For open minds
This is a trailer for Samsara – a documentary shot entirely on 70mm film and five years in the making.
Samsara (or Sansara) means “continuous flow”. It is teh cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Although, today it is more often used to refer to possessios or a place.
The documentary uses powerful images to show the journey of the soul, linking humanity with nature.
In Pure Spirit
What does Samara mean to you?
On Friday the 22nd of May two Buddha statues were taken from the waiting room of the holistic therapy salon College George.
The holistic therapy salon, situated on New Street, has no increased its security measures and local police are investigating the theft.
Both Buddha statues are gold. The larger statue featured the Buddha in a lying down position while the second statue depicts a standing Buddha.
In March of this year, a Buddhist caused alarm in a Kyoto temple by stealing over 20 Buddha statues. The man told police, “I stole this because of my devotions,” and explained, “I like Buddha statues. I took it home and prayed to it every day.”
The Kenninji temple also responded by increasing security.
In Pure Spirit
Do you think the thieves are likely to worry about bad karma?
At the last minute a court in China has decided to postpone judgement on a living Tibetan Buddha.
Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche faces allegations of illegally possessing weapons and seizing government land.
The delay is widely interpreted as promising by legal experts. It is incredibly rare for a Chinese court to issue a delay and signs suggest that both the international public audience and the highly spirited defence has resulted in on-going judicial debate in China.
Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche is believed to be the fifth incarnation of a revered Buddhist teacher by his followers and is known as Burongma. He was arrived last year after rites in Lhasa and protest marches by nuns.
Phurbu Rinpoche speaks Chinese and was able to navigate the Chinese system so that he had a say in the appointment of his legal team.
One of the two lawyers defending him is Jiang Tianyong. Talking to The Times, Jiang addressed the allegation that an imitation pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition had been found in the tulku’s house.
Jiang said, “The living room of such a venerated monk is a public place with people coming and going every day. Someone could have put the weapons there. His wife has said she had never seen them before when cleaning the house.”
The lawyer, however, was not optimistic in the outcome of the case. He told The Times, “I doubt if the case will be dealt with fairly. But compared with similar cases, this has been the best handled. At least I met my client and talked to him.” He added that he feared that the court could hand down a heavy sentence.”
In Pure Spirit
Are you more optimistic than Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche’s lawyers? Do you think he’s had a fair trial and is now waiting for a fair verdict?
In Pure Spirit knows of these sanga and Buddhist locations in Brighton, England.
In Pure Spirit
Help us add to this list. Please leave the detials of any other Brighton Buddhist gathering in the comment section below.
At this time of year people often think about giving. It is an important time of the year for charities around the world. Here’s a shortlist of some British registered charities you might not have heard of but might like to consider.
The Association of Systematic Kinesiology
Applied Kinesiology is a complementary healing technique which uses the body’s response to manual pressure on the muscles to diagnose and try and correct illnesses. The Association of Systematic Kinesiology is a registered charity which regulates and licences kinesiology practitioners.
Website: http://www.systematic-kinesiology.co.uk
Bodywise
Bodywise is a health centre in the heart of London. They offer Yoga, Pilates, Qi Gong and T’ai chi classes as well as holistic therapies and massage. Bodywise is inspired by Buddhist values and try their hardest to offer low-cost courses and classes.
Website: http://bodywisehealth.org/
The Active LightWorks Charity
The Active LightWorks Charity works with their local NHS trust to provide complementary therapy to those people who could not otherwise afford them.
Website: http://www.activelightworks.org/
European Shiatsu School
The ESS aims to help families, communities and their members achieve greater awareness and communication through touch. A goal is to reduce the reliance on traditional medical intervention while all the while maintaining the highest possible standard of Shiatsu.
Website: http://www.shiatsu.net/
Gentle Touch Healing
The Gentle Touch Healing centre is at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick. They operate solely on a donation basis and neither appointment nor payment is necessary to attend. They offer a fully holistic approach to healing.
