garryageez's Journal

Oct 2007
11:11 AM GMT

Lets not forget Burma.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

BURMA LETS NOT FORGET.
Current mood: worried
Category: Life

Since the oppressive government of Burma have severed all contact with the outside world, through a ban on tv, radio and internet media, It can easily seem to those outside that the terrible oppression that the people of Burma are suffering is over, but far from it. Reports leaking from the Country suggest that things are still bad and getting worse. Here is what Amnesty international have to say on the matter.

Burma crisis - Stop the bloodshed

Violent crackdown on protesters continues

A heavy military presence on Burma's streets, combined with mass arrests, has stamped out the massive protests of the past week. Huge numbers of troops are visible on street corners across Yangon, the focal point for the demonstrations, and fear is widespread.

The flood of reports in the city of alleged brutal killings, disappearances and arrests is causing major concern for the people of Burma and those watching the continuing crisis.

Watch footage of protests in Burma (RealPlayer)

Background

Amnesty International has long documented Burma's appalling human rights record. This includes widespread and systematic human rights violations:

The holding of more than 1,160 political prisoners in deteriorating prison conditions. Detainees include most senior opposition figures
The use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, especially during interrogation and pre-trial detention
The use of child soldiers and forced labour
Laws that criminalise the peaceful expression of political dissent
People frequently being arrested without warrant and held incommunicado
Judicial proceedings against political detainees that fall short of international fair trial standards
Defendants being denied the right to legal counsel and prosecutors relying on confessions extracted through torture

Act nowto protect peaceful protestors The Governments hope is that through the meassures it has taken through the media ban, the world will forget their peoples plight, We must not let them succeed in this endeavour. The problem we face is that the media of the western world are there to make interesting tv, and if there is nothing to report the situation is put on the shelf until something terrible happens. Lets not wait for that to happen to remind us. Lets act now, by writing to our governments, and the chinese government demanding that they act to stop these crimes against humanity. Look out for any protest that are taking place that we can attend.. Also you can do what i have done and bring the situation to peoples attention by writing an entry in our blogs and on our comments on myspace etc. We all have the tools to be able to do this and this seemingly small act can reach so many and do so much. I thank you all very much for your attention on this matter and hope and pray you all have the love and compassion in your hearts to act NOW. With Metta (LOVING KINDNESS) Garry D. AKA SOOPANOVA.

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Tags: amnesty international, Buddhism, Burma, corruption, injustice, monks, Politics, protest, world affairs

