Mum, Dad & Charlotte Got this GIANT Chocolate Bar!

Calibration Hits “57” So It’s Time To Excuse My Little Self-Indulgence….! (30.5.2024)

My academic (and Ch’an) teacher – Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu) – lived into his 57th year and was struck-down by cancer far too early (passing in 2006)! I suspect I will last a few years yet – but we never can tell! Still, I rise early to perform my academic and spiritual duties. Although now married with children – I have permission to still wear the black-robe of the Caodong Ch’an School – and to carry the Dust-Whisk of Authority. Of course, the only authority I possess is over my own mind and body. Oh, and I love The Beatles!

Cleaning Bodies & Rubbish from Nepali Mountains!

Nepal: Army Retrieves Two-Bodies – Clears Away Tons of Western Rubbish from Mountains! (30.5.2024)

On May 16, the army teams recovered two other bodies and skeletal remains on the two peaks.

In addition to the bodies, the teams have collected 11,000 kg of waste by Wednesday.

Starting on April 11, the Nepal Army deployed three teams to pick up waste on Mount Qomolangma (8,848 meters), Mount Lhotse (8,516 meters), and Mount Nuptse (7,861 meters) with the support of Nepali Sherpa climbers.

The Nepal Army planned to collect 10 tons of waste and retrieve five bodies from the peaks. This year’s cleaning campaign is scheduled to conclude on June 5.

The Nepal Army began collecting waste on various mountains in 2019, but the mission was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buddhapadipa Temple - Wimbledon

Wimbledon: Buddhapadipa Temple & the Family of Geese! (29.5.2024)

It possesses a modest park with a small body of water, a mansion house and a temple complex. Indeed, we have visited here many times in the past. As with all such temples – it is free to enter – and no-one interferes with acts of private meditation. On occasion, the robed-clad monks (Bhikkhu-Beggar) might be seen walking through the grounds. As all animal cruelty is strictly forbidden, the local wildlife tends to behave in a much more relaxed and content manner – as if each animals perceives the “Dhamma” (Teaching) that is being practiced. Whatever the case, such an environment allows children to develop a caring attitude of respect for all animals – just one of the reasons we take our children to such places!

Musing on Transgenderism!

BMA-UK – Musings on Transgenderism! (21.5.2024)

Although the Theravada believes that the six senses must be kept clean by a continuous disassociation with the outside world to avoid regression – the Mahayana and Tantrayana both teach that once the six senses are purified by emptying the mind of greed, hatred and delusion, the mind and body remains permanently “clean” in all situations (with no regression). In other words, even by engaging in the outside world as lay-people – the six senses of those who are enlightened will never become sullied. This reality can be seen in the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra and the Altar Sutra – as well as in the stories of the Mahasiddhis. Monastics can return to lay-life – but lay-people – given the right conditions, can also fully realise Enlightenment!

Many Good Points - A Number of Bad!

Emails: Exposing the Catholic [Anti-Soviet] Ignorance of Abbot Andre Louf [1929-2010]! (19.5.2024)

This is despite the anti-Soviet nonsense he spouts on page 114 – a line of Vatican propaganda that sullies a man who tolerates a qualified “atheism” in his monastery! Of course, this type of anti-Stalin invention can be dismissed by studying the Collective Works of Stalin (Stalin trained in the Seminary before becoming a Revolutionary) and the historical (academic) work of EH Carr, Alexander Werth and Grover Furr, etc. EH Carr does mention that following the Bolshevik Revolution, monks and priest were not allowed to vote in elections until after 1922 (the founding of the USSR) – but prior to 1917 – no one (ecclesiastical or lay) was allowed to vote for any reason outside the closed circle surrounding the Czar – and the oppressive feudal system he administered. Just as Catholic monks live under the “Dictatorship” of God, the Pope and their Abbot – monks and priests in the USSR possessed absolutely no rights prior to 1917! Andre Louf, as a professed Catholic monk, was NOT permitted by the Catholic Church to vote in any election. When the reality of his position is fully understood – then the magnitude of his ignorance becomes fully revealed. Even monastic masters are inclined to “lie” – perhaps that is what their God requires.

Liberating Waverley Abbey! 2024

Meditating & Meandering Through the Beautiful Ruins of Waverley Abbey! (11.5.2024)

This was a place where a group of Cistercian monastics (following the Rule of St Benedict) – also known as “Trappist” monks – spent years in silent contemplation of the Bible and their inner minds. The lifestyle of such a monk is designed to “still” the mind and empty the interior of all desire. Only when the mind and body of the monk is “empty” might God grant “grace” and make himself known – but he might not. Either way, once the monk is empty of all desire – the love of Jesus Christ can shrine view. The monk possesses no opinion and so the cycle of each da peacefully unfolds.

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