The Return of the Pope of Buddhism Scepter by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was Rejected – PRNewswire
Posted: October 3, 2020 at 5:56 am
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --On September 24, 2020, the Chairperson of both the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council Suzi Leggett announced the ultimate resolution of the two Councils at the Holy Miracles Temple of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters: "The return of the conferment decree and the Pope of Buddhism Scepter by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is not effectible. The title, status, and authority of the Pope of Buddhism belong only to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and cannot be exercised by anyone else."
In 2018, after extensive vetting, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council officially conferred the title of Pope of Buddhism to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The conferment decree and the Pope of Buddhism Scepter was signed and presented by the then Chairperson of the two Councils Han Min Su. Nonetheless, to everyone's surprise, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was totally unmoved by the noble status and tremendous honor that came with the Pope of Buddhism title, and did not accept the conferment. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said: "Within the field of Buddhism, there are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. There are titles of Dharma kings, rinpoches, Dharma masters, eminent monastics, greatly virtuous persons, and Holy Gurus. There is no need for a Pope. I am a humble cultivator. I am not able to take on such a heavy responsibility."
When the World Buddhism Association Headquarters presented the conferment decree and the Pope of Buddhism Scepter that they received to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, His Holiness the Buddha saw that there was a seated statuette of Namo Shakyamuni Buddha on the Scepter and immediately raised the Scepter above His own head to show respect to Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord of Buddhism of the saha world. No one would have anticipated that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III actually returned the conferment decree and Pope Scepter directly to the two Councils.
In today's announcement, Chairperson Suzi Leggett said: "Over the past several decades, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council has presented the World Peace Prize to President Ronald Reagan, Hon. Mahatma Gandhi, H.E. Yitzhak Rabin, and presidents and prime ministers of other nations. There has never been a precedence of retraction. All determinations made and implemented by our Councils are very solemn, serious, and absolutely cannot be changedThe return of the conferment decree and Scepter of the Pope of Buddhism by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is deemed not effectible. The title, status, and authority of the Pope of Buddhism belong only to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and cannot be exercised by anyone else. This is a permanent and unalterable determination!" Despite the fact that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III still would not accept the conferment, Chairperson Leggett once again presented to the World Buddhism Association Headquarters the conferment decree and Pope Scepter that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III previously returned.
Venerable Mozhi Rinpoche represented the World Buddhism Association Headquarters to receive the conferment decree and Pope Scepter signifying the conferment of the title of Pope of Buddhism by the two Councils to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. He said, "The World Buddhism Association Headquarters considers the decision made by the two Councils to be remarkably proper and sagacious. Ever since Namo Shakyamuni Buddha entered parinirvana, there has not been a supreme leader who has the authority to guide all Buddhists the same way that the Buddha did. However, the authoritative position of the Pope of Buddhism certainly is not a role that a leader of a single Buddhist sect would have the attributes to fulfill; rather, the Pope must be a leader who has authority over the entirety of Buddhism, namely, a Buddha. Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III holds the perfect teachings of Buddhism and meets the criteria used by all Buddhist sects to recognize a Buddha. His inherent nature is that of a Buddha, His unsurpassed, complete, and perfect enlightenment is that of a Buddha, and His state of virtue is that of a Buddha. Just based the accomplishment of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in Lifting the Pestle onto the Platform, surpassing His own base weight standard by 59 levels, no one can possibly match such a record. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III also has perfect mastery of Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, perfect accomplishments in the Five Vidyas, and so forth, all of which truly are attributes of the perfect enlightenment of a Buddha. No other Buddhist Holy Guru in this world possesses such qualities.
"Just by the facts that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III vowed to benefit living beings purely on a voluntary basis and does not accept any offerings throughout His entire life, and that He possesses perfect wisdom and unimpeded accomplishments, no other Holy Guru can be of comparison. Only Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III can take on this immensely noble, holy, and heavy responsibility of the Pope of Buddhism, to properly guide Buddhists onto the correct path of learning Buddhism. Therefore, on behalf of Buddhists, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters thanks the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council for having made the ultimate decision."
Below is the statement announced by Suzi Leggett, the Chairperson of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council:
The Conferment of the Pope of Buddhism to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III is Unchangeable, The Return of the Conferment Decree is Deemed Not Effectible
The field of Buddhism in today's world is rather chaotic, there needs to be a preeminent Buddhist leader of authority to lead and correctly point Buddhists to the right direction. All Buddhists know that other than a Buddha, no great Bodhisattva, great Dharma king, great lama, or great Dharma master is qualified to hold the title and status of authority to be the world's highest leader of Buddhism. In particular, the entire field of Buddhism has now been infiltrated by many fake rinpoches and fake Dharma masters who are not true Buddhists. As a result, Buddhism all over the world has fallen into a state of chaos and confusion.
