Buddhist Personality : Karen Terzano

Karen Terzano is a 59 year old Zen Buddhist monk currently on a 740km walking journey from Maine to New York. She started her journey on August 1, from her home in Ellsworth and is expected to reach her final destination, a Zen center on Manhattan's Upper West Side by mid October. An experienced long distance hiker, Terzano carries with her a one person tent on her 29 pound pack.


On a typical day, she’ll start looking for a place to stay in the town she plans to reach. She’ll go to the municipal office or the police station or a nearby church to ask about potential places to stay or where it would be okay to pitch her tent.

Terzano, who is a naturalist, a psychologist and has been practicing Zen Buddhism since the late 1980s, explained that there were many of different things that all came together to inspire her to take this walk, but one in particular was having one of her friends die of a heart attack while they were walking El Camino de Santiago earlier this year.

You may follow her journey on her blog

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Mick Jagger Practices Buddhism In Laos

Sir Mick Jagger reportedly blacked out the windows of his hotel room so he could "regenerate" himself.

The Rolling Stones rocker spent a week in Luang Prabang in Laos, South East Asia on his own.

The star was said to be keen to have a spiritual trip which is why he decided on solitude, and was so determined not to be disturbed he covered up the windows of his hotel suite.


He also ate in a separate area to other guests.
"Mick booked two rooms in the hotel - one for himself, the other for his luggage," a source told British newspaper The Sun.

"His room boasts the best view overlooking the mountains and Phousi Temple. But he then blacked out all the windows, even though the hotel is in a remote location and away from prying eyes. He clearly wanted to be at one with himself.

"Mick uses the trip to regenerate himself. He spent hours with monks in the temples and chanted with them. He practises Buddhism and meditation every day. He says it's the first thing he does when he gets up in the morning."
The 67-year-old has been to Laos before, and it is thought he feels a spiritual connection with the area.

He has reportedly said it is his "favourite place in the world", and he makes an effort to stay in lots of different places so he sees all aspects of the country.

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Virginia Peck - Buddha Paintings

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9-11 Buddhist Memorial Ceremony

As the world remember the anniversary of the 9-11 incident in New York in two days time amidst a Quran burning threat, the New York Buddhist Church will be holding its annual 9-11 Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony.

The church is a Jodo Shinshu temple established in 1938. A Buddhist and inter-faith prayers will be held before the lanterns are floated out on the Hudson. Lanterns Floating is an ancient Japanese custom that symbolizes respect for the dead.



The NYBC is led by the Rev. T.K. Nakagaki who after the 9-11, noticed that Buddhists had been left out of the city's memorial service at Yankee Stadium. So the next year he organized the first 9/11 floating lantern ceremony, and it has been held every year since.

(the first ceremony held in 2002)



More info. - here

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Happiness - Thais Vs Americans

Article by Cassandra James, an American living in Thailand :

As an American Living in Thailand, I've Often Wondered Why a Poorer Country like Thailand Has Happier People Than the USA

Since I moved to Thailand years ago, I've become a happier person than I was when I lived in America. Most Americans who live in Thailand say the same thing. As an American living in Thailand, I've always noticed how much happier Thai people are too than your average American who always seems to be upset about something. Thousands of western expats move to Thailand every year and, in my opinion, the happiness of the Thais and the relaxed culture has a lot to do with it. But what makes Thais so happy as a people? And why are Thais happier than your average American? It has to do with the culture and their religion - Buddhism.

Thai Culture - Thailand is known world-wide as one of the world's most relaxed countries and as having some of the world's happiest people. The Thai phrase "Mai bpen rai" is used by Thais hundreds of times a day and it means "Don't worry" or "Never mind. Consequently, Thais don't worry about things and so, they're happy. Most Thais are calm, relaxed and don't lose their tempers (or minds) over stupid things they can't control. After all, "Mai bpen rai" - don't worry.

