Lisa Napoli's Blog, page 45

Western #Buddhists gather for confab

Buddhism in America: What is the future? This article doesn't seem to offer answers, but it does nod to the growing presence of the religion in the US. (Thanks, Ted!)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/america-buddhism_...

Franciscan twins inseparable to the end

Much to learn and to contemplate in the life and death of twin Franciscan Brothers, beautifully told in this story in today's NY Times:

June 2011 Fear.Less

This month's issue up and available for free download now. I'm always inspired by who they dig up.

When we cruise through life on autopilot, sometimes it feels like different

aspects of ourselves are moving along at different speeds. The side of

ourselves that goes to work can truck on ahead while the side that builds

meaningful relationships lags behind. Our emotional selves sprint ahead

of the rational, or vice versa. We describe this feeling as being "out of

touch," which almost means nothing, or "dissociated," or the mercifully

evocative "blah."

This month, our new issue's contributors seem especially interested in

developing a sense of inner harmony.

DOWNLOAD FEAR.LESS JUNE 2011 HERE

Cooking a dish from every country around the world

Neat idea; the author of this blog makes a dish from every country. Of course this one's about…..Bhutan, and the fiery emadatse:

http://globaltableadventure.com/2010/06/20/recipe-ema-datshi-chili-cheese-stewcurry/

Kuzoo FM resignations

Although this story in the Bhutan Observer doesn't explain a thing about why…

A family in Dorokha, Samtse, listening to Kuzoo

EXCERPT:

"Kuzoo FM's strong association with Bhutan's historical figures has lately suffered a dent. After resignation of seven of its staff members two weeks ago, its Dzongkha programmes are left without many of the RJs with historical pseudonyms. Dzongpon Aucho Tshering is left without his sweet heart, Penzo Bum, and Gensa Lham is left without her lover, Alu Penjo.

Alu Penjo, Pemi Tshewang Tashi and his beloved wife Phurchu Zam, Gyelong Sumdar Tashi and his ill-fated wife Nidup Bum, and Penzo Bum resigned on June 1. Some volunteers have taken their place, but they don't use the historical names on air.

Kuzoo listeners say new voices with real names leave them half-entertained. They say the mystical sense evoked by historical pairs has gone.

Most listeners, however, are yet to learn what happened to their favourite RJs. They constantly enquire where their favourite hosts have disappeared. Phub Gyeltshen, whose on-air name is Dzongpon Aucho Tshering, said listeners ask on air why other RJs have disappeared from the shows."

It turns out intelligence, not ignorance, is bliss

One of my favorite columnists, Sarah Hampson

of the Globe and Mail, weighs in: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/news-and-views/sarah-hampson/it-turns-out-intelligence-not-ignorance-is-bliss/article2056275/

She says: Being happy gets a bad rap. Just think: Woody Allen v. Dubya. Who would you rather be? (Ok, you don't have to pick.)

EXCERPT:

"I know, I have done it too: fallen into that happiness trap. You equate happiness with a lack of intellectual vigour. It's only for uneducated, unaware people, those who ascribe to that Caribbean holiday mantra: "Don't worry, be happy."

Those people aren't worrying about global warming, the crime rate, the economy, the state of health care, a majority Conservative government, this month's Visa bill, five new grey hairs they noticed this morning, their children's education, or their retirement plans (or lack of them) – have I missed anything? Because if they were, how could they possibly be happy?

They're drinking psychological pina coladas.

Let me be the one to say, "Not so fast." The anti-intellectual take on happiness is a myth, one that's been around for a long time when you consider Biblical notions of knowledge causing a fall from grace; ignorance as bliss. Then there are all those quotes floating about, such as that of the man who told the 18th century's Samuel Johnson: "You are a philosopher, Dr. Johnson. I have tried too in my time to be a philosopher; but I don't know how. Cheerfulness was always breaking in."

But it turns out happiness can be seen as an intellectual exercise that necessitates the use of our evolved cognitive functions. (The engine of it ain't in your capricious heart, it seems, but in your noggin.) "

Unusual, rare Bhutanese animal coming to the National Zoo?

The ambassador to the UN and the Bhutan Foundation are trying to "place" one there, according to And if you've never heard of or seen a Takin, here's a peek. they say it looks like a goat-antelope. (I think someone should make a stuffed version!)

Excerpt:

"The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. According to legend, when Lam Drukpa Kuenley visited Bhutan in the 15th century, the people urged him to perform a miracle. But he demanded that he first be served a whole cow and a goat for lunch. He devoured these and left only bones. He then took the goat's head and stuck it onto the bones of the cow. And then with a snap of his fingers, he commanded the strange beast to rise up and graze on the mountainside. The animal arose and ran up to the meadows to graze. It came to be known as the drong gyem tsey (takin) .These animals can be seen grazing in alpine meadows of the high eastern Himalayas."

Bhutan's Queen Mother on Elvis, Buddhism

Great interview in the WSJ online with the birth mother of the King of Bhutan (aka Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.) She happens also to be an author.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304259304576373713977151334.html?mod=googlenews_wsj (Thanks, Judy!)

Excerpt:

"One of my fondest memories of my time in boarding school in India is watching Elvis Presley movies. We used to have screenings in school, I remember watching "It Happened at the World's Fair" and "Viva Las Vegas." And I just fell in love with this gentleman—ever since I was in second grade. I am still a fan.

 

Elvis has always been one of my all-time favorites. I saw him in concert in Madison Square Garden in the 1970s. When he died I was here in Bhutan and I remember wearing black for one week. And in the mornings I would offer butter lamps for his soul, which is something we do here in Bhutan.

I also had the great opportunity of going to Memphis, where I stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel. I went there with my daughter, right after her graduation from Harvard Law School in 2007. Graceland appeared much, much smaller than I had expected it to be as a child. Nevertheless, Elvis loomed large. I also saw the jumpsuits he looked so wonderful in when he went on stage. On his bookshelf I also noticed a copy of Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha," which is about the Buddha. I liked that.

I have walked the length and breadth of this entire nation, from its plains to some of its most inaccessible mountain areas. If I had to choose my single favorite place in Bhutan, it would have to be the Jigme Dorji National Park, named after the third king. This park is home to the national animal, the takin, the national flower, the blue poppy, and is home to our most pristine lakes and virgin peaks. In the park I also went on the Snowman trek, one of the toughest treks in the world. "

 

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche coming to LA in August

Thanks to Stephanie for forwarding this announcement:

L'hundrup Choling Dharma Center

Land of Spontaneous Accomplishment of Dharma

We are pleased to announce

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche coming to LA in August

http://siwd2011.eventbrite.com/

Please sign up online for this event. We hope to see you there!

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (born 1961), also known as Khyentse Norbu, is a Bhutanese lama, filmmaker, and writer. His two major films are The Cup (1999) and Travellers and Magicians (2003). He is the author of the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist (Shambhala, 2007). He is also a prominent tulku associated with Dzongsar Monastery in Derge, Eastern Tibet.

A pretty good article about governance in Bhutan… from a Princess

Thanks to Harvard Law Bulletin….and Francesca:

http://www.law.harvard.edu/news/bulletin/2007/summer/feature_4.php