The "Cost" of Overhead

This TED talk moves me.  I get a feeling of real possibility.  A possibility to truly change the way our societal system works.  We are truly in need of a paradigm shift toward addressing "who benefits?" from the way capitalist economies are set up.  These statements feel to me like the on-ramp to building up enough energy and attention to make a shift.

This presenter is talking about raising money for charity.  Though, the charity model is outdated and looking toward rights-based activism affecting legislation or inclusivity models (empowerment) might be more effective in creating systemic change to eradicate human suffering.  These projects still need funding.  They still need overhead to raise money on a scale beyond the bake sale or car wash.

Though, corruption is still a reality: mismanagement of funds, misappropriation of funds, and just plain stealing happens often.  We've got to start somewhere.  It just seems like such a huge hill to climb.

It's Already Happening

I came across Paul Hawken's synthesis in an article by David Loy on Huffington Post.  This is something I've thought about for a long time - How to define a counter-culture movement in order to inspire and educate others that change is happening, and there are so many ways to be involved. Paul seems to do that.

How will you contribute?

Sulak Sivaraksha on 'Engaged Buddhism"

"In America and Europe, everyone is very active. But if you become too active, you lose the essence of Buddhism. You only have the Buddhist labels. One must cultivate peace to be compassionate. Without this, what you do, even as an 'engaged Buddhist' is just a lot of activity with no good purpose."

- Sulak Sivaraksa, “In Exile from Siam”

Felix's article on Dr. Ariyaratne and Sarvodaya movement in Sri Lanka
published in Buddhadharma

Democracy Is...

Hindu rajya jai ho! (?)

From Times of India, a Hindu saint with supernatural powers has taken up a seat at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu to pray for Nepal to resume its status as a Hindu state, with all the rights and privileges thereto appertaining.  . 

Seems politicians who voted in 2006 during the end of the people's war to recreate Nepal as a secular state (a decision which actually reflects the religious and ethnic beliefs as as country and is in line with socialist agendas of the Maoists) are taking time to visit with Kalidas Dahal at Pashupatinath.

It is unclear from the article how long these pujas (prayers) will go on.  Depending on patronage, it could be an effort of activism on the part of the Hindu rightwing to answer to Prachanda and the prepubescent Maoists' bid for total power. 

All this while the Constituent Assembly continues to drag its heels...

Uprising 2010

Short article from Global Times site regarding arrest of Thinley Gyatso, a said 'ambassador' of HHDL, in Nepal two days ago. 

The article seems to be written from a Chinese nationalist perspective citing conservative views regarding Tibet Autonomous Region.  Never clearer is the understanding that Nepal is for One China. 

Global Tiger Initiative

In this year 2010, the Year of the Tiger, the Global Tiger Initiative launched with a conference including the 13 countries that govern tiger habitat.  The conference was in Kathmandu... (neutral ground? Or where the best facilitators are?) in late October.  During the four days, aims and objectives were established to protect tiger habitat which has reached 10% of the historical range, and make efforts for valuing live tigers rather than dead ones.

This HT article talks about Nepal's initiative to count their tigers starting next week.  Only full grown tigers will be counted.  Estimates were at 121 tigers in Nepal two years ago.

World Bank is involved: this is their tiger website.

Youtube has a page for GTI.



(read some of the reports on the gti website to see if any are appropriate for the Chitwan reader... final report summary?  other academic papers?  how can we link this in with lectures the students will hear?  ask anil and watch youtube pieces to see if any are appropriate for viewing with the students)

Engaged Buddhism

Toward a definition of this, I'm collecting perspectives that I find. Thay talks about the term from a Vietnamese Theravadin perspective which, unsurprisingly calls for radical action in every moment to recognize one's true nature.

Other groups like the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and The Interdependence Project are looking at developing their own definitions from a social activist standpoint.

A professor of mine is working on a paper striving toward a Buddhist theory of conflict transformation. He is coming from a Japanese Buddhist perspective but makes the point that dependent origination is the glue that holds together the conditions to create conflict and peace, or merely interaction between two sentient beings. From that understanding, one can unpack that judgments and meanings that we, ourselves, place on the interaction creating the aversion or the attachment to each interaction.

This professor of mine calls for responsibility on the inner level as well as the outer level in order to be engaged.

I can't help but continue to be the cynic and say that even according to Buddhism, my understanding is that we are human and predisposed given our afflictions in this realm of existence to humanity and its constraints and opportunities. We can recommit to being 'engaged' on many levels but the real activism is what Thay says it is - reconfirming that commitment by recognizing every time we stray and coming back to the radical nature of the moment.

but who knows.