Co-Author

Even though it says under each post that it was written  by me, I have a co-author named muni who ought to take most of the credit for these writings  :)

Impermanence

Death strikes so suddenly.  My neighbor and friend passed away yesterday.  I'm shocked; she was so young.  But our lives are so precious, we just never know when our time may come.

So we must practice, today!  Not tomorrow, today.  As if our hair was on fire, for real.  And with our entire hearts.

Personal Experience

I have found it really difficult to practice lately.  But thanks so much to the support of good vajra friends, I've been encouraged, supported, and overall inspired.  Thank you so much, you know who you are.

Ego Clinging.

**Shechen Gyaltsap Pema Namgyal**:

**As a mental exercise to vanquish ego-clinging,

Recollect all the times you have been wronged.

First, think of all the obscuring emotions

And the notion that beings and phenomena truly exist,

Which create obstacles to the higher aspirations

Of all beings in general and of Dharma practicioners in particular,

And the difficulties and adversities arising from these.

The gather all of them with your inhalation,

Dissolve it into your own ego-clinging

And destroy the curse itself.

Gather into one essential point

A fierce determination to eliminate ego-clinging

Together with its antidote

And the meditation practice that averts it.**

To know is to not suffer. As the source of pain by the five obscuring emotions, the eight wordly concerns and all afflictive mental factors is ego-clinging.

Clinging to an invented concept is making the narrow prisonlike dwelling and painful frustrating self concern.

**Shantideva**:

"There is immeasurable virtue,

In wanting to cure even the mildest headache of a single being,

What about wanting to dispel

All of the sufferings of all beings?"

Gratefulness to all compassionated ones, altruistic sharing insight for the sake of others. Along interconnection with them (compassionate wise ones) to  no separate openess; is undoing subtle clinging. _/\_ _/\_ _/\_

Interdependency.

"The wisdom of emptiness refers to a lack of something: 'inherent existence'. 'Inherent existence' means that things appear to exist independently, in- and out of themselves, from the side of the object, by way of its' own character, self-powered, autonomous.

Ultimately however, things exist in dependence upon causes and conditions. For example, a human being ceases to exist in a vacuum, we would instantly die when all conditions for life are suddenly gone. On another level, a human being needs to come into existence by the combination of a sperm from the father joining an egg from the mother and all the right conditions to grow into an embryo.

So, considering ourselves as independently existing, fully autonomous is a mere illusion and does not accord with ultimate reality. Ultimate wisdom can be compared to eco-thinking in biology: a century ago, biology focused mainly on categorising species of animals and plants and describing their specific aspects.

Plants and animals were cut to ever smaller pieces to analyse how they function. However, nature also functions at a completely different level; as relations and processes between living beings. Ecology appeared as a new branch of biology, more dealing with relations, cycles and interdependence of animals, plants and surroundings.

This is somewhat similar to the view of emptiness. Instead of focusing on differences and individuality, the realisation of emptiness is about realising that nothing exists by itself alone, but depends on other things. Just as all living beings rely on other living beings - at least their ancestors, so do even inanimate objects depend on other objects, conditions, parts and processes to arise and disappear. The fact that we normally do not realise emptiness and the relatedness of things is directly related to our perception. As soon as we perceive something in the outside world, it feels different from our own body or mind.

We feel as if other things are "out there", separate from "my self", which is "in here". But are they really separate? To begin with, if the outer object would not somehow "relate" to us in the form of sound, smell, light etc., we would be unable to perceive it. So our perception of objects depends on interaction, rather than the fact that we are separate.

To put it simple, our perception of the world is only possible because of interaction, interrelation, dependence and exchange of information."

As scientist often try to discuss, I really like to add the easy way of explanations by youtubes like this. It is just great that science is coming near by Buddhism which is specially in these times showing important investigation and not merely a blind belief or phantasies of cultures. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj_i7YqDwJA

*Saraha:" The cross-eyed fool sees one lamp as two; the vision and the viewer are one."

The experience of interdependency-emptiness is powerfully opening concern for all sentient beings in interpenetrating  joy and love, in equanimity, the concern for the environnement; interdependent with all beings. 

