Thai Monk Joins US Army

University of the West (UWest), the only accredited Buddhist university in Los Angeles County, graduated on May 15 a former Buddhist monk from Thailand who will use his training to become the second Buddhist chaplain in the US Army ranks.

First Lieutenant Somya Malasri, 39, of Rosemead, seemed an unlikely candidate for the US Army in 2001, when he arrived in the United States garbed in a saffron robe, the traditional attire of a Buddhist monk. Originally from a small village in Buri Ram province, Thailand, Malasri had been a Buddhist monk since he was 17 years old.

The US military has been actively trying to recruit Buddhist chaplains since the Second World War, said Rev Danny Fisher, programme coordinator for the MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy at UWest.

Before this point, there have only ever been two Buddhist chaplains in the US military, Fisher said. Both are on active duty now.

One of the two is also a UWest student: Jeanette Shin is earning her PhD in Buddhist Studies at UWest and is currently a Buddhist chaplain in the Navy. The other is Thomas Dyer, who is in the Army and became the Army's first-ever Buddhist chaplain about a year ahead of Malasri, Fisher said.

The US Army currently has an estimated 3,300 soldiers claiming a Buddhist affiliation. It wasn't until Malasri met some US soldiers who were Buddhist that he realised their need for chaplains. So, Malasri disrobed to join active service in the Army.

After graduation last month, Malasri expects to be deployed, although he is not yet sure where.

''I'm very happy, and also at the same time I don't know what to expect in the Army,'' Malasri said. ''When I adjust to everything. it'll be okay. I'm really happy.''

In 2007, Malasri became the first Buddhist chaplain candidate for the Army. He would have become the first chaplain, but Dyer, a chaplain from a Christian background, converted to Buddhism, making Malasri the likely second Buddhist chaplain ever in the Army. He will become a full chaplain by the end of 2010, Malasri said.

Malasri did achieve a first by becoming the first student to graduate from UWest's MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy programme. The MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy programme at UWest is one of only three accredited Buddhist chaplaincy training programmes in the United States.

''Graduating our first chaplain is a joyous way to cap off the first year of the programme's existence,'' Rev Fisher said. ''In addition, Somya, who has done so much training already as a former Theravada Buddhist monk and chaplain candidate in the US Army, has set a wonderful example for his fellow students.''

''I learned a lot from the programme,'' Malasri said. ''For example, I learned how to be a good facilitator, how to be a good counsellor.''

To have more Buddhist chaplains in the military is important because servicemen and women have been needing and asking for them for a long time now, Rev Fisher said.

University of the West is a Buddhist-founded campus open to all students and located in the Eastern suburbs of Los Angeles County. More information can be found at http://www.uwest.edu

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Bill Clinton Turns To Buddhist Meditation

In an effort to compliment the beneficial changes he's made to his physical well-being, former President Bill Clinton is addressing his inner mental health as well.

RadarOnline recently reported that 66-year-old is taking private classes from a Buddhist monk to better relax his mind and body and reduce stress. In 2010, after suffering various health scares and heart surgeries, Clinton shifted to a plant-based diet, dropping 24 pounds and crediting the change with saving his life.

"When I had my second heart incident [in 2010] and I had the stents put in, I had passed all my physicals, I was doing great, but I was still building up plaque in my arteries," he told CNN. "So I decided that I wanted to see if I could live to be a grandfather, so I just went all the way."

A source told Radar that Clinton's move towards meditation is yet another way he's improving his overall health.

“He has a hectic life, he travels a lot on business as an ambassador for the U.S. and needs something to keep him sane.

“Meditation offers him that, he has a mantra that he likes to chant, and after every session he feels transformed and full of positive energy. It’s definitely doing him the world of good — he feels fitter and stronger than ever,” the source added.

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Buddhist Personality : Nawong Khechog

Nawang Khechog is a Grammy nominee and one of Tibet's formost world music composer and musician. He is also one of the first Tibetan musicians to be able to break into international world music scene with his original and authentic musical compositions (solo and collaborative albums) to be distributed around the world through different record label. In 2007 Nawang received Tibetan Music Award ( Special Recognition , similar to Life Time Achievement Award) and International Civil Golden Award , The highest civilian award of Nepal.






















Nawang was a monk for 11 years and studied Buddhist philosophy and meditation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many other Tibetan masters. He also lived as hermit, meditating in the Himalayan foothills for several years under the guidance of His Holiness

Nawang was born into a nomadic family in Eastern Tibet, on a high mountain plateau, where trees can not grow and the wind whispers through the grasslands. He learned about life's lessons and survival at an early age. When he was only three years old, a yogi meditator convinced his father that it would be devastating for their family to remain in Tibet, so they fled the land. the family travelled thousands of miles to India on the backs of yaks. Following a treacherous three year journey, the yogi's prediction came true in 1959, when China took over Tibet. Nawang's family still suffered - most of his family, including his two younger sisters perished in the hot climate of India
























Later, he emigrated to Australia, where he heard the soundtrack to the film, "Silk Road," by Japanese synthesizer musician Kitaro. After moving to the United States and launching his own performing career, Khechog was thrilled when Kitaro asked him to perform together for a benefit concert.

