Tag: Photography

Respect for God!

North Devon: St Peter’s Church – Bratton Fleming! (26.8.2025)

This must be the most spectacular integration of religion and secularism. I never thought I would live to see the Church of England finally give-up their last line of sanctity and allow all and sundry to stay as many nights as they can afford – and do whatever they like during their stay – providing the interior of the Church is not damaged. As an academic who uses the average Church as an early form of a search-engine – I find this a fascinating opportunity – albeit slightly disturbing and a little bizarre. Theravada Buddhist Temples, of course, allow practitioners to stay within their interiors – being fed and cared for free – providing there is space. Absolutely NO money is asked for or required (a Buddhist monastic must not touch money of any type). Not all Buddhist Temples follow this idea outside of Thailand, Sri Lanka, or Laos, etc, but they should do.

Continue reading

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple. (File photo/China Daily)

China: Shaolin Head Monk – Shi Yongxin – Under Investigation for Alleged Criminal Offenses! (28.7.2025)

In Japan, a Buddhist monk or nun can get married, produce children, eat meat, and drink alcohol. In other words, these people are lay-people in robes – but are practicing dishonesty. A group of Chinese Ch’an monks had been following the Vinaya Discipline when they travelled to Japan to spread the Ch’an Dharma – but returned with Japanese wives and children – and wearing lay-clothing – eating meat and drinking alcohol. In front of Xu Yun – these “monks” petitioned the post-1949 government of China to permanently abolish the Ch’an requirement for monks and nuns to be celibate and vegetarian. Xu Yun is said to have loudly slapped the table – stating that the Chinese government should do the exact opposite – that is, integrate the Vinaya Discipline into the fabric of China’s secular law. If a man or woman wants to be an ordained Buddhist monk or nun, then it should be a legal requirement – punishable by secular law – if they fail to uphold the rules and regulations of the lifestyle they have chosen to follow. Being a Buddhist monastic is a “job” that requires a strict form of lifestyle.

Continue reading

Li Yuefeng, a former national legislator and senior official with the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League

China: Li Yuefeng – Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League – Sentenced to Life Imprisonment! (5.7.2025)

The court said Li was guilty of bribery and should be severely punished as the amount involved was “extremely large”, causing “extremely great losses” to the country and the people. However, it showed leniency in sentencing because Li voluntarily disclosed bribes unknown to investigators and returned illicit gains, and some bribes were unsuccessful.

Li, born in Chongqing in 1958, began his career in 1976 and joined the league in 2001. Founded in 1947, the league is one of eight non-Communist parties that participate in State affairs under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

He worked as a lawyer in Chongqing’s procuratorial system for years. In March 2024, authorities placed him under investigation for alleged serious duty-related violations while he was serving as executive vice-chairman of the league and as a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC, China’s top legislative body.

Li was removed from office and expelled from the league late last year. In March, prosecutors indicted him on bribery charges, leading to the trial in April.

Continue reading

The US Attack on Iran was Planned Decades Ago!

Russia: US within Missile Range – Iran Ready to Respond to Trump Aggression! (22.4.2025)

In many ways, articles shot-through with stupidity are the hallmark of a modern Russia that is still coming to terms with its betrayal of its own Socialist Revolution – and the shock that once it had betrayed all its own principles for greed – the capitalist West then made it clear that it viewed the Russians as nothing more than a conquered and discredited foe. Perhaps the Russian authors of this article falsely believe that by aligning Russia with the forces of US anti-intellectualism – America will like them more. The Same America that is still funding and arming a Neo-Nazi Ukraine Trump is claiming is close to a “cease-fire”. All pie in the sky – but if Moscow is not careful in its dealings with Trump – it could be B-2s in the sky over the Kremlin! Remember, both Iran and Russia did some sort of deal with the US when they both betrayed a Socialist Syria. As the bunker-busters dropped on Iran earlier today – and as each new Ukrainian offensive begins in Donbass – let’s hope both of these countries have learned the folly of their ways!

Continue reading

The DPRK Defends the 38th Parallel!

DPRK: Kim Myong Chol – Entry into US – No Matter of Interest To US! (13.6.2025)

The U.S., which is the most hostile country to the DPRK and where xenophobia and racial discrimination have been established as a social climate and all sorts of social evils flood, can never be welcomed as the destination of the DPRK citizens’ trip.

Shortly ago, the vice-president, the second-ranking person of the present U.S. administration, denounced a U.S. university for lacking “ideological diversity” and made absurd sophism about the political system of the DPRK. This is another typical example why the DPRK has repugnance for the U.S.

If the present U.S. administration thinks that the DPRK will accept the allowing of the entry into the U.S. as a “gift” which it neither thinks nor wants, it is miscalculation.

It is not the matter of the DPRK’s concern that the U.S. unilaterally makes illegal regulations outside and places the DPRK in them or not. I think that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will, in the future, too, not welcome the entry of Americans into it.

Continue reading

Stop the Spread of Catholic-Supported Fascism!

US: Mexican Flags Fly in Defiance of Trump Fascism! (12.6.2025)

Incidentally, at that time, the State of New England “protested” about this US invasion of Mexico – referring to it as “un-American” on the grounds that the war with England was supposed to have put an end to this type of blatant imperialist activity. The people of New England threatened to “Secede” from the Union (as was their right) if the US moved forward with this plan. The situation was defused by President Polk – who guaranteed NOT to use any military force (amateur or professional) originating within New England – or comprised of New England men (if recruited outside of New England). This agreement prevented New England from “Seceding” – and effectively rendered that State “neutral” for the duration of hostilities.

Continue reading

1 2 3 4 5 6