The enormous importance for purifying body speech and mind is clear. Then spontaneously, no imaginations or elaborated explanations are adding something.

All beings in completely peace. Om Mani Peme Hung. _/\_

The Heart Sutra

The Heart Sutra

The Prajñaparamita Mantra famously concludes the shorter version of the Heart Sutra (Prajnaparamita Hridaya).

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,
when pursuing the deep prajñaparamita,
recognized the five skandhas as completely empty
and passed beyond all vexations and distress.

Shariputra, appearances are not different from emptiness,
emptiness is not different to appearances.
Appearances are emptiness,
emptiness is an appearance.

Impressions, thoughts, associations
and knowing too, are also like this.
Shariputra, all dharmas are empty of appearances,
are not created, are not extinguished,
are not defiled, are not pure;
do not increase, do not decrease.

For this reason, amidst emptiness there are no appearances,
nor are there any impressions, thoughts, associations and knowing,
There is no eye, ear, nose, tongue, touch, ideas.
There are no colors, sounds, smells,
tastes and touch dharmas.
There is no eye-element up to no imagining nor knowledge element.
Neither is any non-understanding,
nor is there any end to non-understanding up to no old-age and death.
Neither is there any end to old-age and death.
There is no suffering, cause, extinction or path.
There is no knowledge nor anything to find.

Because there isn’t anything to find,
the bodhisattva is free because of relying upon prajñaparamita:
a heart without any obstruction.

Because there are no obstructions, there is no fear.
Abandoning, overturning dreams and concepts,
finally reaches nirvana.

Because all the Buddhas of the three times have relied upon prajñaparamita, they have found anuttarasamyaksambodhi.

For this reason, know prajñaparamita is the great spiritual mantra.
The great understanding mantra.
The supreme mantra.
The unequaled mantra, able to cut through all vexation
because in reality there is no emptiness.

Speak the prajñaparamita mantra, speak the mantra’s words:

gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.

(Chinese to English translation, by Willam J. Giddings, 2003)

From Wildmind.org

Facebook does have some purpose sometimes

A dear dharma friend, to whom I owe a ton of gratitude just found me on Facebook.  As much as I dislike social networking sites, things like this make it useful.  I’m so happy, so very happy!

Energy Yoga.

Short introduction:

http://www.beyou.tv/videos/Tibetan-Energy-Yoga

Easy  is this small exercise which gives really a burst of refreshing energy and also courage. Try it out and good to not give an uppercut to someone near my arms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylSzmufW7sI Enjoy!

Torture in our world.

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/human-rights/Torture-Widespread-Around-World-87258147.html

It is a danger to get used on all torture we see on TV, we hear on the radio and we read in the newspapers. As we are all interconnected beings, forming this mirror world.

There is no any outerworld at all, neither an inner which is protected by a selfish boss! The harm to brothers and sisters is the harm to our being interrelated! But the others are with more than our own being only. We shouldn't "peacefully" accept by our blind silence. TALK!

Talk and act without poison. Afflictions are poison and are of no any help. The perpetuators, in the mist of obscurated actions,  need our compassion (with skills) as much as the hard suffering victims. Whatever we can do, we do.  Being very careful with concepts and acts so that at least nobody is harmed.

http://www.google.be/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2008/08/13/torture_57514181.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china/evidence-torture-hidden-from-journalists-beijing-olympics-2654.html&h=531&w=750&sz=41&tbnid=KdJkxH5Ty-f5oM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=141&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchinese%2Bprisons&hl=nl&usg=__s-6MovPt-Reh_xTKB3WwmnUxmJc=&ei=Cgv5S7usNsGLONCziZUM&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBA

Practice of Bodhichitta in action,  being an interactive helping hand for Human Rights Activists. Each good idea here about, even very small, can make our world more peaceful.

I dedicate to my worldwide brothers and sisters, non of them can be excluded, all of them are my very heart.

Care for animals.

http://gomestic.com/pets/why-we-need-animal-shelters/

A helpless dog with three legs, chased by cars at the side of the road.

Hungry dogs with painful skin deseases being chased away by monkeys and laughters.

In rich countries the animal is easely put on the road, aside on a tree when people's holiday starts.