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Feb 2007
12:35 PM GMT

Size: 2.5 million kilometers2 Capital: Lhasa Population: 6 million Tibetans and an undetermined number of Chinese, most of whom are in Kham and Amdo Religion: Tibetan Buddhism is practiced by 99% of the Tibetan Population Language: Tibetan (of the Tibeto-Burmese language family). The official language is Chinese after Chinese occupation in 1959. Staple Food: Tsampa (roasted barley flour) National Drink: Salted butter tea Typical Animals: Wild yak, Bharal (blue) sheep, Musk deer, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, Kyang (wild ass), Pica Typical Birds: Black necked crane, Lammergeier, Great crested grebe, Bar headed goose, Ruddy shel duck, Ibis- bill. Major Environmental Problems: Rampant deforestation in eastern Tibet; desertification, poaching of large mammals Average Altitude: 14,000 Feet Highest Mountain: Chomo Langma (Mt. Everest) 29,028 ft Average Temperature: July 58º F; January 24º F Mineral Deposits: Borax, uranium, iron, chromite, gold Major Rivers: Mekong, Yangtse, Salween, Tsangpo, Yellow, Indus, Karnali Economy: Tibetans: predominantly in agriculture and animal husbandry. Chinese: predominantly in government, commerce and the service sector Provinces: U-Tsang (Central Tibet) Amdo (N.E. Tibet), Kham (S.E. Tibet) Bordering Countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, China National Flag: Snow lions with red and blue rays. Outlawed in Tibet Political and Religious Leader: The 14th Dalai Lama. In exile in Dharamsala, India Government: Communist (after Chinese occupation in 1959) Relationship with the People's Republic of China: Colonial Legal Status: Occupied Garrys view: Hi all sorry i hav`nt made any entries for a week or so, im afraid work commitments have kept me away. But never mind here I am back again, and today I thought I would talk a little about Tibet and the plight of the Tibetan people since chinese occupation began back in 1959 . I hope that all who read this entry, of all religious denominations, will send their prayers and good wishes out to the wonderful long suffering and deeply compassionate people of Tibet. With the strong wish that someday soon the Chinese government will find it in their hearts to restore this beautiful and historically rich Himalayan Kingdom back to those who can then once again rightfully call it their homeland. To those who may not be familiar with the situation, I have chosen to use the words of one of the foremost interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism to the west SOGYAL RINPOCHE. This piece was however written some 14 years ago, and some figures I have changed to bring them up to date, And so I quote... Forty seven years after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the world is still ignorant of what has happened, ignorant of the extent of the terror, destruction, and systematic genocide that the Tibetan people have endured and are still enduring. Over 2 million people out of a population of 6 million have died at the hands of the Chinese; Tibets vast forests, as indispensable as those of the Amazon to the ecology of the world, have been cut down; its wildlife has been almost totally massacred; its plateaus and rivers have been polluted with nuclear waste; the vast majority of its six-and-a-half thousand monastries lie gutted or destroyed; the Tibetan people face extinction, and the glory of their own culture in their homeland has been almost entirely obliterated. From the very beginning of the Chinese occupation of Tibet in the 1950s, many terrible atrocities were committed. Spiritual masters, monks, and nuns were the first targets, because the Chinese Communists wanted above all to break the spirit of the people by wiping out all traces of religious life. Many, many stories have reahed me over the years of extraordinary and moving deaths, in the worst possible circumstances, that witnessed and paid final tribute to the spleandor of the truth the chinese were desperate to destroy..... When I read words like this written by Tibetans. ( H.H. The Dalai Lama is often quoted as saying he feels no hatred toward the chinese, but feels sad for them that the bad Karma they have accumulated can only come back on them and cause them great harm.) I wonder how they manage to exercise such restraint and still manage to feel even great compassion for their aggressors. This to me bears testament to the truly loving and spiritual nature of the Tibetan people. And that their religion is not just lipservice but a real practice incorporated into their very being. This strength and belief must be an inspiration to us all. As for us as onlookers, now this situation has been made known to us surely there are things we can do to help in our own small way. I for one have decided to write to our prime minister Tony Blair to ask what his Governments stand is on this situation. and this I shall continue to do until I recieve a satisfactory answer. I shall also become a member of the free Tibet campaign all proceeds of which go toward the continuing struggle for the freedom of Tibet from Chinese occupation. Any one else who is interested in doing more for this cause can find out more at http://www.freetibet.org/ To end I would just like to mention that Tibetan people find great strength in their belief that all hardships that we Humans suffer help to exhaust the negative Karma we have all produced over many lifetimes and so help us to reach our goal of perfection as Human beings. This strain of thought I think can be a very strong source of inspiration to us all. With Metta and may your God be with you allways Garry D.

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Jan 2007
12:06 PM GMT

If People insist that all things are empty and transitory, it is just as great a mistake to insist that all things are real and do not change. If a person becomes attached to his ego-personality, it is a mistake because it cannot save him from dissatisfaction or suffering. If he believes there is no ego, it is also a mistake and it would be useless for him to practice the Way of Truth. If people assert that everything is happiness, that is a mistake, too. Buddha teaches the middle way transcending these prejudiced concepts, where duality merges into oneness. Gautama Buddha.

