2009 September 27 « Rev. Danny Fisher

September 27, 2009

A Very Belated Post about My Pal Sumi Loundon Kim’s Visit to L.A.

SumiandDanny With Gary Gach’s visit to UWest right around the corner (if you’re in L.A., come see his talk Monday night at 7 p.m.–it’s free and it’ll be great!), I was reminded that I never got around to writing about the visit of our last big speaker: my pal Sumi Loundon Kim.

As many people probably know, Sumi is the author of the books Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists (Wisdom Publications, 2001) and The Buddha’s Apprentices: More Voices of Young Buddhists (Wisdom Publications, 2005), as well as the former associate director of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.

SumiatLecture She was in town to be ordained into the International Order of Buddhist Ministers, just as I was a little over one year ago. While Sumi was here, though, she graciously agreed to give a short talk and hold an informal conversation with students, staff, and faculty here at UWest about Buddhist practice with young people and families. She also provided students with a paper she had written about meditation with children, and offered a comprehensive list of textual resources for those interested in Dharma teaching and families.

NewandOldMinisters The ordination itself was a lovely affair, and I was delighted to be part of the ceremony. I was especially glad to able to be there for Sumi, who has been exceedingly kind to me over our years of correspondence. Other new ministers included Buddhist chaplains Remy Snow and John Scorsine (who recently made some press at the Tricycle Editors’ Blog with his comments about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s thoughts on the karmic consequences of war.) It was wonderful to welcome all these new dharma siblings!

MysticDharmaTemple After the ceremony, we had an all-ministers meeting at the beautiful Mystic Dharma Buddhist Temple in Highland Park, Los Angeles, where our ordination master Bhante Chao Chu (of the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery) gave us a tour.

Sumi flew out only a few short hours later, but it was great having her in town for a little bit. We’re all grateful for her visit here at UWest, and send our congratulations on her ordination!

I leave with a good picture I was lucky to get at the Mystic Dharma Buddhist Temple:

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September 27, 2009

Amnesty International and the Wall Street Journal Sound Off on the U.S.’s Change in Policy Toward Burma

monk This week saw a major “softening” of U.S. policy towards military-ruled Burma this week. The Obama Administration unveiled its new policy with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announcing that the U.S. would “engage diplomatically with the country’s military rulers in a bid to promote democratic reform there,” and possibly ease or lift sanctions against the junta if some of those changes took place.

Both Amnesty International and the Wall Street Journal were quick to issue strong statements about this. First, T. Kumar, Amnesty International USA’s advocacy director for international issues, had this to say:

[Taking immediate steps to address human rights concerns such as the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and the possible torture and ill-treatment of Burmese-American activist Kyaw Zaw Lwin will be] the first test for the United States’ new policy of engagement. Amnesty International hopes that this new engagement also covers protecting human rights in Burma. If Secretary Clinton fails to act, there will be many questions about the United States’ latest strategy to end the oppression of the Burmese people.

The Wall Street Journal‘s comments had noticeably more partisan sting to them:

Burma’s ruling junta is killing ethnic minorities, preparing a sham election and possibly cooperating with North Korea on a nuclear program. So what better time for the United States to elevate talks to a higher diplomatic level?

[...]

Mrs. Clinton justifies higher-level talks by claiming that sanctions “have not produced the results that had been hoped for.” That is often—though not always—the case with sanctions, though it is particularly strange coming from an administration that only two months ago signed the Burma Sanctions Renewal Act. As it is, Burma is one place where wealth is so concentrated in the hands of its authoritarian elite that focused sanctions can work. The Bush-era sanctions, which targeted specific junta leaders and companies, have only recently started to bite, because it takes time to gather enough evidence to implement them.

Elevating talks with the junta to higher levels and welcoming the generals to the U.S. may look like smart diplomacy. But it is a blow to Burma’s democrats, the very people the Obama Administration should care the most about.

I’ll have more about all this in my next “On the Buddhism Beat” post for Shambhala Sun Space. Keep your eyes peeled.

September 27, 2009

NEWS: The Very Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh Joins His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a Confirmed Speaker at the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne

tnh_lama This via MahaSangha News:

In its role as a leading force for interreligious harmony, global peace and environmental sustainability, the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions announces over a dozen new speakers at the 2009 Parliament of the World Religions. The Parliament will be held in Melbourne, Australia, December 3 – 9, 2009. The Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh will attend, and are confirmed as presenters. You can read the entire update here, and more about the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh.

The fifth such event to take place in a 116-year period, the Parliament will be held from December 3rd-9th in Melbourne, Australia. For more about the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religion, check out my past interview with executive director Dirk Ficca.

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September 27, 2009

“Mental Exercises Like Meditation Can Literally Change Our Minds”

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“Wearing a 128-channel geodesic sensor net, Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard sits in a soundproof room and prepares for an electroencephalography (EEG) test at the EEG facility in the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ricard is a longtime participant in an ongoing research study led by Richard J. Davidson that monitors a subject’s brain waves during various forms of meditation including compassion meditation. Davidson is director of the Waisman Lab for Brain Imaging and Behavior (WLBIB) and the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry.” Photograph by Jeff Miller for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ahead of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s stint as a guest editor for the publication, the Vancouver Sun offers this piece about the work of mind scientists like Richard Davidson on meditation and mindfulness. Take a look.

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September 27, 2009

“Why I Fist-Bumped the Dalai Lama”

art_fist_bump Following some critical comments and lampooning for his “fist-bump” of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Tibetan Buddhist leader’s visit to Memphis, Mayor Myron Lowery has his say at CNN:

I had been told by his representatives that the Dalai Lama had a wonderful sense of humor, and would enjoy the exchange. Indeed, he did. His Holiness laughed, returned the gesture, and gave me his blessings.

And in our brief time together, I saw in his eyes the sparkle of kindness, love and good humor.

It’s unfortunate that not everyone could allow themselves to enjoy the moment, as we did.

Barely an hour passed before reporters began calling to say my fist bump with the Dalai Lama was “disrespectful,” unusual and perhaps inappropriate.

Read the rest of Lowery’s special commentary for CNN here.

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