Kuan Yin Shrine near Adelanto

A new meditation center has been established near rural San Bernadino County by Venerable Thich Dang Phap. A 24-foot high marble statue of Kuan Yin, the Boddhisatva of Compassion,

Phap's goal is to build a monastery "that would draw Buddhist and others from across the nation".

"A wooden sign hopefully proclaims the Chan Nguyen Buddhist Meditation Center. But it is still a work in progress.

A recently built concrete walkway is lined with 22 empty pedestals. Seven-foot-tall statues that will adorn them sit a few inches away, still in their packing crates and wrapped in plastic. Two gazebos topped by giant fiberglass lotus flowers are under construction. Boxes with roof tiles sit nearby. The rest of the 15-acre site is mostly barren desert that Phap long ago cleared of chaparral.

Yet the shrine already is attracting Buddhists from Riverside and San Bernardino counties -- there are as many as 100,000 Buddhists in the Inland area -- and other parts of Southern California."

Week 10: Last meeting of the Quarter

Hello UBA friends,

As we munch on the remains of our turkey or tofurky, we invite you to our last meditation of Fall Quarter, and of the 2008 year! As usual, we will be gathering from 5:30-7 pm this Tuesday, December 2nd at the University Catholic Center (UCC) at 633 Gayley Avenue. Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation.

Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

We hope to see everyone there! It will be a great chance to take a break from our hectic schedules of finals and papers and come back to the present moment.

Feel free to email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or ideas for events you would like to see next quarter. Best wishes for a peaceful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you all again when we come back in January!

Interview with Master Sheng Yen

Here's an interview with Chinese Buddhist Master Sheng Yen by the Religion News Service. He is a prominent and influential figure in Chan (or in Japanese, Zen) Buddhism, teaching in America and writing about Buddhism for the West. You can read a short bio at Wikipedia as well as his new more in-depth memoir, Footprints in the Snow. Here are some interesting questions he answered in the interview:

Q. How did you get through the difficult times in your life?
A. There is no problem that cannot be overcome. To use our heart means to understand how we should go about carrying on. To persevere means to try again and again, and do not be worried and afraid. When I was in mountain, living alone, (I) never thought I was alone. I felt that there are many sentient beings and many bodhisattvas (enlightened beings) to help me.

Q. Why is it better for Buddhists to not get involved in politics?
A. This has something to do with Buddhist tradition. The Buddha was a prince who left home and did not want to get involved in politics any more. Politics is necessary for worldly people. But as soon as one is involved in politics, there will be a lot of problems regarding who is right and who is wrong. As a monastic or a practitioner, one should know what one needs to know about politics, but one should not get involved. As soon as one gets involved, one will immediately be sucked into the worldly, secular environment and be tangled up with it. This will obstruct one's cultivation in the practice.

Q. You recently decided to refuse a kidney transplant. Why?
A. Since I am already 80 years old, if a kidney is transplanted to my body, at most it will be used for 20 more years. If it is transplanted to a younger person the function to be fulfilled by the kidney will be greater. Therefore I think it is wasteful to transplant a perfectly functioning kidney into my body.

Urban Dharma Newsletter 11-28-08

In This Issue: Buddhism and Bhikkhu Bodhi

HI,

It's been awhile since the last newsletter, life is really full...
This newsletter is focused on Bhikkhu Bodhi... I hope you find it useful and interesting.

-Kusala-

~Subscribe to the Urban Dharma Newsletter~

~The Urban Dharma Newsletter Archives~

Dalai Lama's possible successor

A likely candidate to replace the Dalai Lama's position as leader of the Tibet movement is Gyalwang Karmapa, the third-highest lama in the Tibetan religious firmament. He is also known as the Karmapa.

"At 23, the Karmapa has some unique characteristics that make him appealing to a broad cross-section of Tibetan Buddhists, and even to China, which now claims the right to approve or veto all reincarnations born to become "'living Buddhas' - or senior lamas delivered to help alleviate human suffering. Reincarnation, or rebirth, is a basic tenet of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Karmapa is the first Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation to be recognized by both the Dalai Lama and Communist Party authorities of China. He made headlines in January 2000, at age 14, with his flight from Chinese-ruled Tibet into exile, traveling by foot and horseback, then by jeep and helicopter to India. Allegations of espionage, intrigue involving a forgotten amulet and squabbling within a monastery marked his early years in India.

