Monday 24 August 2015

Tibet’s Secret Temple: Body, Mind and Meditation in Tantric Buddhism

http://wellcomecollection.org/secrettemple


Tibet’s Secret Temple: Body, Mind and Meditation in Tantric Buddhism

Wellcome Collection, EXHIBITION
19 November 2015 - 28 February 2016

'Tibet’s Secret Temple’ explores Tibetan Buddhist yogic and meditational practice and their connections to physical and mental wellbeing.
Inspired by an exquisite series of 17th century murals from a private meditation chamber for Tibet’s Dalai Lamas in Lhasa’s Lukhang Temple, the exhibition features over 120 objects including scroll paintings, statues, manuscripts, archival and contemporary film, together with a wide range of ethnographic and ritual artefacts.
‘Tibet’s Secret Temple’ will uncover the stories behind the ancient, esoteric and once secret practices illustrated in the Lukhang murals and show their relevance to the expanding and wide-ranging contemporary interest in meditative wellbeing.

War Remembrance in Japan's Buddhist Cemeteries

1. http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4353/article.html
2. http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4367/article.html

War Remembrance in Japan's Buddhist Cemeteries (1-2)


War Remembrance in Japan’s Buddhist Cemeteries, Part I: Kannon Hears the Cries of War

The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 13, Issue. 31, No. 3, August 03, 2015

Brian Victoria


Abstract

While the role of Yasukuni Shrine in both commemorating and eulogizing Japan’s wartime
aggression is well known (and controversial), little to no attention has been paid to a similar
role played by a number of Buddhist temples in contemporary Japan. For example,
Kōa Kannon (Kannon for a Prosperous Asia) temple (興亜観音寺), located in Atami,
a hot-springs resort south of Tokyo, is one such war-eulogizing Buddhist temple.
This temple was initially established in the late 1930s at the initiative of Imperial Army General
Matsui Iwane, supreme commander of the Japanese attack on Nanjing in December 1937,
better known as the "Rape of Nanjing."
In the postwar era, Kannon Bodhisattva, the Buddhist personification of compassion enshrined
at Kōa Kannon, has gone on to become one of the main Buddhist figures employed throughout
the country to comfort the “heroic spirits” (eirei) of all Japanese soldiers who died in the war
while, at the same time, valorizing and eulogizing the war they fought in. In addition to
Kannon-centric temples, the major Shingon sect-affiliated monastic complex on Mt. Kōya now
plays a major role in the remembrance of the war dead, including an effort to transform
convicted "war criminals" into national “martyrs” (junnan-sha), an effort backed by the current
Japanese government.

War Remembrance in Japan’s Buddhist Cemeteries, Part II: 

Transforming War Criminals into Martyrs: “True Words” on Mt. Kōya

The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 13, Issue. 34, No. 3, August 24, 2015

Brian Victoria


Saturday 22 August 2015

HuffPost: Is There Anything Spiritual About Mindfulness?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-mayya/is-there-anything-spiritu_b_8021384.html

Is There Anything Spiritual About Mindfulness?


These days mindfulness is the buzzword. Celebrities such as Goldie Hawn, Richard Gere and Tina Turner have been some of it's strongest proponents. Mindfulness seems to be embraced in the west, more as a practice and discipline rather than as a religion, although its origin is in Buddhism. But does mindfulness have a spiritual and transformational quality to it?

Friday 21 August 2015

Buddhism and Quantum Physics

Buddhism and Quantum Physics


http://seanrobsville.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/quantum-physics-excellent-tv-program-by.html

Einstein's Nightmare by Jim Al-Khalili on BBC 4.  Do we create reality? Fascinating TV program on quantum physics

This is the most readily understandable and accessible treatment of 'quantum weirdness' I've seen.   

Please note that this TV program will be unavailable after mid September.  Watch it soon,then check out Quantum BuddhismBuddhism, Quantum Physics and Mind  and Buddhist Particle Physics.

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Our desire for passion

http://zennist.typepad.com/zenfiles/2015/08/our-desire-for-passion.html

AUGUST 10, 2015

Sunday 9 August 2015

Theravada Bhikkhuni and the Buddha's Four-fold Assembly

http://buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=70,12420,0,0,1,0#.VccHJ61ywg4

Theravada Bhikkhuni and the Buddha's Four-fold Assembly

by Dr Dion Peoples, The Buddhist Channel, Aug 8, 2015

A properly functioning Sangha has four aspects: bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay women and lay men. All are equally required to uphold and support the Buddha's doctrinal tradition and practices.
Bangkok, Thailand -- When I was in the US Air Force, stationed in Germany, I was given a set of books - the writings of Nicherin, by an older woman co-worker.  I also came into contact with a Taiwanese Buddhist woman who owned and operated a Chinese Restaurant, near the base where I was stationed.  

Friday 7 August 2015

HH The Dalai Lama on Ahimsa, 20 sep 2015 at the Coliseum

HH The Dalai Lama on Ahimsa, 20 sep 2015 at the Coliseum


“India, despite its great diversity, maintains a peaceful and harmonious society.  Clearly the ancient Indian doctrine of Ahimsa, or nonviolence, has flourished and been adopted as a principle of peaceful coexistence by all faiths. This is a tremendous achievement, and one from which other countries can learn.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama – BEYOND RELIGION

Tibet House is honoured to host a visit to the UK by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in September. His Holiness has a high respect for India as the quote above from His Holiness's book demonstrates. He acknowledges the central role played by Ahimsa in a peaceful and harmonious society, He is revered as one of the great spiritual leaders of our time, reaching out to people of all faiths.

