Buddhist Festival in Britain

London will be hosting the first Buddhist arts/cultural festival called "The Many Faces of Buddhism".

"The festival, known as The Many Faces of Buddhism, is held in London at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum and the Barbican Center in collaboration with the Hong Kong-based philanthropic organization -- Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation.

Highlights of the festival include an International Forum on Buddhism and the Arts Today held last Saturday, the opening of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Gallery at the V&A, performances of Buddhist sacred dance, and the first International Buddhist Film Festival in London.

The new Buddhist sculpture gallery which is to open to the public on Wednesday is the first such gallery in Britain. It features treasures from the V&A's world class collections ranging from monumental Chinese temple sculptures to tiny portable gilded Buddhas."

Read full article.

Bodhisattva in the Metro

UBA Blog is back! Sorry everyone for having not posted in so long. Life gets busy in weird cycles, especially as a college student, but I'm back and excited to blog again. 

Here's an interesting video by Rod Meade Sperry of Shambhala SunSpace that I found over at Rev. Danny Fisher's blog.

Week 5: Half-way through the Quarter!

Hi UBA friends,

As usual, we continue our regular meetings this Tuesday, April 28th from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, 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: www.dharmatalks.info.

Also, just as a heads-up: next week we will be moving the location of our meeting just for that day, the 5th of May (which, incidentally, we will be celebrating with cinco de mayo-themed snacks, for those interested!) This special-edition UBA meeting will be held at the University Religious Conference (URC) building, which is located at 900 Hilgard Avenue, on the opposite side of campus from the UCC, where we meet normally. A link to a map can be found here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=900+Hilgard+Ave+Los+Angeles+Ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.667509,56.601563&ie=UTF8&ll=34.06633,-118.440793&spn=0.007306,0.013819&z=16&iwloc=r9

We hope to see many of you at the UCC this week and the URC next week!
Have a great one.

UCLA presents Mighty Mic: Free Burma

This past Tuesday UCLA put on their 3rd Annual Mighty Mic concert benefit. Last year they raised donations AND awareness for the situation in Darfur. This year, they put on the benefit for the crisis in Burma. UCLA's UBA was able to attend and participate in this benefit. Along with having our own table (WHOO!! Ok, we shared it with another org./assoc. but we still REPRESENTED!), we got to see many performances, including Daphne Loves Derby (Eric went crazy), Blackalicious (I went crazy), Audible Mainframe, and many more.

But the most exciting part of the entire event and night was when 3 Burmese monks came onto the stage. There was this rush of appreciation and enthusiasm as they walked across the stage with such regal and humble expressions. The monks, Pyinya Zawta, Gawasita, and Agga Nya, are all influential leaders of the Saffron Revolution. They were the leaders, organizers, and the activists that led many to speak out about the militant and violent government in Burma. They spoke out and organized the Burmese people, especially students and Buddhist monks, to speak out about human rights. The Burmese government was hostile to their actions, which led them to seek asylum in America, where their lives weren’t threatened everyday. What struck me the most was when Pyinya Zawta kept emphasizing the importance of youth and activism. How, as the voice of the future, we have to continue fighting for universal human rights so that we can live in a future that is fair and kind to all that live on this precious Earth.

I enjoyed this event tremendously. I hope Pyinya Zawta, Gawasita, and Agga Nya’s journey and activism for a democratic Burma will see much success.

Celebrate Vesak Day at UCLA!

The Southern California Univeristy Buddhist Association (SCUBA) presents: Vesak Day celebration at UCLA! This is happening the during Memorial Day weekend so save the date!

What: Vesak Day (or Buddha Day) celebrates the birth, the enlightenment, and the passing away of the Buddha. It is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world as a remembrance of the Buddha and his universal message of peace to humankind. 

Come out and learn more about Buddhism with the University Buddhist Association! Everyone is welcome - Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The event is FREE and will consist of cultural performances, speakers, a brief Bathing of the Buddha ceremony, and a Q&A session. 

Performances by: Chinese Cultural Dance Club; and more to come.

Speakers: Don Farber, an acclaimed photographer of the Dalai Lama; and more to come.

When: Saturday, May 23, 2009
10:30 - 2:00pm

Where: Kerckhoff Grand Salon, UCLA
308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Why: To watch amazing performances, listen to great speakers, learn something about Buddhism, and eat delicious and free food.

More information about Vesak Day:

Significance of Vesak - Buddha Day
http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm

Wikipedia - Vesak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak

What is Vesak?
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,4043,0,0,1,0 

To learn more about the University Buddhist Association at UCLA, please visit our:
Website: http://www.theuba.org/

Week 4: A Concert for Burma!

Hi UBA friends,

As usual, we will be holding our weekly meditation meeting this Tuesday, April 21st from 5:30-7 pm at the UCC (633 Gayley Avenue, 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: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to announce a special on-campus event we think many of you would be interested in attending.