Exuding self-assuredness, the solidly built, 6-foot-tall Karmapa received several foreign journalists in a rare interview over the weekend at the university that's his temporary home near the mountain headquarters of the Dalai Lama. The Karmapa talked of his love of music, his future role for Tibetan Buddhists and the lack of human rights in China. He criticized the Chinese government, which he said wanted 'to create this ethnic conflict' that exploded in deadly rioting in Tibet in March. However, he spoke tenderly of the Chinese."

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we come upon Thanksgiving Day and come together for Thanksgiving dinner, let us be reminded of the Five Contemplations and be mindful and thankful of the food we eat:

1.This food is a gift of the whole universe, the Earth, the sky, numerous living beings and much hard work.

2. May we eat in mindfulness and gratitude, so as to be worthy to receive it.

3. May we transform our unskillful states of mind, especially our greed and learn to eat with moderation.

4. May we eat in such a way as to keep our compassion alive, reduce the suffering of living beings, and preserve our planet.

Insights...

While serving our food:
In this food I see clearly the presence of the entirer universe supporting my existence.

Before eating:
Beings all over the Earth are struggling to live. May we practice so that all may have enough to eat.

After the meal:
My plate is empty. My appetite is fulfilled. My heart is filled with gratitude for parents, teachers, friends, and all beings.

5. We accept this food so that we may nourish our brother and sisterhood, strengthen our Sangha and realize our ideal of serving living beings.

All verses above are taken from the Deer Park Monastery.

2009 Buddhist Calender

Hi everyone,

Thanksgiving is only a few days away and yet, stores are already featuring their Christmas products and setting up Christmas decorations - it seems like the year just passes by so fast. But as we look forward to all the wonderful things winter has to bring, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas break, it's always important to be mindful of the present moment.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." -- Words of the Buddha --

In light of those words, to help everyone keep in the present moment, here is the link to a 2009 Buddhist calendar posted on the Urban Dharma website: http://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/2009_calendar.pdf.

While it may seem contradictory to offer a calender for the coming year while suggesting to stay in the present moment, I find that one of the best ways to stay in the present moment is to know where the present moment lies relative to the past and present. In other words, do not dwell upon the upcoming year or what has happened in this past year, but merely be aware of the past and present that has been and is to come, and you will be much more conscious of the present.

With hopes of thanks and giving for everyone,
Eric

News Roundup

This week, there's all sorts of juicy Buddhist news out there. Here's a brief list of what's been happening:

'Buddha's skull' found in Nanjing
"Chinese archaeologists have claimed that a 1,000-year-old miniature pagoda, unearthed in Nanjing, holds a piece of skull belonging to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism."

World Buddhist forum to be held next year
"Buddhist monks and scholars from around the world will gather at a forum in China in March next year to discuss how Buddhism can contribute to the building of a harmonious world, organizers said Sunday."

China's Xinhua publishes criticism of Dalai Lama
"China's state press Monday condemned the Dalai Lama and his followers for their "support of secession" in the first comments published in the country since Tibetan exiles decided to stick with a moderate China policy."

Thai protesters ready for "final battle"
"Thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered at Thailand's Government House for what's being called the 'final battle' against the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat."

Miss Tibet, a Pageant Loaded With Controversy and Drama
"The Miss Tibet pageants, seen by many as a showcase of feminine beauty, have been fraught with controversy and drama. Even though the contests take place in a drowsy Himalayan town in India -- home to the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan exiles -- the Chinese government and some Tibetan elders have pressured contestants to withdraw."

UCLA Center for Buddhist Studies

We are pleased to announce an upcoming talk titled "Asian Images Inside-Out: What Can We Learn From the Contents of East Asian Statues?" given by Prof. James Robson of Harvard University.

Friday, December 05, 2008
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
243 Royce Hall, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Open to the public. Campus parking is available for $9.