Within the traditions and formal systems of Buddhism, there are several dozen sects, such as Esoteric, Exoteric, Zen, Pure Land, Mahayana, Theravada, and so forth. Regardless of how high the status of a Dharma king or a great master of any school may be, such a person can only lead their own school. Besides, each school of the sectarian system has also been infiltrated by a great number of fake rinpoches and fake Dharma masters. These people are amateurs who do not understand Buddhist teachings in the Sutras; yet they feign to be greatly virtuous people or eminent monastics. Thereupon, gradually and inconspicuously, evil and non-Buddhists teachings have been mixed into authentic Buddhism founded by Shakyamuni Buddha. This is mainly because there is currently no preeminent leader in the entirety of Buddhism. There is no supreme leader of authority to take hold of true Buddhist teachings and true Buddha Dharma.
Since a Dharma king, patriarch, or great master of any school can only lead their own school, none of them is eligible, either in virtue or realization power, to be the authoritative leader of the entirety of Buddhism. Only a Buddha can be the King of the entirety of Buddhism and the authority in all Buddhist teachings and principles, in the same way the God in Christianity has authority over the entirety of Catholicism. Ever since Buddhist history in this world began with Shakyamuni Buddha, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the only Buddha who has truly been recognized by all major sects of Buddhism. A total of more than 100 documents of recognitions, corroborations, and congratulations have been formally issued by Buddhist leaders, Dharma kings, regent Dharma kings and great rinpoches of all major sects. Such a feat of recognition has never been achieved by anyone else in the history of Buddhism.
In particular, the Pope of Buddhism H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the first person in Buddhism to possess substantive holy realization power of a Buddha and perfectly flawless accomplishments at the pinnacle of the Five Vidyas. His selfless state of virtue is revered by all. His Holiness the Pope of Buddhism is also the one and only who possesses the inherent nature and physical constitution of a Buddha that no other eminent Buddhist monastic or virtuous person in this world has so perfectly attained.
After the Chairpersons of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council Han Min Su and myself, as well as the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council spent two years vigorously examining all evidences in great detail, we have formally made the ultimate, permanent, and irreversible determination that on January 31, 2018, the conferment decree and the Scepter of the Pope of Buddhism were to be presented to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. That date signified the official ascent of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to the authoritative throne of the Pope of Buddhism.
The World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council had officially conferred the title of the Pope of Buddhism to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in January 2018. However, at that time, the Pope of Buddhism H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III refused to accept the conferment decree and the Pope Scepter, stating His reasons being: "Within the field of Buddhism, there are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. There are titles of Dharma kings, rinpoches, Dharma masters, eminent monastics, greatly virtuous persons, and Holy Gurus. There is no need for a Pope. I am a humble cultivator. I am not able to take on such a heavy responsibility." In light of this, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters took the liberty to accept the conferment decree and the Pope Scepter for H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
However, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III returned the conferment decree and Pope Scepter to the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council. The two Councils deem the return of the conferment decree and Scepter to be unjustifiable. The conferring of the title of Pope of Buddhism was a determination reached by both Councils after serious and solemn vetting, and the conferment has already been implemented. Under no circumstances can we be so lacking in rigorousness to accept the return of the conferment. This decision has been made by the two Councils. This is not a decision for H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to make on his own.
Over the past several decades, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council has presented the World Peace Prize to President Ronald Reagan, Hon. Mahatma Gandhi, and H.E. Yitzhak Rabin, and presidents and prime ministers of other nations. There has never been a precedence of retraction. All determinations made and implemented by our Councils are very solemn, serious, and absolutely cannot be changed. Therefore, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Title Awarding Council hereby issue our ultimate statement regarding this matter as follows: The return of the conferment decree and Scepter of the Pope of Buddhism by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is deemed not effectible. The title, status, and authority of the Pope of Buddhism belong only to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and cannot be exercised by anyone else. This is a permanent and unalterable determination!
We wish that under the Pope of Buddhism H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, true Buddhism will greatly flourish, and the world will be greatly benefitted!
SOURCE World Peace Prize Awarding Council
worldpeaceprize.org
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The Return of the Pope of Buddhism Scepter by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was Rejected - PRNewswire
Do a temple stay at the headquarters of Soto Zen Buddhism – Japan Today
Posted: at 5:56 am
Oct. 2 05:08 am JST Oct. 2 | 06:48 am JST 2 Comments
Looking for Japanese spirituality and history all wrapped up into one fantastic experience? A day visit, or better yet, a stay at Eihei-ji Temple will leave you with lasting memories and maybe even eternal peace.
Fukui PrefecturesEihei-ji Temple stands as one of Japans two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism. Introduced to Japan in the 13th century by Dogen Zenji, the Soto school is the largest single religious denomination in the nation, with more than 14,000 temples dotted across the country.
Who was Dogen Zenji?
Dogen founded Eihei-ji in 1243, in what is today Fukui City, north ofKyoto Prefecture. Dogen and his followers were looking for a home to avoid conflict arising with other sects of Buddhism, such as Tendai.
For a short time, the temple was known asDaibutsu(Giant Buddha) Temple, but Dogen renamed the complex to Temple of Eternal Peace, or Eihei-ji, in 1246. Dogen lived the remainder of his life at Eihei-ji, leaving only once at the Shogun regents request. After he died in 1252, priests entombed Dogens ashes and a memorial in Eihei-jisjoyoden,or founders hall.