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Jan 2007
12:05 PM GMT

The fourfold noble truth is the basis of the Buddhas teachings. It teaches us that life in Samsara is suffering, what causes it and ultimately what we must do to escape from it. The fourfold noble truth is 1) The truth of suffering . 2) The truth of the cause of suffering. 3) The truth of the cessation of suffering. 4) The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. The best way to explain the meaning of the fourfold noble truth is through the Buddhas words himself, and so I quote from the teachings of the Buddha. 1. The world is full of suffering. Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, sickness and death are sufferings. To meet a man whom one hates is suffering, to be separated from a beloved one is suffering, to be vainly struggling to satisfy one's needs is suffering. In fact, life that is not free from desire and passion is always involved with distress. This is called the Truth of Suffering. The cause of human suffering is undoubtedly found in the thirsts of the physical body and in the illusions of worldly passion. If these thirsts and illusions are traced to their source, they are found to be rooted in the intense desires of physical instincts. Thus, desire, having a strong will-to-live as its basis, seeks that which it feels desirable, even if it is sometimes death. This is called the Truth of the Cause of Suffering. If desire, which lies at the root of all human passion, can be removed, then passion will die out and all human suffering will be ended. This is called the Truth of Cessation of Suffering. In order to enter into a state where there is no desire and no suffering, one must follow a certain Path. The stages of this Noble Eightfold Path are: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Behavior, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. This is called the Truth of the Noble Path to the Cessation of the Cause of Suffering. People should keep these Truths clearly in mind, for the world is filled with suffering and if anyone wishes to escape from suffering, he must sever the ties of worldly passion which is the sole cause of suffering. The way of life which is free from all worldly passion and suffering can only be known through Enlightenment, and Enlightenment can only be attained through the discipline of the Noble Eightfold Path. 2. All those who are seeking Enlightenment must understand the Fourfold Noble Truth. Without understanding this, they will wander about interminably in the bewildering maze of life's illusions. Those who understand this Fourfold Noble Truth are called "the people who have acquired the eyes of Enlightenment." Therefore, those who wish to follow the Buddha's teachings should concentrate their minds on this Fourfold Noble Truth and seek to make their understanding of its meaning clear. In all ages, a saint, if he is a true saint, is one who understands it and teaches it to others. When a man clearly understands the Fourfold Noble Truth, then the Noble Eightfold Path will lead him away from greed; and if he is free from greed, he will not quarrel with the world, he will not kill, nor steal, nor commit adultery, nor cheat, nor abuse, nor flatter, nor envy, nor lose his temper, nor forget the transience of life will he be unjust. 3. Following the Noble Path is like entering a dark room with a light in the hand; the darkness will all be cleared away and the room will be filled with light. People who understand the meaning of the Noble Truths and have learned to follow the Noble Path are in possession of the light of wisdom that will clear way the darkness of ignorance. Buddha leads people, merely by indicating to them the Fourfold Noble Truth. Those who understand it properly will attain Enlightenment; they will be able to guide and support others in this bewildering world, and they will be worthy of trust. When the Fourfold Noble Truth is clearly understood, all the sources of worldly passion are dried up. Advancing from this Fourfold Noble Truth, the disciples of Buddha will attain all other precious truths; they will gain the wisdom and insight to understand all meanings, and will become capable of preaching the Dharma (True Teaching) to all the peoples of the world.

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Jan 2007
4:13 PM GMT

http://journals.aol.co.uk/garryageez1/garrys- place.AlayBuddhistspe/ Copy and paste this link into your browser if you would like to visit my journal with pictures and illustrations on aol. Thanks and Blessings Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:11 PM GMT

Samsara the cycle of life death and rebirth. Samsara is the Buddhist word for the world of life death and rebirth. This is not the world as we know it in the conventional sense. It is the six realms of existence, the world of suffering. The six realms are as follows. 1) The realm of Gods. 2) The realm of Demigods. 3) The realm of Humans. 4) The realm of Animals. 5) The realm of Hungry Ghosts (pretas). 6) The Hell realm. Although Samsara is considered the world of suffering, the level of suffering within each realm varies. I shall now give a brief de scription of each realm and the beings that dwell there. 1) The realm of Gods is the highest of the samsaric realms. The beings here have attained a rebirth in this Heavenly realm due to good karma created through right action in their life time and having purified negative karma in this and past lifetimes. But they have not reached the state of Nirvana (The complete freedom from the cycle of life death and rebirth, through the eradication of Human desire) As they passed by this paradise during the Bardo of death, the lure of of this Heavenly realm was either too much for them to resist, or they thought, mistakenly, that it must be the highest state attainable. The beings in this realm are also subject to the laws of impermanence. Although there lifespans can reach for several aeons. 2) The realm of Demigods. This realm is situated between the realm of Humans and the realm of Gods, and the beings here are jealous Godlike beings that wage war against one another on a regular bassis. 3) The realm of Humans is considered by Buddhists to be the most desirable of all the realms, even more so than the God realms, due to the fact that it is the only realm where the conditions can be favourable for us to achieve enlightenment and ultimately Nirvana. It is a very rare and special privaledge to be born as a Human and this is why the Buddha stated that we must seize the chance in this lifetime to advance as far along the spiritual path as possible. 4) The Animal realm is the abode of all non human beings that dwell along side us in the Human realm,. Although people say sometimes that they would love to come back as a bird or dolphin or the likes, in reality the Animals are in constant danger from predators, and constantly fighting for survival, The Animal realm is not a desirable state as their inteligence is not advanced enough to comprehend enlightenment and they have very limited free will. 5) The realm of the pretas or Hungry Ghosts. The beings in this realm are portraid as having very small mouths and very large bellies. They are allways hungry and can never be satisfied. It is also said that everything they touch turns to fire or filth. 6) The last of the Samsaric realms is The Hell realm, this is the complete opposite to the God realm and is portraid as so in illustrations of the tibetan wheel of life. Beings who have created a great ammount of negative karma through murder and similar extreme negative actions find themselves in this realm of extreme suffering. They exist in a constant state of torment, where they burn freeze and die continuous horrific deaths. Once negative karma has burnt itself out a rebirth in a higher state can be achieved. All samsaric realms are impermanent. The only way to be completely free from Samsara is through the following of the noble eightfold path, as set out by the Buddha. my next entry will be on this subject. With Metta Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:10 PM GMT