"Museums throughout the world are filled with a variety of Asian religious images and icons, depictions of Buddhas, guardian deities, and saintly figures, which are usually rendered in stone, metal, wood, clay or lacquer. The icons and images in those collections tend to be examples of what is termed “elite” or “high” art and are often representations of gods and deities from a standard pantheon comprised of popular national deities and common Buddhist figures. It is now clear, however, that a different class of images and icons also circulated at a more diffused level of society and we are now also aware of a variety of images that were filled with different kinds of contents. The contents of those images might include Buddhist texts, relic fragments, symbolic organs, or consecration certificates. In this talk I intend ask what can we learn when we shift our gaze from external aesthetics to explore what is found inside images? How did the practice of interring things inside of images develop? How has the discourse on idolatry and iconoclasm conditioned the reception of these images? What new insights can be gained when we shift our concerns from traditional issues about the genesis and aesthetics of images, to the function of icons as they are deployed in social and ritual contexts? A satisfactory engagement with any of those questions will entail a substantial reorientation of our previous views about those objects and what inspired their production."

For more information, please go to http://www.international.ucla.edu/buddhist/.

Thank you for your interest.
UCLA Center of Buddhist Studies

Week 9: Week of Thanks and Giving

Hello UBA friends,

As we wind down our events for the quarter, we'd like to invite you to join us at our next meditation meeting this Tuesday, November 25th from 5:30-7 pm, at the University Catholic Center (633 Gayley Ave.) As usual, our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: http://www.dharmatalks.info/.

Have a great week everyone - and a happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Dalai Lama, South Park, and more...

I love it when Buddhism is featured in American pop culture, just as long as its not a ridiculously inaccurate portrayal. Here two recent examples:

Rev. Danny Fisher posts part of an episode of South Park with the Buddha in it (quite an interesting portrayal of the Buddha). While its obviously just a caricature, I'm still glad that it was included in American pop culture.

Also, the Tricycle posts an entry on a new biographical manga on the Dalai Lama! The site has a photo slideshow of clips from the manga and so far it looks great!

Talk with Bhutan's prime minister, Thinley

The Wall Street Journal features a talk with Jigmi Y. Thinley, Bhutan's first democratically elected prime minister. Bhutan is located in between China and India and as one of the world's newest democracies, taken much effort to balance the process of modernization with maintaining their unique culture based on Buddhist values. Interestingly, Bhutan is the only country to measure Gross National Happiness (GNH), rather than the more common Gross National Product.

Created by Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972, GNH is based on four pillars:

1. The promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic development
2. Preservation and promotion of cultural values

3. Conservation of the natural environment

4. establishment of good governance.

According to Mr. Thinley, he "will continue to implement the government policy of GNH. Happiness is not hedonistic, 'it is not the kind of fleeting pleasures that we seek.' It has to do with 'being able to balance material needs of the body and the spiritual needs of the mind.'"

During the talk with Mr. Thinley, he also elaborates on his thoughts about democracies.

"Democracy, according to Mr. Thinley, boils down to 'the empowerment of the people, the freedom of the voter. . . . giving the capacity to the individual citizen to determine his or her own destiny,' he says. 'Now if these are what democracy provides, then I would say that regardless of what culture you belong to, democracy is essential.'"

Here are two previous posts about Bhutan:
--Interesting facts about Bhutan
--Bhutan crowns fifth king

Hsi Lai Temple awarded scholarships

The Hsi Lai Temple and the Buddha's Light International Association awarded 160 scholarships to elementary, middle, and high school students from the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. Elementary students were given $100, middle students $150, and high school students $200.

"Located in a low-income neighborhood, the families put the money to good use.

'It's all part of our community outreach program. We value education and want to help our local schools,' said the Venerable Miao Hsi, a Buddhist monk at the Hacienda Heights temple."

Tension among Tibetan leaders

Tibetan leaders, politicians, and activists are participating in a week-long summit in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the future of Tibet without the leadership of the Dalai Lama. After the Dalai Lama announced that he has given up negotiations with China, he leaves the future of Tibet into the hands of the Tibetan people. However, the conservatives supporting further talks are in conflict with the young radicals fighting for a free Tibet.

Time magazine writes about the summit.

