DW: Dalai Lama: 'Hope for the best - prepare for the worst'

http://www.dw.de/dalai-lama-hope-for-the-best-prepare-for-the-worst/a-17877704

Dalai Lama: 'Hope for the best - prepare for the worst'

On the sidelines of his visit to Hamburg, the Dalai Lama talked exclusively to DW about his optimism for Tibet, the situation in Iraq and Syria, and the growing number of Tibetan Buddhists in China.

Newsreviews.com : The science of being happy

http://www.newsreview.com/chico/science-of-being-happy/content?oid=14648681

The Science of Being Happy

The science of being happy

Experts share five ways to lead a better life

By Melinda Welsh
melindaw@newsreview.com

This article was published on 08.28.14.

Cathy Speck suffers from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) as well as a just-discovered rare cancer. Despite this, she thinks and behaves in a way that promotes laughter, gratitude, love and happiness. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHY SPECK

About the author:Melinda Welsh is editor-at-large at the Sacramento News & Review, where she spent decades as the paper’s editor-in-chief. Advertisement

With a wild grin and orange cowboy hat, flanked by women friends (her de facto bodyguards) in Johnny Cash black and dark shades, the rail-thin blonde with the contagious laugh rolled up to the microphone and launched into her one-woman show, Die Laughing With Cathy Speck.

Mindfulness therapy comes at a high price for some, say experts

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/25/mental-health-meditation

Mindfulness therapy comes at a high price for some, say experts

Much-hyped therapy can reduce relapses into depression – but it can have troubling side effects

 by Robert Booth,   The Guardian, Monday 25 August 2014 16.13 BST

 

NATRE: Lancaster University offering training for Teachers

https://www.facebook.com/NATREupdate?fref=nf

NATRE: Lancaster University offering training for Teachers

Here's a generous offer:"The Religious Studies programme at Lancaster University is committed to supporting teachers of Religious Education throughout the UK.
A particular focus of our support is on the teaching of Asian religions, mainly Hinduism and Buddhism.
We are visiting schools across the UK to give talks about Hinduism and Buddhism that are aimed to support teachers, generate interest in these subjects, and stimulate discussion and debate.
We are also working on developing teaching resources for the teaching of Hinduism and Buddhism to years 10-13, for which we would value the input of teachers who teach these subjects.
There are no costs involved to have a tutor come to your school.
To organize a talk or for further information, please contact Dr Brian Black: b.black@lancaster.ac.uk"

Europeanizing the Buddha and Constructing a World Religion

http://michaeljaltman.net/2014/07/02/europeanizing-the-buddha-and-constructing-a-world-religion/

Europeanizing the Buddha and Constructing a World Religion

The Buddha, as many in the West understand him, was invented in the nineteenth century, says Donald Lopez.

International Bhikkhuni Day

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d081c03c356665756e3a8ac94&id=603c26590f&e=bd165d4899

International Bhikkhuni Day 

As I write this note to all of you who support the worldwide Bhikkhuni community, I am excited about our upcoming 4^th International Bhikkhuni Day (IBD) celebration.  The premise of IBD is to spread the word about Bhikkhunis as far and as wide as possible and each year it seems to be drawing more interest.  On Saturday, September 6^th we will pay respect to all Bhikkhunis and have chosen to honor Yasodhara, the wife of Siddhartha Gautama, who was a fully enlightened arahant.  Last year’s IBD was a huge success because so many of you held celebrations, meditation events, fundraisers and other gatherings during the month of September. We already have several IBD events lining up for this year’s celebration!  As events come in, we will add them to our interactive map on our website.  If you will be holding an IBD event this year, please let us know of the location and your contact information at info@bhikkhuni.net so that followers from around the world can enjoy the communal joy and celebration along with you.  You can read more about Yasodhara and International Bhikkhuni Day on the IBD page of our website:  http://www.bhikkhuni.net/4th-international-bhikkhuni-day/  We have also created flyers that you can customize for your event.  These can be downloaded at http://www.bhikkhuni.net/flyers-ibd/.

This year on IBD we have been offered a special treat by the producers of the wonderful video “The Buddha’s Forgotten Nuns”, found on Vimeo On Demand video service.  They have generously offered to allow all of you to view the full length, 34-minute video free from September 6^th - 13^th.  This special free viewing can be seen at https://vimeo.com/70402429/ with the password of IBD2014.

Thank you Wiriya Sati, director, for your generous gift of making this great video available to us!
 

