The CBD/VBC was founded by the Reverend H. B. Dhammaruchi (aka. Rev. William Edwards) in September of 2001 and was established as a non-profit religious organization on October 24, 2001, in the State of Missouri.

Directions to Center for Buddhist Development/Vipassana Buddhist Church , 203 E. Dunklin Street , Jefferson City, Missouri 65101, USA:

Directions from I-70; Take the US-63 South at the off the 70 in Columbia. Take the US-54 at Jefferson City merge onto US-50 East. 50 East turns into Whitton Express Way; take a right on Madison St, go to Dunklin St and take a left, building is on the corner of Dunklin St and Madison St. (203 E. Dunklin).

Directions from Lake of the Ozarks area: take US-54 East to Madison St. exit toward downtown district, turn right on East Dunklin St. Building is on your left at the corner of Dunklin St. and Madison St. (203 E. Dunklin St.).

The mission of the CBD/VBC is to propagate the original teachings of the Buddha, known as Dhamma (sk. Dharma), throughout mid-Missouri. This mission includes Sunday morning services (Uposatha), introductory discussion classes, meditation training, meditation retreats, and Buddhist observances such as Vesak (the Buddha’s Birthday celebration).

Amisa Dana is a Buddhist Term which means: “the gift of material things i.e. food, clothes, shelter for refugees and people of little means; to satisfy the hunger of the starved and the thirst of the thirsty.” Therefore, another part of the mission of the CBD/VBC is to provide these necessities thru our center’s Amisa Dana Offering Table to the local community charities in Jefferson City.

Rev. Dhammaruchi leads a Sunday Buddhist religious service which includes Sutta chanting and meditation. This service lasts from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. This service is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. A discussion class on Buddhists concepts follows the service and lasts from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. (Coffee, tea and other refreshments are served.)

We’ve had requests that we offer the center for meetings, study groups, etc. If you have an idea for an activity, class, or discussion group; or you would like to organize an event for a Monday or Tuesday night; let us know. Some have suggested a book discussion group, a parents group focusing on issues of raising children in Buddhism, a women’s issues group, and an advanced study group.

We hold a meditation session for those interested in learning the Buddhist meditation practice, led by Rev Dhammakusala, which includes a discussion on the structure of Buddhist meditation. This meditation class is available for everyone regardless whether beginner, intermediate or advanced,. All are welcomed to participate.

We also hold an all levels meditation session, led by Church member Joseph McCormack, which also includes a discussion on Buddhist meditation practice.

EDITORIAL:

Religious Diversity in America

Thomas Jefferson once said, “It matters not to me whether my neighbor believes in many gods or no god; it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my legs.”

As president of the Capitol Area Interfaith Alliance, I feel the need to speak out at the beginning of this New Year, 2008, on the issue of our precious religious freedom in America.

Jefferson believed there should be a “wall of separation between church and state.” Benjamin Franklin said, “To force one man to support another man’s religion through taxes, is not only unjust; it’s tyrannical!” These aren’t just hollow words; they’re ideas that represent that metaphorical beacon of light on the hill we like to call our nation.

Take a close look at the theocratic government of Iran; or the former theocratic government of the Taliban in Afghanistan, under Mullah Omar. Then consider the fact that there are certain individuals in America, in positions of power, who would like to create a theocracy here.

Evidently they believe that a theocratic regime would work quite nicely if only “THE RIGHT RELIGION” was the one that is made mandatory by the government. That’s very awkward and unsupported reasoning.

Adherents of this mind-set are under the mistaken impression that they can install a kinder, gentler theocracy. Marginalizing any human being because of their religion is just as vicious an act as being beheaded or burned at the stake. It psychologically scars and relegates a human being to a less than human stature.

Please, everyone, make your New Year’s resolution to combat creedism (religious bigotry). If someone makes a bigoted comment in your presence about Christians, Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Pagans, etc., have the courage to speak up and let it be known that you find such comments offensive. If we want respect for our religious views, we have to show respect for the religious views of others.

-Rev. Dhammaruchi

NEW YEAR MEDITATION RETREAT

On January 4, 5, 6, 2008, (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) we will be holding our annual New Year Meditation Retreat. The retreat is scheduled as follows: Friday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM. to 5:00 PM.

The retreat will consist of sitting meditation, walking meditation, guided meditation and a discussion with questions and answers. The retreat is free, and open to the public; however if you wish to make a donation to help us with our operating costs, it would be greatly appreciated. The suggested donation would be $25.00 per person if you wish to donate.

