U of T: November Buddhism Lectures

Nov 3, 2010 7:30-9:00pm
Wednesday, November 3th (7:30-9:00pm) at AA112, University of Toronto, Scarborough.

FREE public lecture. All are welcome.
Please RSVP your attendance to aep@utsc.utoronto.ca.
A FREE shuttle bus service will leave from Hart House Circle at 6pm, and return after the lecture.

What does an immigrant parent feed her child? How does she find health-giving foods that bridge the gap between her own body, nourished under her parents' care, and the resources available to her in a new country?

Under what circumstances do immigrant societies come to grow their own food in a new place? Do they grow a few spices in a home garden, or do some families actually become farmers, negotiating the challenges of unfamiliar climates, soils, markets and regulatory regimes?

The translation and re-production of culture during migration always happens in a specific ecological context. In the immigrant context, pregnant women, new parents and grandparents, growing children, farmers, home gardeners and traditional medical practitioners all create networks around that reproduce and translate the tastes, smells and medical practices of a distant culture at the same time that they create healthy people.

In this talk Dr. William Tuladhar-Douglas will argue that the social practices of agriculture and parenting among immigrant Buddhist families around North America should be considered together. With the help of skilled informants from various communities around Toronto, we will discover that existing support for farmer's markets and near-urban farms, when combined with targeted support for immigrant farmers, leads naturally to the healthy reproduction of immigrant Buddhist societies.


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Friday, November 5th (1-5 pm) and Saturday, November 6th (10am-4pm) at
Miller Lash House, University of Toronto, Scarborough.

A FREE symposium on social practices of place and environment in Buddhist societies.
Space is very limited. Attendance by RSVP only. Please email RSVP to aep@utsc.utoronto.ca.

Taking the form of a lively conversation structured by occasional presentations by a wide range of interested folk: practitioners and priests, ethnographers and textualists, long-time Turtle Island inhabitants and recent immigrants, and perhaps even a few artists.

The purpose of the workshop is to ask several questions:

* what social practices (rituals, forms of speech, architectural genres) were or are there, through which Buddhist communities inhabit and create their landscapes?
* are there particularly Buddhist theories about place and dwelling?
* what material or intellectual projects are apparent among Buddhist communities around the Greater Toronto Area?
* how should Canada's new Buddhist communities learn to inhabit this place?
* what can be learned through conversations between Aboriginal and new Buddhist experts in dwelling practices and rituals?
* are there specific ethical or practical commitments that ought to inform Buddhist communities in North America?

See http://tending.to/garden/projects/tlky/how-is-this-place-buddhist



--
Julie Witt
Events Planning & Management Coordinator

Arts & Events Programming
Dept. of Humanities
University of Toronto Scarborough
1265 Military Trail, AA-313
Toronto, ON M1C 1A4

Tel: 416.287.7076
Fax: 416.287.7116

Email: jwitt@utsc.utoronto.ca
Web: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aep

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Fable of the porcupine

Sharing the following email with you:

Have you ever seen a baby porcupine?

Fable of the porcupine: A close relationship

It was the coldest winter ever and many animals died because of the cold.

Some porcupines, realizing the gravity of the situation, decided to group together to share warmth.

This way they were better covered and protected; however - the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.

After a while they decided to distance themselves one from the other and soon after they began to die, alone and frozen.

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together.

They learned to accept the little wounds that were caused by these close relationships, in order to benefit from what their companions offered.

It was this way that they were able to survive and thrive.


Moral of the story:

The best relationships are not ones that bring together perfect beings, but are instead ones where individuals learn to live with the imperfections of others and can still accept the gifts they have to offer.
--

My comments:

Yes it is very good to have a close relationship. But one will have too many things at sake in involving in a close relationship. That is why so many people are choosing to be single or having no kids.

Most of the friendship one has nowadays are only based on self-benefits. How many friends we have that we can pour our hearts out or rest our lives upon??? People at this age do not even have time or heart to build a friendship...

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Good Laugh: Is my time up?

Sharing the following email with you:

Is my time up?

A 54 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.

Whilst on the operating table she had a near death experience.

Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?"
God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color and brighten her teeth! Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.