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Two Generous Donations

Recently, we received a couple of generous donations.  One of them was for the direct support of Bhikkhuni medical expenses.  The latest donation is from a woman who herself is about to take robes, which will go into our general fund.  These are her words upon offering up this money for the greater good of other bhikkhunis:  "I deeply appreciate the precious work the Alliance for Bhikkhunis is doing, supporting the Dhamma and the Bhikkhuni-Sangha, and helping the Nuns in their practice. May you all be happy and at peace”.  These monies will go a long way to assist with ongoing and ever-present needs of our blessed Bhikkhunis.  We extend our utmost thanks to both of these wonderful donors and wish our new monastic the very best in her pursuit of the Buddhist path.
 

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Portrait Of A Volunteer

On our website you will find a wonderful story about one of our AFB volunteers, Mindy Zlotnick, written by another one of our volunteers, Margo Mallar.  This well-written commentary shines light on the benevolence of volunteers like Mindy who give so much to the Bhikkhuni cause.  You can check it out here:   http://www.bhikkhuni.net/2014/07/16/portrait-volunteer/
 

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Our Work Continues

One of our most important functions here at Alliance for Bhikkhunis (AFB) is to raise funds and provide other resources for Bhikkhunis across the globe. Because of your generosity, we have been able to contribute to these projects so far in 2014:

• Funds to help complete construction of the new communal library/office studio at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage
• Funding to help develop a new translation of the Bhikkhuni Vibhanga (Monastic Code)
• Funds to help in Aloka Vihara’s move to Placerville, CA
• Funds for to help provide a vehicle at Aloka Vihara
• Funds for ongoing monastic medical support

More info is available on our website:  http://www.bhikkhuni.net/projects/
 

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None of this can be made possible without your continued support.  We realize that digging into your pockets and adding to this cause is asking a lot in these difficult times, especially when there are many other worthy organizations out there to donate your time and money to.  On behalf of the AFB Board of Directors I want to say thank you for your contributions in the past.  It is our hope that we can count on you once again for your help in this worthwhile cause.

With much metta,
Michael Bratton, President
Alliance For Bhikkhunis

Contact us:  info@bhikkhuni.net
Website:  http://www.bhikkhuni.net/
 

Offering Incense in Eccleston Square since 1956: The Buddhist Society, London

http://buildingbuddhism.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/offering-incense-in-eccleston-square-since-1956-the-buddhist-society-london/

Offering Incense in Eccleston Square since 1956: The Buddhist Society, London

Posted on August 4, 2014 by buildingbuddhism

The Buddhist Society has always been a building that I enjoy visiting.  Situated in upmarket Eccleston Square in London (not far from Victoria Station), the Buddhist Society is one of the first lay Buddhist societies in Europe, according to their website.

What Would Buddha Do? Berkeley Econ Class Covers Supply, Demand and Enlightenment

http://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/just-in/2014-08-16/what-would-buddha-do-berkeley-econ-class-covers-supply-demand

What Would Buddha Do? Berkeley Econ Class Covers Supply, Demand and Enlightenment

By Ben Christopher

Let the bull market for college-level economics continue. Despite its daunting math, its abstract models, and its 0-for-1 track record in predicting recent worldwide financial catastrophes, economics remains one of the top 10 college majors across the country, according to the Princeton Review. That trend certainly holds at UC Berkeley where, last fall, econ was the second only to electrical engineering and computer science as most popular major. As the fall semester approaches, expect hundreds more undergrads to flock eagerly to the “dismal science.”

 Full Article

BASR: Annual Conference 2014, Art,Religion,Performance

http://basr.ac.uk/conference-2014/

BASR: Annual Conference 2014, Art,Religion,Performance

BASR’s 2014 conference takes place on September 3-5th, at the Open University in Milton Keynes. This year’s conference has two themes: “religion, art and performance” and “the cutting edge”. Both can be interpreted broadly. Panels and papers are invited.

Religion In Society : Submitting Conference Proposal for Review 2015 Conference Berkeley, USA

http://religioninsociety.com/submitting-your-work/conference-presentations?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=test+of+mailing+4581759+on+08%2F14%2F2014+11%3A07%3A30

Religion In Society

Submitting Conference Proposal for Review

2015 Conference
Berkeley, USA

Current Submission Deadline*:
2 October 2014

*Abstracts are accepted in monthly rounds. Return here for subsequent review deadlines. Proposals received at each deadline will be reviewed between two to four weeks of the corresponding deadline.