Animals in too small stinky places, the only place they ever will know during their life.

Too many baby pets with unsure life quality can be avoided.

Therefore please dearest friends in this world; we must take care of them! They cannot do it themselves, they often are offering their life for the selfish pleasures of humans. Please announce an animal care center or the police when torture or an abandoned animal is seen.

By the great example of His Holiness The Dalai Lama is there a care center for pets in Dharamsala, India. Shops are selling pedigree food and chapatis are regullarly shared with the street dogs. As dogs are not just meat eaters, they are all-eaters.

In England and New Zealand I saw on TV a really good care system for those in need. Only it is up to people to announce cases in time; to avoid such hard suffering.

http://www.tibetcharity.in/acs_news.html

From the core of my heart, thanks to all who respect animals welfare!

THANK YOU FRIENDS. _/\_

The teaching shadow.

Pigeons and travellers were walking around and their body was in the compagny of a fellow. A shadow remained following.  That shadow, like the shadow of death is not disconnected of life. One cannot put him aside to continue the walk alone,  this body and its shadow are impermanent.

Impermanence of  that energy in dreamlike life. An instable dream, constructed by moving thoughts. Ha!  It is that fictitious dream thing with its' shadow, which is getting continuously birth, continuously dying.

The importance of this life becomes clear. To cling in exhausting frustrations to the me-bubble in this moment which we call life, or see this shadow like fiction by creativity of thoughts.

Some people were dressed with very expensive outfits, some hopped there body around on tiny shoes with high heels and lots of ornaments wherever possible. But even those very expensive ornaments, couldn't escape the shadow of impermanence, always following in the late evening sunbeams. 

Ha!   To purify and be free in emptiness. Long meaningful life without fear.

Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok

H.E. Jetsun Kushok had a stroke today.  Please say long life prayers for her.  The first one I'm posting here was given to me from a Sakya center.  The second is taken from DharmaWheel.net Buddhist discussion forum.  The author is Karma Dondrup Tashi.

HER EMINENCE SAKYA JETSUN CHIMEY LUDING
Through the blessings of an ocean of divinities
Of longevity and immortality
Coming from the celestial race of luminosity
You grant the glory of great bliss
Wealth with the vast activity of tantric vidyadharas,
Chief among dakinis, we supplicate you to live long.

Protectress of the Dharma and of Beings, you arose from
The lineage and the teachings of revered Sakya
The radiant sun of the enlightened one's religion,
Turn fully the Wheel for attaining deathlessness
And make the twofold deeds grow evermore.

Traversing the path of deathless freedom,
Ripen your mind, acquire the fortune of liberation.
May you gaze directly upon the face of reality
And dwell always in joy that does not fail.

_/|\_

Through the blessings of an ocean of divinities
Of longevity and immortality
Coming from the celestial race of luminosity
You grant the glory of great bliss
Wealth with the vast activity of tantric vidyadharas,
Chief among dakinis, we supplicate you to live long.

Protectress of the Dharma and of Beings, you arose from
The lineage and the teachings of revered Sakya
The radiant sun of the enlightened one's religion,
Turn fully the Wheel for attaining deathlessness
And make the twofold deeds grow evermore.

Traversing the path of deathless freedom,
Ripen your mind, acquire the fortune of liberation.
May you gaze directly upon the face of reality
And dwell always in joy that does not fail.

Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum

When Anger Arises

The antidote to anger is not compassion, as one might think.

The antidote to anger is patience.

Buddha Shakyamuni.

Tibet 21 may, USA 20 may.

On the special birthday, the wish for freedom for all sentient beings by so  many; is the result of the great kindness of Buddha Shakyamuni, his wonderful teaching.

