"I think I am a reflection,like the moon, on water. When you see me, and I try to be a good
man, see yourself " -
Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama)
REMINDERS: If you missed part of Kundun, I have two copies of the film that I am happy to lend out to you.
We will take the Buddhism multiple choice quiz on Wednesday. You can again bring 75 words of notes if that helps you organize the foreign terms, etc.
These are the articles from the Buddhism reading packet that are due today:
- "From Ruins of Afghan Buddhas, a History Grows" The
New York Times, December 6,
2006
- "Tourism Saves a Laotian City but Saps Its
Buddhist Spirit," The New York Times, April 15, 2008
- "Nepalese Await Election Results and Brace for
Major Changes. Stay Tuned." The New York Times, April 12, 2008
- "What Makes a Monk Mad," The New York Times, September 30, 2007
- "Myanmar Writhes in the Grip of Its Junta," The
New York Times, September 26,
2008
Going back a bit: It occurs to me that we never dealt explicitly with several of the questions on the basics of Buddhism. Let's backtrack a bit to some material I've recopied from an Buddhism - Day #2.
Defining terms: anatta, nirvana
* Do Buddhists believe in reincarnation?
* Do human beings survive bodily death?
* How does karma affect the lives of Buddhists?
* What is nirvana?
Tibetan Buddhism
Defining terms: King Songstan, Atisha, yana, Vajrayana, lama, Tantra, upaya, mantra, mudras, mandalas
Modern Tibet: The "Land of the Snows"- The Communist government of China overran Tibet in 1949-1951, beginning decades of hostile occupancy. In 1959, the unsuccessful Tibetan National Uprising occurred. The Dalai Lama and his government fled into exile in India, where they remain yet today.
Questions for Investigation: Use the Internet resources below, and feel free to look around elsewhere as well.
- What has been China's policy toward Buddhism in Tibet?
- What have been Amnesty International's chief human rights concerns in Tibet?
- What has been American policy on the issue of Tibet? What should it be?
- What role has the Dalai Lama played in international relations and human rights?
- Who is the Karmapa?
- Who is the Panchen Lama? What has happened to the Panchen Lama at the hands of China's government?
Understanding Tibetan Buddhism
China in Tibet
Tibetan Government in Exile's Official Web Site
The United States: Reassessing Tibet Policy
A Lesson in Compassion from a Tortured Monk
The Gere Foundation: Yes, it's THAT Richard Gere... The "Tibet Tragedy" slide show is interesting.
Help Find the Panchen Lama
HOMEWORK for Judaism - Day #1
The title for the next lesson is slightly deceiving, as a good chunk of the period will be spent reviewing Buddhism and taking the multiple choice quiz. Don't worry about starting the reading in Judaism or anything yet. Just be ready for the quiz.