"The meeting, Barnett says, is 'explicitly a response by the Dalai Lama to criticism that his charisma has cramped any space for real discussion.' But no one is expecting Tibetans to suddenly shift course from the 'middle path,' which advocates for negotiating with Beijing for autonomy, not independence, and has been steered so carefully by their spiritual leader for the past 30 years. Instead, the summit will be considered a success if it reaches some consensus on how to choose the Dalai Lama's successor', and if it brings Tibetans together to discuss issues like education and how to involve young Tibetans in the political process. Barnett notes that China may find it more difficult to control a movement that is strong and unified around a common purpose. 'If they can achieve that, it will really be quite significant,' he says. And perhaps the most radical move of all. "

Basics to meditation

For those of you new to our dharma talk/meditation meetings or new to meditation practice in general, here are some basic steps to follow:

• Find a nice and quiet place where you can spend some time without being bothered. Turn off things like cellphonees.
• Sit in a position that is both comfortable and stable - one that you can sit in for long periods of time without getting sore or having to change positions. A position that is comfortable for many people is sitting with their legs crossed in front of them.
• Try to empty your mind of thoughts of the past and future, and close your eyes. Its time to relax in the present moment.
• Pick a meditation object that is simple and relaxing. A meditation object that works for many people is the sensation of breath coming in and out.
• If you are using the breath as your object of meditation, many beginning meditators find it useful to count the breath to stay focused. Just count once for each inhalation or exhalation, up to ten, and then count back down to one and repeat.
• Keep meditating for as long as you like. Remember to start out small to not get frustrated, five or ten minutes until you feel comfortable sitting longer. Some like to set a timer to remind them to end their meditation, but if you're meditating with the UBA you need only listen for the bell.

Christians adopting meditation

Many Christian Americans have incorporated meditation into their spiritual practice. While meditation used to be considered New Age and a counterculture activity, it has slowly made its way into the daily routines of many Christians as a way of dealing with their busy lives.

"A report released this year showed an astonishingly high number of Protestants — nearly half — say they meditate at least once a week. Among the public, 39 percent meditate at least weekly, according to a report by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

It's no surprise that people are seeking paths to peace and serenity in our high-octane, 24-hour world.

'We're a mentally focused, hard-core, achievement-oriented society,' says Dr. J. David Forbes, a medical doctor and meditation teacher in Nashville. 'People are finding it hard to quiet the brain down.'"

Meditation, however, still has its share of criticism from Christianity.

"Meditation has been, at times, eyed with suspicion. The Vatican in 1989 went so far as to say that methods such as Zen, yoga and transcendental meditation, can 'degenerate into a cult of the body' and be dangerous.

And the notion that meditation is too way out there for Christians, if not rooted in the Bible, still exists today.

'The idea of emptying the mind is not biblically based,' says Don Whitney, associate professor of biblical spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. 'There can be a danger.'

Referring to meditation's long association with Hinduism, Buddhism and other Eastern religions, Whitney says, 'Some of the yoga stuff, where you're given a mantra, that is rooted in false religions.' He sees no problem with stretching, but once you start chanting, you're treading on treacherous ground, he says.

His beef is that some people are seeking tools to help them live and de-stress. 'That's very selfish,' he says. 'Our lives should be lived to the glory of God.'"

Though not a traditional activity of Christianity, meditation still proves to be empowering for those who practice it.

"A Christian who attends an interdenominational church and considers herself nondenominational, Finch, 42, has also been attending a Buddhist center to meditate.

'Going to church is where I'm being talked to. There is not a lot of silent time,' Finch says. 'I feel the power and presence of God through my meditation.'"

Termites build Buddha-shaped nests

People in Cambodia have discovered five oddly shaped termite nests in the form of a seated Buddha figures.

"The iconic insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old Kuong Keo Ry's house near Phnom Penh, shortly before a traditional death festival held in October when she was mourning her late husband.

'I am happy that my house has been chosen. After other people and I pay respect to the Buddha shapes, we all feel content,' the widow told AFP by telephone.

She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she would sweep them away every day -- but that the wood-munching bugs would rebuild them overnight."

Friday Lecture & Weekend Workshop @ LMU

Hi UBA friends,

Here's something about a local Buddhist event I forgot to announce yesterday; it may be of interest to some of you. The Friday evening lecture (this Friday) is free, and there may be a limited number of scholarships available for UCLA students wishing to attend the weekend retreat. Let us know if you're interested and we'll get you in touch with the full details.
***
Touching Enlightenment: Lecture & Weekend Intensive

"To discover the body is to discover our deepest self, and, in turn, to arrive at the genuine spiritual fulfillment we all seek."