The Mighty Mic concert, an annual tradition, will be held this Tuesday in support of various human rights organizations working to bring peace to Burma. It starts during our regular meeting on Tuesday, but many of us will be heading over to Ackerman Grand Ballroom right after to check out the concert, if anybody's interested in joining us. Here's some information from the event's Facebook page:

***

The 3rd ANNUAL MIGHTY MIC HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS CONCERT

Benefit for Burma
April 21, 2009, Ackerman Grand Ballroom
6-10pm
doors open at 5:45

Los Angeles, CA (April 6, 2009) - On Tuesday, April 21, thousands of students and community members will come together to make history at the 3rd Annual Mighty Mic Human Rights Awareness Concert at UCLA, Benefit for Burma. This student-run non-profit concert attracts about 2,000 attendees annually and is fast becoming a beloved UCLA tradition. Last year, Mighty Mic raised over $20,000 for the refugees of Darfur.

This year, Mighty Mic will highlight the struggle for human rights in Burma, a country that has been under the rule of an all-oppressive military junta for 43 years, making it the 4th least free country in the world. Learn more about the human rights violations, including the abuse of ethnic minorities, mass rape of women, forced labor, mandatory relocations, and child soldiers.

Benefit For Burma 2009's multi-media showcase will feature an eclectic mix of artists from many genres such as rock, indie, and hip-hop, as well as relevant educational content in the form of speakers and videos which will entertain, inform, and inspire attendees.

For information on the lineup of artists and guest speakers: www.mightymic.org

Although the concert is free, donations are highly encouraged as all proceeds will go towards Doctors Without Borders, USA, and US Campaign for Burma.

***

If you have any questions or comments for us, as always, feel free to
send us an email at ucla.uba.online@gmail.com. Have a great week and a
happy Earth Day!

For more information, ticketing, press passes, vendor and sponsorship
opportunities visit www.mightymic.org.

Week 3: Dharma Talk and Buddhist Resources

Hi UBA friends,

Just a quick reminder that we continue our weekly meditation meetings this Tuesday, April 14th from 5:30-7pm at the University Catholic Center (UCC, 633 Gayley Avenue). As always, 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.

Also, for those interested, here are a few links to resources that have been mentioned in past meetings this quarter:

The Debate of King Milinda (e-book): http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/milinda.pdf

Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society (an alternative look at the Buddha's teachings and home of the "Dharma Punx"): http://www.againstthestream.org/

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!

Buddhism and Bhagavad-Gita

I remember being approached by someone on campus who asked if I wanted to give a donation in exchange for a book called the Bhagavad-Gita. The cover of the book and the name of the book both sounded "eastern" and I asked what it was - a religion? a part of a religion? what was it? Unforutnately, the person gave me a very vague, general answer that really didn't tell me anything except he had a bitterness toward the university education system.

Anyways, I found a nice article about the differences between Buddhism and the Bhagavad-gita. It's every clear-cut and gives a nice, brief introdution to each of the teachings.

Buddhism v.s. Bhagavad-Gita

Christian Disneyland

Florida...famous for Universal Studios, Disneyworld, and ... the Holy Land Experience?
Watch this video clip from Newsweek and see if you're up for a visit to this Christian theme park.



I was curious as to whether or not there are Buddhist theme parks. It turns out there's a Buddhist theme park in Saigon, Vietnam called Suoi Tien Park that features the torments of Buddhist Hell. Quite interesting. Here are some pictures of the park, which in my opinion looks pretty intricate and detailed.

Anyone else know of any religious theme parks?

Message to Buddhists for the Feast of Vesak

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL
FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

MESSAGE TO BUDDHISTS
FOR THE FEAST OF VESAKH/HANAMATSURI 2009

Dear Buddhist friends,

1. The forthcoming feast of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri offers a welcome occasion to send you, on behalf of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, our sincere congratulations and cordial best wishes: may this feast once again bring joy and serenity to the hearts of all Buddhists throughout the world. This annual celebration offers Catholics an opportunity to exchange greetings with our Buddhist friends and neighbours, and in this way to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and to create new ones. These ties of cordiality allow us to share with each other our joys, hopes and spiritual treasures.

For the full message, please click here.

"Adopt a Monk"

The Tricycle has posted a notice about a new program called "Adopt a Monk", organized by the Clear View Project. It's goal is to help the Burmese monks and nuns imprisoned from the Saffron Revolution. Here's how it works:

• Contact Clear View Project to choose a monk or nun.
• Send regular letters on his/her behalf to the United Nations, Burmese Generals, & US government.
• Send funds to buy more food & medicine for that monk. (details follow)
• Hold monthly meditations at your center or public vigils in honor of the monk or all imprisoned monastics.
• Send loving kindness to the monks & nuns, their families and the Burmese generals.

For more information, visit the Clear View Project website.

Week 2: Dharma Talk, T-shirts, and more!

Hi UBA friends,

Just a quick note to let you know that we continue our weekly meditation meetings this Tuesday, April 7th from 5:30-7pm at the University Catholic Center (633 Gayley Avenue, 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: www.dharmatalks.info.

We would also like to remind you that UBA t-shirts are available for purchase for $15 dollars. Show your UBA pride! To check out the designs and for contact info, visit our blog at http://www.theuba.blogspot.com/ .

We are also still recruiting staff for next year! All types and levels of experience are welcome. Come talk to one of the staff members, or reply to this email, if you're interested or if you have more questions about what positions are available (or can be created just for you!)

And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for events you'd like to see us put together, email us at uba.ucla.online@gmail.com. Have a great week!