Religious Studies numbers double but expert issues warning

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/1083/0/religious-studies-numbers-double-but-expert-issues-warning

Religious Studies numbers double but expert issues warning

 

21 August 2014 12:17 by Ruth Gledhill

The number of students taking religious studies at A-level in England has almost doubled in a decade, according to new figures.
But a leading figure in the field of religious studies warned that this trend could be temporary and warned that the subject is likely soon to go into decline because of changes in secondary education around the English Baccalaureate.

NATRE: Urgent action needed to curb GCSE Religious Studies decline

http://www.natre.org.uk/docstore/NATRE%20REC%20response%20to%20GCSE%20results%20FINAL%20210814.pdf

Urgent action needed to curb GCSE Religious Studies decline

NATRE:  21 August 2014 – FINAL  MEDIA RELEASE

When RS GCSE entries in England over the past three years are compared to those in Wales (where the EBacc and the average point score at GCSE have not been adopted as school performance measures), the following patterns emerge:

England
Take up of the GCSE RS short course has fallen from 211,269 in 2012 to 99,601 in 2014 (-53%)
GCSE RS full course entries in England have increased from 216,182 in 2012 to 258,067 in 2014 (19%)

Wales
Short course GCSE RS entries have remained stable over the past three years (19,182 in 2012 compared with 18,820 in 2014)
RS GCSE full course entries have increased from 10,409 in 2012 to 11,427 in 2014 (10%)

Overall this means that compared with 2012 nearly 70,000 fewer 16 year olds in England will complete key stage 4 this year having not gaining a qualification in Religious Studies (a drop of 15%).
This echoes research by the National Association of Teachers of RE, published in November

Full article

EFTRE: Religious Education in England and Wales

http://www.mmiweb.org.uk/eftre/reeurope/england_2011.html

Religious Education in England and Wales

Religious Education in State-Funded Schools: An Academic Subject Like Any Other – and Some!

http://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/2014/02/05/religious-education-in-state-funded-schools-an-academic-subject-like-any-other-and-some-by-denise-cush/

Religious Education in State-Funded Schools: An Academic Subject Like Any Other –and Some!, By Denise Cush

In many ways I am in agreement with Professor Jensen, and see myself as a partner in the campaign to establish a ‘Religious Studies based’ Religious Education in state funded schools throughout Europe and indeed the world. Since experiencing a ‘road to Damascus’ conversion from Theology to Religious Studies on my teacher training year and Lancaster University MA in the mid-1970s (see Cush 2009), I have spent nearly forty years passionate about the ‘Religious Studies Approach’ and applying it in a variety of educational settings. I have also concerned myself throughout that time with the relationship between Religious Studies as understood at university level, and religious education in schools, both in academic publications (see for example Cush, 1999) and on various professional and policy committees on religious education. I currently represent the university Theology and Religious Studies sector (TRS-UK) on the Religious Education Council of England and Wales and its subcommittees, and was on the Steering Group for the new National Curriculum Framework for Religious Education, part of the recent Review of Religious Education in England (REC, 2013) – full report available at http://resubjectreview.recouncil.org.uk/re-review-report. So I am perhaps an example of the ‘publically engaged academic’ Tim seeks, at least in relation to education policy.

full article

Addressing Cultural, Ethnic & Religious Diversity Challenges in Europe

http://ec.europa.eu/research/social-sciences/pdf/accept-pluralism-addressing-cultural-ethnic-religious-diversity-challenges-in-eu_en.pdf

Addressing Cultural, Ethnic & Religious Diversity Challenges in Europe

A Comparative Overview of 15 European Countries

Anna Triandafyllidou, European University Institute, 2012

HuffPost:How to Find Liberation From Suffering

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darren-littlejohn/dont-drink-and-dont-die_b_5676105.html

How to Find Liberation From Suffering

 Darren Littlejohn 

CYT; Author, 'The 12-Step Buddhist'; Recovering addict

Buddhist Women worth knowing about

http://www.patheos.com/Public-Square.html

2014 Religious Trends: Expanding Leadership Opportunities for Buddhist Women—Which Way Forward?

While immigrant Buddhist communities often retain their traditions of male leadership—as priests, monks, and dharma instructors—many contemporary Buddhist centers are exploring new ways to integrate women into leadership roles. At the same time, a disturbing rise in abuse and inappropriate conduct has highlighted a need for greater attention to teacher-student relations and physical and emotional well-being. What are the risks and benefits of opening Buddhist leadership to women?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4wuKmsx7Wg

