Best Of
Re: Karma is made of dream-stuff
If I recall correctly, Angulimala was beaten to death by angry villagers whom he had tormented before. The Buddha said to him to bear with this "last task" (being subjected to a beating) as it represented the extinction of his karma; a burden that would have, if not, taken many many many lifetimes to vanquish.
While reading the sutta, I remember feeling that Angulimala seemed to not experience grief nor despair at that moment. We cannot escape our karma but, if one reaches such understanding / state, perhaps it becomes easier to let go and accept the consequences.
Kotishka
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
Why as a species that seems so evolved, can we not learn from mistakes of the past and keep perpetuating them. The cycle of war and violence is never ending. Imagine the world we could live in if this cycle were broken.
Re: Space - the final frontier
There was an article that stated that when the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies collide, the space between stars is so vast that there will be few actual collisions. The big effect is the relative gravitational pull that will greatly change both galaxies. They may ultimately merge with small clusters spinning off and/or one will take possession of a large galactic portion from the other.
There, according to reported indices, are signs that the collision process has already begun. While the to galaxies are still approx, 2.5 million light years apart, it was reported that we may be sharing gravitational effects. As to the voracity of those claims, I leave that to the Astronomers and Astro Physicyts.
Meanwhile, pleasant as these little excursions are, I'll be tending to the mini galaxy within my own minor sub-sub quadrant of Earth.
Peace to All
Lionduck
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
Palestine's Deputy Permanent Observer to the UN Historic speech at the UN Security Council
Such a moving speech....
You can watch the Israeli Representative member's UN speech which starts at 53 minutes in...
.....
Shoshin1
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
Breaking Point's
Break down of the latest ICJ genocide charges against Israel.
Euro Med Monitor's Infographic
Shoshin1
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
For those interested... the full ICJ speeches on the Crime of Genocide...
I found Irish lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC speech quite moving .... 
It will be interested in seeing how much air time Western media outlets give to this...and which clips will the general public get to see...
Israel will have its day in court tomorrow....
Shoshin1
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
The US and the UK decided to launch airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen...Hmmm on the day when Israel is being charged with crimes of Genocide at the ICJ in the Hague...
Just coincidental ? Or an headline grabber, to draw the public's attention away from what's going on in the Hague?
Shoshin1
BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA: The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World, and Travel to the Stars
Hi All,
Thank you for keeping this place going. I hope that it is okay as I won't be making any profit from it (all goes to Buddhist and other charitable causes.) Just released for the New Year, my new book of hope for the future ...
Learning from Teachings of 50, 500 or 2500 years ago, alive here in this timeless present, let us begin to envision Buddhism, Zen and our world 50, 500, 2500 and more years from now ...
BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA:
The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World, and Travel to the Stars
NOW AVAILABLE ...
https://futurebuddhabook.com/
~~~
Zen and Buddhist insights, timeless wisdom gathered over centuries, can help guide us in our lives today and in the prudent use of new technologies, nurturing a calm and serene world, prosperous yet existing in harmony with nature, a healthy, contented and good society for the centuries to come.
Let Zen inspire us to sometimes step back from our machines and digital devices, returning to the simple and old-fashioned ways, the slow ways, because they are beautiful ways. In the rush for improvement, let us learn to sit still sometimes and rest from our goals, drop the quest for constant upgrades and efficiency, restrain the endless hunger for progress, and turn off the flashing lights and ceaseless noise.
At the same time, if employed well, technology and medicine can help us bring true peace, an end to most wars and violence committed in anger, cures for diseases, ecological balance, greater love and empathy among people and for all beings, increased charity, remedies for poverty and homelessness, and the attainment of other goals for good in the world as long dreamed of by Buddhists and caring people of many religions and philosophies.
Tomorrow’s technologies will change Buddhism too. AI and robotics, bio-engineering and physical enhancements, genetics and nano-implants, virtual reality and new media, medical miracles and manufacturing marvels, extended lifespans and expanded minds will make many of Buddhism’s most fabulous ideals realizable. Zen will be practiced, programmed, bred and wired in; enlightenment will move as chemistry and light across neural fibers and optical fibers.
~~~
OTHER REVIEWS:
“A fascinating vision of timeless traditions, changing times and coming technology.” Saverio Pascazio, Professor of Theoretical Physics, The University of Bari
“A zen book unlike any other, one that offers an original and inspiring perspective on the destiny of our species … living in harmony with ourselves, and with the planet.” Daniel Forster, Biologist, Specialist in Greenhouse Gas Cycles and Sustainability
~~~
Jundo
Re: Grrr
@person said:
The thought does arise though, isn't this sort of the purpose of mindfulness? To allow us to remain calm and be less reactive in difficult circumstances?
I think in the best-case scenario, that would be the natural progression.
But in the initial spark, for me, the energy is at least somewhat vengeful. That's where the dichotomy arises. Because of the adrenaline or whatever hormone it might be, there is that little rush that a person could mistake for feeling "good" and then erroneously equate that to being skillful.
Re: Grrr
I think I hear you saying you're pushing back against or highlighting a sort of weaponized or aggressive attitude involving mindfulness. That in some sense you're not actually being mindful. I think I'm largely in agreement with this.
The thought does arise though, isn't this sort of the purpose of mindfulness? To allow us to remain calm and be less reactive in difficult circumstances?
person