Residential stay is available, but space is limited. So please call ahead to reserve your space.

A potluck vegetarian lunch will be enjoyed on Saturday and Sunday. So bring your favorite vegetarian dish to share if you wish. Please call (573) 635-9544 or e-mail Go2Buddha@aol.com to register for the retreat.

MONDAY & TUESDAY NIGHTS OPEN FOR USE

We’ve had requests that we offer the center for meetings, study groups, etc. for use by church members so we’ve decided to make that possible. Beginning in 2008, evening meditation sessions will be limited to Wednesday and Thursday nights, and there will be no meditation sessions on Monday and Tuesdays. If you have an idea for an activity, class, or discussion group that you would like to see offered or you would like to organize for a Monday or Tuesday night, let us know. Some have suggested a book discussion group, a parents group focusing on issues of raising children in Buddhism, a women’s issues group, and an advanced study group.

The upstairs of the center is now open for use as well. We are open to making it available for public rental for activities that would be appropriate for our premises. There may be a rental charge for use by a non-member group.

We will continue holding Meditation nights on Wednesday and Thursday at the usual times for all levels (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Please call (573) 635-9544 or e-mail Go2Buddha@aol.com for more information.

BUDDHIST MOVIE NIGHT PRESENTS: NICK NOLTE IN “PEACEFUL WARRIOR”

Please join us for our Movie and Pizza Night on Friday, January 25, 2008. We will be showing the movie, Peaceful Warrior, starring Nick Nolte. An enigmatic man who works in an auto garage helps a self-centered young man find himself after a devastating motorcycle accident. It is based on the true story of a college gymnast whose injuries would have prevented him from a return to competition had he not found the determination to overcome the tremendous obstacles to recovery. The story is inspirational and an intriguing display of Buddhist principles in practice. The pizza will begin at 6:30 PM and the movie will start at 7:00 PM.

There is no charge, but donations to defray costs of pizza are welcome. Our movie nights have been a great success! We hope to see everyone again for another fun night!

LECTURES ON BUDDHISM-PUBLIC LIBRARY

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The Vipassana Buddhist Church will be holding a series of lectures on Buddhism once a month for the first three months of 2008. They are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, on Sunday, January 13; Saturday, February 9; and Sunday, March 9, at the Missouri River Regional library in Jefferson City. Beginning Sunday, January 13, Maridee Edwards will present, “Things my mother taught me–or--Steps along the Noble Path”, showing correlations between Buddhist ethical teachings and those fundamental life lessons common to most religions. On Saturday, February 9, Joseph McCormack will present a lecture on Buddhist meditation. On March 9, Rev. William Edwards will present a lecture exploring the fundamental Buddhist principles known as the Three Marks of Existence. The sessions are provided to introduce people in the community to Buddhism in order to raise awareness of the commonalities of all religious traditions and dispel misunderstandings that can lead to religious intolerance. Please spread the word about these sessions, and support our efforts to let people know about the Vipassana Buddhist Church and Center for Buddhist Development here in Jefferson City

NEW SPACE AT THE BUDDHIST CENTER!

Through the efforts and financial contributions of several dedicated volunteers, the upper floor of the building at 203 E. Dunklin has been converted for use as meeting, library and children’s activities space. We would like to thank the dedicated volunteers who paid with sweat and labor or financial contributions to transform the apartment upstairs into a usable space for our expanding needs. A special thanks goes out to Michael, Bob, Stephanie, Rebecca, Cheryl, Jan, Brian, Joe, O’Morain Construction and Maridee, Monty and Will Edwards for their efforts.

We hope to have a grand opening of the space at our Vesak celebration in May this year. It is our intention to begin to offer Sunday Activities/Sunday School for kids as soon as arrangements can be made for volunteers. Please let us know if you will help with this effort. Also if you or someone you know would like to attend Sunday services, but have been held back because of childcare issues, this should help with that problem. At this point, we do not yet have a regular schedule planned, so it would be best to let us know in advance if you plan to bring children and we will make arrangements for someone to provide activities for them during the service. E-mail go2buddha@aol.com or call 635-9544.

PARAVANA DAY

On Friday, March 21, 2008, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, we will be celebrating Paravana Day, which is observed on the first full-moon day of March. On this day we celebrate the Buddha’s teaching of the Anapanasati Sutta (mindfulness of the breath teaching).