The Cross and the Bodhi Tree 

Published on Aug 11, 2014

This documentary film portrays the extraordinary spiritual journeys of Father François Ponchaud, a French Catholic priest, and Mother Rosemary, an English Anglican nun. The priest and the nun lead very different lives. Fr Ponchaud translated the Bible into Khmer and wrote the definitive history of the Catholic church in Cambodia. M. Rosemary entered a life of silence and prayer in her twenties. She took a sabbatical at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England, where she struck enduring friendships. Both Ponchaud and Rosemary have faced difficult questions posed by their head-on encounter with Buddhism. Questions like, "Has your contact with Buddhism changed your thoughts on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ? Can the Holy Spirit act through a Buddhist? Is Buddhist meditation more passive that Christian Prayer?" Their answers are lucid and humble. The result is a film which brings East and West closer together in a profound and thought-provoking way.

Teaching Ethics and/in the World Religions Paradigm

http://www.equinoxpub.com/blog/2014/08/teaching-ethics-andin-the-world-religions-paradigm/

Teaching Ethics and/in the World Religions Paradigm

Posted on August 13, 2014 by mattsheedy

No One Special to Be

http://www.tricycle.com/dharma-talk/no-one-special-be

No One Special to Be

Escaping the prison of your own self-imageEzra Bayda

Breathless

http://www.tricycle.com/blog/breathless

Breathless

August 06, 2014

Sooner or later, whether from panic or in our final hour, each of us will find ourselves breathless. A former neuropsychologist offers three tips for when awareness of breath becomes difficult or even impossible.Meikyo Robert Rosenbaum

Religious Studies A level entries prove subject ‘is great preparation for university’

http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/educators/news/2014-08-14/religious-studies-a-level-entries-prove-subject-is-great-preparation-for-university

Religious Studies A level entries prove subject ‘is great preparation for university’

Bhutan's cliff-top Tiger's Nest monastery

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26227352

Bhutan's cliff-top Tiger's Nest monastery

17 February 2014 Last updated at 21:30 GMT

Perched on a cliff-top, Bhutan's Taktsang monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, is one of the most breathtaking temples in the world.
The Buddhist place of worship is built on a rock around 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level.
The main temple complex was built in 1692 and is considered to be one of the holiest for the Bhutanese people.
There are no proper roads and visitors have to trek for hours to reach the temple.
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan took on the steep climb to the monastery, which took longer than he expected.

Inside 'Buddha's birthplace' - the Maya Devi temple in Lumbini

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28744451

Inside 'Buddha's birthplace' - the Maya Devi temple in Lumbini

11 August 2014 Last updated at 20:30 BST

Nepal plans to develop Lumbini, long identified as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, as a World Peace City.
A final master plan to turn the area in southern Nepal into a global hub for peace and a centre for Buddhist learning was unveiled recently.
The proposal by the Korean International Development Agency envisages an investment of nearly $800 million.
Many argue that despite various attempts to convert Lumbini as the "Mecca of Buddhists", the area is still neglected and requires billions of dollars in investment.
The latest developments came months after archaeologists uncovered remains of what is believed to be the earliest ever Buddhist shrine within the main Maya Devi temple.
Many experts believe the discovery may settle the dispute over the birth date of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.
Anbarasan Ethirajan was given rare permission to film inside the Maya Devi temple in Lumbini.

Classes at pagoda popular with local families in Hanoi

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/education/109180/classes-at-pagoda-popular-with-local-families-in-hanoi.html

Classes at pagoda popular with local families in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – The children in Lai Thuong commune of Thach That District in Hanoi prefer going to the Hung Son Pagoda, where they take extra lessons, to going out at weekend. 

When I walk : On Faith

http://progressivebuddhism.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/when-i-walk-on-faith.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ProgressiveBuddhism+%28Progressive+Buddhism%29

When I walk : On Faith

written by Denis Kurmanov

The science of being happy

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/science-of-being-happy/content?oid=14362511

The science of being happy

Maybe Pharrell was right. Local scientists and experts share five ways to lead a better life.

By Melinda Welsh
melindaw@newsreview.com

HuffPost: Why Christ, Mao And The Buddha Are Making A Comeback In China

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/06/china-religion_n_4860813.html

Why Christ, Mao And The Buddha Are Making A Comeback In China

 By Matt Sheehan

BEIJING -- The dominant political narrative in China today is one of resounding triumph: targets for economic growth achieved, rival countries overtaken, an Olympics successfully hosted. Yet in the telling of a philosophy professor at a prominent Shanghai university, many of these supposed victories have proven hollow for the Chinese people.