After her final operation, she was released from the hospital.

Whilst crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.

Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years to live. Why didn't you pull me from the path of that ambulance?"

(You'll love this)

God replied: "I didn't recognize you!"

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Divorced Barbie

Sharing the following email with you:

Divorced Barbie

One day a father gets out of work and on his way home he suddenly remembers that it's his daughter's birthday. He pulls over to a Toy Shop and asks the sales person, 'How much for one of those Barbie's in the display window?'

The salesperson answers, 'Which one do you mean, Sir? We have: Work Out Barbie for $19.95, Shopping Barbie for $19.95, Beach Barbie for $19..95, Disco Barbie for $19.95, Ballerina Barbie for $19.95, Astronaut Barbie for $19.95, Skater Barbie for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.95'.

The amazed father asks: 'It's what?! Why is the Divorced Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?'

The annoyed salesperson rolls her eyes, sighs, and answers: 'Sir..., Divorced Barbie comes with: Ken's Car, Ken's House, Ken's Boat, Ken's Furniture, Ken's Computer, one of Ken's Friends, and a key chain made with Ken's balls.

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Law of Reversed Effort

Anthony wrote:

"Dear all,

I came across the following quote in a newspaper one day and want to share it with you. It does have some connection with the chapter (in THE SUTRA OF COMPLETE ENLIGHTENMENT 圓覺經 ) we’ll be studying.

There is a Law of Reversed Effort. The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed. Proficiency and the results of proficiency come only to those who have learnt the paradoxical art of doing and not doing, or combining relaxation with activity, of letting go as a person in order that the immanent and transcendent Unknown Quantity may take hold. We cannot make ourselves understand; the most we can do is to foster a state of mind, in which understanding may come to us.

- Aldous Huxley

Amen.

Anthony

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Ing Direct: Children's Saving Account Bonus

In case you are interested:

GET A $25 BONUS when you open a Children's Savings Account with an initial deposit of $100 or more by December 31st, 2010.^†

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Now your child can see their money grow - with a $25 head start!

For over a decade, we've been helping Canadians, like you, save their money. Well, our young Clients deserve the same full-sized benefits that you do! After all, there's no "minimum height restriction" for saving. Get your child off to a good start and teach them how to save with:

• NO fees
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Your child will get a personal Client Number, PIN and password. They will be able to manage their own money with easy, convenient account access 24/7 online or by phone – under your watchful eye of course. As they learn when to save and when (and how much) to spend, you can manage the account preferences and options to suit their age and level of responsibility.

By starting to save today, your child will get hands-on experience in making responsible decisions about how to save. Open a Children's Savings Account for your son or daughter today. It's easy!

Simply click on "Open new account" and select "Children's Savings Account" under the Savings Account section.

Please have your child's Social Insurance Number (SIN) and an identification document (i.e., birth certificate) handy.

We look forward to helping your child save money.

Sincerely,
Peter Aceto, President & CEO

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LInk to World Subway Maps

World Subway maps

To be kept handy.
Very useful!

http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/

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What do you think???

Sharing the following email with you:

What do you think???

Once upon a time there lived a king.

The king had a beautiful daughter, the PRINCESS.

But there was a problem. Everything the princess touched would melt.

No matter what;

metal,

wood,

stone,

Anything she touched would melt.


Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her.

The king despaired. What could he do to help his daughter?

He consulted his wizards and magicians. One wizard told the king, "If your daughter touches one thing that does not melt in her hands, she will be cured."

The king was overjoyed and came up with a plan next day, he held a competition. Any man that could bring his daughter an object that would not melt would marry her and inherit the king's wealth.


THREE YOUNG PRINCES TOOK UP THE CHALLENGE.

The first brought a sword of the finest steel.

But alas, when the princess touched it, it melted, and the prince went away sadly.


The second prince brought diamonds.

He thought diamonds are the hardest substance in the world and would not melt. But alas, once the princess touched them, they melted. He too was sent away disappointed.



:-[

The third prince approached. He told the princess,

"Put your hand in my pocket and feel what is in there."

The princess did as she was told, though she turned red.

She felt something hard. She held it in her hand.