May all sentient beings see the dream of the cloudlike cage and be free in the vastness of  genuine peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXgEApkgXas&feature=related

Short Practice, prayer for a person's continued life

Hri Du Sum Sang Gye Kun Gyi Ngo Wo Nyi

(Hri essence of the buddhas of the three times)

Dro Nam Ma Lu Drol Way Dep Pon Chok
Sublime guide who frees all beings

Or Gen Pema Rig Dzin Tse Pak Me
Orgyen Pema Rigdzin Tse.pa.me

Dak Gi Lu Ngak Yid Sum Jin Lob La
Bless my body speech and mind

Chi Me Tse Yi Ngo Drup Tsal Du Sol
Bestow the power of immortal life

OM,  GURU AYU SIDDHI, HUNG, HRI.
AMARANI  JIVANTAYE, SWAHA    (100 x)

Ge Wa Di Yi Nyur Du Dag
By this virtuous practice

Tse Pag Me Gon Drub Jur Ne
May I quickly attain the realisation of Amitayus

Dro Wa Chio Chang Ma Lu Pa
Accomplishing this, may I liberate all
Sentient beings without exception

De Yi Sa Lo Go Par Shog
Into that same realisation.

Amitayus is considered the samboghakaya form of Amitabha.  In Tibetan, he is called  Tse-pameh. The scripture describing him is The Shorter [or, Lesser] Sukhavati Text  (Skt. Sukhavati-viyuha) and in it we are given the key to understanding the true nature of deities in Buddhism.

Tse.pag.med (pron. Tse-pa-meh or cheh-pah-meh) is depicted holding a flask of amrita, the nectar of immortality which confers longevity.  Often an ashok [anti-suffering] tree grows from the vase looking something like a heap of raspberries or a cluster of grapes.

Scriptural Basis

Thus have I heard:

Once the Buddha was dwelling in the Anathapindada Garden of Jetavana in the country of Shravasti together with a large company of Bhikshus of twelve hundred and fifty members. They were all great Arhats ...  all great Shravakas [hearers or disciples]; and with many Bodhisattva - mahasattvas ... all great Bodhisattvas; and also with a large company of innumerable devas: Shakra-Indra, etc.

Then the Bhagavat addressed the honoured Shariputra and said, "O Shariputra, after you have passed from here over a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha countries there is in the Western part a Buddha  country, a world called Sukhatvati (the happy country). And there a Tathagata, called Amitayus, an Arhat, fully enlightened, dwells now, and remains, and supports himself, and teaches the Dharma.

"Now what do you think, Shariputra, for what reason is that world called Sukhavati (the happy)? In that world of Sukhavati, O Shariputra, there is neither bodily nor mental pain for living beings. The sources of happiness are innumerable there. For that reason is that world called Sukhavati (the happy).

"And again, O Shariputra, that world Sukhavati is adorned with seven terraces, with seven rows of palm-trees, and with strings of bells.  It is enclosed on every side, beautiful, brilliant with the four gems, viz. gold, silver, beryl and crystal. With such arrays of excellences peculiar to a Buddha country is that Buddha country adorned."

"And again, O Shariputra, when those rows of palm trees and strings of bells in that Buddha country are moved by the wind, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from them. Yes, O Shariputra, as from a heavenly musical instrument consisting of a hundred thousand kotis of sounds, when played by Aryas, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds,  a sweet and captivating sound proceeds from those rows of palm-trees and strings of bells moved by the wind. And when the men hear the sound, reflection on the Buddha arises in them, reflection on the Dharma arises in them, reflection on the Sangha arises in them."

"And what do you think, O Shariputra, for what reason is that Tathagata called Amitayus? The length of life (=ayus), O Shariputra, of that Tathagata and of those men there is immeasurable (amita).  Therefore is that Tathagata called Amitayus. And ten kalpas have passed, O Shariputra, since that Tathagata awoke to perfect knowledge."

"Then again all beings, O Shariputra, ought to make fervent prayers for that Buddha country. And why? Because they come together there with such excellent men. Beings are not born in that Buddha country of the Tathagata Amitayus as a reward and result of good works performed in this present life. No, whatever son or daughter of a family shall hear the name of the blessed Amitayus, the Tathagata, and having heard it, shall keep it in mind, and with thoughts undisturbed shall keep it in mind for one, two, three, four, five, six or seven nights -- when that son or daughter of a family comes to die, then that Amitayus, the Tathagata, surrounded by an assembly of disciples and followed by a host of Bodhisattvas, will stand before them at their hour of death, and they will depart this life with tranquil minds. After their death they will be born in the world Sukhavati, in the Buddha country of the same Amitayus, the Tathagata."