The Art of Happiness (Riverhead, 1998, ISBN 1-57322-111- 2) is a book written by the Dalai Lama and co-authored with Howard Cutler, a psychiatrist who posed deeply probing questions to the Dalai Lama. The book explores training the human outlook that alters perception. The purpose of life is happiness. Happiness is determined more by the state of one’s mind than by one’s external conditions, circumstances, or events—at least once one’s basic survival needs are met. Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook. The key to happiness is in our own hands. Garrys view: The Art of Happiness By H.H. The Dalai Lama and American Psychologist Howard C Cutler, is a book that I would strongly recommend everyone to read. Originally published in 1998, It is the meeting of two very different minds. His Holiness The Dalai Lama answers the many questions, concerning Human Happiness and how it can be best achieved and maintained, put to him, by The American Psychologist Howard Cutler. The reading of this book, completely changed my way of thinking and has had the definite effect of making me a much Happier person. Many of the things I have learned from this book, I have found of great use when helping others when they are feeling down or depressed. His Holiness shows us that by looking at life and its problems from a different angle, we can more easily accept the difficulties that life throws before us, and hence live a Happier life and help to make the life of others around us Happier. One of the many things I like about this book, is how down to Earth it is, filled with the compassion, wit and wisdom that we all know and love hisHoliness for, it is a must read for everyone, spiritual and athiest alike. Please, please, please take the time to purchase and read this book, I guarantee you will be glad you did. This was the first book i read by His Holiness, and ever since I cannot see a book on the bookshop shelf written by his Holiness and not buy it. So Happy reading with Metta Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:10 PM GMT

Compassion and the practice of Metta. Some of the pictures in this item today depict scenes that may be distressing to people of a particularly sensitive nature. So dont view if you dont want to see. But I have included them, not to satisfy any kind of morbid curiosity but to show it as it is. I could have included many other war images but found them to be too disturbing. GARRYS VIEW: I feel we are all now suffering from the collective negative karma of our predecesors, The result of past actions are now coming to fruition and this is why our world is filled with so much hatred and confussion. It is now time for us Humans to turn our thinking around and start to make serious effort to purify this bad karma and this can only be done through right action. In general people have one common interest at heart and that is to be Happy. But many people are living the illusion that happiness is found through the pursuit of personal gain and the satisfaction of our bodily desires. It is time now for us to realise that true happiness and joy is within all of us. It is our own minds that create our own illusion and this clouds over our view of who we really are, and deprives us of true and lasting Happiness. All material and earthly things are impermanent and this is why they do not provide lasting satisfaction. Its like going on a great Holliday while we are there we feel great joy but when we have to return to normality we feel down. This happens to us all, all of the time and leads many people to depression. This is called the suffering of change. When we come to realise this we can begin to become free. Often people think that as an individual we can make no difference to the world situation, And it is this mode of thought that puts the greatest barrier in the way of progress. It is now time for all people to realise that making the world a better place begins with each one of us. If we all change our attitudes and learn to be more compassionate then the possitive change will begin to take place. To learn to feel greater compassion for our fellow beings, please try this Meditation technique. First sit down and think about all the bad things that have happened to you in your life, times when you have lost loved ones or have been hurt deeply by someone etc. As you begin to feel sad even maybe to the point of wanting to cry, hold this feeling and then realise that this common suffering is what we all experience in this world of constant change. Then think about Death and dying. This is a subject that most of us brush under the carpet throughout our lives, yet it is the only thing that is truly inevitable. We all know someone that we dont like very much, someone who may have mistreated us in the past, and we hold a very strong grudge towards them. But if we hear one day that they have died in a horrible way, we tend to think well I may not have liked this person very much but I wouldnt have wished this on anyone. This is compassion and it is present in everyone, some greater than others i do admit. But never the less it is still there. This feeling is like a seed within just waiting for the right conditions to grow, when we meditate in this manner and equalise others with ourselves and realise we are all in the same boat, our feelings of hate begin to subside making us more understanding towards one another causing better conditions for happiness for us all. It is also a good exercise to try and visualise people as they would have been when we where Babies. We all love Babies as they have not yet created the conditions without to cause others to dislike them. They are cute and cuddley and their vulnerability makes us want to pick them up and protect them. Now relise that we where all Babies once and that we are all still vulnerable to the ever changing nature of this world. In that sense we are all still little children of the world with very little control of the forces of nature that lift us up, pull us down and toss us from side to side in the tempest that is life. This is the practice of Metta (loving kindness) And is vital for us to not just practice during meditation but to incorporate within our daily lives and our relationships with others. With Metta Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:09 PM GMT

