They offer this compelling description of effective, benevolent leadership: "A leader, in politics or in religion, should listen to the people and adjust to their needs. If people are suffering acutely, swift changes should be made. If suffering is less severe but chronic, then more gradual shifts can be made. All of this should be in the service, however, of general welfare and stability. It is only with these conditions, after all, that people can feel safe and at ease and cultivate a spiritual life."
A recent editorial on the website www.buddhistdoor.net cites the ever growing issues facing our planet: climate change, war, refugees, poverty and more reminding readers of their "importance of responsibility in choosing our leaders, political and religious" adding that current problems have "been created by humans and can, by humans, be changed."
They offer this compelling description of effective, benevolent leadership: "A leader, in politics or in religion, should listen to the people and adjust to their needs. If people are suffering acutely, swift changes should be made. If suffering is less severe but chronic, then more gradual shifts can be made. All of this should be in the service, however, of general welfare and stability. It is only with these conditions, after all, that people can feel safe and at ease and cultivate a spiritual life." Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Nepal will officially open in mid 2020. The airport is located 14 miles from the birthplace of the Buddha, a popular tourist destination. It will become Nepal’s second international airport. Upon completion, the airport will serve as an alternative to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, which is facing a huge rise in traffic due to a steady increase in international tourists in recent years.
In Buddhism, speech is considered a sacred ability. Humans have a heightened ability of thought and articulation, and with this comes a sacred trust. - Glenn H. Mullin
The Buddha told us that we can feel the effect of being in the presence of the enlightened. That is why Sangha is so important. Others on the path have an actual physical effect on us, and if there is a change in physical form, there will also be a change in sensation, perception, formations and consciousness. - Tashi Nyima
There is no yoga greater than relieving human suffering. - Swami Sivananda
Blind faith in religion is a small problem compared to the blind faith we place on our senses and our opinions. - Tashi Nyima
What exactly does it mean to be a positive person? And, what are the personality - emotional ingredients which are common to people whose outlook is fundamentally positive. Barbara Frederickson, researcher and positive psychologist, identifies 10 qualities of positivity that show up most often in people’s lives. Though there may be other ones as well, these ten are the ones most often cited and researched by psychologists.
Renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, known affectionately to his followers as “Thay” (Vietnamese for “teacher”), traveled from Tu Hieu, his root monastery in Vietnam’s Hue Province, to Bangkok for medical treatment, according to a letter from Plum Village this week. The letter, dated 1 December, announced that Thay had traveled to Bangkok on 28 November for a full medical check-up.
Following the medical check-up, Thay wished to travel to the nearby Thai Plum Village community in Pak Chong, on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, some 175 kilometers from Bangkok. There he will stay, enjoying the sunshine and dry air, to recover from pneumonia under the watchful eye of specialists not available in Vietnam, according to the letter. Thay, who turned 93 in October, is expected to remain in Pak Chong for some time, returning to Vietnam ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year on 25–27 January. “We are grateful that Thay is so clear and engaged with respect to his medical care, which helps us make decisions to support his needs. We are learning from Thay’s grace and dignity as he rides the waves of physical fragility. We are investing all our hearts in nurturing Thay’s spiritual community, continuing his teachings and aspiration in the world.” Thich Nhat Hanh has been a key figure in 20th and 21st century Buddhism, strongly influencing the reception of Buddhism in the West. He coined the term engaged Buddhism in his book Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire (1967) and has published more than 100 books on topics of Buddhist practice and philosophy as well as interreligious dialogue and environmental concern. His work has been studied by Buddhist ethicists and academics including Sallie King, Damien Keown, Barbra Clayton, and Paul Fuller. He founded the Order of Interbeing in Saigon in 1966 and Plum Village in France in 1982 and until his stroke traveled extensively promoting peace and the practice of mindfulness. (source: Plum Village letter and www.buddhistdoor.net) Not the smallest insect is to be treated callously. I once found a drowning wasp. I took it out, gave it some warmth and prayed for it. For I know that the Lord is there in that wasp. So work for the benefit of others, because they are divinities, not because you want personal glory. - Swami Sivananda
Serve without being conspicuous. Serve silently without any advertisement.
- Swami Sivananda |
Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
July 2024
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