Jail vs. Nursing Home

Sharing the following email with you:

Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in a nursing home..

* This way the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies, and walks.
* They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment , wheel chairs etc.
* They'd receive money instead of paying it out.
* They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance.
* Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
* A guard would check on them every 20 minutes, and bring their meals and snacks to their cell.
* They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
* They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling, pool and education.
* Simple clothing , shoes, slippers, P.J.'s and legal aid would be free, on request.
* Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard - with gardens.
* Each senior would have a P.C. a T.V. Radio, and daily phone calls.
* There would be a board of directors to hear complaints and the guards would have a code of conduct, that would be strictly adhered to.

The "criminals" would get cold food, be left all alone, and unsupervised.
Lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week.
Live in a tiny room , and pay $5000.00 per month and have no hope of ever getting out.

Justice for all.

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The Affluent and the Poor.

The Affluent






























The Poor

Canada Day in Toronto 2010‏

Celebrate Canada’s birthday this weekend in Toronto, plus hundreds of things to see and do, restaurants to explore and much, much more . . .

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CANADA DAY at Mel Lastman Square
Presented by Wonder+®
July 1, 2010
5 pm | Free!Live music, family activities, jugglers, fire-breathers, dancers and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate Canada’s Birthday.

Plus, meet some of Canada’s Olympic athletes, including speed-skating gold medalists Charles and Francois Hamelin, team Canada hockey player and gold medalist Vicky Sunohara and speed skater and 2010 Olympic medalist Kristina Groves.

Full Schedule:

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/canada/2010/index.htm

Search for other Canada Day events in the City of Toronto’s Festivals & Events Calendar: http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/celebrations?openform

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SUMMERLICIOUS
presented by American Express
July 9 – July 25, 2010

BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

Take advantage of the incredible value and exclusive prix fixe menus offered at 150 of Toronto’s top dining establishments. Reservations will be accepted NOW. For full details visit the Summerlicious website. www.toronto.ca/summerlicious

New this year, the Summerlicious website now has mobile accessibility so Android and iPhone users can easily find restaurant descriptions, menus and maps.

The Summerlicious restaurant promotion is produced by the City of Toronto.

******************************************

FRESH WEDNESDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square
July 14 to August 25, 2010
10 am to 2 pm

Seven live, free, noon-hour concerts to complement the Nathan Phillips Square’s annual Farmers’ Market. Savour your favourite fruits and vegetables at their peak of perfection while listening to great Canadian music.

Full Concert Schedule:

 http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/wednesdays/2010/index.htm

Farmers’ Market
June 2 to October 13
10am to 2pm

Ontario farmers will provide an array of crisp vegetables, juicy fruits, pastries, fresh-cut flowers and more at Nathan Phillips Square.


******************************************

TASTY THURSDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square
July 15 to August 26, 2010
Food 11am to 2 pm
Free Concerts Noon to 2 pm

A combination of live music and food hot off the grill makes for the perfect summer lunch hour escape. Tasty Thursdays features a variety of Toronto restaurants bringing their international cuisine to the square for $5 or less.

Full Concert Schedule:

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/thursdays/2010/index.htm

******************************************

SUNDAY SERENADES at Mel Lastman Square
July 11 to August 22, 2010
7:30 to 9 pm | Free!

Sunday Serenades features the very best in swing, big band and jazz acts to compliment Toronto’s warm summer evenings. Come early for “Dancing with John” to learn the fox trot and jive beginning at 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm followed by the Sunday Serenades concert series.

Full Concert Schedule:

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/serenades/2010/index.htm

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Less...

Sharing the following email with you:

Welcome to the 21st Century

Our communication	-	Wireless
Our phones	-	Cordless
Our cooking	-	Fireless
Our food	-	Fatless
Our Sweets	-	Sugarless
Our labor	-	Effortless
Our relations	-	Fruitless
Our attitude	-	Careless
Our feelings	-	Heartless
Our politics	-	Shameless
Our education	-	Worthless
Our Mistakes	-	Countless
Our arguments	-	Baseless
Our youth	-	Jobless
Our Ladies	-	Topless
Our Boss	-	Brainless
Our Jobs	-	Thankless
Our Needs	-	Endless
Our situation	-	Hopeless
Our Salaries	-	Less and less

Introduction to Meditation Basics

In case you are interested:

Introduction to Meditation Basics

Dear friends,

DDMBA Ontario is pleased to offer a class in our series “Introduction to Meditation Basics”. It will be conducted on Saturday, July 3rd from 10am to 2:30pm in English. The class will cover fundamentals of sitting meditation, including proper bodily posture, relaxation, and basic methods of concentration in the first part and various methods of sitting, walking, sleeping, yoga exercises and stages of meditation in second part. You can join first or second part or both.