MANTRA A mantra (Devanagari मन्त्र) is a religious or mystical syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words or vibrations that instill one- pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely based on practices of these Eastern religions. Mantras are interpreted to be effective as sound (vibration), to the effect that great emphasis is put on correct pronunciation (resulting in an early development of a science of phonetics in India). They are intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra. Mantras and prayers A mantra is a sacred syllable, word or verse, which has been revealed to a sage in deep meditation. A mantra, when recited with devotion, concentration and understanding, revitalizes the body and mind with mystic power, and harmonizes thought and action. A mantra, when repeated constantly during meditation, first loudly and then through silent and mental chanting, changes the consciousness. Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer), Om Mani Padme Hum, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones, like the one pictured above, and placed where people can see them. Spinning the written form of the mantra around in a Mani wheel (or prayer wheel) is also believed to give the same benefit as saying the mantra, and Mani wheels, small hand wheels and large wheels with millions of copies of the mantra inside, are found everywhere in the lands influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Turn your hard drive into a prayer wheel. Digital Prayer Wheels If you click on this link, it will take you to a site where you can download this mantra onto your hard drive. This acts as a digital prayer wheel. The many thousands of times it turns in a short ammount of time will bring you great merit. Garrys view: Tibetan Buddhists say, that if you write this Mantra on a flag or stone and place it outside. When the wind passes over it, its blessing are carried to all beings that the wind touches. The power of a Mantra such as OM MANI PADME HUM (OM MANI PEME HUNG. in the tibetan translation.) is vast. It can protect you from harm and purify negative Karma. When I was younger and going through a time of great difficulty in my life I began to chant the Mantra NAM MYO HO RENGE KYO. This mantra is known as the mantra of the Lotus sutra. Even though I had no religious beliefs and had little faith in anything I tried it in desperation as I had heard that it works. As I chanted the Mantra I felt a definite warm glow growing within and all my troubles seemed to evaporate from my mind, leaving me feeling happier and more relaxed. I believe it was the chanting of this mantra that led me to the path I now walk and helped to cultivate my interest in Buddhism. If it hadnt been for this Mantra helping me to free myself from a life of drugs alchohol and crime, who knows where I would be now. May the Merit gained from the publication of this item be dedicated to all those who are suffering from the same problems as I did then, and may all sentient beings be free from the suffering of Samsara, become Enlightened and ultimately reach the blissfull state of Nirvana. With Metta Garry D. ( My intention is to include many more Mantras and items on the subject in this blog in the future.) This is a mantra that I like to chant regularly, it is said that the beautifull green tara was born from the tears of chenrezig the boddisatva of compassion. Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā / Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha Tara (whose name means "star" or "she who ferries across") is the female Bodhisattva of compassion. In Tibetan, Tara is known as "Dölma" (Sgrol-ma), or "She Who Saves." In particular she represents compassion in action, since she's in the process of stepping from her lotus throne in order to help sentient beings. Written by garryageez1 .

