An Introduction to Mindfulness

An Introduction to Mindfulness

A One Day Course On Buddhist Meditation

And Other Mindful Practices

Saturday 18th February

10am till 4 pm

The Unitarian Hall,

The High Street, Newport

 

£15 - including light lunch

Call Angie on (01983) 404740 or email angieboltoncox@aol.com

for more information and to book your place.

Note - Buddhist Meditation by Martine Batchelor

I've just put a video of Martine Batchelor teaching meditation practice onto our Video - Meditation section. There are three clips to be viewed consecutively (typical YouTube!), the nice bit is that the breaks coincide with Martine having a short tea break!

If you don't use the link above, the talks can be found immediately below the series on the The Divine Abodes by Tara Brach.

Burma: It Can't Wait - Update

Some of you may remember the U.S. "Burma: It Can't Wait- Myanmar Celebrity Video Campaign" back in May 2008. The videos were hosted by Fanista but unfortunately were all taken down after the campaign was over. I've tracked them down on YouTube and reinstated the actual videos as opposed to the links to Fanista. There were also some which didn't feature in the original "30 days". so here they are now.......

Number 31, Sheryl Crow - Aung San Suu Kyi



Number 32, Brett Dennen



Marionettes - Number 33



Number 34, Giovanni Ribisi (and playmates)



Leaders - Number 35



Number 36, James Cameron



Matisyahu, 37



Norman Lear - No. 38



Burma: It Can't Wait- Myanmar Celebrity Campaign PSA Montage

Tibetan Protesters Shot Dead by Chinese Police

This story is from AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

A Tibetan-inhabited region of China appeared to be under lockdown Thursday after it was rocked by deadly clashes, as exile groups gave grisly details of how the unrest unfolded.

The west of Sichuan province, which has big populations of ethnic Tibetans, many of whom complain of repression, was earlier this week hit by some of the worst unrest since huge protests against Chinese rule in 2008.

Security forces fired into two separate crowds of protesters in Luhuo and Seda towns on Monday and Tuesday in the remote prefecture of Ganzi, which borders Tibet.

Advocacy groups say at least three were killed in the clashes but maintain the protests were peaceful until police fired into the crowds. China says two died -- one in each incident -- and acknowledged police shootings only in Seda.

Note - New "Thought for the Day" Talk by Vishvapani

I've just posted the latest "Thought for the Day" Talk by Vishvapani onto our Audio Section.

In this talk he warns of applying labels and how becoming a Buddhist reinforced his belief that we’re all human beings first, and fundamentally the same, whatever our culture.

NEW MOON - Monday 23rd January 2012

Those who live impeccably,
who are discerning, intelligent and virtuous -
they are continually praised by the wise.
Who would cast blame on those
who in their being are like gold?
Even the gods praise them.

Dhammapada v. 229-30

Who do we compare ourselves with? The mental habit of comparing
ourselves with others is mostly an expression of inner confusion,
leading to more unhappiness. For the radiance of our true being to
shine freely, all compulsive comparing must cease. While we still
suffer this habit however, it is better to compare ourselves with
those who live impeccably; those who are more awake. It doesn’t help
if we merely hold images in mind of those more popular, wealthy or
beautiful. Some of the Buddha’s greatest disciples were neither
popular nor beautiful, but were clearly admired by all who could see
clearly.

With Metta,

Bhikkhu Munindo

It's the Year of the Dragon!

A happy Chinese New Year to all our readers. The 15-day event, which runs until February 6, marks the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese and other communities across the UK will be celebrating throughout the extended festival, and London will hold its own organised celebrations next Sunday, including an official ceremony attended by Mayor Boris Johnson as well as Chinese Ambassador to London Liu Xiaoming.

Here in the West Wight the Hong Kong Express restaurant in Freshwater is again celebrating with a Lion Dance to bring good luck for the coming year. This will be at 6 p.m. next Sunday, the 29th.

The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.

In Sung Dynasty (a Chinese imperial dynasty lasting from AD 960 - 1279) texts, the dragon is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds - - all powerful yet totally unpredictable.

For each of the 12 years, the Chinese zodiac includes animals, which has a very interesting legend. According to the Chinese, it is believed that before Lord Buddha left the earth, he summoned all of the animals to come before him. However, of all the animals, only 12 showed up to bid him farewell. In honor of these 12, Lord Buddha named a year after them. The belief is that the animal associated with each year rules over it. Therefore, the lifestyle and personality of the person born under that animal sign is strongly influenced by that particular animal, being supported by the old Chinese saying, “This is the animal that hides in your heart.”

Note - New "Thought for the Day" Talks by Vishvapani

There are two new "Thought for the Day" talks by Vishvapani now posted on our Audio Section.