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the body is considered the gateway to enlightenment - to discover the body is to discover awareness, and eventually, the awakened state. When we look at the body from the outside we see something ordinary, but viewed through the eye of meditation we find that it is the harbinger of our inconceivable life as it is coming to birth.
In this weekend intensive, accessible to beginning through advanced practitioners, we explore body-based practices drawn from Tibetan yoga, examine inner and outer meditation posture, as well as how emotions manifest in the body and how to receive the wisdom they hold. Here is a unique opportunity to study with Reggie Ray and come face-to-face with your own deepest unfolding journey.

LOS ANGELES

Friday Night Talk: November 21
8–10pm - Free Friday Night Talk

Weekend Workshop: November 22-23
Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
$235 at the door

Location: Loyola Marymount University
St Robert’s Hall, 1 LMU Dr. Los Angeles 90045

*Online Registration Discount*
$195 for entire weekend (until November 22)

Email: Deborah@unfoldingbody.com
For more information and to register, visit www.DharmaOcean.org

Week 8: Dharma Talk and Deer Park photos

Hi UBA friends,

This is just a quick note to let you all know that we resume our weekly meditation meetings this Tuesday, November 18th, from 5:30-7 pm at the University Catholic Center (633 Gayley Ave, across from the UCLA campus). Our meetings are facilitated by Reverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: http://www.dharmatalks.info/.

Also, a big thanks to everyone who helped make our Deer Park retreat a big success this year! The pictures have been posted online; to see them, visit http://www.theuba.org/ and click on "Photos." For those who missed out this time around, never fear! We'll be offering many more events next quarter as well.

Have a great week, everyone!

UCLA Buddhist Art Symposium

Recent Developments in the Study of Buddhist Art

This symposium is intended to survey some of the most important recent developments in the study of Buddhist art throughout Asia.

Friday, November 21, 2008

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM for Friday's conference:
Faculty Center Hacienda Room
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

The Friday, November 21 sessions will feature several lectures open to the public. While scholarly in content, these lectures will be accessible to interested members of the university community and the general public.

For participants that will speak at the event, please click here.

This event is co-sponsored by the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies, Center for Buddhist Studies, Center for Chinese Studies, Center for Korean Studies, and Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

No registration is required for the Friday conference.

RSVP will be required for the seminar on November 22, 2008.
Please RSVP at mccallum@humnet.ucla.edu.

Cost: None

Tel: 310 - 825- 8681
www.international.ucla.edu/japan/

Special Instructions
RSVP for Saturday sessions. Location TBA.

For more information please contact
Donald McCallumTel: 310-206-6974
mccallum@humnet.ucla.edu

The Youth in Buddhism

Here's an excerpt from a BuddhaDharma article about how Buddhism has changed demographically, esepcially in regards to the youth. For the article, Diana Winston, the Director of Mindfulness Education for the UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, interviews four particpants, Sumi Loundon Kim, Rod Meade Sperry, Iris Brilliant And Zoketsu Norman Fischer, as part of a panel discussion.

"Nevertheless, there has been a small but important demographic shift. There are more young people at dharma centers than in the late eighties and nineties. Teen and young people retreats have contributed to broadening the dharma, as have a series of books, websites, and communities targeting young people. There is now a teacher-training program at Spirit Rock where many of the trainees are under forty. Young people are practicing, undeniably, but as Sumi Loundon Kim points out in the panel, they still account for a small percentage of the total population of practitioners."

"Twenty years after my first retreat, I can say that the dharma is absolutely relevant to young people, as this panel shows us. And the inclusion of youth in the future of the dharma will only create a vital, exciting new form of Buddhism(s). The dharma is far from dying out, but its future expressions may take us by surprise. I can’t wait to see what it looks like!"

New Photos!

Check out the new photos I posted on the Slideshow from UBA's weekend retreat to Deer Park Monastery.

The practical side of Mindfulness

Here's an article on The Washington Post about mindfulness and how we (whether Buddhist or not) can apply it to the daily stress in our lives.

"Sound too New Age-y to work in your household? It might be worth a try: Researchers at major universities are exploring the benefits of Buddhist mindfulness techniques to help families increase feelings of closeness and decrease relationship stress -- and the results are promising. Just as the latest Hollywood incarnation of the Incredible Hulk keeps his green-hot anger under control with daily meditations, so are some people learning to manage emotions in their relationships.

In mental health terms, mindfulness is the awareness that emerges from focusing on the present and the ability to perceive -- but not judge -- your own emotions with detachment; it enables you to choose helpful responses to difficult situations rather than reacting out of habit. While Western thought separates religion and science, Buddhists see mindfulness as both a spiritual and psychological force."