Please invite your family and friends who may be interested. There is no cost to these classes and all the necessary equipment is provided.

To register please email to ddm.meditation.class@gmail.com


Thank you.

Join palms,

DDMBA Ontario
www.ddmba-ontario.ca

PS. Similar class in Mandarin will be conducted later on. The details will be available vie email or on our website.

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Natalie's Portfolio

Some of you asked: " How is Natalie doing?"


Here is her Portfolio:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/natalietsang/sets


Hope you like it...

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An UN joke

Sharing the following mail with you:

Last month the UN conducted a world-wide survey by phone.

The only question asked was:-

"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?"

The survey was a huge failure because of the following:

1. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.

2. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.

3. In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.

4. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.

5. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.

6. In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.

7. In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

8. In Australia they hung up as soon as they heard the Indian accent.

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Last Retreat Visit by GuoXing Fashi to Toronto for 2010‏

In case you are interested:

Dear Friend,

If you have not yet registered for DDMBA Ontario's 5 Day Retreat, now is the time to register!!!

If you ever wanted to truly get away for the summer, this is the perfect opportunity for you to relax and revitalize your mind and body using the practice of Chan.

Don't miss this exciting and rare opportunity to participate in an intensive meditation retreat, combined with a 2 Day Living Meditation workshop, which demonstrates the principles of mindfulness in our daily life and situations. In addition, the location for this year's 5 Day Retreat, Northumberland Heights, provides the ideal, peaceful setting in the midst of natural surroundings.

This retreat is also the last visit by GuoXing Fashi to Toronto for the year 2010.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to practice, learn Dharma and ask questions under the guidance of a truly dedicated and knowledgeable Chan teacher.

Retreat details: http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca/news.php?item.122.4
Download the application form: http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca/page.php?96
Email us at: ddmba.toronto@gmail.com

Call us at:
Mandarin: Michelle @ 905. 887.8061 or Michael @ 416.886.6661
English: Keith Brown @ 416.733.0162
Cantonese: Leiyi @ 416.590.9641

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The village

The village map.













The cows as carrier.




The wandering animals.













The villagers and their stables.













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Be Green: Future shop has a good recycling program

In case you care about recycling:

Alberta and Ontario electronics take-back program.

*Future Shop now takes back hundreds of electronic items at our Alberta* and Ontario stores for recycling!

* Whether you purchased your product with us, or elsewhere, dispose of it responsibly at your local Future Shop.

Customers may return, free of charge, two items per day including common electronics: TVs, personal computers and peripherals (mice, keyboards, speakers and cables), desktop printers, and monitors.

Just bring the material INSIDE the store and see an associate for details.


They also take:

* Used batteries (rechargeable and alkaline)
* Cell phones
* CD players
* Media files (CDs and DVDs)
* Portable DVD players
* Ink cartridges

For more info, visit: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/futuregeneration/recycle.aspx

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Sigalovada Sutta: Advice to Sigalaka

Received the email:

what's the definition of a good friend:

"The friend who is a helper, The friend through thick and thin, The friend who gives good counsel, And the compassionate friend; These four are friends indeed, The wise understand this And attend on them carefully, Like a mother her own child. The wise endowed with virtue Shine forth like a burning fire, Gathering wealth as bees do honey And heaping it up like an ant hill. Once wealth is accumulated, Family and household life may follow. By dividing wealth into four parts, True friendships are bound; One part should be enjoyed; Two parts invested in business; And the fourth set aside Against future misfortunes."

Not an enemy disguised as a "friend"...
"The phony friend who is all take, The phony friend of empty words, The phony friend full of flattery, And the reckless phony friend; These four are not friends, but enemies; The wise understand this And keep them at a distance As they would a dangerous path."

******************

My response is:
There is no enemy: our greatest enemy are our five aggregates, if we can perceive everyone as our Bodhisattva, there is no enemy.

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Synthetic Life

Anthony wrote:

I recently read a newspaper article about how scientists are beginning to create synthetic life forms. This brings to mind the question, ‘what is life?’. Some critics say you can’t play God, for after all only God is responsible for giving life. Then I thought to myself, ‘If human can create life, do Buddhists have a problem with it?

What is Buddhists’ concept of life? Is there something behind the machine we call life 壽者相? Buddhists talk about non-self. Does it mean there is no ghost in the machine? Wouldn’t it be nice if there is an open forum where Buddhists of all persuasions could come together and explore this issue? Is it too big a dream?

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Summer in Toronto 2010‏

In case you are interested:

Get out and Celebrate Toronto this summer with world-class music, hundreds of things to see and do, restaurants to explore and much, much more . . .