We are taking this opportunity to organise a talk at the Coliseum Theatre in London on Sunday, 20 September 2015 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

We anticipate a significant demand for tickets for this event but we are giving priority to members of Indian faith organisations like yours for the booking of tickets before it goes on sale to the general public.  

I would be grateful if you could kindly circulate details of this event to all your members so that they can take advantage of the priority booking. Tickets can be booked online now from:    
http://www.eno.org/whats-on/other/dalai-lama

Meanwhile, if you have any queries on this event, please do not hesitate to contact me.

          Dolma Pemba,  (Mrs)
          Events Officer
          Tibet House

          Office    020 7722 5378
          Mob:     07404 068494
http://www.dalailama2015.uk/tibet-house-trust.php


Monks, critical thinking and how Theravada Buddhism would benefit the world

http://buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,12419,0,0,1,0#.VcRnKSZViko

Monks, critical thinking and how Theravada Buddhism would benefit the world

by Kooi F. Lim, The Buddhist Channel, Aug 6, 2015

Bangkok, Thailand -- The Buddhist Channel catches up with the manager of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU), Dr. Dion Peoples. The following are his views on saddha (faith, or as he prefers - confidence) vs critical thinking, Asian monks' knowledge in general of the Buddha Dhamma and how Theravada Buddhism would benefit the world.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Wake Up Schools: Cultivating Mindfulness in Education

http://wakeupschools.org/

Wake Up Schools: Cultivating Mindfulness in Education

A global vision to walk the path of compassion, peace and joy in education through the practice of mindfulness.
'Happy Teachers Will Change the World' is a film about teachers learning mindfulness, true transformation and happiness.
Watch it. Get inspired. Be the change.
By artist/ filmmaker Wouter Verhoeven.

NATRE: New RS Exams: more information for teachers

http://www.natre.org.uk/news/latest-news/examination-reform-2015-your-one-stop-shop-for-all-the-materials-published-so-far-1/

NATRE: New RS Exams: more information for teachers

Lots of new materials from the different awarding bodies about their new examination specifications have been released today. This material is all still in draft, because it will only become final and official when OFQUAL say so, but it is helpful that the Awarding Bodies have released their final draft versions, as sent to OFQUAL.
Click on the links below to read the NATRE overview of all the specifications for GCSE and A Level:

Tuesday 4 August 2015

HuffPost: The Top 5 Reasons to study Religion

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-laderman/the-religion-pitch_b_7921450.html

The Top 5 Reasons to study Religion

It's not easy being chair of a religion department. August is an especially cruel month as we close out one academic year and start up a new one, and begin again to struggle with an increasingly vital challenge: recruiting and keeping more majors.

Alliance for Bhikkhunis Summer 2015 Newsletter

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d081c03c356665756e3a8ac94&id=a00ad51a29&e=bd165d4899

Alliance for Bhikkhunis Summer 2015 Newsletter

Monday 3 August 2015

REC August 2015 Bulletin

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a742773f8f89e11e47d388c29&id=3d5b8364a6&e=a0f1d3deed


REC August 2015 Bulletin


The Role of Faith in British Schools/Education

The Role of Faith in British Schools/Education

http://se-faithforum.net/national-events/conference-2015

Pictures from Japan, 1865

Japan, 1865

http://t.co/6uD5zIsywr

The Role of Faith in British Schools/Education

http://se-faithforum.net/national-events/conference-2015

The Role of Faith in British Schools/Education


South East England Faiths Forum, in conjunction with the National Association of SACREs and the University of Winchester, is holding a day conference on Thursday 3 September on ‘The Role of Faith in British Schools/Education’.
The event will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Stripe Building, University of Winchester SO22 4NR. The keynote speaker will be Alan Brine, former RE lead at OFSTED and the day will end with the SEEFF AGM at 4pm. There is a charge to attend, which includes a vegetarian lunch.

For further information, contact elizabeth.jenkerson@btopenworld.com or visit http://se-faithforum.net/national-events/conference-2015
.

Religion and belief in school – a Westminster Faith Debates report

Religion and belief in school – a Westminster Faith Debates report 

http://faithdebates.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/A-New-Settlement-for-Religion-and-Belief-in-schools.pdf.

A Westminster Faith Debates report ‘A New Settlement: Religion and Belief in Schools’ by former Minister Charles Clarke and Professor Linda Woodhead was published in June.

18 policy recommendations are made by them, covering the act of collective worship, the content and formation of the legally required RE curriculum and the operation of faith schools.
Among these there are proposals that:

  1. the requirement for schools to have an Act of Collective Worship should be abolished; 
  2. consideration be given to using the phrase ‘Religious and Moral Education’ rather than ‘Religious Education’ in describing this part of the statutory curriculum; 
  3. and the Religious Education syllabus in county and voluntary controlled schools should no longer be set by a system of locally agreed syllabuses, but be an agreed national syllabus which would have a similar legal status to the requirements of other subjects in the National Curriculum. 


The full report can be downloaded at: http://faithdebates.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/A-New-Settlement-for-Religion-and-Belief-in-schools.pdf.