Today, Eihei-ji is the head training temple of Soto Zen Buddhism, and more than 200 priests and nuns call the temple home. Practicing Soto Zen priests from all over Japan, and even the United States San Francisco Zen Center, come to Eihei-ji to meditate and chant sutras.
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Do a temple stay at the headquarters of Soto Zen Buddhism - Japan Today
Catholics spread joy to disabled Buddhist children in Vietnam – UCAN
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Catholics in central Vietnam have developed interfaith relations with local Buddhists by celebrating the Mid-autumn Festival with hundreds of disabled children.
More than 100 children with physical disabilities in blue T-shirts sang songs, clapped and welcomed a group of priests, religious and volunteers at the Buddhist-run Long Tho Center for Disabled Children in Hue on Sept. 30.
Catholic visitors played organs, sang childrens songs and offered traditional games to children, mostly from Buddhist families. Children also performed traditional dances and sang songs.
They offered them gifts including balloons, Mid-autumn cake, sweets, rice, instant noodles, fish sauce and bobble hats, each costing 200,000 dong (US$9).
The visit aims at bringing Mid-autumn Festival joy to these disabled children who have few opportunities to celebrate the yearly traditional festival like others, said Sacred Heart Father Joseph Phan Tan Ho, head of the group.
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Father Ho, who works with disadvantaged people regardless of their backgrounds in the central provinces, said the event was also designed to maintain interfaith constructive dialogue between local Catholics and Buddhists. Thua Thien Hue province is home to Buddhism in central Vietnam.
Father Mattheus Mai Nguyen Vu Thach, head of Hue Archdioceses interfaith committee, and Buddhist nun Thich Nu Thoai Nghiem, vice director of the center, also handed gifts to the children.
We would like to thank you very much for warmly welcoming us, Father Thach told the center staff and children. The priest hopes the event will promote cooperative, constructive, friendly and positive interaction between followers of the two faiths.
Thich Nu Thoai Nghiem said she was deeply grateful to Catholic visitors who love and provide generous basic supplies for children at the center. Many suffer Down syndrome, paralysis, hearing and visual impairments, and congenital abnormalities.
Nguyen Van Thoi, who suffers paralysis of both legs and uses a wheelchair, said he was happy to celebrate the festival with Catholics who treated him with respect. His father died in a road accident and his mother remarried. The 19-year-old man had to sell lottery tickets for a living before he was admitted to the center in 2017.
Caritas workers and volunteers also held Mid-autumn ceremonies for 100 other children with physical disabilities and infected with HIV/AIDS at the Pastoral Center in Hue. Most of the beneficiaries were from Buddhist families.
Lovers of the Holy Cross Sister Mary Truong Thi Thao, a member of Caritas in Hue, said the children made lanterns, performed lion dances, played games, had meals and received gifts.
We try to bring the children festival joy and strengthen our relationships with their families, said Sister Thao, who is in charge of children's service.
Daughters of Our Lady of the Visitation Sister Therese Nguyen Thi Kim Lan said her congregation also gave gifts and food to 45 children from Buddhist families who live on boats in rivers on Sept. 27.
She said nuns pay regular visits to their families and teach human values and English to them on Sundays at the mother house.
Joseph Tran Ngoc Tri, head of Catholic youths in Kim Doi Parish, said young people make money by performing lion dances around the parish and offer school supplies, lanterns and cake to 200 children.
He said catechism students will invite three Buddhist children each to attend a Mid-autumn ceremony held at the church on Oct. 1.
Michael Nguyen Dinh Thanh, head of altar boys from Phu Cam Parish, said they performed lion dances for child patients from Hue Central Hospital.
Father Ho said his group also provided over 1,000 gifts for children from poor families in the districts of A Luoi, Huong Tra and Quang Dien which had been severely hit by Tropical Storm Noul.
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Catholics spread joy to disabled Buddhist children in Vietnam - UCAN
Travelling to Indias Himalayan frontiers? Heres why you see fluttering colored flags and stone stacks – The Financial Express
Posted: at 5:56 am
A part of the Buddhist religion similar to the one practised in neighbouring Tibet, these sights while making up for pleasant roadside views, also hold great cultural and historical significances.
By Monidipa Dey
Those that have travelled to Ladakh, Spiti, Sikkim or to other Indian Himalayan states will be familiar with the innumerable pretty chortens that dot the landscape and the colourful flags with their printed mantras that brighten up houses, farms, mountain passes, and water bodies. A part of the Buddhist religion similar to the one practised in neighbouring Tibet, these sights while making up for pleasant roadside views, also hold great cultural and historical significances.
In the modern context, Tibetans refer to those from Tibet (in a geographical and political sense); however, owing to ancient and early medieval cultural ties with the old Tibetan kingdom, many Indians also practice Buddhism as practised in Tibet, which is pretty obvious when we travel to the Himalayan states. Besides the locals, many refugees from Tibet owing to political crises in their own country have made India their home in the last few decades, and have kept their religious and cultural practices intact.