Politics? Why would a Thai worry about that? They can't change who's in office, as none of us can in the west either, so why waste time worrying about it? When it's election day they vote, then they have to live with the consequences. Simple really.

Their job? Why would a Thai worry about that? They work hard, yet they have a great time at work. In most Thai jobs, the people they work with become friends and extended family, so going to work is fun. They do their best, they enjoy their jobs and other than that, why worry?

The Muslim extremist violence in the south? Why would a Thai worry about that? The government is working to try to solve it and, although it's sad that innocent people are being shot and bombed on a regular basis, they have no power to change that other than vote for people who hopefully can. So, why worry?

And you know, Thais have a point.

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Buddhist Personality : Myokei Caine-Barrett

Buddhist Myokei Caine-Barrett is the first woman of African-Japanese descent, and the only Western woman, to be ordained as a priest in the Nichiren Order. She is the resident priest and guiding teacher for the Myoken-ji Temple, home of the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas. She talks about her journey to Buddhism in "The Black Pulpit," a weekly series that explores faith in the black community.

My journey of faith began at age 11 when I began to study the Bible, inspired by Audrey Hepburn in "The Nun's Story" and enamored of Jeffrey Hunter in "King of Kings."

I yearned for the passion and devotion of faith, as expressed Hollywood-style, to deal with my isolation as a child of mixed ethnicity in a black and white world. I did not fit anywhere, and the path of faith seemed to offer the greatest sense of belonging.

My African-American father, a lifelong Methodist, and my Japanese mother, without a particular faith, insisted that my siblings and I attend church regularly -- even if they didn't. Because we were in the military, we were exposed to various religions: I explored Catholic and Protestant traditions, as well as Judaism. I had many questions and could not accept faith without understanding. Then, when I was 13, my mother's friend invited me to a Buddhist meeting.

My mother warned me not to join anything, but I was moved by the beauty of the chanting of "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo," known as the Odaimoku or sacred title of the Lotus Sutra. Naturally, because I was told not to, I joined. It was the beginning of a journey culminating in my ordination as a priest in the Nichiren Shu tradition.

Within the Nichiren Order, I am the first woman of Japanese and African descent, the only ordained Western woman and the first female priest in the Nichiren Order of North America.


Buddhism has been the mainstay of my life, enabling me to understand life's reality and providing a practice of faith to deal with that reality. I have learned to release the past and not give in to imagination or the future. Buddhism taught me that there is only now, the present moment.

Most people understand the law of cause and effect, or very simply "What goes around, comes around." When I asked the question "Why is this happening to me?" as I explored various faiths, I never received an answer that made sense. Buddhism taught me that my life is the result of causes made in the past and my future would be the result of causes made in the present.

The Lotus Sutra, which outlines the path of the bodhisattvas, or those who forgo their own enlightenment to assist others on the path, helped me see that I made the cause to come into this life to fulfill a mission. My personal struggles in life provided me the experience and knowledge to be a bridge for others to find liberation.

Buddhist practice around basic concepts has meant liberation from suffering discrimination, racism and even the loneliness of being the only one. Once I applied the concepts, I gained greater understanding that my suffering had purpose, and I could use that suffering to help others.

I understood the impermanence of suffering and that being attached to my suffering only created more.

My work within the prison system is a direct result of being able to see the Buddha nature within each person.

Five years ago, sangha members and I (three women of color) encountered a group of white male inmates, some of whom were white supremacists. All of us were quite surprised, but slowly we developed loving, compassionate relationships through which all of us were able to abandon our preconceptions about each other.

Today, our prison group contains people from African, Latino, Asian and European backgrounds, and our conversations touch on the issues of racism and prejudice as well as the development of faith. Society holds some people I've met in contempt and hatred; I have seen them grow and find value in themselves even as I grew to love each one of them.

Of the seven released since 2005, three are known to have continued in practice, and only one has re-offended.

