Facebook the Thai Temple!

So I just found out from arunlikhati over at Dharmafolk that you can now request to be Facebook friends with the Berkeley Thai Temple! How amazing is that! Thanks to all those who helped keep the Thai Temple alive - you can receive updates on their status in the future through Facebook by friending them here: Wat Mongkolratanaram Berkeley.

Spring Break: Summer in Thailand

Hi there UBA friends,

We hope you're enjoying the break so far! This is just a quick note to let you know of a great travel study opportunity for students wishing to get away this summer. Here is the forwarded message:

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Hi all Dharma friends at the UBA,

I wanted to let you all know about a program I've developed on Sustainability in Thailand, Thailand Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems. Do you want to learn about Dharma practice in Buddhist Thailand? While our program does not focus on Buddhism directly, taking part in the 5 week summer program provides an authentic experience and insight into Buddhist life.

Please let me know your interest or any questions you may have.

Cheers,

Michael Silverman, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Institute of the Environment
300 La Kretz Hall, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496
silvermanmc@ucla.edu

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Registration ends April 15th, and financial aid may still be available to those who sign up pretty soon. Here's the link for more
information: http://www.ieo.ucla.edu/travelstudy/IOE-Thailand/overview.htm.

See you next week when we start up again in the spring!

Results of Thai Temple ZAB Hearing

Update on the results of the ZAB hearing for Wat Mongkolratanaram.

"On February 12, 2009 the Zoning Adjustment Board voted in favor of the Thai temple 8 yes to 1 no. Though the board has given the temple its approval for the project, it is NOT the final approval. The final approval will come after the conditions recommended from the city to the ZAB have clarified. The major points of contention that temple had was in part due to the vagueness of the language. The language is being revised under the direction of the ZAB with recommendations, modifications, and removal of some conditions. At the next hearing, the board will vote to give the project final approval based upon the revisions to the conditions.

The first part of this journey is almost at an end.

The complainants will have the right to appeal, however, that appeal process cannot begin until after the ZAB gives its final approval. Once that approval is final, the complainants will have 2 weeks from the time everything is processed. That normally takes 2 to 3 days after the vote. If the complainants appeal, the case will be heard in front of the Berkeley City Council.

From the entire team, we want to thank each and every one of you for your heart felt support. It was your belief in our cause and our team that gave us the energy to work hard over the course of the past 10 months.

Please continue to visit this site for future updates on the status of the final approval."

Visit their website.

Save the Thai Temple - Berkeley Hearing

The Berkeley ZAB hearing is this Thursday, February 12, 2009 and this is the last time to vote and save the temple. Hear the cause to save Wat Mongkolratanaram from those supporting the temple (as well as a brief segment from those opposing) in city hearings:



Also, please visit savethethaitemple.com.

Thanks to arunlikhati from DharmaFolk who has posted on this issue.

Thailand's "Tiger Temple" accused of drugging animals

At Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua Temple, monks live peacefully with 34 tigers. Abbot Pra-Acharn Phusit remembers the first tiger being brought to the temple years ago as a tiger cub orphanese by poachers. Since then, the monks have bred and raised these tigers and nine years later, they become the stars of the temple, attracting up to 1,000 toursits from all over the world.

At this temple, people can directly interact with the tigers, who have been tamed by the monks since the age of the three. Skeptics believe that the tigers are so tame because they have been drugged. However, the temple denies all accusations and welcome anyone to investigate or come personally see what goes on at the temple.

Read Full Article.

Photo from ABC

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."

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."