The history of Tibetan Buddhism is strongly rooted in India, and records show that while Buddhism made an appearance in the Tibetan kingdom around 7th century CE and received royal patronages, it took a firm shape only after the famous monk Atish Dipankar (9821054 CE) from the Pala era Bengal carried with him the essence of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and spread it among the masses, from Tibet to Sumatra and beyond. Before Buddhism arrived from India, Tibetans practiced Bon religion, an ancient form of worship. The Bon religion believed in the worship of natural spirits, and exorcism to drive away demons and remove negative effects. Many aspects of the Bon traditions were absorbed into Indian Buddhism, which finally gave rise to the form of Buddhism followed in Tibetan platuea and Indias Himalayan frontier regions. The Bon religion still survives in some parts of Tibet, and the adherents follow practices and philosophies that show a striking similarity to Tibetan Buddhism.
What do the fluttering flags say?
Hanging long strings of prayer flags/banners, and hoisting prayer flags on poles is a unique characteristic of Tibetan culture, and these are frequently seen on mountain passes and tops, farms, forests, beside water-bodies, houses, and gompas. In Tibetan language these flags are referred to as dar lcog, wherein dar means cotton cloth and lcog means an upright position (silk and synthetic fabrics are also used). This custom has been in practice for more than a thousand years now, and it is believed that initially the tradition started as a symbol of war, which later modified itself to denote religious activities. As Buddhism took hold among the Tibetans, even the ancient war symbols (flags and spears) slowly turned into philosophical symbols of positive energy that brought forth good fortune, while removing obstacles and unhappiness.
A closer look at the flags and banners show that five different colours are always used in the same order: blue on top, followed by white, red, green, and yellow. The five colours denote five natural elements, wherein blue denotes the sky, white stands for clouds, red is for fire, green is for water, and yellow depicts the earth. The Tibetans belief that there must be a balance between these five natural elements for prosperity (good crop yield and thriving cattle), which in turn will fill the world with happiness and peace. When the balance is lost, unhappiness and misery will engulf the world.
There is another line of Tibetan philosophy that claims the colours represent water (blue), iron (white), fire (red), wood (green), and earth (yellow). In this case the colours should be placed giving precedence to the raisers dominating natural element. Interestingly, a common form of this flag known as wind-horse prayer flag has Garuda as one among the four supreme power animals shown on it.
Why the stacked stones?
The stacked stones, a common sight in the mountains, tell us tales of previous travellers who have been to that place. Often stacked stones that are seen on mountain passes are covered with prayer flags. These cairns are revered objects, as it is believed they help to please the natural spirits/deities. These stacked stones with prayer flags are known as la btsas. Here the word la means mountain pass, and btsas likely refer to a tax paid when going to a sacred place. The practice started long back, when travellers and traders in ancient times made arduous journeys across high mountain passes. Once a pass was reached after a tortuous trek, it was considered a major achievement. The travellers would then collect stones, make a stack, and place some food item on it as an offering. Besides serving as offerings to create positive energy, the stacked stones with food items were also offerings for the later travellers who might arrive exhausted and without any food. With the passage of time as travelling turned less arduous, this practice of boosting the morale of later travellers by keeping food for them gradually went obsolete, and stone stacking turned into a custom of appeasing gods. As more and more stones piled up, flags were put on them, and slowly they turned into means of pacifying the natural spirits and gods. The script often seen on these stones and on Mani stones are known as Lantsa script, which is an Indian Buddhist script of late Pala origin, hence some alphabets are similar to Bengali alphabets.
There is also another line of thought which believes that in ancient times the mountain passes were boundaries of different kingdoms, and as people crossed the borders, they were obliged to pay taxes (la btsas), which later changed into a custom of appeasing deities.
There are more such interesting titbits from the Tibetan cultural aspects, which after a closer study reveal the complex weaving of two ancient religions (Bon and Indian Buddhism) to create a new form that has kept alive both the religions, despite the apparently seamless integration.
(The author is a well-known travel writer. All images providedby the author. Views expressed are personal.)
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Travelling to Indias Himalayan frontiers? Heres why you see fluttering colored flags and stone stacks - The Financial Express
Sikkim to establish new Buddhist university in accordance with National Education Policy guidelines -… – The Sentinel Assam
Posted: at 5:56 am
Gangtok: The Northeastern state of Sikkim is all set to have a Buddhist University -- named Khangchendzonga Buddhist University (KBU), it will become the first private Buddhist university in India and the first university in Sikkim to be founded by the Sikkimese people.
A bill in this regard was passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly 21 September to establish a Buddhist university in the northeastern Indian state. Interestingly, the session of the Legislative Assembly, which also passed eight other bills, was limited to a single session due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prem Singh Tamang, expressing gratitude to the members of the Legislative Assembly for passing the KBU bill, said: "This is a fulfillment of the SKM [Sikkim Krantikari Morcha] Party's manifesto to build a Buddhist university in Sikkim and will place Sikkim prominently on the map of higher education in India and the world."
