The UN estimates that two-thirds of the world's population will live in areas of water stress within the next 20 years. By the numbers, much of that population is in Asia.
If anyone had missed the bit about the Party's kindness, The Red Flag Village report makes sure that they get the message in terms that make one feel as if the Cultural Revolution is in full swing.
Once we produce billionaires without values, there is no telling where their voraciousness will stop.
The peaceful countenance of the Dalai Lama should not become an excuse for the rest of us to stand by and do nothing, as if that proves how virtuous we are.
10. Jews feel the financial and image pain of Wall Streeter Bernie Madoff as his money lies damage Yeshiva University and Elie Weisel as well as sma...
For global survival, they must not repeat the mistakes of previous empires and superpowers, but turn to a new concept of power, a global meshing of mutual enlightened self-interests.
Indeed, amidst the many self-congratulatory environmental precautions of the train, it is the people of Tibet who are being railroaded fastest by the train's promise of modernity.
This week's discovery -- using solar power to mimic photosynthesis -- could help us use the huge abundance of sun energy in a way that can give power to people everywhere.
For many American Jews there is the apparent moral conundrum -- how do you support Tibet over China without supporting Palestine over Israel?
The only way to clearly denounce the corrupt behavior of the Chinese government is to withdraw corporate sponsorship from the Olympics.
Last week a mix of water and sanitation experts gathered for World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden to mull over the world's biggest public health crisis. The problem is that not enough people paid attention.
The delightfully imperfect documentary, which tells the Dalai Lama's story with rare historic footage, got me thinking: What would I ask His Holiness if I had 45 minutes alone with him?
When pundits such as CNN's Jack Cafferty describe the Chinese government as a "bunch of goons and thugs" and Chinese products as "junk" it becomes clear that it is the newly fashionable position is to lay in to China.
World Editorial Roundup for December 8, 2008.
The purpose of my trip to Lhasa has not only been to witness the city in the aftermath of the riots, but to discover for myself what is meant by the term 'Tibetan culture' and look into its current welfare.
In the near future, China will eclipse the Middle East and terrorism to be our number one foreign policy challenge. Yet neither Obama nor Clinton are calling for any real change in our China policy.
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Very interesting post. It's a great experience to spend time with a powerful religious figure especially Buddhist monks. Very friendly. Never impose their will or thoughts on you during conversations.
http://www.enduringwanderlust.com/3-perfect-places-to-befriend-a-buddhist-monk/
I took the refuge vows in 2003 with Thich Nhat Hahn, after spending- you guessed it- a few hundred dollars. It was beautiful and meaningful and I am grateful- but my teachers- if they have not been books- have more often than not come in forms that did not require me to sign on the dotted line below the tax and total. I encourage people to seek out the lesser known teachers in their own communities- the ones who have the time and space and where-with-all to bring you a hot cup of soup when you are sick- and do not require that you line their pockets with twenties in return. Teachers are there to point the way- which is great- because often we get lost- and we need direction- and we like outlines and rituals- but too often I see people who are so hung up on their teachers- it is as if the teacher is pointing right straight square at a beautiful full moon hung low in the sky for all to see- and the pupil is fixated on the very tip of the teachers finger and still asking, "Where? Where?"
So yes, this a great list for those in search- pull up a chair- have a listen- stay a while and get your bearings- just remember some of the most beautiful and fulfilling journeys are the ones when you abandon both the itinerary AND the map! Be a light unto yourselves.
Waylon provides us with a good list of a few of what might be the many great teachers of Buddhism in the west. These are high profile figures for good reason. There is no doubt that their contribution to American Buddhism vis-a-vis their writings and teachings has been significant. Their insight and compassion are marked. Many of the individuals that Waylon mentions have written books that have greatly contributed to my own understanding and practice of Buddhism. But, if I might be so bold as to be disagreeable for a moment, which i so often am (in an agreeable way, of course) I take issue with the point that Waylon attributes these teachers with an "accessibility" that others might not have.
More often than not in my experience with high profile Buddhist teachers, access to them is granted if one is willing and able to pay a few hundred dollars for a weekend retreat- or perhaps, a few thousand for an entire summer studying a particular segment of the teachings. This is a wonderful privilege for those who are, well privileged enough to afford a space on such a cushion- but not exactly a means by which the teaching are accessible to all people- as believe they were intended to be. (The Wheel turns for everyone, no?)
Though he does not physically "live" in America, Sogyal Rinpoche has very strong ties here through his satellite centers, visits, strong connections to teachers on your list, and broadcast video teachings. He is also constructing what promises to be one of the most important Tibetan meditation retreat centers in the West - The Tenzin Gyatso Institute.
http://www.tenzingyatsoinstitute.org/
So, I am making a plug for Sogyal Rinpoche to be an honorary additional member to this list! :-)
Thank you for this, Waylon and Huff Post!
Shannon
Great article!! You forgot to mention that Reggie, as well as the other Naropoids, teach online. Through this format, I have had the priviledge of studying with Dr. Ray and Mr. Berliner. Without it, I would have never gotten to study with such great teachers. I recommend taking a Naropa online course to anyone who is considering it.
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