Website: http://www.gentletouch.co.uk/
Reflexology Outreach International (ROI)
The goal of Reflexology Outreach International is to help reflexologists travel outside the UK to go to the assistance of people suffering from HIV/AIDS and other conditions.
Website: http://www.roi.org.uk/
Survival International
Survival International is very much an international charity. It may well be the only international charity with a focus on helping tribal communities and their people. In Pure Spirit readers may be particularly interested in Survival International blog.
Website: http://www.survival-international.org/
The Crystal Group
The Crystal Group is a Buddhist retreat in rural Herefordshire. The retreat, Maitreya House, is open for booking at low-cost rates and runs events throughout the year.
Website: http://www.crystalgroup.org.uk
The Chalice Well Trust
In the Vale of Avalon just between Glastonbury Tor and Chalice Hill is one of Britain’s ancient wells. The Chalice Well is surrounded by orchards and gardens. The venue has been a place of gathering and healing for over 2,000 years.
Website: http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/
Yoga in Daily Life Association
The Yoga in Daily Life (YIDL) association makes use of the Self-Inquiry Meditation technique which encourages a greater self-confidence and awareness. YIDL offers classes in yoga meditation, relaxation, stress relief, back care, pranayama and breath exercises.
Website: http://www.yogaindailylife.org.uk/
In Pure Spirit
Which good causes would you recommend?
Image by LollyKnit via Flickr
The word Namaste is Sanskrit. It is used as a greeting in India and Nepal by Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
In yoga Namaste is said with the intent of saying; “I am your humble servant” although the literally translation is “I bow to you”.
Namaste is often accompanied with a shallow bow that’s made with hands press ed together at the front of the chest.
Spiritual and symbolitic meanings of Namaste
In Hinduism the bowing gesture or mudra which accompanies the word Namaste is symbolic.
One hand in the palm gesture represents the spiritual nature and the other hand represents the worldly self. The act of placing the two palms together in the bow is a gesture that the bower is trying to overcome differences and connect with the person being bowed to.
The word Namaste has also become recognised by practitioners of yoga and spiritual meditation across the globe. It is common to find namaste used to greet or wish someone farewell.
In Pure Spirit
Do you use the word namaste? Do you think you use it correctly?
In Pure Spirit can list these sanga and Buddhist centres in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In Pure Spirit
Know of any more Buddhist groups in Edinburgh? Please let us help others by leaving their details in the comment section below.
Image by FWBO photos via Flickr
In Pure Spirit would like to share the following sanga and Buddhist locations in Manchester, England.
In Pure Spirit
Please help us grow this list and keep it correct. If you’re aware of other meditation centres or sangas in Manchester then drop us a quick comment.
Image by Stuck in Customs via Flickr
In Pure Spirit would like to share the following sanga and Buddhist locations in Scotland, Glasgow.
In Pure Spirit
Help us grow this list and iron out any errors. Please point out any corrections or additions. Are you part of a sangha somewhere else? Let us know and we’ll try and do a quick round up to include you too.
Image via Wikipedia
Wu is the Chinese word which equates to Mu in Japanese or Korean. It means ‘none’, ‘not-being’ or ‘without’.
The Mu koan
In Zen Buddhism Mu is used to imply that the question being asked is wrong. The most studied Mu koan has a monk ask Zhaozhou, the Chinese Zen master, “Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?”. Zhaozhou’s answer to the question was “Wu” (or, in Japanese, Mu).
Early Buddhist academiccs debated whether dogs and other animals had a Buddha-nature or not. By answering “Mu” to the question Zhaozhou not only avoided taking sides in the debate, he also avoided following the wisdom of others without denying them. It could also be interpreated that Zhaozhou’s answer implies that yes and no are both right and wrong.
In Pure Spirit
What do you think? Is Mu ever a valid answer or it is the only valid answer?