Tamang in his release also stated that KBU would advance Buddhism in Sikkim and the world, and offer "innovative models of education and offer cutting-edge vocational programs with a broad-based foundation in liberal arts so that students of the lower and lower-middle class can be prepared for rewarding careers in India and outside."
Buddhism is one of the primary religions followed in the Himalayan state. A recent census shows that 57.8 percent ]of the population follow Hinduism, with Buddhists accounting for 27.4 percent and Christians 9.9 percent. Vajrayana Buddhism plays a significant role in Sikkim's public life.
Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha, who introduced the KBU bill in the Legislative Assembly, said the new university would promote knowledge, understanding, and development in all members of the community.
As per reports, this upcoming university is to be modeled on the guidelines laid out by the National Education Policy in India and is to help the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also Watch: Assam DIG (retd) who owns 8kg gold, 5 hotels, 5 flats, 2 tea estates, 1500 bighas of land
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Sikkim to establish new Buddhist university in accordance with National Education Policy guidelines -... - The Sentinel Assam
NFU: Understanding the spirit and intent of the Lands Protection Act – TheChronicleHerald.ca
Posted: at 5:56 am
Venerable Yvonne Tsai, a Buddhist nun with the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute, spoke during a regular council meeting in Montague on Sept. 14. During the meeting, council put a proposal on hold from the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute to build a nuns' residence in the community. - SaltWire file
Douglas Campbell Guest opinion
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is praising the Three Rivers municipal council for its care in dealing with issues relating to the Buddhist communities in the region. In recent days the council voted to refuse a permit to Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (Buddhist nuns) for the building of a residence in Brudenell, eventually to be expanded to hold over 1,000 nuns. It was clear that the centre of concern for many attending the council meeting was far greater than the building permit. There has been an increasing growing anxiety in the surrounding area of Three Rivers, as well as other parts of P.E.I., about what appears to be unregulated land accumulation by foreign interests and corporations, through deliberate disregard for and manipulation of the Lands Protection Act.
For people who may not be aware, the Lands Protection Act was put in place in 1982 by the then Progressive Conservative government of Angus MacLean. It was, and continues to be, a forward thinking piece of legislation of spirit and intent and laws to ensure Islanders retain the right to the ownership and use of their land. It was also to protect Island farmers from direct competition by processors. The act is entrenched in the Canadian Constitution. While Island land has always been a target of outside interests with deep pockets, the NFU believes the act is more relevant than ever now as the worldwide land grab escalates.
The NFU wonders if the Buddhist presence in Southern Kings County might be following some of the same patterns of land ventures in other parts of P.E.I. Two corporations, along with others, cluster together family members to come up with numerous legitimate farm corporation, each of which can own 3,000 acres. It is a brazen breaking of both the letter and the spirit of the Lands Protection Act, which decrees that all such off-shoot corporations must be considered as one corporation.
Thus far we know of a number of organizations under the heading of Buddhist. Some of the Buddhist organizations, which come into the conversation in P.E.I. are: Bliss and Wisdom; Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS), the monks with monasteries in Little Sands and Heatherdale; GEBIS Charlottetown, a non-profit organization on Great George Street; Moon Light International Foundation; Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI), a monastery where nuns study and practise the teachings of Buddha, currently on the Uigg Road, with extensive plans for Brudenell. There is also the Moonlight International Academy, a private boarding school in Little Sands for the teaching of Buddhism especially to teenagers and some preteens.
The long-time residents of Southern Kings, from the first arrivals of the monks, nuns and students, have given the Buddhists an ongoing warm welcome, and have known these new neighbours as peaceful and kind. However, uneasiness entered the picture when people began noticing that farmland and other real estate seemed to be changing hands small-holding-by-small-holding.
Yet on all levels, the current government to-date is following in the footsteps of previous governments in its weakness and unwillingness to enforce the spirit, intent and even the letter of the Lands Protection Act. It seems powerless to follow the money or to enforce laws related to international money transactions, acquisitions and investments within their jurisdiction.
There are many unanswered questions which the P.E.I. government and IRAC must answer. The Municipality of Three Rivers should not have to be the enforcers of the Lands Protection Act. But how great it is that council listened and understood there are deep-seated issues behind the building permit request. The NFU insists that the responsibility for overseeing the letter, spirit, and intent of Lands Protection Act belongs squarely on the shoulders of the P.E.I. government. It is past time to see action relating to land acquisition in Southern Kings.
Douglas Campbell lives on their family farm in Southwest Lot 16 and is District Director of the National Farmers Union.