And it did not melt!!!

The king was overjoyed. Everybody in the kingdom was overjoyed. And the third prince married the princess and they both lived happily ever after.



Question: What was in the prince's pants?

(Scroll down for the answer)



V





V




V





M&M's of course. They melt in your mouth, not in your hand.

What were you thinking??

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Jackie Evancho on America's Got Talent

Have you seen or heard this yet? Jackie Evancho on America's Got Talent


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiFZcu9UsIk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVGrcy8wQHk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCUl5_Y_jG0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qecULT01iE&feature=related

Enjoy...

Amazing...

She lost and the 1 million dollars went to Michael Grimm.

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UT: Oct 15 Reading Group with Prof Heller

In case you are interested:

Dear colleagues, dear students, dear friends,

I am delighted to announce our first distinguished guest in this year's University of Toronto / McMaster University Yehan Numata Program in Buddhist Studies: Professor Natasha Heller from University of California, Los Angeles.

On Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at 4 - 6 pm Professor Heller's Lecture, "How to Be a Buddhist Recluse in the Yuan Dynasty" will be held at McMaster University, in University Hall 122.

On Friday, Oct 15, 4-6 pm Professor Heller will join the Numata Reading Group at the Department of Religious Studies, at Centre for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto, Jackman Humanities Building Room 317. Our guest, faculty, and students, will discuss Professor Heller's work in progress entitled, "Buddhism and Revenge: Tales of Injustice from Taiping Guangji"

Should you like to join and receive the required materials please feel free to contact me anytime.

I would be very grateful to you, if you could circulate this announcement among those who you assume are not receiving this mail, and who you think might be interested in these events or advertise the event by putting up the attached poster.

Looking forward to having you join us.

With warm regards,
Christoph Emmrich

----

Christoph Emmrich
Assistant Professor, Buddhist Studies
Coordinator, Numata Program
University of Toronto, UTM

Department of Historical Studies
University of Toronto, Mississauga
Room NE117, North Building,
3359 Mississauga Road North
Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
+905 569-4493 (o), +905-569-4412 (f)

Department for the Study of Religion
University of Toronto
170 St. George Street
Jackman Humanities Building, Room 313
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2M8
+416 978-2395 (o), +416 978-1610 (f)

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Amazing stunt: A GRAND CABARET FROM Guang Dong

Sharing the following youtube with you:

A GRAND CABARET FROM Guang Dong -- AMAZING ! WOW !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTqmEeBKhw&NR=1

It was a pleasure to watch--seeing the flexibility of human body.

A real treat and an art piece.

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Punctuation is powerful

Sharing the following email with you:


An English professor wrote the words:

"A woman without her man is nothing" on the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.

All of the males in the class wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."

All the females in the class wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing."

Punctuation is powerful.

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Good Article: An Awakening Message About China

Sharing the following email with you:

In response to "Fair Assessment-- - China is not a Superpower-- -Not Yet" by Helen Wang (from the US), perhaps you should read the following poem "An Awakening Message" by D.L. Lin (also from the US), dated April 2008.

(AN AWAKENING MESSAGE)

A Poem published by the Washington Post
When we were the Sick Man of Asia , We were called The Yellow Peril.
When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors, you smuggled opium to open markets.
When we embrace Free Trade, You blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your fair share.
When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet you screamed, It Was an Invasion!
When we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communist.
When we embrace Capitalism, you hate us for being Capitalist.
When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.
When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your national debts.
When we build our industries, you call us Polluters.
When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.
When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.
But when you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.
When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you demanded rules of law.
When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it violating human rights.
When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.
When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed- xenophobics.
Why do you hate us so much, we asked.
No, you answered, we don't hate you.
We don't hate you either,
But, do you understand us?
Of course we do, you said,
We have AFP, CNN and BBC's...
What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer...
Because you only get so many chances.
Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.
We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.
This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.