In the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha explained how concentration on the breath can be used to cultivate a deeper level of attention to one’s thoughts, words, and actions, and ultimately to mental clarity and inner peace.

Today, mindfulness practice – or meditation, as it is more widely known – is recognized as one of the central tenets of Buddhism

We will have a reading of the Anapanasati Sutta, questions and answers, then begin meditation. Please join us; we hope to see you!

WOMEN’S BUDDHIST CONFERENCE: CHICAGO

In March, 2008, the Third Annual Women in Buddhism Conference will be held in Chicago. You can find more information at www.dharmawomen.org. There are limited, reduced rate hotel rooms available, as described on the website. If you wish to attend, it is suggested you register (online) early and also reserve your room. If you are interested in carpooling or room sharing, send an email to our address at Go2Buddha@aol.com.

TWO MINDFULNESS PRACTICES FROM THE SATIPATTHANA SUTTA

By Dr. Joseph McCormack

The Buddha’s teachings indicate that we cling to identities, views, possessions, and worldly desires due to our ignorance. One way that ignorance manifests itself is in four particular perceptual distortions. The teachings note that we mistakenly see a) the undesirable as desirable, b) the unsatisfactory as satisfactory, c) the impermanent as permanent, and d) the selfless to have substantial existence. And with those perceptual distortions come clinging and suffering.

The Buddha taught a wide variety of practices that lead to freedom. Many of these are in the Satipatthana Sutta, the discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Some of the practices therein provide a means for addressing our perceptual distortions, and allowing the possibility of seeing clearly. So, as we see clearly, we naturally let go and with that letting go comes a sense of ease.

So, I would like to take a passage from the Satipatthana Sutta that points to some practices that we can do that lead to greater insight into how things are.

Here is the quote of the Satipatthana Sutta that I would like to share:

In this way he remains focused internally on the body in & of itself, or externally on the body in & of itself, or both internally & externally on the body in & of itself. Or he remains focused on the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, on the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, or on the phenomenon of origination & passing away with regard to the body. Or his mindfulness that 'There is a body' is maintained to the extent of knowledge & remembrance. And he remains independent, unsustained by (not clinging to) anything in the world. This is how a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself.

The two practices I would like to explore are a) contemplating the body internally, externally, and internally and externally, and b) contemplating the phenomenon of origination with regard to the body, or the phenomenon of passing away with regard to the body, etc.

So, let’s explore the first of these, contemplating experience internally, externally, and internally and externally. How do we do this? First, contemplating internally is not at all different from what we are most used to—we pay attention to the touch sensation of the breath, or the experience of a feeling coming up as it comes up—we are simply mindfully present in the same direct, experiential way we always are. As for contemplating externally, we notice, when we notice it, that others breathe just as we do. And by inference, they likely experience the same things we do when they breathe. So, the next time you are sitting there and the person next to you is breathing louder than you might like, instead of getting annoyed, you might reflect on the fact that they are breathing just as you breathe. The same process goes for contemplating internally and externally—again recognizing “just as he/she breathes, so do I breathe”.

Now this practice also applies to exploring the other three foundations of mindfulness—feeling, states of consciousness, and mind objects—dhammas. With these other aspects of experience, when we practice with them, it is more likely we will be doing so off the cushion. So, when we notice that someone is happy, we notice that this is something we too have experienced; when someone is angry, we notice the commonality with ourselves.

This practice has several effects. First, it allows us to suspend the judgment we have of others when they do something we either like or dislike, especially what we dislike. When we see what we have in common, we are less likely to judge. And, along the same lines, it trains us in empathy and interconnectedness—we see what we have in common, even with our enemies.

The second effect of this practice is more vividly seen in the mental arena, especially when we are mindful in our daily lives. When, for instance, we notice someone else getting angry under the same causes and conditions that we might, we begin to see how mind states that we usually take responsibility for and ownership of are really less solid and less “owned” by us than we usually think. How many of us when something gets us angry feel ashamed and kick ourselves for the fact that anger has arisen. When we see it playing itself out in others based on causes and conditions, and see that it does the same with us, we are less likely to identify the anger as “I” or “mine”. We are more likely to see it then as energy moving through the body and mind. When we take less ownership for it, paradoxically, we also are more likely to be able to let it go as it rises and falls—there will be less clinging when it comes up. The same is true for other mental states—fear, frustration, desire. So, in contemplating internally and externally, we are getting direct, immediate glimpses into the phenomenon of Aññata or non-self, the recognition that our experiences arise out of causes and conditions.