~ Sukhavati-Vyuha (Max Muller trans.)

http://www.khandro.net/deity_Amitayus.htm

This was posted at Dharma Wheel Buddhist Form

It was also posted at Freesangha Buddhist Forum

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Human rights for women and Dalits are unthinkable.

(UNHRC) proposes to equate all discrimination on the basis of caste, occupation and descent as violation of Human rights and also deliberated on the recognition of caste as race. Nearly 200 million people all over the world are victims of such discrimination of which more than 160 million existed in India.

Despite Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s conviction that untouchability is apartheid, India is opposing this move and so far has been taking the stand that caste issues should not be internationalized as caste is not race and it’s our internal matter.

BJP’s opposition to the UNHRC efforts is quite understandable, as its politics is based around the Hindutva ideology and as per that human rights for women and Dalits are unthinkable. But surprisingly, Manmohan Singh who equated untouchability with apartheid is also quite on this issue.

India, which is propagating itself to be a true democracy with rich civil rights, is ignoring  that its 160 million Dalits or untouchables still suffer from deplorable caste discrimination and  are deprived of even basic rights such as right to life and security. In addition to being target of physical and sexual violence, Dalits are often required to eat and drink from separate containers and restaurants, attend separate religious services, walk miles to get water and work in degrading conditions.

India is truly a flawed democracy as it failed to implement the laws, which provide protection against such caste discriminations.
Dalits literally meaning "broken people" or "oppressed" in Hindi are the lowest members of Hindu caste system in India.

The caste system is a Hindu hierarchical class structure in which Dalits are beyond caste. Dalits undertake occupations that the rest of Indian society found filthy and embarrassing and also receive ill-treatment from the members of the higher castes, particularly from Brahmins.

For example Brahmins would have to bathe if a Dalit shadow fell on them, would not eat food prepared by Dalits, and would not drink from the same wells as Dalits. They are not allowed to defy caste system and punished otherwise.
 Although article 17 of the Indian Constitution banned untouchability in 1950, Dalits still suffer widespread discrimination and mistreatment.

Local law enforcement personnel often refuse to document, investigate and respond adequately to Dalits' complaints. Upper caste members often threaten and assault Dalits who dare protest against their mistreatment. The traditional practices of segregation between upper castes and Dalits are continuing in India.

Despite the system of quotas for government employment, they rarely rise above traditional Dalit occupations. The existence of quotas often fuels upper caste disdain for Dalits. In the private sector, even the educated Dalits struggle to succeed. In many communities upper caste members still expect Dalits to perform their traditional occupations without pay.

Dalit children are subjected to human rights abuses. These children are common victims of bonded labour practices, even though bonded labour is outlawed in India. When Dalit families become indebted to money lenders, Dalit children are often forced to work off these debts.

Due to the low wages these children are paid, they can rarely even earn enough money to pay back their debts and break free from their labour obligations. Additionally, Dalit girls are selected for the practice of Devdasi or marriage to temple deities. As a part of Devdasi these girls must serve in the temple and perform sexual services for temple workers.

Dalits are also the targets of hate crimes and violence. According to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a total of 99,749 cases of crimes against lower castes were reported from July 2004 to August 2006, including 2,389 murders and 4,814 rapes. Many more cases go unreported.

 Although India is obligated under several International Instruments to uphold Dalit rights, there is little enforcement to ensure that India meets its obligations under International Law. First, as a UN member state, thus is bound to the provisions in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The articles I & II of UDHR state that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" and that the human rights protected in the UDHR belong to everyone without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,  national or social origin, property, birth or other status".

India is violating its obligations under the UDHR as it has failed to protect Dalits against discrimination, degradation and violence.
Second, India has also failed to meet its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which it ratified on 10 April 1979.

Not only does the ICCPR protect against discrimination of “any kind" including discrimination based on “social origin" but it also protects against  torture, degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest, detention, and promotes equality in the courts and equal protection of the law.

In failing to respect and ensure Dalits rights, India is not complying with ICCPR.       
 Third, India has failed to protect Dalit workers in accordance with its obligations under the International Labour Organization Convention (No 107) which it ratified on 29 September 1958.