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NFU: Understanding the spirit and intent of the Lands Protection Act - TheChronicleHerald.ca
The True Nature of Self: A Live-Streaming Buddhist Retreat – Patch.com
Posted: at 5:56 am
Neighbors please be mindful of social distancing guidelines while you do your part to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. See the latest guidance from the CDC here.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Live-Streaming Buddhist Retreat: The True Nature of Self, Saturday, October 10th, 10:00am 3:15pm. The object that we most grasp at is our self. We experience deep suffering when this self is criticized, judged or unhappy in any way. Buddha taught that we are actually very confused when it comes to understanding how this self actually exists and because of that confusion, we stay stuck in unhappiness. In this day retreat, we will explore the nature of the self and engage in practical meditations to help increase our wisdom and live our life more joyfully. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $25. Course will remain available online for 48 hours after class for those who pre-register and cant attend live. For info and registration visit: https://meditationinconnecticut.org/living-lightly-discovering-the-true-nature-of-self/
There is no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on emptiness. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
Free e-book Modern Buddhism: https://emodernbuddhism.com/
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The True Nature of Self: A Live-Streaming Buddhist Retreat - Patch.com
Understanding the spirit and intent of Lands Protection Act – peicanada.com
Posted: at 5:55 am
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is praising the Three Rivers Municipal Council for its care in dealing with issues relating to the Buddhist communities in the region. In recent days the council voted to refuse a permit to Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (Buddhist Nuns) for the building of a residence in Brudenell, eventually to be expanded to hold over 1,000 nuns.
It was clear the centre of concern for many attending the council meeting was far greater than the building permit. There has been growing anxiety in the surrounding area of Three Rivers, as well as other parts of PEI, about what appears to be unregulated land accumulation by foreign interests and corporations, through deliberate disregard for and manipulation of the Lands Protection Act.
For people who may not be aware, the Lands Protection Act was put in place in 1982 by the then Progressive Conservative government of Angus MacLean. It was, and continues to be, a forward thinking piece of legislation of spirit and intent and laws to ensure Islanders retain the right to the ownership and use of their land. It was also to protect Island farmers from direct competition by processors. The act is entrenched in the Canadian Constitution.
While Island land has always been a target of outside interests with deep pockets, the NFU believes the act is more relevant than ever now as the worldwide land grab escalates.
The NFU wonders if the Buddhist presence in Southern Kings County might be following some of the same patterns of land ventures in other parts of PEI. Two corporations, along with others, cluster together family members to come up with numerous legitimate farm corporation, each of which can own 3,000 acres. It is a brazen breaking of both the letter and the spirit of the Lands Protection Act, which decrees all such offshoot corporations must be considered as one corporation.
Thus far we know of a number of organizations under the heading of Buddhist. Some of the Buddhist organizations, which come into the conversation in PEI are: Bliss and Wisdom; Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS), the monks with monasteries in Little Sands and Heatherdale; GEBIS Charlottetown, a nonprofit organization (NGO) on Great George St; Moonlight International Foundation and Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI), a monastery where nuns study and practice the teachings of Buddha, currently on the Uigg Road, with extensive plans for Brudenell. There is also the Moonlight International Academy, a private boarding school in Little Sands for the teaching of Buddhism especially to teenagers and some preteens.
The longtime residents of Southern Kings, from the first arrivals of the monks, nuns and students, have given the Buddhists an ongoing warm welcome, and have known these new neighbours as peaceful and kind. However, uneasiness entered the picture when people began noticing farmland and other real estate seemed to be changing hands small holding by small holding at a rapid rate. Much of which has fallen under the radar because of private transactions between supposed representatives of the Buddhists and local property owners. There was a rumour local farmers were offered inflated prices, sometimes in cash, for their land.
Yet on all levels, the current government to date is following in the footsteps of previous governments in its weakness and unwillingness to enforce the spirit, intent, and even the letter of the Lands Protection Act. It seems powerless to follow the money or to enforce laws related to international money transactions, acquisitions, and investments within their jurisdiction.
There are many unanswered questions which the PEI government and IRAC must answer. The Municipality of Three Rivers should not have to be the enforcers of the Lands Protection Act. But how great it is that council listened and understood there are deep-seated issues behind the building permit request.
The NFU insists the responsibility for overseeing the letter, spirit, and intent of Lands Protection Act belongs squarely on the shoulders of the PEI government. It is past time to see action relating to land acquisition in Southern Kings.
Douglas Campbell lives on the family farm in Southwest Lot 16 and is District Director of the National Farmers Union
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Understanding the spirit and intent of Lands Protection Act - peicanada.com
Forest Public Library celebrates 10th year anniversary in new building – Scott County Times
Posted: at 4:55 am
R. David Lankes said, Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, and great libraries build communities. However, ten years ago, a great community built a great library.
According to Branch Manager Dianne McLaurin, the Friends of the Forest Public Library had begun plans in January 2020 for a community-wide library celebration. Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other plans. The Friends group created a Ten-Year Anniversary Committee with Shawna Alexander, former branch manager and member of the group, as the chairman. The event was to be held in August or September 2020 to commemorate the grand opening of the current facility,McLaurin said. When the library closed on March 16th of this year, library life as we knew it changed for everyone. Even after we reopened to the public, the library programming has been completely virtual. Much to everyones disappointment, we knew that our plans for a Sunday afternoon celebration were not to be. I am so grateful for this opportunity to pay tribute.
Some people have called the Forest Public Library the Taj Mahal of Mississippi libraries. Mayor Nancy Chambers described it best ten years ago in a quote from The Scott County Times. Is this not a fantastic facility? Chambers question was answered with resounding applause at the librarys dedication ceremony hosted by the Forest Area Chamber of Commerce. She continued her address to a large crowd of residents in attendance, I dont believe there is a finer library facility owned by a municipality the size of Forest in the entire state of Mississippi. It says much about our people, it says much about our city, and it says much about our community. It tells everybody that we recognize where the emphasis should be.
