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'Ambedkar' movie by Jabbar Patel

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Here is a link to ‘Ambedkar’ by Jabbar Patel. It’s the story of his life, struggles, and ultimate conversion to Buddhism - and winner of three India National Awards (Best Actor, Best Art Direction, and Best English language film).

Movie download site Zinemaya describes it thus - “this is one of the finest historical films made in Independent India. This movie takes place between the years 1901 to 1956, a period of great social upheavals and revolutionary movements around the world. In India during this time, there were two struggles being fought simultaneously; the first, which is well known throughout the world, was India’s fight for independence spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi, against the British colonial powers. The second struggle, much less well known but no less important was an internal struggle. Seventy million Indian untouchables, led by Dr. Ambedkar were fighting for their rights against upper caste Hindu society.

This film holds its significance due to the fact that, though the ethos contained is Indian, it has its equation in the political and social disparity all over the world. The basic aim of the social revolution is to uphold the meaning of humanity in its truest sense”.


UK Buddhists call for fossil fuel divestment

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On 28th February, two British Triratna Buddhists and six from Gaia House (working together in the Dharma Action Network for Climate Engagement) carried out a small protest action at the Wellcome Collection in London.

Yogaratna writes: “The Wellcome Trust does excellent work funding medical research, but has large investments in fossil fuel corporations. Since fossil fuel extraction is exacerbating climate change, which is very harmful to human health, we were calling on the Trust to divest from these investments.

Our action was timed to coincide with the end of the ‘Tibet’s Secret Temple’ exhibition, about traditional Tibetan medicine and spirituality. Walking slowly in single file through the exhibition, chanting the Avalokitesvara mantra, we handed out many leaflets, unfurled a banner and stood in a line in the foyer. We chanted a text rejoicing in the great work the Wellcome Trust does, but calling on it to divest from fossil fuel investment. People seemed very interested, and a number applauded when we finished. 

We were adding our voices to those of many healthcare professionals who have expressed concern to the Wellcome Trust on its investments in the last year - as featured in the Guardian newspaper’s ‘Keep it in the Ground’ campaign.”

Read a longer article about Buddhism and activism by Yogaratna.

Peace Is a Fire

Vajrapani, Energy of Wisdom, Energy of Love

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The Wrathful and Peaceful forms of Vajrapani are two contrasting figures. Do they really both symbolise virya? How does energy show up in the Enlightenment story of the Buddha? What is virya and what is laziness? And how does seeing the vajra aspect of life lead to energy and determination in the dharma life?

The Preciousness of This Body

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Also entitling this talk, This Very Precious opportunity, Samantabhadri speaks about the first reminder on a reflection retreat for mitras given at Taraloka. She also draws on the Tiratana Vandana, the teachings of Gampopa and on her own personal experience. She evokes how the unique playing out of conditionality in each particular life enables us to practice, to progress towards enlightenment and to feel love and compassion for others. This is the wonder of human consciousness.

Peace Is a Fire

Tara and the Tears of Avalokiteshvara

Two Up or .........

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Invitation to come on retreat with us


Over the Anzac weekend Coogee Meditation Group is combining with the Sydney  Buddhist Centre and a newly formed meditation group in Newcastle for a retreat and you are warmly invited to join us.


One of our Sydney women’s order member chapters is organising it and Padmadakini and I will be co-leading with them. 


Here is an information blurb just sent to me by one of them regarding the theme and content of the weekend


‘An opportunity to come together at Vijayaloka as a community of practitioners for the Anzac Day long weekend.  Practice Qi Gong, express yourself in our writing workshop, dive into beautiful rituals, and meditate together. Do this (and more!) as we enter the realm of the beautiful red Buddha Amitabha, whose discriminating wisdom transforms hatred and ill-will into compassion and love.’

We will start on the evening of Friday April 22nd and finish mid afternoon on Monday April 25

As meditators who know our two practices (Mindfulness of  Breathing and The Metta Bhavana) you will slot into it like a hand  into a glove. Our retreat centre is a lovely spot on the banks of the Georges River so it will be wonderful time to chill out, drop into our lived experience and practice amongst like minded friends. 
Here’s a link to book on:


http://www.sydneybuddhistcentre.org.au/payment_retreat.php?item=Sangha%2…

If you have any questions regarding it please send me an email.


Meditation this week


Thursday       7 - 8.30 pm


Sunday         8 - 8.50 am


Much metta


Dharmalata and Padmadakini
 


Metta and Insight Retreat 2015_Guided Metta Meditation

Metta and Insight Retreat 2015_Guided Meditation_Body and Breath

Metta and Insight Retreat 2015_Turning Towards

Metta As a Path to Insight - Retreat Overview

Shamatha and Vipassana_Metta and Insight Retreat 2015

Royal Ease Mudra_Metta and Insight Retreat 2015

Dependent Arising and Metta As Gesture_Metta and Insight Retreat 2015


Metta and Beauty

Insight Into Dukkha_Metta and Insight Retreat 2015

What Is Metta, What Is Insight_Metta and Insight Retreat 2015

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Final talk in a series from a 12 day meditation retreat on metta as a path to insight from May 2015. Metta as an ungraspable co-arising, inseparable from mindfulness, which expresses itself in different ways. The conditions for insight, and some of the different ways it arises.

THE WAY OF ENEGRY

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Another day retreat on the Way of Energy theme, exploring the tantric precepts through qigong exercise and vibrant, energetic ritual.

Triratna Day - 9th April at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre

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We have organised a Triratna Day in Scotland. It’s an open gathering of members of the Triratna Buddhist Community, Ordained, Mitra, or attending classes with any Triratna group.

We hope you can come and take part. It’s a celebration of the existence of the Triratna Buddhist Community in Scotland.

Programme

Morning Gathering of Triratna Buddhist Order members (only) 

10.30  Meditation: Avalokitesvara Sadhana led by Saranajaya

12- 1pm next year’s 50 year anniversary of the movement- how will we celebrate ? Dialogues led by Amoghavira

1pm- 2pm Lunch

Afternoon Gathering of the whole Triratna Buddhist Community ( order , mitra,  attenders at Triratna classes and groups)  

2pm Triratna Scotland – what’s going on ?– we hear from and talk wi Triratna groups all over Scotland in short show and tell presentations. 

Community Dialogue- how might we celebrate next years 50th anniversary of the founding of the movement? 

4pm High Tea – please bring afternoon tea nibbles to share…

4.30 Triratna Scotland Avalokitesvara Puja and Meditation

6pm Close 

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