Master Yin Le - the New Head Monk of the Shaolin Temple!

China: Shaolin Temple [少林寺] Quickly Appoints New Head Monk! (30.7.2025)

Years ago, when I first accessed the internet, I used to argue with young Americans (and some UK and EU people) that the gongfu they were learning for vast amounts of money in China and the West – was not real and product of youth-orientated (Western-derived) gymnastics. They were so brain-washed they thought the lay-men who taught them in robes were real Shaolin monks! Furthermore, they said that our gongfu was “old fashioned” and “out of date”! Many of the ethnic Chinese “teachers” were greedy and money-orientated – seeing spirituality as “weak”. I stopped arguing as I did not want to be seen as attacking the CPC – which I would never do. In return, I was asked to appear on Chinese TV and explain my connection to China – but I politely refused. The last thing I wanted was further exposure and hundreds of people asking for instruction. It is important to live humbly and simply – and not for show. It is best to disappear and not be seen. If in doubt, keep out of sight.

Rockingham Castle - Battlements!

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Shi Yongxin Accused of Making Giant Spliffs at Shaolin!

China: Shi Yongxin Rumours Light-Up Internet! (29.7.2025)

It was the Trotskyite Khrushchev who (copying the US) introduced the Death Penalty for Civil Crimes in 1959. The problem Khrushchev had was that no Soviet-educated Jury would inflict the Death Penalty – as they had been taught that the Czarist Authorities routinely used “Death” as a means of controlling and oppressing the workers. Karl Marx, of course was opposed to all forms of Death Penalty. He quite rightly said that the State does not possess the right to harm an individual’s body in anyway – and I agree (doubly as a Buddhist). Lenin was of the opinion that Marx only meant that the Death Penalty should not be applied to the workers – but can be applied to class enemies. Why Lenin thought this – I am not sure. Lenin was a trained lawyer after-all – so perhaps he is seeing something I cannot in the work of Marx. Of course, I do accept that in the time of brutal war – executions might be required – even if I personally disagree. Sometimes we have to separate our personal beliefs (disentangle them from exterior circumstance) if life is to flow-on unhindered. This is why we require a strong moral foundation to our characters and judgement. We must avoid self-indulgence and wayward harshness. If it is proven “true” that Shi Yongxin was defecting to the US and was preparing to condemn the Communist Party of China on the White House lawn whilst Vance and Trump chuckle away – then i could well see an execution taking place. Surely a demonstration of bad-karma if ever I’ve seen it!

Western Nedia Treats Israeli Crimes as Being "Natural" and a "Fait Accompli"!

UN Women: One Million Women & Girls Starving in Ongoing Gaza Genocide! (29.7.2025)

The crimes of the modern State of Israel are legend. The International Community has to draw a distinction between the Jewish diaspora in general (which exists across the world) – and the post-1947 (modern State of Israel which is premised upon the Jewish (middle-class) ideology of “Zionism” – which was declared a form of “White Supremacy” following a 1975 UN Resolution. Zionism and Jewish theology are not the same and not all Jews support Zionism. Furthermore, not all Zionists are Jews. The genocide that is unfolding in Gaza today is the product of the International Community treating Israel as if it is an entity that exists outside the law of civilised countries. Instead of firmly blaming Israel for its obvious crimes – the world media focuses only on the outcome of the crimes themselves – as if each murder happened in a vacuum and has no connection to any organised human activity. This flawed approach allows Israel to be separated from its crimes – and continue with the fallacy that it is the eternal “victim”. Jewish people throughout the world have to lead the drive to hold Israel accountable, and arrest, imprison, and/or execute those responsible (assisting the ICC and ICJ). The non-Zionist Jews must assist in the development of a “new” Nuremberg Trials to process the Israeli War Criminals. The Jewish State must be forced to behave in a civilised manner.

Priest House - Easton-on-the-Hill - Family

Easton-on-the-Hill: Priest House [Chantry] 15th Century! (28.7.2025)

Although we have visited the general area a number of time – we had never seen this exhibit or been told about it. As we are currently staying in the locale – this place came-up in an internet search about something else. Like many such attractions, even at the height of Summer, there is only ever a trickle of visitors – which is a good thing for all concerned. We were handed the key, instructed to be careful on the old spiralling stone staircase, and turn-off all the lights when we are finished. There is even a toilet on site that is accessed with a key. Everything was perfectly clean, tidy, and in good order. Our two-daughters watched a short video film about the area, its history and industry! The photographs will tell the story of what we saw. A truly magnificent historical site that emerged out of the single most important and Revolutionary event (the “Dissolution of the Monasteries”) that forged modern Britain and the world!

Adrian - Scarecrow Graduation!

Northants: Adrian & Gee Graduate as Scarecrows! (28.7.2025)

Being fans of the books and various dramatizations of “Wurzel Gummidge” – we were thrilled to lean of a local (Northants) “Scarecrow Course” sponsored by the Labour government as a job creation scheme. As this is a wealthy area – the local landowners are always on the look-out for suitable candidates for this partly government funded training course. Initially, we had to watch all the Jeepers Creepers films and learn to run smoothly through the corn fields.

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