Rev. Danny Fisher

Visit http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/domestic/healthcare.

Via Mikel Dunham: A new, 45-minute film about contemporary Tibetans is available for viewing online. Recollecting Tibet was shot inside Tibet, India, and Nepal by an anonymous filmmaker and utilizes a lot of hidden camera footage from events like the March 2008 riots in Lhasa. Take a look.

This courtesy of our friend and recent interviewee Erick D. White: Over at Mizzima, Joseph Ball has a commentary on why dialogue about Burma “demands a common vernacular” if things are to progress. “Confronting Burma’s generals on democratic principles and international rights is a bona fide non-starter,” he says. It’s an interesting, provocative piece–give it a read, and let us know what you think.

This courtesy of our friend Tom Armstrong: From Dharamsala, Michael Smith has posted a powerful “update on the Tibet situation” to his blog Kathmandu for You.

Our friend and past interviewee the Venerable Dr. Yifa writes to us with information about her new Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program in Manukau, New Zealand.

The program will take place at the Fo Guang Shan Branch Temple, International Buddhist Trust (IBT) New Zealand, in Manukau (near Auckland), from December 8-21, 2008. The primary objective of this program is to “promote the understanding of Humanistic Buddhism by engaging students in the practices found in a Chinese Buddhist temple.” The information Ven. Yifa sent to me further states:

The HBMLP provides students interested in the study of Buddhism, Chinese language, Chinese culture and first-hand experience in the lifestyle, training, and rituals of contemporary Chinese Buddhist temple life. Classes taught by the knowledgeable monastics and staff cover topics such as Buddhist history, doctrine and philosophy, and introduce students to liturgical instruments, monastic etiquette, Tai-chi, meditation and other rituals.

Room and board is free, but students must pay for all their travel expenses. In addition, students are responsible for their own health insurance and must pay for uniforms to be worn during the program ($150).

All instruction will be given in English, and approximately 40 applicants will be selected to participate in the program. To be eligible for the program, as of October 10, 2008, the applicant must be enrolled at a college or university. A completed application includes the following:

1. a completed an application form;
   
2. a 500-word statement of purpose explaining your unique qualifications for participation in the program, and listing the benefits the program will provide to your religious and scholastic development;
   
3. undergraduate or graduate transcripts.

When finished, send your application materials to the following address:

Wooden Fish Program Office
154-37 Barclay Ave.
Flushing, NY 11355

For more information, visit http://www.woodenfish.org.