was in charge of the British side of the border. The trio was pale and had lost weight, but they were in good spirits. RNS archive photo. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

American sailors, far left, attend a service in a typical Protestant Bamboo Church in Port Moresby, the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea, circa 1948. RNS archive photo. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

Add to Favorite Articles

Read the original:

Photos of the Week: Buddha's birthday; vaccine drives - Religion News Service

I love my adopted state, where I have lived for more than 40 years. For all of its warts and problems, theres something about Alabama that gets inside your mind, your heart and your soul, and stays there.

For starters, its a beautiful place, with the Gulf of Mexico on the south end and the foothills of the Appalachians in the north and east. Its people are friendly and their voices are mellow; and if some Alabamians are suspicious of outsiders -- i.e., folks from other geographical regions, especially the North -- they generally will welcome transplants from other Southern states.

If you marry an Alabamian, as I did shortly after relocating from Louisiana, your welcome is even warmer, and before you know it, four decades will have passed and youll barely remember the times when you lived elsewhere.

Except when your politicians -- and after 40 years, they are yours -- do dumb stuff and you know that in a day or two, youll be reading about the dumb stuff in the New York Times and other national publications. Most recently, Alabamas dumb-stuff-story du jour came courtesy of the state Legislature.

Alabama Lifts Its Ban on Yoga in Schools, the New York Times reported the other day, explaining that nearly 30 years ago, in 1993, the state school board had forbidden schools to teach yoga. Why?

Its complicated, but Ill try to simplify: Yogas roots are in India, you see, and yoga emphasizes exercises and mental reflection, and there are a lot of Hindus and Buddhists in India, and Hindus and Buddhists arent Christians, and if our public schools teach yoga, then before you know it, all of our kids will have converted to Hinduism or Buddhism.

Or something like that.

But wait, you say. In its 2021 session that just wrapped up, didnt the Legislature reverse that ban and say that school districts can offer yoga as an elective? And didnt the governor sign the bill? Whats dumb about that?

Again, its complicated. Certainly, the Legislature did the right thing in overturning the ban, and Gov. Kay Ivey did the right thing when she signed the bill. And certainly, the dumbness originated with Alabamas elected state school board back in 1993.

But this years Legislature couldnt just say to its public schools, Its OK if yall want to offer yoga classes. No, lawmakers had to make double-double sure that their constituents wouldnt think they were condoning Hinduism/Buddhism/whatever-ism, so they spelled it out: All poses shall be limited exclusively to sitting, standing, reclining, twisting, and balancing. All poses, exercises, and stretching techniques shall have exclusively English descriptive names. Chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, induction of hypnotic states, guided imagery, and namaste greetings shall be expressly prohibited.

And you thought yoga classes were for people who want to exercise, stretch and improve their ability to concentrate.

I have never taken a yoga class, but its not because I fear losing my religion. What I fear is that if I tried one of those twisty, stretchy poses and toppled over, paramedics would have to load me into their ambulance in pieces. My fear aside, however, Ive known all sorts of people whove taken yoga classes, and Ive read news articles about its physical and mental health benefits. And like other people, Ive seen stories about sports teams that use yoga exercises to improve players flexibility.

What I havent read is a slew of articles or news reports about yoga fundamentally changing peoples spiritual beliefs.

What Id like to read one day is a series of national news reports about how Alabama is focusing its political energy on improving public education, and how its involving business and civic leaders in its schools, and how its well-paid and well-trained teachers are successfully preparing todays children for tomorrows world.

Im not sure when, how or whether well get to that point in the state that I love so much, but of this I am pretty certain: When and if it ever happens, the existence or absence of yoga classes in our public schools will be irrelevant.

Frances Coleman is a former editorial page editor of the Mobile Press-Register. Email her at fcoleman1953@gmail.com and like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/prfrances.

Here is the original post:

Yoga is another one of those dumb-in-Alabama stories - al.com

Skip to content

Sign Up For The Newsletter:

You've Successfully Subscribed

Not sure what Vesak Day is all about? We break it down for you here

Sign up for our newsletters to get all our top stories delivered.

You've Successfully Subscribed

Buddhists all over the world will celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha next week on May 26, a day that is also a public holiday in Singapore.

However, Vesak Day this year will be a lot more muted once again considering the rise in community Covid-19 cases in Singapore that led to the Phase 2 Heightened Alert that is currently in place till June 13.

Related: Hari Raya Puasa 2021: 5 of the Grandest Mosques in Singapore

Many public places, including places of worship, have had to stop in-person events and reduce their occupancies significantly. This means that many of the rituals, processions and temple visits that normally happen on Vesak Day will not be able to go on as planned.

Despite the changes, Vesak Day is still an incredibly special day for Buddhists. If you are unsure about what Vesak Day is all about, read on to find out everything you need to know about it.