Although much success was shared on that day in August 2010, the path to success was sometimes rocky and rough. Former Branch Manager Shawna Alexander remembers those days.
When discussions first began about building the new library, Mayor Chambers wanted to build the new facility in the same location of the previous library, Alexander said. She faced some serious opposition from those who wanted to preserve the structure because of the old band hall. They did not want the facility torn to the ground and a new one built in its place. However, the mayor was firm in her defense of the location, and the decision was made that the new library would remain in the heart of the downtown area.
Alexander said that the rocky road did not end with that positive decision. Everything in the building had to be packed up and moved to the Community Bank annex building and then unpacked for a year of continued library operation during the demolition of the old library and the construction of the new library.
The headquarters staff of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System helped with the transition of materials by offering support, organization, and physical labor.
We moved out of the building in April 2009 and stayed at the annex until of August of 2010, Alexander said. Some items had to be stored upstairs, so we made many trips up and down to make sure every item had a safe place until the building phase was finished. Mrs. Kaileen Thieling was the CMRLS director at that time. She was so helpful throughout the process. Four new libraries were built during her tenure as director, so she definitely knew the most efficient way to get everything done.
From the ambitious vision to the dedication ceremony, one part of the journey required the help of everyone.
This building would not be here without donations, Alexander said. She explained that everyone asked for donations. Mayor Chambers, Director Thieling, and Branch Manager Alexander visited every civic club, business, and organization to solicit donations.
Then Friends President Beverly Rhodes and Vice-President Esther Perry gathered up jugs and jars and took them to individual classes at the schools. Each class competed to collect the most change from the students.
I remember that we rolled piles and piles of change, Alexander said. It wasnt about winning a competition; I think the class that won received snacks from the Friends group. It was about everyone in the community doing their part, even children.
The community donations came from every corner of town. Whether it was a furniture company donating a recliner to be raffled or a bank donating a conference table, the community stepped up to the challenge. Soon the path to completion was becoming smoother, and the end destination was in sight.
The formal dedication and grand opening of the $2.5 million facility was held on Thursday, August 26, at 5:00 p.m. Former Scott County Times editor Sid Salter served as emcee for the event. Mayor Chambers enumerated the many people who had significant roles in building the new facility, including Bryan Brown architect, John Laws general contractor, the Forest Board of Aldermen, city administration, library staff, county officials, and the many donors.
Current Branch Manager Dianne McLaurin has strong ties to the Forest Public Library. She understands the appreciation of the new facility and the continued emphasis on community.
McLaurin is the only librarian to serve as childrens librarian, circulation clerk, assistant branch manager, and branch manager of the Forest Public Library. I cannot imagine this facility any other way than it is now, even though I worked in the former library, she said. At one point, we removed the carpet in that facility, painted the interior walls, and even painted the childrens area Bearcat Blue! I loved that library, but all the upgrades and repairs could not sustain the condition of the building.
There is nothing like experiencing the seasons in the new library with its floor to ceiling windows the spring blossoms, the summer sunsets, the fall foliage, and the Christmas decorations! I know why everyone feels welcomed and special here. I remember when WAPT news anchor Scott Simmons was covering a story in Forest, he was so impressed by the library. His exact words were this place is amazing.
John Grisham once said that all he had to do was visit the public library for an accurate impression of the town. The Forest Public Library continues to make a lasting impression upon everyone who drives around the city block, enters its doors, or uses the space for the services provided.
A few years ago, someone asked McLaurin how it feels to work in the beautiful facility, and she replied, It feels like being a part of something grand and common every single day. To me, true community feels the same.
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Forest Public Library celebrates 10th year anniversary in new building - Scott County Times
Smiley Public Library Young Readers Room: 100 years, generations of readers – Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: at 4:55 am
While the coronavirus pandemic forced the temporary closure of public libraries and programs throughout the country, the children of Redlands were not left behind. The Young Readers Room, which celebrates its centennial this year at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, continues to offer special literacy programs for kids in the virtual world with a human touch.
Pamela Martinez, the Smiley Librarys Youth Services librarian, leads a team that is ensuring local children have access to books and literacy programs. By taking youth programming online for the first time, the Young Readers Room staff has ensured that children, teachers and others can enjoy newfound access to the librarys story times and other offerings. The YRR also has an Instagram account.
The pandemic has helped the YRR expand globally, which Martinez calls an unforeseen benefit. In the future, some virtual programming will be available throughout the year.
It will continue being a platform to reach more people, she said about the move online. We do what we can and are always looking to incorporate new things.
After the Smiley Library closed temporarily in March, the staff changed its in-person story times for kids to virtual events, available on the YRRs Facebook page. For preschoolers, story time is streamed at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesdays; its also available on Redlands TV at 5 p.m. daily. Martinez reads books for kids ages 4-6 and also entertains with songs.