The second practice from this sutta is summarized as contemplating the phenomenon of origination of the breath and other experiences, the phenomenon of passing away of the breath and other experiences, and the phenomenon of origination and passing away of the breath. What this verse is inviting us to do is to see how the breath comes to be—that in order for it to even happen, there has to be air, a body, a nose and lungs, and life. If any one of these things is not there, the breath will not be there. And here we also see in the same breath the dissolution or passing away phenomena—i.e. remove one of these building blocks and we don’t have breath—we don’t have life. Again, we can also practice this in terms of mental experiences as well.

So, we see impermanence—the arising of the breath is a result of the coming together of these things and the passing away of the breath is the result of the breaking apart of these same causes. We see with any event or thing that when their causes break apart, the thing itself dissipates.

An insight into this happened to me at a long retreat a few months ago. It happened in the question and answer part of teacher’s dharma talk. Someone asked a question. As they asked the question, I noticed in myself that a certain apprehension and embarrassment was occurring. I then recognized that the person talking was someone who had been on another retreat I attended, and their question put me in mind of something that had occurred on that retreat that was embarrassing and uncomfortable.

I reflected at that moment on how the feeling of embarrassment was not as solid and unchanging as I would ordinarily believe. I would ordinarily take such experiences very seriously and as something solid. In this instance, however, I began to notice that the feeling was present based on several causes and conditions coming together. If any one of them had been absent, the embarrassment would not have happened. In this case, there is my mental conditioning that predisposes me to a certain amount of shame. Without such conditioning, there would be no embarrassment when the person said what he said. Second, in this example, this was a person with whom I had a certain history from this retreat. A different person saying the same words wouldn’t have given rise to that feeling of embarrassment. Then again there were the words that reminded me of this event that was embarrassing. Leave out any one of these and the feeling wouldn’t have occurred. After seeing this, there was a sense of lightness present—the embarrassment didn’t go away, but there was a sense of not taking it nearly as seriously.

In this practice, we are seeing how things come to be based not on their inherent existence but based on causes and conditions—we are seeing selflessness in action. As we work with these practices, we see more clearly how things come into being and how they pass away. We are thus gaining insight into the three characteristics, and with this insight, we let go of our clinging and conditioning and views and identification with the things we possess and with our own self-experience. And with that letting go of clinging and identification, we let go of suffering and strife. We live with more ease and contentment, and more acceptance of our lives the way they are.

I would like to mention one clarification. Please note that these practices don’t mean that while we meditate we actively contemplate these things. It is more like they are in the back of our mind so that when something comes up in our meditation or in our daily life that is relevant to them, we know to look more closely at the experience and inquire more deeply into it. So, we stay with choiceless awareness or regular insight practice. Knowing what to look for can help inform our experience.

The more we practice mindful inquiry into our lives and experiences, the more clearly we see, and the more likely we are to be able to evade those hooks that get us caught in our conditioning and suffering. We begin to let go more and more, experiencing greater ease and freedom. And it is my wish that we all deepen our connection to that ease, unconditional love, and freedom that are actually always there, just not seen.

Weekly Schedule at the Center

Sunday Services beginning at 9:00 AM: An open discussion forum follows the services from 10 AM to 11:30 AM

Monday and Tuesday: open use days.

Meditation sessions: beginning at 7:00 PM.: Wednesday & Thursday nights.

Weekday Hours:

We may be open during some lunch hours

Monday-Friday, however hours depend on availability of volunteers, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It is best to call 635-8544 or email a day or 2 in advance.

REMEMBER THESE EVENTS!

MEDITATION RETREAT Jan. 4, 5, 6

BUDDHIST LECTURES Jan. 13, Feb. 9, March 9

PARAVANA DAY Jan. 21

MOVIE NIGHT Jan. 25

MONTHLY POTLUCKS

Join us for a sociable gathering on the last Friday of each month for a vegetarian potluck starting at 6:30 PM. Friday, January 25 is our Pizza and Movie Night. Potlucks are on February 29 and March 28.