******************************************

CANADA DAY at Mel Lastman Square
Presented by Wonder+®
July 1, 2010
5 pm | Free!

Live music, family activities, jugglers, fire-breathers, dancers and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate Canada’s Birthday.

Plus, meet some of Canada’s Olympic athletes, including speed-skating gold medalists Charles and Francois Hamelin, team Canada hockey player and gold medalist Vicky Sunohara and speed skater and 2010 Olympic medalist Kristina Groves.

Full Schedule: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/canada/2010/index.htm

******************************************

FRESH WEDNESDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square
July 14 to August 25, 2010
10 am to 2 pm

Seven live, free, noon-hour concerts to complement the Nathan Phillips Square’s annual Farmers’ Market. Savour your favourite fruits and vegetables at their peak of perfection while listening to great Canadian music.

Full Concert Schedule: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/wednesdays/2010/index.htm

Farmers’ Market
June 2 to October 13
10am to 2pm

Ontario farmers will provide an array of crisp vegetables, juicy fruits, pastries, fresh-cut flowers and more at Nathan Phillips Square.


******************************************

TASTY THURSDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square
July 15 to August 26, 2010
Food 11am to 2 pm
Free Concerts Noon to 2 pm

A combination of live music and food hot off the grill makes for the perfect summer lunch hour escape. Tasty Thursdays features a variety of Toronto restaurants bringing their international cuisine to the square for $5 or less.

Full Concert Schedule: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/thursdays/2010/index.htm


******************************************

SUNDAY SERENADES
July 11 to August 22, 2010
7:30 to 9 pm | Free!

Sunday Serenades features the very best in swing, big band and jazz acts to compliment Toronto’s warm summer evenings. Come early for “Dancing with John” to learn the fox trot and jive beginning at 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm followed by the Sunday Serenades concert series.

Full Concert Schedule: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/serenades/2010/index.htm

******************************************

SUMMERLICIOUS
presented by American Express
July 9 – July 25, 2010

A highlight of summer in Toronto! Summerlicious offers restaurant lovers an opportunity to satisfy their appetites for delicious food and perhaps discover a new favourite restaurant in the process.

Take advantage of the incredible value and exclusive prix fixe menus offered at 150 of Toronto’s top dining establishments. Reservations will be accepted starting June 24. American Express® Cardmembers can go to the Front of the Line ® to book early reservations on June 22 & 23, 2010. For full details visit the Summerlicious website.

New this year, the Summerlicious website now has mobile accessibility so Android and iPhone users can easily find restaurant descriptions, menus and maps.

Summerlicious menus are now posted!
www.toronto.ca/summerlicious

The Summerlicious restaurant promotion is produced by the City of Toronto.

******************************************

FESTIVALS & EVENTS CALENDAR
Visit the Festivals & Events calendar for information on a wide variety of events taking place in Toronto www.toronto.ca/eventcalendar

--

Barley for Health

Sharing the following email with you:

Healing and cleansing with barley

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease. BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home. Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a positive result!

My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australian naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffee-shop here.

Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin) and ginkgo nuts.

It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and helps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps prevent haemorrhoids and colon cancer.

The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.

Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as, besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for lowering cholesterol.

Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous.

Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Barley, whose Latin name is hordeum vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years.

Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them strength.

Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.


Here's a recipe for barley soup:

Barley soup with roasted garlic

1 cup pearl barley
5 cloves whole garlic, roasted
2 litres chicken stock, steeped from 1 chicken breast simmered in three litres water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
2 large onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
150g turkey ham, cut up
1 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsps sea salt or to taste
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method
1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then the barley and fry for three minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.

4. Add salt to taste and serve the soup garnished with chopped parsley.

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Summerlicious in Toronto 2010‏

In case you are interested:

SUMMERLICIOUS

July 9 – July 25, 2010

A highlight of summer in Toronto!

Summerlicious offers restaurant lovers an opportunity to
satisfy their appetites for delicious food and perhaps
discover a new favourite restaurant in the process.

Take advantage of the incredible value and exclusive prix fixe
menus offered at 150 of Toronto's top dining establishments.
Reservations will be accepted starting June 24.  American Express®
Cardmembers can go to the Front of the Line ® to book early
reservations on June 22 & 23, 2010. For full details, visit the
Summerlicious website.

New this year, the Summerlicious website now has mobile accessibility
so Android and iPhone users can easily find restaurant descriptions,
menus and maps.

Summerlicious menus are now posted!
http://www.toronto.ca/summerlicious


The Summerlicious restaurant promotion is produced by the
City of Toronto.