Related: Your Favourite Vegetarian Foods for Delivery in Singapore

Vesak Day, or the day of the full moon, is a sacred day to millions of Buddhists worldwide. It marks the day that Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and then passed away in his eightieth year. It is a time for quiet reflection on Buddha's teachings, joy and peace.

The day that it is celebrated changes each year in accordance with the first full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha. This usually falls between May and early June.

Related: This Astrology-Inspired Dating App Could Help You Find Love Based On Your Star Sign

Buddhism is a religion that is present in many countries and cultures such as in India, Thailand, Singapore and Korea. As a result, each Buddhist culture tends to have its own unique traditions to honour the day.

However, typically, Buddhists will go to the temple at the crack of dawn to participate in the singing of hymns to honour Buddha, his teachings and his disciples. They will also raise the Buddhist flag while singing these hymns. Some Buddhists will even stay at the temple all day and night.

On this day, many Buddhists also participate in good deeds because it is believed that performing good deeds on Vesak Day will multiply one's merit a number of times over.

It is also common to see some Buddhist families decorating their homes with lanterns, taking part in processions and wearing special white clothes. They will also typically only eat vegetarian meals on this day.

Of course, with the new Covid-19 regulations, processions, sadly, will likely not be taking place.

Related: Hari Raya Puasa 2021: All the Shows to Binge-Watch on Netflix This Public Holiday

On Vesak Day, it is common to see people putting up offerings of flowers, candles and joss sticks at the temples.

The point of using these items as offerings is to acknowledge the transient nature of life. Candles and joss sticks will burn away and flowers will eventually decay.

On Vesak Day, one of the most common rituals you will see being performed is that of the 'bathing' of Buddha. This is where Buddhists collectively gather around and pour water over the shoulders of Buddha.

This practice reminds believers to clear their minds of negative thoughts and hatred as well as to commemorate the birth of Buddha. It is a very sacred ritual that is carried out by Buddhists yearly.

Related: Earth Day 2021: The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Tasting Menus to Try in Asia

The Scene vesak day buddha buddhist public holiday vesak day 2021

Sign up for our newsletters to get all our top stories delivered.

You've Successfully Subscribed

2021 Tatler Asia Limited. All rights reserved.

keyboard_arrow_up

In order to provide you with the best possible experience, this website uses cookies. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Javascript is disabled! common.-_please_enable_js

Follow this link:

Vesak Day 2021: 4 Things to Know About This Special Day - Tatler Singapore

Life is precious, so I am determined to protect lifenot only the lives of human beings but the lives of other species. Thich Nhat Hanh

The bus was about to depart Libourne one August afternoon when a passenger noticed a wasp inside, crawling at the top of a window. The passenger alerted us all to the wasp and then alerted the driver. Another passenger stood and demanded the driver open the door, not to free the wasp, but so that she, the passenger, could get off the bus. She refused to be on a bus with a wasp.

There seems to be a fear of wasps in France, perhaps because of stories in the newspapers about a few people who have died from allergic reactions to stings by the invasive Asian hornet. The invasive Asian hornets sting is no worse than the native European hornets sting, but perhaps seems doubly invasive.

Im allergic myself, so I remember from childhood the fear of stinging insects, from before I learned that bees and wasps would really rather not sting us at all. As with most animals, danger is avoidable with respect.

Regardless of its lineage, this particular wasp presented no danger that I could see. It did not want to be in the bus. It showed no interest in the passengers. It was at the top of the window looking for a way out. There may have been a lot of dangerous animals on that bus, but the wasp was not one of them.

Nonetheless, the driver attacked, first trying to crush the wasp with a roll of paper towels. The wasp fled into a crevice between the window and the drapes.

I thought I should do something to capture the wasp and free it outside. With a cup I could have caught it when it was on the window, but now that it was hidden that would be more difficult. Nor did I have a cup. Perhaps I should have asked if anyone else had a cup. But the bus was already late. Certainly people would object if I suggested we capture the wasp.

So I did nothing.

The driver unsheathed a ballpoint pen and attacked again, stabbing at the wasp where it hid. It fell to the floor, either killed or seriously wounded. The bus proceeded toward Sainte Foy La Grande.

The passenger who reported the wasp seemed satisfied with herself for resolving this perceived threat. The passenger who had demanded to get off the bus returned to her seat.

I regretted that I had done nothing to save the wasp, that I had allowed it to be killed.

But it was only one wasp on one bus on one day, right? Another dead bug, no big deal?

That seems true until we consider the human multiple: there are 7.7 billion humans on earth, most of whom share the attitude that we can kill for our convenience. So take this attitude, multiply it by 7.7 billion, acculturate and industrialize it.

Then its easier to understand why 40 percent of insect species are in decline, including those that provide the invaluable service of pollinating our crops.

Its easier to understand how humans have eliminated 83 percent of wild mammals on earth and half of plants. How only 4 percent of the worlds mammals are wild. How extinction has reached unprecedented rates for this age, with a million species threatened.

We can only address the ecological crisis weve created if we transform our relationship to the rest of the natural world. We can only prevent the suffering looming for all species, including our own, if we stop killing for convenience.