"Then he asked me to join his world tour. I said yes. I had been his fan since I heard the 'Silk Road' music," he says.

He then moved from New York to the Boulder area to be near his new musical collaborator, who lived for many years in the mountains in nearby Ward.

"I love Colorado so much. I said, 'Hey, this is it.' I never went back to New York," Khechog says.

Since coming to the United States, he has performed with a veritable who's who of contemporary musicians, including Philip Glass, Trey Anastasio of Phish, David Bowie, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., R. Carlos Nakai, Beastie Boys, U2, A Tribe Called Quest and Pearl Jam.

In 2008, he suffered a severe brain injury in a car accident in India in which his niece was killed. And upon returning to the United States, the 57-year-old experienced a heart attack, He also gives workshops in "Awakening Kindness" around the country.

This month, Nawong will hold a concert to commenmorate the September 11 terrorist attack. Due to his brain injury and heart attack, he hasn't performed in years. For his Sept. 11 concert (see box for details), he'll use instruments from around the world -- a South American flute, Tibetan wind instruments, ocarinas, a "nose flute" from Hawaii, an Australian didgeridoo
























Still a practicing Buddhist, Khechog dispels the notion that a non-violent way of living entirely precludes the necessity for fighting. The Sept. 11 attacks, he says, are one example.

"For Buddhism we believe in Buddhist, compassionate, non-violent approach. But we also believe that you can't sometimes just totally be non-violent and peaceful. Sometimes you have to be a little bit tough," he says. Osama bin Laden, Khechog says, deserved compassion, but also "he had to die; he can't be alive."

But, he says, the hurt and horror of Sept. 11 should not become fuel for vengeance, anger or hatred. Just the opposite, in fact.

"The most important lesson to learn out of Sept. 11 is to become more kind and compassionate and loving," he says

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First Thai Buddhist Temple In Louisiana

Dressed in flowing orange robes and with a haircut cropped so close to the scalp it might as well be shaved, he possesses no property and never eats after noon.

He lives a life of celibacy and doesn't dare touch a woman. "We dedicate our lives to avoiding desire," he said.

Phrakhrupalad Wutthichai Phothachai, or "Monk Wutti, " is a Buddhist missionary monk living in Mobile who helped build Louisiana’s first Thai Buddhist temple in Algiers, Louisiana, which celebrated its grand opening on August 14,2011. He is also the abbot of the new temple, named Wat Wimuttayaram.


The temple is comprised of a raised cottage of ordinary Western style. Inside are sleeping cells for the monks and a large gathering room with a bronze Buddha.

Monk Wutti agreed to help build the new temple on newly acquired land outside New Orleans. Until Sunday he lived at a Laotian Buddhist temple in Mobile. A native of Thailand, he entered a Buddhist monastery at 12 and was ordained at 21.

More than 200 people assembled to celebrate the opening of Wat Wimuttayaram on that day in an undeveloped area of Algiers. The site was decorated with hundreds of small Thai flags, while local Thai restaurants provided food.

That day celebration was the end of a process that began 3 years ago when the community founded the organization that would build the temple.

Until the construction of the temple, Monk Wutti said local Thai Buddhists would gather at members’ homes. But the new temple provides the community with a new center to stay in touch and seek guidance from resident monks.

Monk Wutti and those celebrating the opening of the temple practice Theravada Buddhism, a conservative school in the Buddhist tradition. Theravada Buddhism is most popular in the southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

However, life isn’t all work and no play for a Buddhist monk. Monk Wutti enjoys a good joke and isn’t afraid of technology — not only does he own an iPhone, he manages the temple’s email and computer correspondence.

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NBA Star Wants To Change His Name

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest wants to change his name to Metta World Peace.
Metta is a Buddhist concept encompassing friendship, goodwill and kindness.

Artest's attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 23, 2011 seeking the change. The 31-year-old NBA star was born Ronald William Artest Jr.



In the court documents, Artest cites personal reasons for wanting to make the change.

An Aug. 26 court date was set to consider the petition.

Artest's career has been filled with ups and downs. He helped the Lakers win the NBA championship a year ago and in April he received an award for outstanding service and dedication to the community.

He has testified before Congress to support mental health legislation.

Artest may be best known for triggering the most notorious brawl in NBA history when he jumped into the stands and attacked a fan while playing for the Indiana Pacers in November 2004. He was suspended for the rest of that season

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Photo Gallery - Vesak Celebration

Vesak celebration by Vietnamese community in Anaheim, California, USA on May 1, 2011.