******************************************

COMING SOON!
Stay tuned for details on Canada Day activities and Sunday
Serenades at Mel Lastman Square, plus Fresh Wednesdays and Tasty
Thursdays at Nathan Phillips Square.


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The livlihood

The tents for out-of-province labor helpers.















What is inside the tent.
















The outdoor public stoves.














The well.

DDMBA- One Day Chan Meditation Retreat Sunday, June 13

Event: One Day Chan Meditation Retreat 一天禪坐共修
Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010 6月13日 星期天
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm 上午九點半至下午四點半
Location: DDMBA Ontario, 154 Poyntz Avenue, Toronto M2N 1J4 法鼓山安省分會

This form of practice is very beneficial for everyone; it gives us the chance to practice with a group over a longer period of time.However, some familiarity with meditation methods might be helpful.

Sitting meditation periods are followed by walking meditation, gentle stretching exercises and mindful work periods. The environment of the retreat is designed to promote mindfulness in everything we do. To fully benefit from this form of group practice,it is the best to attend the entire event.

To receive the full benefits of this form of group practice, we encourage you attend the entire event. Also, be sure to wear loose, warm and comfortable clothing. DDM provides cushions, sitting mats, towels and a light vegetarian lunch.


In the spirit of sharing with the community of Chan practitioners, participants of this retreat are also invited to contribute a vegetarian dish or snack for the retreat lunch. If you would like to submit a dish, please send an email to meditation@ddmba-ontario.ca, no later than Friday June 11.

Kindly RSVP by Friday June 11 should you plan to attend for meal preparation. The event is offered free of charge while any donations to support events like this are greatly appreciated.

With Palms Joined,
DDMBA Ontario
www.ddmba-ontario.ca

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Taking a walk to the nearby village...

Keep walking:





The old tree with the big hole.





















Appreciating the environment.

DDMBA Ontario July 2010 2/3/5 Day Retreat

In case you are interested:

DDMBA Ontario July 2010 2/3/5 Day Retreat

Dear Friend,

DDMBA Ontario is pleased to announce that Chan Teacher Venerable Guo Xing will be coming to Toronto to oversee DDMBA Ontario’s 2/3/5 Day Retreat, starting from Friday July 9 to Wednesday July 14, 2010.

This year’s retreat will be held at Northumberland Heights Retreat Centre, a beautiful retreat centre in Cobourg nestled in woods, trails and pond , which provides the ideal natural and peaceful atmosphere in which to practice Chan.

What is unique about this Retreat is that it will be divided into two parts.( Each part can be taken separately or together):

• 2 Day Living Meditation Workshop - From Friday April 9 at 7 pm to Sunday April 11 at 7 pm
A workshop devoted to applying Chan to daily life and situations. Exercises will prepare practitioners to apply the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Body, Feelings, Mind, Dharmas) to daily situations. This workshop is especially designed to help meditation practitioners learn to take their practice beyond the sitting cushion and into everyday situations. It also provides a good foundation for 3 Day or longer retreat practice.

• 3 Day Meditation Silent Retreat - From Sunday April 11 at 8 pm to Wednesday July 14 at 2 pm
This retreat provides a great opportunity for beginning as well as experienced practitioners to settle the mind in silent mindfulness and deepen their meditation practice in a longer, more intense period. Activities will include sitting meditation, moving exercise, walking and other mindful practice periods. Dharma talks will also introduce aspects of Silent Illumination Practice.

**Please note that both parts of the retreat assume some familiarity with meditation or previous experience in meditation, such as a prior Introductory meditation class.

Each of the two events above can be attended INDIVIDUALLY or TOGETHER. The following are the prices to cover accommodation and meal costs for this retreat:

Option A: 2 Day Living Mediation Retreat alone: $120.00
Option B: 3 Day Meditation Silent Retreat alone: $180.00
Option C: Total 5 Day Retreat (combines Option A and B): $285.00

For more information or if you wish to sponsor an individual to attend this retreat, you may also contact meditation.dharmadrum@gmail.com for details.

To apply for the 5 Day Retreat, please visit our website at www.ddmba-ontario.ca/ and download the application. Completed applications can be sent to meditation@ddmba-ontario.ca.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to deepen your personal practice of Chan, as well as spread the benefits of your practice to those around you.

What: DDM Ontario 5 Day Retreat
When: Friday July 9 (7 pm) – Wednesday July 14 (2 pm)
Where: Northumberland Heights
795 Northumberland Heights Road,
Alnwick/Haldimand Township
Cobourg, Ontario K9A 4J8
Transportation: Carpool Can Be Arranged
Languages Used: Mandarin and English



With Joined Palms,

DDMBA Ontario

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