Virtual story time for babies is streamed live at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays, with staffers reading stories, presenting songs and finger plays for babies up to age 2. Pajama time story time is presented Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. on Facebook, and a Spanish-language virtual story time for kids age 6 and younger is on Saturdays at 1 p.m.
In the first three weeks of August, a combined 3,000 minutes of story time programming was viewed online, said Martinez, who is tracking viewership. Preschool story time was the most popular.
We have people all over the United States watching so thats actually cool. Its opened up for people who dont live in the community to attend as well. Weve learned a lot and its been a great outreach, Martinez said.
Jessica Cross leads story time with her children, left to right, Jack, Charlie and Benjamin, holding baby Lila, in the Young Readers Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library. (Photo by Eric Reed)
Pam Martinez, childrens librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library, gives an animated story time reading for children who can watch her and other readers on the Young Readers Room Facebook page. (Photo courtesy A.K. Smiley Public Library)
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The Young Readers Room is shown soon after the childrens wing was completed in 1920. (Photo courtesy A.K. Smiley Public Library)
Kids read books in the Young Readers Room. (Photo by Eric Reed)
Melanie Reilly of Beaumont and her two daughters, ages 2 and 5, are among the loyal story time followers. They enjoy watching Miss Pamela read stories.
Reilly used to take her girls to the Beaumont library for stories and crafts before that library closed, so seeing the YYR story time live on Facebook has been a great replacement for her daughters, especially her kindergartner who already knows how to read.
They get so excited when Miss Pamela recognizes them after they check in and she interacts with the kids. She does that with all the kids, Reilly said. Its just nice for our daughters to see a familiar face reading to them. It helps with me being more intentional with early literacy when I read to them. It really is another great opportunity for kids and its free.
Continuing virtual story times online will be a challenge in the long-term, since not all publishers are giving the A.K. Smiley Public Library permission to have their books read online. Some publishers gave the OK through the end of August and others have given permission until December.
Long, rewarding history
While nobody could have anticipated the Young Readers Room turning 100 during a pandemic, it has proven to be popular and enduring despite the librarys physical closure.
The YRR started in a windowless room in the basement of the A.K. Smiley Public Library. Today, the librarys special place for children has been adorned with stained glass windows and blessed with a staff who enjoy reading to children. Its filled with a collection of 31,775 books suitable for children up to ages 12-13 and 4,420 more books for older teens.
The program has expanded greatly since 1911, when Bessie Degenhart, the childrens librarian at that time, started a story hour attended by dozens of local kids on Saturday afternoons at the park. The first Childrens Reading Room as it was called at the time was located in the library upstairs in a small area before it was moved to the basement for more space.
In 1920, a new wing was added to the building and the childrens room was moved there, where it currently remains. In 1924, then-librarian Mary E. Pew started a summer reading program and also began hosting students for class visits from local elementary schools.
In the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the childrens librarian treated local kids to walks where they ate lunch, read a book and wrote a journal.
They would see nature and talk about a book and hike back. That was pretty innovative back then, Martinez said.
This informal hikers club was started by Degenhart somewhere around 1913-18, when children ages 10-15 would meet in the librarys Tower Room for the walk.
The Childrens Reading Room continued to evolve. It was renamed the Young Readers Room in 1969 in an effort to expand the appeal to middle school students and older kids.
In 1980, Leo Politi, a well-known artist and childrens book author and illustrator from Los Angeles who fell in love with Redlands, donated artwork to the library and created the mural in the YRR.
A Family Day event was launched 17 years ago to involve even more local families, and it typically attracts 600-700 people. The YRR staff also has been a presence at local community events.
Martinez became the librarian in 2009, and the growth of social media during her tenure has helped to keep the program up and running virtually during the pandemic. Everyone on the staff is working to spread the love of reading books to youngsters everywhere.
Our goal is to keep kids reading, Martinez said. We want kids to still read for pleasure, not just for school. Whatever we can do to encourage that, we will do.
Drive-through Family Day
The 17th annual Family Day presented by the Young Readers Room will be a drive-through celebration on Saturday, Oct. 10. Its open to families of kindergarteners to fifth graders. Library staffers will hand out take-home crafts, one free book for every child, and a free book for each family as guests drive through the parking lot. A special Young Readers Room birthday cookie will be given out at the last station. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon.
Online resources for kids
The Young Readers Room offers dozens of online literacy, art, science, math, cooking, crafting, puzzles and educational programs for kids on its website, akspl.org/yrr. Resources include links to stories, activities and virtual fun from top educational brands and companies including Scholastic, A Mighty Girl, PBS, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Sesame Street, National Geographic for Kids and Khan Academy. Visit the San Diego Zoo via its webcam or visit Yellowstone National Park virtually. The YRR site also includes resources in Spanish for kids and links to popular fairy tales with Spanish translations.
Books to Go
Library cardholders of all ages can order books, CDs, DVDs or magazines online, by phone or by email, and pick them up curbside. When returned, all books are cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines. Visit akspl.org to learn how to get books to go.
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Smiley Public Library Young Readers Room: 100 years, generations of readers - Redlands Daily Facts