Rev. Danny Fisher

Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
November 12, 2008

Crisis in the Congo

[This post has been updated as of 3:55 p.m. EST on 11.12.08.]

Via Crystal Wells at the International Medical Corps:

For more, take a look at recent coverage by the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/10/30/GA2008103002477.html

“>Washington Post, the New York Times, the Associated Press, Reuters, and The Newshour with Jim Lehrer.

Amnesty International is also urged concerned citizens to send letters calling on the US government to ensure that the UN Security Council takes further steps to protect civilians in eastern DRC. You can send your letters here.

1 comment
November 12, 2008

Tibet News (11.12.08)

Here are some of the Tibet headlines for today:

  • At his World Views blog for the San Francisco Chronicle, Edward M. Gomez sorts through a lot of recent writing about His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibet issue. A lot of this is focused on His Holiness’ “Middle Way” approach, which I wrote a long post about earlier this year.
  • According to the Agence France-Presse, despite his saying that he has given up hope about working with the Chinese government, His Holiness reiterates, “There can be no progress if there are no talks. The only solution is dialogue.”
  • The Associated Press reports that the Chinese government refused to answer questions from the U.N. Committee Against Torture about “the alleged torture and disappearance of dissidents, or provide official figures on the mistreatment of detainees in its prisons.” Relevant to Tibet, Chinese representatives did address one case:
      …That of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, who in 1995 was chosen by the Dalai Lama to become the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest ranking figure.

      Nyima, who was six years old at the time, disappeared with his family soon after and has not been heard from since. Human rights groups say Nyima, now 19, is being held under house arrest by the Chinese authorities.

      “Choekyi Nyima and his family are leading a normal life and they don’t want to be disturbed,” Shen Yang, an official with China’s Ethnic Affairs Commission, told the committee.

    • November 12, 2008

    Burma News (11.12.08)

    Here are some of the latest headlines about Burma:

  • Via the great Phil Ryan over at the Tricycle Editors’ Blog: George W. Bush has named Michael Green as his new special envoy and policy chief for Burma.
  • Reuters reports that the junta has sentenced at least eleven activists involved in last year’s “Saffron Revolution” to 65 years in jail.
  • New Mandala brings us up to speed on a fairly ridiculous attack on Nobel Peace laureate and Burma’s Prime Minister-elect Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the Guardian. I’ll have more to say about this one, I think, but I need some time.

    • November 12, 2008

    His Holiness the Dalai Lama Congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama

    Via Barbara O’Brien at Barbara’s Buddhism Blog: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has sent a letter of congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama. Here is the full text:

      November 5, 2008

      H.E. Barack Obama
      President-elect of the United States of America
      Washington, DC
      U.S.A.

      Dear President-elect Obama,

      Congratulations on your election as the President of the United States of America.

      I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America’s diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land. This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.

      The American Presidential elections are always a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.

      May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated throughout the long campaign, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged. I recall our own telephone conversation this spring and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the situation in Tibet.

      As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human
      needs. You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.

      With my prayers and good wishes,

      Yours sincerely,

      THE DALAI LAMA

    November 12, 2008

    The Rocky Mountain News Profiles Carol Gansho O’Dowd

    Via Molly De Shong over at Shambhala Sun Space: The Rocky Mountain News has an article about my friend and former Naropa colleague Carol Gansho O’Dowd, one of the few women ordained as a priest by the Buddhist Churches of America (B.C.A.). I previously mentioned Gansho and her work in this post.