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Jan 2007
4:07 PM GMT

saddam hussein execution. Right or wrong? Saddam Hussein, The tyranical x - leader of Iraq has been executed. To many who have suffered under his oppressive regime, the relief must be great, to know that the dark shadow of his rule has gone forever. But I cant help thinking that for every despot that the so called civilised world gets rid of, there is another waiting to take his place. I hope with all my heart that the world will one day be free from such oppresion, war and blood-shed. But the reality is, we are living in a society rooted upon greed, led by rulers who act not through wisdom but by their own vested interests. If it hadnt been for the oil, I doubt very much wether Old uncle sam would have had the slightest interest in Kuwait when Saddam invaded. And if it had`nt been for the so called war on terrorism following the tragic events of september 11 and George Bush` own personal hatred of saddam, that maybe he would still be in power, killng all of those that opposed him. Lets also remember that America was built on the foundation of the murder and bloodshed of millions of innocent Native Americans. May I also add that the whole of the western world was built on this same unstable foundation of violence and hatred and the collective negative karma created from these times is beginning to come to fruition now . I feel we are all now suffering from the collective negative karma of our predecesors, The result of past actions are now coming to fruition and this is why our world is filled with so much hatred and confussion. It is now time for us Humans to turn our thinking around and start to make serious effort to purify this bad karma and this can only be done through right action. As Jesus Christ said "He who is without sin cast the first stone". Please note this is not intended as a critisism of the american people but of the present Government. If this comment causes anyone offence I appologise most sincerely, as this was not my intention. As a follower of the teachings of the Buddha I have been taught to feel compassion for all beings and to exercise love for all. We are all victims of our own illusion and sadam is the perfect example of where an undisciplined and egotistical mind can lead us. The Tibetan people say that our worst enemies can be our best teachers, as they are the ones who give us the best opportunities to practice compassion. So to round it off, What was the motive behind his execution, was it Justice or out right revenge? The truth is even though he has now been dealt with the same Human problems still exists, and the fallout yet to be suffered from this act will lead to the death and suffering of many more innocents. Proof that hatred cannot cease by hatred but by love alone can it cease. Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:06 PM GMT

Albert Einstien. How Buddhist was his thinking? Born in 1879, Albert Einstein is known today for his incredible mathematical ability and… well, his wild hair. But more important than the physical attributes of his cranium, is the fantastic information which it provided. He will probably always be remembered as the greatest mathematical genius of the modern world. Honors he has received for his works include the Nobel Prize, which he was awarded in 1921, the Royal Society Copley Medal, which he was awarded in 1925, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1921, and he became an AMS Gibbs Lecturer in 1934. He also was a very vocal advocate against nuclear weapons, and spoke out for international peace. Fittingly, a letter asking that his name be put on a manifesto urging all nations to give up their nuclear weapons, was the last he wrote before his death in 1955. "Buddhi sm has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Einstein and a Personal God. There are many quotes on religion from Einstein. Here isa sampling[3] : Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. The Lord God is subtle, but malicious he is not I am convinced that He [God] does not play dice Perhaps the best quote of his that really captures his views on God and religion are A legitimate conflict between science and religion cannot exist. Although Albert Einstein was certainly not a Buddhist, these statements sound much like it: "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affectation for a few people near us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." From Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh: Garrys View: When I read and study the Buddahs teachings on Emptiness, I cant help thinking about Einstiens study of atomic particles. The teachings on Emptiness show us that nothing is self existent, But all things in the universe are reliant on past causes and conditions ( cause and effect) Even if we take a Human Being and strip him down to atomic particles their is nothing within that can be called a self. A human Being is made of the elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water. These are the bassic elements that make up all sentient beings. When these four elements are brought together with the correct causes and conditions a Human being is the result. From appearance we are a human being, at closer inspection we are an infinate number of different causes and conditions, that make the appearance of a Human. I believe that when the Buddah came to the realization of Emptiness, he saw all matter fromits sub atomic level. Maybe through the study of these teachings, Einstien was inspired to look deeper into the teachings and this lead him to bring these theories away from the dogma of belief and into the realms of science. Well one thing is for sure, he certainly had a great respect for the teachings of the Buddah and Buddhism as a whole. I also think that he was absolutely spot on when he said that a conflict between religion and science cannot exist. I would go as far as to say they are two vital sides of the same coin, for as the late great Bob Marley said, and I quote. "Noah had tree sons ,Ham, shem and japhet , Japhet was given the wisdom of Technology. Its Not Technology that is the problem, It is man who has the technology for he doesnt know what hes dealing with." To end - knowledge without wisdom will ultimately lead to our downfall. Science gives us Technologyand religion teaches us the wisdom needed to use it. With Metta Garry D. http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/wisdom_emptiness.html follow this link to the best site I have found so far on my quest to learn more on the wisdom of Emptiness.