The practice of Buddhism has much to offer communities of color; however, it may be difficult to find teachers and practitioners with the necessary experience. There is no national directory. We exist in myriad traditions and cities throughout the U.S. Ordination in many traditions is often difficult and expensive, and finding teachers willing and able to address issues relative to being African-American is sometimes impossible.

Yet, progress is being made as we create sanghas within communities of color and assume the roles of clergy and lay teachers. It is definitely time for practitioners of color to step up and make ourselves known. Our communities need us to be present now.

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Buddhist Personality : Carre Otis

Name : Carre Otis
Nationality : USA
Date Of Birth : 18th September 1968
Profession : Actress / Model

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Buddhist Personality : Nicholas Vreeland

Grandma Diana Vreeland was known for her moves in the high speed fashion world, but grandson, photographer-turned-monk, Nicholas Vreeland has found his peace in a spiritual garb

HE’S given up the plush, polished lifestyle he grew up in. He’s given up the fast cars and fast money. And he’s given up his once-upon-atime designer wardrobe. All this, to make a home in a monastery in Karnataka and live a simple life!


There’s a celestial aura around him, the monk who shunned materialism and preferred the spiritual red robe over the glitzy world of fashion. In fact, Vreeland wears the red robe with quiet dignity. “Life is so transient, and it doesn't take much to recognise that a preoccupation with worldly matters doesn’t lead to any kind of permanent happiness. It’s not as if I don’t feel successful. I’m on the ladder to success.”

Nicholas Vreeland, who is Dalai Lama’s pointsman in New York, is proud of his spiritual legacy. His love affair with India is something karmic. Besides being a monk, Nicholas is a spiritual photographer. “Initially, I just wanted to capture some stolen moments with my wooden camera at the monastery. There was a need to define my experiences as a monk, visually,” says the spiritual photographer, who lives between New York and Rato Dratsang monastery in Karnataka.

He recalls that he was all of 25 when he first took Dalai Lama’s photographs. “The Dalai Lama sat on a chair. I clicked. I asked him to stand, and it was a much better photograph.”

Nicholas is a powerful practitioner of everyday spirituality. His book, An Open Heart, was on the New York Times bestseller list and highlighted the power of being compassionate. “Try being more thoughtful of others and less preoccupied with oneself. Smile at someone, be pleasant, helpful, generous, actually do something the way someone else would like it done... be less selfish.”

Every year, Nicholas spends months in India at the Rato Dratsang monastery in Karnataka. In fact, he’s spent the last 14 years building the place. What attracted him to India? “I first came to India in 1973, when I was 18. I returned in 1979, spending time in Dharamsala where I had the opportunity to meet and photograph the Dalai Lama himself. His Holiness’ advice to me was to study Buddhism, which I returned to New York to do. And my path changed. Being a monk is a positive process.”

He’s a global citizen and speaks fluently in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Tibetan. So, what attracted him to photography? “I would say that I love taking photographs, and that I bring to my pictures something of who I am.”

Nicholas shaving his head came as a shock to his grandmother, Diana Vreeland, who was a noted fashion writer and magazine editor. In fact, she advised the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy on her clothes, when John F Kennedy became US President. Diana shared a close friendship with Jackie till her last days. Style bonded them, as Diana was New York’s most recognisable fashion icon, her best friend was Oscar De La Renta. So, what was his relationship with his grandmother?

“She wanted me to become a lawyer. She was shocked when I’d shaved my head. My grandmother and I were very close. I lived with her when I went to New York to study film. I then returned to live with her for a few years before leaving for India to become a monk. She didn’t stop me. She respected me, though with loving concern.”

One of his best spiritual buddies is Richard Gere. “Richard and I accompanied our teacher, Khyongla Rinpoche, to Bodh Gaya in 1986, just a few years after I became a monk and joined my monastery. He was so supportive at this important moment. We also share a love for photography, though it is a joke between us that we compose our photographs completely differently: Where I will look for the most direct formal view of a subject, Richard tends to find a more oblique angle of view.”