In thoughts like these, the wasp haunted my days at Plum Villages New Hamlet, one of the monasteries in the Dordogne Valley founded by the Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hahn.

Many of the people on that bus were also going to Plum Village, a place devoted to peace, including the woman who raised the alarm about the wasp. In the early days there I would pass her on the path, near the Lotus Pond or the Meditation Hall, and I would think, with chagrin and indignation, Theres that wasp killer!

One might expect that people going to Plum Village would already know not to killBuddhisms first precept.

How would Thich Nhat Hanh regard the wasp? Its not difficult to imagine, for he is the teacher who said:

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we dont even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a childour own two eyes. All is a miracle.

For those who dont like the word miracle, certainly one wasp is a brilliant culmination of 3.7 billion years of evolution, the earths natural intelligence. To snuff out its life is a triumph of ignorance.

But my indignation was tempered by the persistent feeling that indignation itself was incongruous with the peace cultivated at Plum Village.

A few days later, we would hear Thays elaboration on the first precept, what he calls The First Mindfulness Training, Reverence for Life:

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, or in my way of life.

Notice it is not enough to not kill, we must also prevent others from killing.

My own experiencefailing to speak up for the wasptaught me that reverence for life takes courage, the courage to stand up to convention, to culture, to industry. To stand against the norm and say, let life live.

This should not be a radical act.

But it is. And it also has to be a mindful act. The First Mindfulness Training has a second paragraph:

Seeing that harmful actions arise from anger, fear, greed, and intolerance, which in turn come from dualistic and discriminative thinking, I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism, and dogmatism in myself and in the world.

At Plum Village that August, the teaching on the First Mindfulness Training came from Fatima Tamayo, a Spanish psychologist whose commitment to the practice has inspired her to develop demonstration projects on sustainable living.

Tamayo reminded us that even as we oppose killing, we must aspire to tolerance, openness, and non-attachment to views. She advised us to realize that often those who kill also believe they are doing the right thing.

On the bus, those who killed the wasp doubtless believed they were protecting themselves and their fellow passengers.

It was only I who had failed to protect.

The needless death of one wasp may have been incremental, but it was an increment advancing a cumulative tragedy: killing has become routine.

Perhaps over tens of thousands of years humans developed an indifference to life that facilitated our survivalmuch as fire facilitated our survival. For tens of thousands of years we needed fire for cooking, for heat, for energy. But where theres fire, theres smoke. The consequences of using fire, compounded by the human multiple, have now compelled us to find cleaner ways to cook, to heat, to make energy.

Likewise, the days are gone in which our survival depended on routine killing. Were entering a new day in which, to survive, we must have the courage to revere.

More here:

The Sting of a Wasp - Tricycle

Buddha Purnima 2021 date: Everything you need to know

The Purnima Tithi (Full Moon day) in the month of Vaishakh is one of the most important days for the Buddhists. It marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The day is referred to as Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanti or Vesak and this year, Buddhists shall observe the 2583rd birth anniversary of the enlightened personality. Scroll down to know Buddha Purnima 2021 date and other significant details.

Since the traditional Indian calendar (based on Moon) differs from the widely followed Gregorian calendar,Buddha Purnima date keeps changing every year. This year, Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on May 26.

The Purnima Tithi shall last from 8:29 PM on May 25 to 4:43 PM on May 26.

Born as Siddhartha Gautama to King Suddhodana and Mayadevi in Lumbini (now in Nepal), Gautam Buddha was raised in Kapilavastu. However, he relinquished his palace and the extravagances of his royalty at a very young age. He moved away from luxuries searching for the truth after witnessing human sufferings or the fundamental yet bitter realities of life.

Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon at Sarnath after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. It is said that Buddha travelled from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath five weeks after getting enlightened.

Buddha's five ascetic disciples, known asPanchavargika, had travelled to ipatana (Rishipatana) in Sarnath even when Gautama Buddha was in Uruvilva (Bodh Gaya). After attaining enlightenment, Buddha proceeded towards Sarnath to give his first sermon to thePanchavargika.

RELATED NEWS

Today's Panchang, May 16, 2021: Check out today's Tithi, Shubh muhurat, Rahu Kaal and other details

Numerology predictions, May 16, 2021: Check out your lucky numbers, colours and other details

Weekly Horoscope May 16 to May 22, 2021: Know astrology prediction for your zodiac sign

Thus, Siddhartha, born into a royal family, became the enlightened one after years of penance. He attained knowledge while meditating under a Banyan (Peepal) tree and this divine wisdom transcended the material world.

Buddhists worldwide observe Buddha Purnima by remembering Buddha, who preached and practised peace, non-violence and harmony, but the celebration style differs from region to region.

View original post here:

Buddha Purnima 2021 date: Everything you need to know - Times Now

Download copy from here Zig Zag Zen - The Zen Perspective On Psychedelics

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pcPZbEh8S0