BUSINESS ETHICS SEMINAR BY VBC/CBD MEMBER FEBRUARY 29

Maridee Edwards is a presenter at a business ethics seminar, entitled G. P. S.- Guiding Principles = Success on February 29 at the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City. The seminar is from 9 am to 4:30, and covers some common ethical dilemmas, how to prepare oneself to deal with them, and introduces the concept of a personal code of ethics. Early bird registration ends Feb 15 at $139, after that the cost is $165. Contact MFEthics@aol.com or call Comprehensive Communication 634-0005.

SAVE A TREE – SIGN UP FOR

E-NEWSLETTER NOW!

In order to save money and conserve resources, CBD/VBC is converting to an electronic newsletter. If you are still receiving our newsletter via US Mail, please take a moment to send us your e-mail address at Go2Buddha@aol.com so that we may continue to update you on upcoming events at CBD/VBC.

That’s all for now, and thank you for your support of the Dhamma!

With Metta,

Rev. Dhammaruchi

Rev. Dhammakusala

The politics of discontent and divisionism seems to be surging through American society today like a jolt from an electric chair. There appears to be a breakdown in our unity as citizens, our unity as neighbors, even a breakdown in our ability to show each other the most modest common courtesies or pleasantries.

Everyone has a bone to pick with everyone else. You can see it on the back of a car with way too many bumper stickers that sends out the message: “Everyone else is here at my discretion.” The undercurrent of this behavior is egoism. And, when that egoism gets superimposed over a group, that group then becomes one big collective virulent ego and the mentality moves from “the problem with you is ‘you’re not like me’” to “The problem with you is ‘you’re not like us.’”

It’s the timelessly old “us and them” game which has been the downfall of every constructive thing ever put together by human ingenuity. It can grow like a cancer and transform even the most tolerant society into an Orwellian police state. It takes many forms: religious intolerance, racial intolerance, ethnic intolerance, sexual orientation intolerance, gender intolerance to name only a few. Just the term “tolerance” has a bigoted edge to it. Most people who live in a democracy desire a little more from their “duly elected officials” than just to be “tolerated.”

Oddly enough, in this doublethink time period of “divided we stand; united we fall,” those of us who like to refer to ourselves as Buddhist, are presented with a golden opportunity in which to practice the teachings of the Buddha. In other words, here is an opportunity to practice Right Understanding, Right Thoughts, Right Speech and Right Action through respect, not tolerance but respect, for people who may not reciprocate and respect us. Practicing respect toward someone who does not respect you is a real challenge – like trying to walk barefoot across a bed of hot coals. Putting your hands in prayer position and bowing with respect to someone who shows you no respect is a painful way to practice Buddhism. But the Buddha showed compassion and respect for everyone and everything; he showed respect for the cannibal Alavaka; he showed respect for the mass-murderer Angulimala; he even showed respect for the ground on which he walked.

He respected those who came to hear, but didn’t accept his teachings. He called his teachings “ehipassiko-opannaiko” which means “that come and see thing” (not a come and believe thing). If someone came to hear his teachings, but did not accept his teachings after hearing them, he didn’t just “tolerate” that person, he showed that person “respect.” His attitude was if Buddhism doesn’t work for you, try something else.

Therefore, if someone approaches you and attacks the Buddhist tradition; it’s very un-Buddhist to respond in kind and attack their religious tradition. Whenever you respond that way, you cease to be Buddhist. You’re not raising their consciousness; you’re lowering your own.

Religions are like a finger pointing to the moon. The problem is most people stare at the finger and ignore the moon.

So in this period of divisionism, practice the Buddha’s teachings by swimming against the current. There are those who won’t like you if you do, and, of course, we all want to be liked. But, at the end of the day, it’s you, and only you, who knows if you’ve spent the day performing Right Thoughts, Right Speech and Right Action. Not only can this approach cause a positive transformation of society, it is, indeed, the only thing that ever has.

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Rev. H. B. Dhammaruchi (Rev. William Edwards) first took Buddhist “Refuge” (the rough equivalent of Christian Baptism) in 1985 with the Nichiren Sho Shu Buddhist Sect in Etiwanda, California. Then in 1994 he again took refuge, this time with Ven. Master Shing Yun, at the His Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California, where he was given the Dharma name of “Ho Bang.”

In January of 1997 He was ordained as a Buddhist Minister by Ven. Chao Chu and Ven. Havanpola Ratnasara Nayaka Thero of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California. Rev. Dhammaruchi’s master, Ven. Chao Chu, gave him the Dhamma mane of “Dhammaruchi.”