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Buddhist Personality - Ravenna Michalsen

Name : Ravenna Michalsen
Nationality : USA
Profession : Singer

She is a singer of Buddhist songs who is gaining popularity among the Buddhist community in America. She is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism







Her performance in Malaysia in 2008


For more of her Dhamma songs, visit her website here

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Tibet & Superbowl

The U.S. Internet discount company Groupon, which aired a commercial during Sunday's Super Bowl focusing on the plight of the people of Tibet, has sparked a controversy overseas and in China. Some have posted angry comments online saying the commercial went too far, while others have announced their plans to stop using the discount service.

The controversial commercial opens with a shot of a lofty snow-capped Tibetan mountain scene set to flute music. Then, U.S. Hollywood actor Timothy Hutton appears and says in a somber tone: "The people of Tibet are in trouble. Their very culture is in jeopardy."

But as soon as the commercial seems to be easing into a message about Tibet, Hutton then beams as he talks about a deal he got from Groupon for a fish curry dish at a Himalayan restaurant in Chicago.

Bob Thompson is the director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at New York's Syracuse University. "The biggest problem is that the commercial is just not very funny. I mean, you can get away with making fun of some pretty sacred cow situations, if the result is really hysterical and it really works," he said.

Thompson says that what was odd about the commercial is that it starts out as a very typical well-meaning appeal for an important issue. "And then it of course turns it around, but it does it in a way that isn't so much funny as it makes us really uncomfortable," he said.

The 30-second spot has sparked an avalanche of angry blogs and social network messages.

Many talked about how upset they were with the commercial and Groupon's decision to run the ad. One person put a post on Twitter that called the Groupon spot outrageously insensitive and said he would not use Groupon until the ad was pulled.

On Facebook, some supporters of Tibet launched a group called "Shame On You Groupon, Double Donate." Postings on the page included videos and information from human rights groups about China's treatment of the Tibetan people.

Others said people should just lighten up, and they noted it is not the first time that the advertising company Groupon hired - Crispin Porter and Bogusky - has used controversy to boost a company's brand recognition.

Bob Thompson said "I think that is part of it. The whole idea is, if you are going to pay $3 million for 30 seconds of commercial time, you want to get all the bang for the buck that you can."

China's handling of Tibet has long been a source of domestic and international controversy for Beijing, which took control of the region in 1951.

In a blog for the International Campaign for Tibet on Monday, Bhuchung Tsering says that while the commercial wasn't "ideal" and was "tacky," the amount of attention it is bringing to the plight of the Tibetan people is something that he could live with.

In China, the Super Bowl does not usually attract a lot of attention, but Internet users were commenting on Chinese language blogs about the spot shortly after it was aired.

On Sina.com's Chinese language microblogging site, some voiced their anger over how China's treatment of the people of Tibet was portrayed. Many others noted that in the wake of the advertisement, Groupon is not likely to have a chance of surviving in China's market.

Following the outpouring of criticism Monday, Groupon CEO Andrew Mason defended his company's decision to run the ad on its company blog, saying that it would have never run the ads if the company thought it trivialized issues such as Tibet.

The blog says Groupon takes the causes it highlighted in the commercial extremely seriously, and it noted that if anything, the commercial would bring more funding and support to the causes its commercials highlight.

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Cher, A Lazy Buddhist

Cher is a 'lazy-a*sed' Buddhist.

The singer-and-actress is a follower of the spiritual faith but admits she only meditates or prays when she wants to, rather than when she should.

She said: 'I am the worst Buddhist ever. I love reading it and saying the prayers, but I'm such a lazy-a*sed Buddhist.

'I meditate but only when I want to. I'm so stubborn. I don't like to be forced to do anything. If you try and force me, it's the wrong thing to do.'

The 64-year-old 'Burlesque' star also admitted she found being in her forties the best time of her life.

She added to Attitude magazine: 'I would like to be in my 40s again, because I had so much fun.

'I was just having a really good time. I did three movies in a row. I did an album, my kids were still at home and I had a fabulous boyfriend, so how bad can that be?'

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Buddhist Personality : Quang Le

Name : Quang Le
Nationality : USA
Profession : Singer

He was born in Vietnam but moved to the US with his family in 1991 when he was 10 and settled in Missouri. He is the 3rd child of 5 boys and one girl.
He is well known for doing cover version of songs written before the Vietnam War era.

Quang Le is a devout Buddhist and performs at many temples around the world, often for fundraising events. A major event which he frequently participates in is "Le Hoi Quan Am' at the Vietnam Buddhist Temple in Sugarland, Houston, Texas. He also gets invitations from overseas Temple such as in France and Australia to perform.

In 2009, he released an album dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion called 'Tears Of Compassion' in conjunction with the event 'Le Hoi Quan Am'

Although a Buddhist, he also accepts invitations to perform at churches for fundraising for the churches.



























Two videos of him singing Buddhist songs, singing with his elder brother, Nguyen Le.

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