The University Buddhist Association of UCLA is an organization of students, faculty, and community members who come together to learn about and practice Buddhism. We're a non-sectarian Buddhist group that welcomes all Buddhists and non-Buddhist of all faiths and traditions.
If you're interested in learning more about the UCLA Buddhist community, please come to our meetings.
When: Every Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:00pm Where: University Catholic Center 633 Gayley Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
Welcome to the global hub for supporting, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's detained democracy leader, on her 64th birthday.
64 for Suu is a site where anyone from around the world can leave a message of support for Burma's imprisoned democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. We want to gather hundred's of messages by her 64th Birthday, June 19th 2009.
You can view video, text, twitter and image messages from around the world left by politicians, celebrities and the public in support of Aung San Suu Kyi.
"A roller coaster of alternating hope and despair" - Village Voice
"A rich, thought-provoking film" - The New York Times"
The award-winning new documentary film "Burma VJ" will be screening in Los Angeles at Laemmle Sunset 5 on May 29 (exact times not yet announced; call the theater for info. closer to the date: 323-848-3500)
LA88 is encouraging all who are able to attend to show their solidarity with the people of Burma by joining us for the May 29 showing. Please also help to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Burma and the heroism of its people by inviting others to attend this important screening. The filmmakers describe the movie in part as follows:
"...Though risking torture and life in jail, courageous young citizens of Burma live the essence of journalism as they insist on keeping up the flow of news from their closed country. The Burma VJs stop at nothing to make their reportages from the streets of Rangoon... The film offers a unique insight into high-risk journalism and dissidence in a police state, while at the same time providing a thorough documentation of the historical and dramatic days of September 2007, when the Buddhist monks started marching."
20-May – New York, NY – Film Forum 29-May – Los Angeles, CA – Laemmle Sunset 5 05-Jun – Irvine, CA – Regal Westpark 05-Jun – Portland, OR – Regal Fox Tower 19-Jun – Charlotte, NC – Regal Park Terrace 19-Jun – Boston, MA – Coolidge 24-Jun – Portland, ME – SPACE Gallery 26-Jun – Tallahassee, FL – Regal Miracle 5 26-Jun – Austin, TX – Regal Arbor 19-Jul – Santa Fe, NM – CCA 24-Jul – Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Museum of Art 31-Jul – Washington, DC – Landmark E-Street 07-Aug – Salt Lake City, UT – Tower 28-Aug – Seattle, WA – NW Film Forum
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.
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:
"Obama said the office would work with nonprofit organizations "both secular and faith-based" and would help them determine how to make a bigger impact in their cities, learn their obligations under the law and cut through government red tape.
Groups that were critical of the Bush faith-based office — including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and People For the American Way — issued statements Thursday expressing disappointment in the Obama version. All said that by failing to repeal Bush policies, the White House will allow participating religious groups to continue discrimination in hiring.
Obama's advisers want to be certain tax dollars sent to the faith-based social service groups are used for secular purposes, such as feeding the hungry or housing the homeless, and not for religious evangelism. The administration doesn't want to be perceived as managing the groups yet seeks transparency and accountability."
Here's a hilarious video clip from the Colbert Report. During an interview with Paul McCartney, the Beatle suggests that the Dalai Lama would turn to cannibalism as last means of survival. Thanks to Rev. Danny Fisher for posting this.
"The new DharmaNet is providing an independent, non-sectarian informational and educational resource on Buddhism to the ever-widening world-wide audience of people impacted by Buddhism. While there are hundreds of Buddhist web sites, there is still no seminal, non-sectarian informational and educational web site that presents the full range of the Dharma to those seeking to engage the teachings."
DharmaNet also offers videos in copperation with BDK, of which Kusala and many others are featured:
"In 2005, the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) [BDK] initiated a BDK TV Series shown in Southern California. The weekly 15-minute shows featured interviews and teachings from major American Buddhist followers and teachers. In cooperation with BDK, DharmaNet will gradually be adding these programs to this page. Four new and different segments will be previewed each month. We invite the world to share in the Buddha-Dharma through this new means of communication."
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!
Here's a youtube clip called "Buddha Speaks of Amitayus Sutra:The Larger Sukhavati Vyuha" from an animated series from Life of Shakyamuni Buddha, by Jodoshinshu West Hongwanji Japan. It was originally in Japanese, but this clip is narrated in Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles. This was posted on Youtube by "mofreedom".
Yes, there is a Dharma Tube! It is run by the same venerable that runs the Urban Dharma website, Venerable Kusala Bhikshu. Dharma Tube includes various videos not only on Buddhism, but also topics relating to how the world works.
"DharmaTube.org --- is home to a variety of Dharma (Truth) recorded on video and audio for free online viewing and listening (Flash Video/Audio). Kusala and friends share the Dharma in a simple non-technical way to support the Buddhist ideal of ending suffering through clarity and kindness."
So far, I've watched three videos - "The Fly", "Stroke of Insight", and "The Story of Stuff". I especially recommend the last one. It's a quick-paced, fun, and informative video about where all our "stuff" is from and where it goes.
And don't forget, Venerable Kusala also uploads personal podcasts of his dharma talks at various schools, churchs, conferences, and so forth. Enjoy!
Here's a youtube video I found as a posted item on the Buddhist Peace Fellowship facebook group. Despite the weird voice and kinda creepy-looking guy, the video is a simple, easy-to-understand guide to meditation. Hope its helpful.
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