In fact, even in fast-paced cities, he looks for spiritual spaces. “There is a tree in a park in New York that I particularly enjoy sitting under. It’s the tree beneath which Swami Prabhupada founded the Krishna Consciousness movement in the 60s. I also love Varanasi. These are places where I feel happy. I think that one can feel soulful anywhere one is at peace. And I think one can bring one’s own sense of peace and happiness to anywhere one goes!”

Recently, he had an exhibition of his photographs taken over the years in the monastery. “When I arrived in Karnataka, there were 12 monks, now there are 120.”

This protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson went to New York Film School, has photographed Indian maharajas before monks became his muse. “The credit for this exhibition, Photos For Rato, goes to Martine Franck, Henri’s wife. My fellow monks helped me in my studies and monastic life. At first, I couldn’t speak to them, as I knew no Tibetan. However, over months and years, we have become a close family of monks.” Does he have cravings? “Oh yes, I often crave for cheese, chocolate and ice-cream.”

So, what’s his secret of being a spiritual photographer? “While photographing, I try not to take; I try to receive. Each photographer has his or her own way of taking a photograph of someone. I used to enjoy using a large wooden view camera, because it imposed a situation where the person being photographed had to give of himself or herself.”

Yet, Nicholas has a simple philosophy in life — of giving and being unselfish. Indeed, he’s a monk with a different view of the world!


Read more: Shutterbug monk! - People - Life & Style - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Shutterbug-monk-/articleshow/6127075.cms#ixzz0x4IZh4Ps

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Goldie Hawn Blessed With "Enlightenment"

Goldie Hawn has been blessed with "Enlightenment". Her third grandson, Bodhi Hawn Hudson, was born on March 23 to son Oliver Hudson and wife Erinn Bartlett.



This choice was diametrically different from the names of the previous two boys in the family: Oliver's son, Wilder, and sister Kate Hudson's, Ryder, a matched pair of energetic, macho names. Bodhi is soft and spiritual.

Bodhi is a Sanskrit name translated as "enlightenment" or "awakening" and is associated with Buddhism. In early times, it was synonymous with the state of nirvana, being freed from hate, greed and ego. The Bodhi tree is a large fig tree under which the founder of Buddhism received enlightenment.

One of the first public figures in the U.S. to bear the name was Bodhi Elfman, husband of Jenna, who starred in another sitcom with a Buddhism-related name, Dharma & Greg. Since then it has been used by Amy Brenneman for her son, and by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio as the middle name for his boy, Luka. And Goldie Hawn isn't the only Bodhi grandparent -- she joins Carly Simon and James Taylor, who also have a grandson named Bodhi via daughter Sally Taylor.

As opposed to some other religious and spiritual names, Bodhi has an upbeat, friendly feel, similar to that of Brody and Cody.

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Lindsay Lohan Turns To Buddhism For Solace

Actress Lindsay Lohan is turning to Buddhism to help her get through her jail term.

The 24-year-old, who has been sentenced to 90 days in prison, has decided to seek solace in the religion in a bid to conquer her demons, a reliable source told dailystar.co.uk.


'Lindsay has been fascinated in the Buddhist faith for a while as several of her inner circle follow the teachings of Buddhism,' said a source.

'She is devastated about the jail sentence and has been crying non-stop. She's been told to seek spiritual guidance and find her inner peace,' he added.

She was sentenced for violating the terms of her probation stemming from a 2007 DUI (Driving Under Influence) arrest Tuesday. She avoided arrest in June when her representatives posted part of a $200,000 bail after an alcohol bracelet detected that she had been drinking after the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles.

The court asked Lohan to wear the bracelet earlier this year as part of her probation after two previous convictions of drunk driving dating back to 2007

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Raleigh Buddhist Temple Opening

Set amid cookie-cutter homes and big-box shopping centers, the modern, angular-looking temple that has emerged in the middle of suburbia looks out of place.