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Jan 2007
4:05 PM GMT

Reincarnation, literally "to be made flesh again", as a doctrine or mystical belief, holds the notion that some essential part of a living being (or in some variations, only human beings) can survive death in some form, with its integrity partly or wholly retained, to be reborn in a new body. This part is often referred to as the Spirit or Soul, the 'Higher or True Self', 'Divine Spark', 'I' or the 'Ego' (not to be confused with the ego as defined by psychology). In such beliefs, a new personality is developed during each life in the physical world, based upon past integrated experience and new acquired experiences, but some part of the being remains constantly present throughout these successive lives as well. It is usually believed that there is interaction between predeterminism of certain experiences, or lessons intended to happen during the physical life, and the free-will action of the individual as they live that life. This doctrine is a central tenet within the majority of Indian religious traditions such as Yoga, Vaishnavism and Shaivism (from Hinduism), and also Jainism and Sikhism. It was common belief among the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans[citation needed]. Many modern Pagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New Age movements, along with followers of Spiritism, practitioners of certain African traditions, and students of esoteric philosophies. The Buddhist concept of Rebirth although often referred to as reincarnation differs significantly from the Vedic based traditions and New Age movements in that the "self" (or soul) does not reincarnate. Garrys View: When i once asked a venerable Buddhist monk "when reborn, are we the same person as we where ,when we passed from our last life"? His answer was, "it is like milk and cheese". After great consideration of these words, I began to realize what he meant. We are who we are "personality wise," through the influence of those arround us, Our parents, Our friends and teachers . As we grow we pick up little traits from other people, and we take them on board. This is our ego personality building, the personality that becomes us. This personality is built in this lifetime and passes away when we die. So the question has to be, What is it then, that can be said, has been reborn? Some Religous traditions hold on to the idea, that a soul or spirit has been reborn. However Buddhist teachings on this subject are quite different, as they deny the existence of a spirit or soul. The Buddhist view is that, Thought is an infinitely continuous cycle, and their reasoning behind this view, is that a thought cannot sponaneously exist. A thought can only precede a former thought. (Think about it.) As the human body is impermenant, So the conscious mind at the time of death will need to continue via a new vehicle, ie a new body. It is said that our karma is what pushes us toward our new existence. If good, a more favourable rebirth, and if bad, the opposite applies. But when we are reborn, our old personality traits are left behind, in the memorys of our former loved ones, and a fresh template is born to become the new you. This is what I believe the wise monk meant when he said "milk and cheese." It is also said, that although we have no memory of our former lives, they have in fact, left karmic imprints on our subconcious minds. What actually convinces me is the great knowledge the great tibetan sages, have on the subject of reincarnation. When they speak or write on the subject, reincarnation is presented as absolute truth and not a theory. Their vast knowledge of the stages one passes through, between death and rebirth is far too great, to be ignored. http://reluctant- messenger.com/tibetan-book-of-the-dead.htm (Please follow this link and read.) I also find it too dificult to disregard the teachings of those who have the ability to find reincarnated lamas and monks. Nor those who build their whole lives on the foundation of truth. With Metta Garry D.