First international Buddhist temple opens in Arizona

The Arizona International Buddhist Meditation Center, the only international Buddhist temple in Arizona, has held its grand-opening ceremony on Saturday at Mesa. Not only did the ceremony mark the center's grand opening but it also acted as the Kathina Ceremony, signifying the end of the rainy season in Sri Lanka. The temple serves as a mediation center as well as a place for the Sri Lanka Buddhist community to meet.

Interesting Facts about Bhutan

Bhutan recently crowned Oxford-educted King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as its fifth king. Here are some interesting facts about the country of Bhutan:

- Wedged between China and India, the tiny, isolated and land-locked nation of 47,000 sq km with a population of 600,000, controls several key Himalayan mountain passes. It takes its name - Druk Yul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon - from violent storms in the Himalayas.

- The conservative Buddhist kingdom has been ruled by a hereditary monarchy since Ugyen Wangchuck became its first king in 1907.

- Democratic reforms in July 1998 gave the National Assembly powers to remove the monarch with a two-thirds vote.

- More than 100,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in UN refugee camps in neighbouring Nepal since 1990, when they fled or were expelled after violent clashes fuelled by tensions with the Buddhist majority.

- Bhutan is one of the world's smallest and least developed economies. 63% of its labour force works in agriculture. Its per capita GDP (PPP) is US$5,200 (2007 estimate). Average life expectancy is 65.53 years and the literacy rate is 47%.

- In 1971, as Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations, the then King articulated the idea of Gross National Happiness, stressing happiness, self-reliance and prosperity as a more important development measure than Gross National Product.

- In December 2006, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition.

Week 7: No Meditation - Veteran's Day

Hello everyone,

We here at the University Buddhist Association just want to inform you about the upcoming CSC Community Service Day!

WHAT: Community Service Commission's Community Service Day! Numerous UCLA student groups get together to perform community service (hopefully we will be working with Heal the Bay on a beach cleanup!).

WHEN: Saturday, Nov 15th

WHERE: meet us in Bruin Plaza (by Ackerman and the bruin bear).

START TIME: 8:30 if you want to enjoy your free breakfast leisurely. If you want to skip breakfast, be there by 8:45.

END TIME: our community service ends at 1pm. Following is a free lunch (1-2pm) and an activities fair with performances by UCLA student dance and acappella groups, a closing ceremony and free raffles (2-4pm).

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:-This event requires a Bruincard and is only for UCLA students. Sign up at www.csday.usaccsc.org by November 12th (WEDNESDAY) at 5pm. The form is a quick one--just give your name, email, group affiliation (University Buddhist Association), and your T-shirt size (free T-shirt!). Afterwards, email us to let us know you plan to come at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com-Rides to the site are provided (unless it's a short distance--then we'll walk). We really hope to see you there! Free food, free T-shirts, free raffles and the company of your fellow UBA members--what's not to look forward to?

Have a great Veterans Day! (And remember, no UBA dharmatalk/meditation this Tuesday.)

--Your UBA staff

Deer Park Monastery Retreat

Iwill be attending a weekend retreat at Deer Park Monastery with the UBA so I will not be able to post any entries until Sunday. I will be posting pictures and my experiences there after I come back. Have a great weekend!

Bhutan crowns fifth king

On Thursday, the country of Bhutan has crowned its fifth king after waiting two years for court astrologers to determine the perfect time for the next royalty. At precisely 8:31 A.M., the Raven Crown was placed on 28-year old Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and he was given the title of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King.

"The ceremony, symbolizing the strength of the monarchy, was seen as a deeply reassuring moment for the last independent Himalayan Buddhist kingdom — once one of the most cutoff, tightly controlled places on earth, but now slowly opening up to the uncertainties of modernity and vagaries of democracy."

"Most Bhutanese believe it is the kings who have allowed the small nation of some 700,000 people to survive with their culture and sovereignty intact while sandwiched between 1.1 billion Indians to the south and 1.3 billion Chinese to the north.

These two Asian giants have already swallowed the other Buddhist kingdoms, like Sikkim or Tibet, that once thrived across the Himalayan range.