********** ********** **********
Duo-Liang Lin, Ph. D.
Professor Emeritus of Physics
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
Buffalo, New York 14260-1500
Email: DLLIN@buffalo. ed

When Japan was economically successful, it was Japan bashing . Now its China bashing when China is getting a bit successful. If you haven't heard of China bashing before, the above poem pretty much summarised it. In the following paragraphs, I'll try to clarify some of the facts and mindsets about China , hoping they can help some people to understand. The West ( US & formerly Europe & Britain) practice hegemony and don't seem to care what the third world feel at all. Third world countries have a right to grow, be strong and be successful too!

Inspite of the last 30 years of advance in city infrastructure and other hardwares, China is still a very poor country of 1.3 billion including a poverty-stricken farming population of 650 million, and a corrupt /backward government. Anyone who have been to China can see that. We in HK are so close to China that we probably know it better than anyone else. But the West blows the whole thing out of proportion, calling China a Superpower, and a threat, which is simply not the case. Author Helen Wang rightly pointed out in her book, saying...... .. China is in many ways, too backward to qualify as a superpower.. ......it has a long way to go. However what she should realise is that the West is using the rise of a Superpower as a covenient pretext to blame and bash China for their own economic woes and diplomatic failures. Yet business is business. Trade still go on as long as there is a profit.

As far as I can see, China has a lot of catching up to do. China has more internal problems than it can handle. China is more involved in solving its own problems, such as feeding its millions, providing them with jobs, keep the rich/poor gap narrow down , fighting corruption & inflation, and give people a decent living .....etc etc. So far the progress made are stained with blood ,sweat and tears. Every time one uses an INTEL, HP or Apple, there are many parts inside that are made in China 's sweat shops. This is just one example which is all over the news in recent days. Cheap products from China actually kept US inflation down for years! Sounds like a win/win situation. However what does the average worker gets for assembling the IC chips....... ...a mere US$120/m. They work very hard, but very very sad. I have stories to tell........ much later.

Its really a conspiracy of the West to contain China from expansion, just like containing the Soviet Union from expansion in the Cold War days. Why is there a European Union and NATO, SEATO and other alliances? Its the post -WWII Western strategy to contain the two communist giants, a strategy which is still in force today, but rather out-dated, since Russia and China are no longer communists. Why does the US has over one thousand military bases around the world and seven fleets patrolling the seas? ( China has none.) Because the politicians in the West have to justify their governments' expenditure on the military. Because the arms dealers and manufacturers have to lobby the politicians to sell their weapons. Because the Western nations want to perpetuate a Western dominant world. Fair assessment?

200 years ago , after fallen behind the West , China was attacked by Britain first, then plundered, looted, colonised by a league of 8 nations , even conquered by Japan. The next 100 years, China suffered 2 revolutions, 2 World Wars, plus Civil War and internal struggle, China , as a nation , is flatout, downtrodden, and experiencing total collapse . All it wants now is to rebuild a country from its pieces , to give its people food, shelter, clothing , a decent life and restore some dignity to a "sick" nation. What can be more noble and humanistic than that? Many people do think China 's leaders deserve to be awarded a Nobel Peace Price for their contribution to lead a quarter of mankind out of poverty and starvation! President Gorbachev received a Nobel Peace Price for liberating the Soviet Union in 1989, a huge political change for Eastern Europe . I think China 's achievement is more internal, but economical change is just as great if not greater. Why the West are so negative about China ! Fair assessment or not?

What about the arms race? The US and Russia have enough nuclear arsenal to destroy the world ten times over. But China can hardly defend itself against the real Superpowers. China just want to stand on its own two feet, and not being bullied by any other powers. If one should understand the Chinese mindset, our culture of Confucius, Mencius, Laotze, Chuangtze and Buddha, all teaches harmony among men, harmony between men and nature...... ...what 5000 years of history has taught us that wars and killings will not solve any problems, but will create more problems. Thats why China's leaders kept stressing China's position is not to seek the first strike in any conflict, a sharp contrast to some other country's "pre-emptive trike" mindset. China has not invaded any country in the last 200 years. China has not one soldier combating abroad today. It seems that China may not want to be a Superpower now. Its Economics 101 ......guns or butter? The answer is clear.

Guess I spoke enough...... ...not in defence or accusation, but to help international understanding.