With its slanted wooden beams, concrete buttresses and asymmetrical geometry, it tells a story how cosmopolitan Raleigh has become.

Here, at Prince Street and Tryon Road, some people, mostly from Taiwan, have been meeting for years. In 1992, they started meditating in homes; in 2001 they built a small house on the site.

On July 10, 2010, they officially dedicated a $4.5 million building with offerings of incense, flowers and a VIP delegation of elected officials and interfaith leaders. The daylong dedication brought hundreds of visitors from all over the world.

At 15,000 square feet, it is the largest Buddhist temple in the Triangle and includes a meditation hall, a teahouse, a dining room, a library, classrooms and living quarters for its three resident nuns. Designed by an architect from Taiwan and constructed by Raleigh architect Bob Andron, its angular roof resembles one on a ski lodge, its sloping beams an ancient Greek sailing ship with multiple oars.

The temple draws mostly Asian followers, the vast majority from Taiwan, but also China, Malaysia and Vietnam. Mandarin is the language most heard there.

At its center is a shrine of a 12-foot, 12-ton Buddha carved in jade. The gemstone was mined in Myanmar, sculpted in Taiwan, shipped to Wilmington and trucked to Raleigh.

Yet despite its Taiwanese roots, the temple hopes to serve not just Asians but Americans interested in Buddhism. Already it offers an Introduction to Buddhism class every other Saturday and a Wednesday night Dharma study group, both in English. It plans to be a base for other cultural and charitable activities.

The temple is affiliated with Fo Guang Shan, a Taiwanese Buddhist order, which emphasizes humanistic Buddhism, applying the Buddha's teachings of kindness and compassion to practical, everyday tasks laypeople can perform.

It's not a philosophy or a religion, said the Venerable Ruan Shih, one of the temple's nuns. It's good concepts we can practice in our daily life.

Active mission
Fo Guang Shan, which means Buddha's Light Mountain, is a relative newcomer to the ancient tradition. It was founded in 1967 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, 83, a monk born in China.

The order now has 200 temples across the world; 20 in the United States. In Taiwan it is considered the largest of the Buddhist orders with a monastic corps of more than a thousand, mostly nuns.

This particular organization is huge, said Barbara Ambros, assistant professor of religion at UNC-Chapel Hill and an expert on Asian religions. In terms of reaching out overseas and having an active mission, they're the largest.

In the United States, the group is little known beyond an almost forgotten moment in 1996 when Vice President Al Gore stopped by its Los Angeles-area temple for a luncheon and accepted what turned out to be an illegal contribution to the Democratic Party.

Fo Guang Shan draws on two Buddhist traditions: Cha'an, known as Zen in Japan, which emphasizes meditation; and Pure Land, which teaches that one can be reborn in the Pure Land of the Buddha.

Their main mission is education, said Stuart Chandler, professor of religion at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, who wrote a book on the group. They want people to understand Buddhism.

Acts of commitment
After Sunday's formal dedication and a boxed lunch of rice and vegetables - the temple does not serve meat or alcohol - another ritual began. The Most Venerable Hsin Ting, an elder of the Buddhist order from Taiwan, led a ritual in which nearly 130 followers affirmed their Buddhist identity and took vows.

Dressed in flowing black robes, these laypeople knelt and prostrated on the bamboo floor, making their commitment public. Some accepted the three planks of Buddhism, known as three gems: the Buddha; the Dharma, or teachings; and the Sangha, or the community. Others, already dedicated Buddhists, took additional vows known as the five precepts, which are not killing, lying, stealing, drinking alcohol or committing adultery.

Lee Lim, 41, a pharmacist from Cary, said Buddhism and Taoism were part of her cultural background back home in Malaysia. Since coming to the Raleigh area she has made Buddhism part of her daily practice. On Sunday she wore the black robe and made her vows.