The Nation:Can Islam and Buddhism coexist peacefully in SE Asia?

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Can-Islam-and-Buddhism-coexist-peacefully-in-SE-As-30238356.html

Can Islam and Buddhism coexist peacefully in SE Asia?

Imtiyaz Yusuf July 13, 2014 1:00 am

 

Postcolonial states from Turkey to China are witnessing a contest for power between political liberals and religious nationalists.

Business Insider: Here's What Google Teaches Employees In Its 'Search Inside Yourself' Course

http://www.businessinsider.com/search-inside-yourself-googles-life-changing-mindfulness-course-2014-8

by Drake Baer

Business Insider: Here's What Google Teaches Employees In Its 'Search Inside Yourself' Course

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/search-inside-yourself-googles-life-changing-mindfulness-course-2014-8#ixzz39d6JIgDk

TheAge: Why religion deserves a place in our schools

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/why-religion-deserves-a-place-in-our-schools-20140730-zycms.html

Why religion deserves a place in our schools

Julie Szego is an author and freelance journalist.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/why-religion-deserves-a-place-in-our-schools-20140730-zycms.html#ixzz39d4DQNRI

BangkokPost:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/421286/china-embraces-enlightenment

China embraces enlightenment 

The next World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in Baoji will highlight the growing influence of the faith 

Published: 19 Jul 2014 at 06.03

Japan Times :Priestly pair set out to boost ‘Buddhism 3.0′ across Japan

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/05/national/priestly-pair-set-out-to-boost-buddhism-3-0-across-japan/#.U-D7JhBvJHs

Japan Times :Priestly pair set out to boost ‘Buddhism 3.0′ across Japan

by Takeshi Nishide

A pair of Zen priests have been causing a stir with their campaign to spread a new interpretation of Buddhism in Japan that combines practices from separate branches of the ancient religion.

newstatesman: What should happen to churches as religion recedes?

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/07/what-should-happen-churches-religion-recedes

What should happen to churches as religion recedes?

As church-going diminishes, church buildings are repurposed, many retaining vital functions.

SOAS: The Shugden Controversy and the 14th Dalai Lama

http://www.soas.ac.uk/cia/tibetanstudies/events/15aug2014-the-shugden-controversy-and-the-14th-dalai-lama.html

The Shugden Controversy and the 14th Dalai Lama

Various

Date: 15 August 2014Time: 6:00 PM
Finishes: 15 August 2014Time: 8:00 PM

Venue: Vernon SquareRoom: V211

Type of Event: Panel Discussion
Series: Tibetan Studies Outreach Lecture Series

This event will address the controversy surrounding the propitiation of Dorje Shugden in the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism. Although many members of the school have ceased to honor Shugden and regard his propitiation as problematic, a vocal minority sees him as an essential component of Geluk orthodoxy. The latter now understand themselves as minority discriminated against on religious grounds. This workshop will include presentations by traditional exponents of both sides of the controversy and by academic authorities. The discussion is moderated by Dr Nathan W. Hill, Lecturer in Tibetan and Linguistics at SOAS. Speakers include:

• Geshe Tashi Tsering (Jamyang Buddhist Centre): Refuting the claim of Dugyal (Shugden) as a protector in the Tsongkhapa tradition
• Carol McQuire (former member of New Kadampa Tradition): Shugden 'practitioners' or Shugden 'followers?
• Dr Martin A. Mills (University of Aberdeen): TBC
• Thierry Dodin:TBC
• Spokesman from New Kadampa Tradition: TBC

Organiser: Dr Nathan W. Hill
Sponsor: London Ney

HuffPost: The Spirituality Of Surfing: Finding Religion Riding The Waves

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/03/religion-of-surfing_n_5617472.html

The Spirituality Of Surfing: Finding Religion Riding The Waves

 The Huffington Post  | By Antonia Blumberg

Mark Epstein On Buddhism In Everyday Life

http://wgbhnews.org/post/mark-epstein-buddhism-everyday-life

Mark Epstein On Buddhism In Everyday Life

Taped by the WGBH Forum Network, Mark Epstein visited the Harvard Book Store to discuss his book, The Trauma of Everyday Life.
Epstein talks about how he found Buddhism, and the links between practicing Buddhism and being a psychiatrist. He also explains why Buddhism alone can't cure the world's ills but that its focus on mindfulness can be an extraordinary experience for those suffering.
This talk took place on July 29, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.