Under convention 107, India is obligated to protect the “institutions, persons, property and labour" of members of tribal or semi tribal populations.
Finally, Dalit children, who are forced into bonded labour, or the practice of Devdasi, are protected under the provisions in the Convention of Rights of the Child of 1989 (CRC), which it ratified on 11 December 1992.

In Article 32, the CRC protects against “Economic exploitation" and the performance of “any work that is likely to be hazardous...or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development". Both the practices of child-bonded labour and the practice of Devdasi violate India's commitment under the CRC. 

 
Consequently, Dalits are converting their religion in order to get honour and prestige in the society. They are joining Buddhism to escape from the caste system which discriminates them as untouchables and forces slavery. Commenting on this phenomenon Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader said,

***“They want to embrace Buddhism because it is a free religion. It is open to all. It preaches non-violence and is not divided on the basis of caste"***. 

 So how can India claim to be a big democracy where the minorities being the citizens are not enjoying liberty and freedom and live as a second class citizen? The Indian government has done nothing to remove caste prejudice and to provide justice to poor and powerless. The so-called true democratic India needs to shake up its tranquilized conscience before it is too late. As rightly pointed out by
Khushwant Singh, “Far from becoming mahaan (great), India is going to the dogs, and unless a miracle saves us, the country will break up".

Laughter

This quote was so fabulous I had to share it.

Since everything is but an apparition, having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection, one may well burst out in laughter.

-Longchenpa

TYC calls for Immediate Release of Panchen Lama

May the Panchen Lama be well and in good health physically and spiritually. May he swiftly be returned to society and released from house arrest. May be have happiness and the causes of happiness, always  _/\_ TYC calls for Immediate Release of Panchen Lama

Phayul [Monday, May 17, 2010 14:04]

By Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, May 17: The members of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence organisation in the exile Tibetan community, Monday organised peaceful protest march here asking the Chinese communist regime to release Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the boy recognised by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995, from its captivity.

Monday marked 15 years since the Chinese authorities secretly abducted Gendhun Choekyi Nyima along with his parents on May 17, 1995, three days after His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared him to be the reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama. He was only six years old then.

Gendhun Choekyi Nyima turned 21 last month, but his whereabouts and safety has been unknown since he first disappeared out of public view.

Over the years Tibetans and their supporters around the world have routinely marked his birthdays and disappearance by organising “Free Panchen Lama” campaigns, candle light vigils and signature campaigns.

Chinese Government claims that his whereabouts are kept undisclosed to protect him, but all requests for access to him, including requests and pressure from various governments and rights, have been repeatedly refused so far.

In a statement released here today, Tibetan Youth Congress said it was high time for China to show the 11th Panchen Lama to the international community to confirm his wellbeing, and that he be allowed to resume his spiritual role to maintain the unbroken lineage of the successive Panchen Lamas.

Accusing the Chinese government of interfering in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people for its own “political benefits”, the statement urged the international community to exert pressure on Beijing to secure the immediate release of the Panchen Lama, his family and others associated with the finding of the Panchen Lama.

The organisation also organised signature campaigns here today and will hold hold a candle light vigil late in evening to offer prayers for his wellbeing.

Panchen Lama is revered by Tibetans as the second highest tulku lineage in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most influential spiritual leaders of Tibet.

Traditionally, the Panchen Lama bears part of the responsibility for finding the incarnation of the Dalai Lama and vice versa, a practice many say has prompted China to install another boy, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the Panchen Lama.

Gyaltsen, who is generally not recognised by Tibetans, is being used by Beijing to supplant the Dalai Lama as the public face of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet and elsewhere in China. In recent years he has taken on an increasingly political role and was recently appointed to China's top government advisory body.

The latest statement by the Chinese authorities concerning the fate of the Gendhun Choekyi Nyima came two months ago from Pema Thinley, the Chinese-appointed governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Thinley told reporters on the sidelines of China's annual legislative session in Beijing earlier in March that the young boy was living with his family and having a “very good life” somewhere in Tibet. He, however, gave no further details.

Article at Phayul.com

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