I find it peaceful, she said. I liked the people, and I got good advice when I encountered the difficulties in life.

Venerable Hsin Ting explains the history of the temple













Venerable Buddhist Master Hsin Ting performs a purification ceremony













The Buddha's Light International Temple opened its doors on July, 4, 2010 in Raleigh, NC with Buddhist groups from around from as far away as Miami and Chicago joining in the ceremonies













Taiwanese Buddhist leader Venerable Hsin Ting prepares to open doors to the meditation room with other honored guests













Guests applaud the unveiling of the meditation room













A flower offering is placed before the altar













Venerable Hsin Ting chants at the altar













Local community members, including some christians join the buddhists to celebrate the opening of the temple














Venerable Hsin Ting walks around the temple's parking lot and sprinkles water with a leaf during purification ceremonies for the temple

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Buddhist Temple On Fire

A three-alarm fire early Thursday (July 8) seriously damaged a century-old building in Seattle's International District that housed a Buddhist temple on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors.


Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick says two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries - smoke inhalation and back pain. Firefighters rescued one woman from the second floor of the building at 1007 S. Weller Street. She was not injured.

Fitzpatrick says when firefighters arrived flames were coming from the first floor and spreading to the upper floors. Fire crews said they faced several challenges in addition to the large size of the fire. There was a language barrier with many of the apartment residents, and the overnight heat played a role as well. Due to the high temperatures, firefighters were cycled through regularly and took extra efforts to remain hydrated

Investigators have determined that the blaze was started by candles or incense. One resident pointed out candles are usually burning overnight in the first floor temple

The Red Cross is helping about 18 of the displaced residents.

About 120 firefighters were brought in to help battle the fire.

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British Politican Rejects Goldie Hawn

Hollywood star Goldie Hawn was keen to introduce Buddhist teachings in British schools, but she was left disappointed after a British politician snubbed her plan.


The actress was rumoured to have met Conservative member of parliament Michael Gove earlier this year to discuss ways for the British education system to adopt the techniques used by her Hawn Foundation. Her charity teaches Buddhist techniques in schools across the US to give children emotional stability and curb violent outbursts in the classroom.

However, Hawn admits she never got a chance to meet Gove, who became secretary of state for education after the country's general election in May 2010, and was instead forced to discuss her ideas with 'an aide'.

'I never met him (Gove). I'll tell you exactly what I did. I had a meeting with an aide of his in some lobby at one of the parliament buildings down there, by the river. Anyway, I came in and sat down with this man, just in the place where you get the coffee from the vending machine, and I spoke to him about the programme and that was it. I never met Michael Gove,' said Hawn.

The actress says she hasn't received any feedback on her proposal ever since.

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Guan Yin Statue Vandalized

A newly erected 12 feet statue of Boddhisattva Guan Yin at Kim Gang Temple in Davenport, Florida, USA was vandalized either late last Saturday or early Sunday. The two hands of the statue were broken. The broken left hand of the statue were left at the temple together with a few fingers from the right hand by the vandals. A silky, lemon-colored sheet was draped over the statue like a cloak to cover the broken wrists.

One of the devotees of the temple Alven Nguyen said the devotees will get the damaged statue restored. Two new hand crafted hands will be ordered from the original maker in Vietnam. According to Alven, the temple would now install a security camera, an alarm system and a fence.

The main nun of the temple said, she did not want the vandals to be jailed but hoped whoever did that would realize their mistake and never repeat the act.

The case is now under investigation by the local police.

Alven Nguyen with a monk holding the left hand of the damaged statue

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Buddhist Personality : Steve Van Zandt

Stage Name : Steve Van Zandt
Real Name : Steven Lento
Nationality : USA
Date Of Birth : 22nd November 1950
Profession : Musician/Songwriter/Actor

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Just Photos - Buddha Birthday Celebration In Los Angeles

Celebration of Buddha Birthday at Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, USA

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