Rev. Dhammaruchi worked for his master, Ven. Chao Chu, abbot of Rosemead Buddhist Monastery, as Ven. Chao Chu’s personal secretary, and editor of the Buddhist magazine “Common Sense: The Buddhist Educational Journal.” Rev. Dhammaruchi directed planning and organization of symposiums and lecture for Rosemead Buddhist Monastery from 1998 to 2000. Between 1997 and 2001 rev. Edwards performed ministerial duties at the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery such as: conducting the Sunday Morning English Religious Services; assisting Ven. Chao Cu in Wedding Ceremonies, Refuge Ceremonies, and Funeral Services; planning, preparing and executing of annual Vesak observances.

He also worked from 1999 to 2001 for Ven. Chan Kuang, abbess of Fa Kwang Buddhist Temple in Downey, California, as an English Teacher and Sunday school teacher.

Rev. Dhammaruchi has authored articles published in the Buddhist periodicals: Common Sense, turning Wheel (magazine of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship), and The Buddhist Times.

In September of 2001, Rev. Dhammaruchi moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, with his family and founded the Vipassana Buddhist Church/Center for Buddhist Development.

In 2005, he was invited to participate in, and be one of the featured speakers at, the Global Buddhist Conference: in a Post-Tsunami Context in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

He is presently a commissioner on the City of Jefferson Human Relations Commission, and President of the Capitol Area Interfaith Alliance (CAIA) in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Rev. Dhammaruchi (right) saying “You are now my disciple.” Ven. Piyananda

Rev. Dhammakusala ordination. Seated at table (center) Rev. Dhammaruchi offer Rev. Dhammakusala his robes.

Rev. Dhammakusala takes his vows as a Buddhist Venerable Chao Chu and Rev. Dhammaruchi with Rev.

Bhante Chao, Will in the background getting ready for Will and Jessica wait their turn.

Then Vivian ... then everyone else ... Then Cake! (Birthday cake in the shape of a Dharma

Joint Vesak at MABA (Rev. Dhammaruchi far left) Bathing ceremony (Bhante Vimamaransi center right; Rev.

Bhante Chao Chu and Rev. Dhammaruchi discussing Bhante Chao Chu (right) Rev. Dhammapala (left) Rev.

issues for Global Buddhist Conference at Hong Kong Dhammaruchi (Center) at the Global Buddhist Conference

Rev. Dhammaruchi speaking at the conference Dr. Hema Goonatilike, conference coordinator and

Bhante Chao Chu, Mettanando Bhikkhu and Rev. Group photo of the conference participants

Dr. Goonatilike introducing the tsunami orphans who will Most of these children have lost their entire families.

Rev. Dhammaruchi, at the Bosath Buddhist School, Bhante Chao Chu (left), Rev. Dhammapala (right),

offers a student material to make her school uniform. Rev. Dhammaruchi (center) having tea at a local temple.

These books are free; however, if you would like to make a donation to assist us with our shipping and acquiring costs, a suggested donation list is provided for your convenience.

A Buddhist teacher who was savagely beaten by a mob of Muslim villagers in restive southern Thailand last year died Monday after spending almost eight months in a coma, her doctor said.

Juling Kamphongmoon, an elementary school art teacher, was clubbed May 19 by a village mob until her skull shattered after being taken hostage in her classroom in Narathiwat province.

The brutal beating shocked Thailand and became a glaring example of tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in the country’s three restive southern provinces where more than 1,900 people have been killed since an Islamic separatist movement flared in January 2004.

Juling, along with another Buddhist teacher, was attacked and taken hostage by about two hundred villagers angered by the arrest of two suspected Muslim rebels. The other teacher suffered injuries but survived the attack.

Arabella Spencer-Churchill, Buddhist granddaughter of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, has died at the age of fifty-eight of pancreatic cancer.

She was born October 31, 1949, the daughter of Prime Minister Churchill’s son, Randolph Churchill and June Osborne.

A free spirit in one of the grandest families in Britain, she was drawn to the hippie life of the 60’s and was one of the founders of the renowned Glastonbury Rock Festival.

Recently, on the Internet, I ran across a comment by a couple vacationing in Cuba who said that their tour guide informed them that the fastest growing religion at the moment in Cuba was Buddhist. He told them that there were a number of Buddhist temples in Havana. Unfortunately, they said, they did not have the time to visit any temples.