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DDMBA Ontario Mindful Walking - Oct 10

In case you are interested:

What: DDMBA Ontario Mindful Walking
When: Sunday October 10, 2010 at 10:00 am
Where: Meet at Rouge Beach ( 195 Rouge Hills Drive)
map of 195 Rouge Hills Drive

Dear Friend,

Now that the season is upon us, it’s time to take this wonderful opportunity to enjoy the changing colors of autumn in the company of DDMBA Practitioners.

On Sunday October 10, from 10 am to 3 pm, DDMBA Ontario will be conducting a Mindful Nature Walking Activity through Petticoat Creek Conservation Area. This hike will include a brief period of gentle moving exercise, followed by a relaxing, peaceful walk surrounded by the natural scenery, trees, and waterfront. Come and chat with DDMBA Ontario practitioners or just enjoy the lovely view of the fall colors. Be sure to bring a camera also.

All members and visitors are welcome, and tell your friends and family as well. This event is free of charge. Email us if you would like to attend:ddmba.toronto@gmail.com

DDMBA Ontario members will be meeting at the parking area at Rouge Beach (195 Rouge Hills Drive) at 10:00 am.
map of 195 Rouge Hills Drive

Gentle reminder for participants to bring their own lunch and snacks, as lunch will not be provided during this trip.

Directions to Rouge Beach:
By Car:
Location: 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto
From Highway 401: Exit Port Union Road southbound. Turn left at Lawrence Avenue East, follow Lawrence Ave eastbound to the end where you will see the entrance to the beach.

By TTC:
#54A/E stops at Lawrence Avenue East and Starspray Blvd

What: DDMBA Ontario Mindful Walking
When: Sunday October 10, 2010 at 10:00 am
Where: Meet at Rouge Beach ( 195 Rouge Hills Drive)
map of 195 Rouge Hills Drive

We hope to see you there!

DDMBA Ontario
http://ddmba-ontario.ca

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Scotiabank Nuit Blanche October 2 2010

In case you are interested:

Scotiabank NUIT BLANCHE 2010
Toronto's all-night contemporary art event
October 2, 2010    sunset to sunrise

For one sleepless night experience Toronto transformed by artists.
One night only. All night long.

www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

***************************************
START YOUR NIGHT
Start your night at one of the three conveniently located Scotiabank
Info Centres.
Pick up an event map, chat with volunteer information ambassadors,
check out the Share Your Night screens and more.

www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/informationCentres.shtml

***************************************
SHARE YOUR NIGHT ON OCTOBER 2nd
Share your all-night art experience with the whole city. Send your
photos, comments and favourite moments, and then watch the real-time
interaction as the night unfolds this Saturday night.

Follow the live feeds on the mobile site, through the Night Navigator
app and on large screens at the event. Find out how you can participate:
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/shareyournight.shtml

Can't make it to Scotiabank Nuit Blanche in person? You can follow
along online.  Watch the live updates and photo posts as the
night unfolds at www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/share

***************************************
NIGHT NAVIGATOR APP
Enhance your event experience with the ultimate navigational tool.
Plan your night, locate the closest and most active projects,
recommend your favourites, view real-time photos and messages,
access your My Night itinerary and vote for Scotiabank People's Choice.

For details on how to download the FREE mobile app for your iPhone,
BlackBerry and Android phones, visit:  
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/navigatorApp.shtml

***************************************
SCOTIABANK PEOPLE'S CHOICE
On Saturday, October 2nd cast a vote for your Scotiabank® People's Choice
favourite art project, and you could win one of 6 Apple iPads or 1 of
50 pre-paid Visa cards.

Find out how at: www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/peopleChoice.shtml

***************************************
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
From sunset to sunrise you'll find a delicious and unique array of 
great food out on the streets at this year's event. Also, don't
forget to visit the Toronto Water HTO to Go trailer - bring your
reusable bottle and fill it with cool, clean Toronto tap water
to keep you hydrated throughout the night.

For more information on where you can eat, check out the website:
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/foodBeverage.shtml

***************************************
AMP ENERGY™
Did you know that there's a secret art project at this year's event?
Look for the AMP ENERGY™ Team in Zone C for hints on how to find the project.
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/zone_Map.aspx?zone=C

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

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