'We have enjoyed progress, sustained peace, security and growth. These are all attributed to the great kings, benevolent kings, selfless kings that Bhutan has had,' Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigme Thinley, who was elected in the country's first democratic elections in March, told reporters Wednesday.

With so much faith being placed on guidance from the monarchy, the last two years have been somewhat bewildering for Bhutan as King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced he was giving up much of his power to transform the nation into a democracy.

Under his reforms the king remains the head of state and will continue to have extensive powers, but Parliament can impeach him by a two-thirds majority.

At the same time he abdicated in favor of his Oxford-educated eldest son Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck — a handsome bachelor with an Elvis Presley-like hairstyle and sideburns."

Bombings in southern Thailand

Three bombings in southern Thailand has killed one person and wounded at least 71, report police. This was the largest attack in months suspected to be done by a Muslim insurgency since 2004. Generally, the insurgents carry out drive-by shootings and small-scale bombings aimed to frighten Buddhist residents into moving out of the area.

"More than 3,300 people have been killed since January 2004 in the three provinces, which are the only Muslim-dominated areas in the Buddhist-majority country.

Thailand's population is about 90 percent Buddhist, and many of the country's Muslims feel they are treated as second-class citizens."

Buddhists learn English

On Tuesday, China began an English training program for Buddhist followers in order to prepare them for future global exchanges. This program opened at the Shanghai International Studies University, organized by the China Religious Culture Communication Association (CRCCA) and the Buddhist Association of China (BAC).

"Qi Xiaofei, deputy head of the CRCCA, said at the opening ceremony that the half-year course would train translators and interpreters for the Second World Buddhist Forum, scheduled to be held in China next year."

"China hosted the first World Buddhist Forum in April 2006."

Google Ad Clarification

By the way, I've noticed that the Google Adsense function on the top of my blog is allowing ads promoting "YES on Prop 8".

Just to clarify, that DOES NOT represent the political opinions of the UBA at UCLA. We are an academic/religious student group and do not have any political leanings. Thank you.

Buddhist Involvement in Politics

THIS DOES NOT REPRESENT THE POLITICAL OPINIONS OF THE UBA AT UCLA. THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF HOW BUDDHISTS ARE POLITICALLY ACTIVE. WE ARE A ACADMEIC/RELIGIOUS STUDENT GROUP WITH NO POLITICAL LEANINGS.

Election Day is just a day away and everyone is hyped to see the outcome of this year's presidential elections. While the Buddhist vote isn't a major deciding factor in this election, it is still interesting to think about what political party Buddhist may lean closer to. Daniel Burke from the Religious News Service writes an article on just that:

"A significant number of Buddhist immigrants who fled communist regimes in Southeast Asia tend to be politically conservative, which could help Republican candidate Sen. John McCain. But a solid majority of American Buddhists are converts, who tend to be liberal, and many back Democrat Barack Obama."

"The 500 members of "Buddhists for Obama" have raised more than $230,000, sponsored 1,700 events and made 26,000 calls for their candidate, according to Obama's Web site. There's no Buddhist group listed for Republican nominee Sen. John McCain; a request to his campaign for information went unanswered."

Week 6: Dharma Talk & Beach Clean-Up

Hi UBA friends,

Here we are in 6th week - my, how the quarter flies by! Just a quick note reminding you that we hold our weekly meditation meeting this Tuesday, November 4th (election day!) from 5:30-7 pm at the University Catholic Center (633 Gayley Ave). Our meetings are facilitated byReverend Kusala, who leads us in a dharma discussion followed by a chance to ask questions and a meditation. Previous dharma discussions are available in podcast form at Rev. Kusala's website: www.dharmatalks.info.

As for another upcoming event, we are planning a beach clean-up community service day for Saturday, November 15th, from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. More details will be available closer to that weekend, but if you're at all interested in coming along to help us, send us an email at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com.

Also, we will NOT be holding our regular meditation meeting next Tuesday (November 11th) due to the Veteran's Day holiday.

Thanks everyone! Have a great week.

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers

Rather than news, today I'm posting an interesting story posted by one of the editors for AsiaMedia, Vincent. It's an interesting insight on life and setting priorities and though it isn't directly Buddhist, we can certainly squeeze Buddhism somewhere in there (you'll understand what I mean after you read it)


The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar; he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced the two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your houseand your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sandinto the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebblesor the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your timeand energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. '

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents.

Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

'The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beers represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend.'