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Jan 2007
4:03 PM GMT

Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म from the root kṛ, "to do") is a word of ancient origin meaning action or activity and its subsequent results (also called karma-phala, "the fruits of action"). It is commonly understood as a term to denote the entire cycle of cause and effect as described in the philosophies of a number of Dharmic Religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. Individuals go through certain processes and accompanying experiences throughout their lives which they have chosen, and those would be based on the results of their own creations: "karma". Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward. Karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well. GARRYS VIEW: Karma is a natural universal force. As in all natural phenomenon their are two types of karma, possitive and negative. If we carry out a meritorious act , say for example saving another beings life, good karma will have been created in our life and vice versa a negative act such as killing will produce its opposite. The karma we create drives us through existence and has led us to where we are now. Our possitive actions are what bring about our more favourable experiences, and our negative our less favourable. Our karma has been created over an infinite number of lifetimes, and anything we experience now is a result of that karma. This is why it is so important for us to behave in a moralistic manner, so we can create better results for our future existence. Karma can also be collective, which means not only do we become effected by ourown personal actions but the whole human race are effected by the collective karma of all human actions. If only everyone in the world could realize this truth, then through our collective karma we could all someday be free from the continuous cycle of suffering that blights us all in this existence. So I conclude that the responsibilty for making this World a better place begins with each individual. With Metta Garry D. http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/karma.html please follow this link to learn more about karma. My next item will be on the subject of Reincarnation.

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Jan 2007
4:01 PM GMT

Meditation has always enjoyed a central place within Buddhism. The Buddha himself was said to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. Most forms of Buddhism distinguish between shamatha and vipassana meditation, both of which are necessary for enlightenment. The former consists of learning to focus the attention single-pointedly; the latter involves seeing the true nature of reality. Theravada Buddhism emphasizes vipassana meditation directed towards anapana, mettā bhāvanā, or 38 other traditional topics (see: Kammatthana). In Japanese Mahayana schools, Tendai (Tien-tai), concentration is cultivated through highly structured ritual. Especially in the Chinese Chan Buddhism school (which branched out into the Japanese Zen, and Korean Seon schools), ts'o ch'an meditation and koan meditation practices are extremely important, allowing a practitioner to directly experience the true nature of reality (each of the names of these schools derives from the sanskrit dhyana, and translates into "meditation" in their respective languages). The esoteric Shingon sect shares many features with Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes tantra for its senior practitioners; hence its alternate name of Vajrayana Buddhism. However, visitors to Tibetan monasteries are often surprised to discover that many monks go through their day without "meditating" in a recognizable form, but are more likely to chant or participate in group liturgy. "The point of Buddhist meditation is not to stop thinking, for cultivation of insight clearly requires intelligent use of thought and discrimination. What needs to be stopped is conceptualisation that is compulsive, mechanical and unintelligent, that is, activity that is always fatiguing, usually pointless, and at times seriously harmful" Allan Wallace.: GARRYS VIEW: Meditation isnt about some transandental experience, although if you are lucky enough to experience this, all well and good. Meditation is first and foremost about learning to control and realize the workings of the mind. Our Mind is the vehicle that guides us through life and also death. If we have little control of the mind ,like many of us, We could be likened to a ship without a rudder, being tossed to and frow in the Tempest of life. As a start may I suggest a simple Meditation exercise: First of all find yourself a quiet tidy place where you can relax undisturbed for a few moments. 5 or 10 minutes are quite enough to begin with. Now sit cross legged on a cusion on the floor or sit upright in a comfortable staight backed chair . Sit with your back comfortably straight and relax.Then with your eyes just slightly open and looking down toward the end of your nose, breath gently in through your nostrils (Gently not hard) and then on the out breath count one Then again and on the outbreath count two, continue this exercise to the count of ten and then begin from one again. All the time keep your mind focused on your breath and the number of breaths. Remain relaxed at all times and continue for as long as you feel comfortable, but keep your mind alert as it is very easy to fall asleep. At first you will more than likely find yourself loosing count of your breaths, but dont be discouraged it is perfectly normal and serves a great purpose in showing us how little control we actually have over our mind, the mind wanders naturally, so just bring your attention back to the breath and begin to count from one again. Not only does this exercise help us to learn better mind control it is also a very good way of releiving stress, anxiety, and the tentions built up during the day and it also fairs well to begin each day relaxed and with a possitive state of mind. So first thing in the Morning and before we retire at night are the besttimes to practice. remember this is meant to be a pleasurable experience and true deep meditation takes years of training so just relax and take it gently, but it is recommended to meditate at the same times each day, although this can sometimes be difficult. Please try this as I am possitive you will enjoy and feel much better in your daily life. With Metta Garry D. If you would like to learn more click on this link to a good Meditation site. http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/Meditations/index.html

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Username: garryageez

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Location: United Kingdom