Buddhists save lobsters
MSN.com had this interesting story on its website this morning about a group of Buddhists and their observation of Wheel Turning Day according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. 
A story about the event in the UK’s Guardian media outlet said Wheel Turning Day is the anniversary of the first sermon Buddha ever taught.
Read more about the Buddhists releasing hundreds of lobsters back into the sea as they mark their faith community’s special day: MSN.com: “Buddhists save hundreds of lobsters”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Buddhist says Tiger understands Buddhism
After listening to golfer Tiger Woods talk about recommiting himself to his Buddhist faith, I had a chat with a local Buddhist leader I met last year at the Buddha Mind Monastery, 5616 S Anderson Road.
Jian Mao is abbess of the monastery. I met her at the monastery’s 2009 Chinese New Year celebration.
She had this to say about Woods and his avowal to ascribe to the Buddhist teachings of his youth:
“The fundamental Buddhist teaching, the Four Noble Truths, points out our false ego (misconception of the self-identity) and that greed, anger and ignorance are the causes of our suffering. Based on our ego, we endlessly seek for the temporarily physical pleasure to satisfy our desires, but not the inner peace and joy,” she said.
“I agree with his understanding of Buddhism and hope he could be back to the right track, live the life of integrity and bring peace to his family and those who once admired him.”
(PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON/THE OKLAHOMAN: Jian Mao, abbess of the Buddha Mind Monastery in Oklahoma City, participates in the 2009 Chinese New Year celebration at the monastery, 5616 S Anderson Road.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
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Tiger says his Buddhist faith will help him
Tiger Woods made it pretty clear today that his Buddhism faith will play a key role in his future.
Woods made a much-anticipated public appearance today, his first since the scandal regarding his his multiple adulterous affairs erupted in November 2009. The champion golfer acknowledged that he had a lot of work today regarding his wife and family, among other things. Then he said he expected his faith to come to his aid.
“Part of this for me is Buddhism. It teaches that craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and practice restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught,” Woods read from his prepared statement.
Religion writers and others across the country are speaking out about what Woods had to say. I’ve included the links to some of the interesting faith-related commentary.
From USA Today’s Faith and Reason blog: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/02/tiger-woods-apology-buddhism-buddhist/1
From MediaIte: http://www.mediaite.com/online/tiger-woods-i-lost-track-of-my-buddhist-teachings/
What do I think?
I hope Woods is sincere. The public apology was a big step for him I’m sure. I agree with his wife, though. Actions speak louder than words and he will have to prove that he wants to change and will change his behavior by doing just that: Change. And I agree with him — that faith can help him on his road to redemption.
(AP PHOTO: Tiger Woods and his mother Kultida Woods hug after the golfer read a statement today at the Sawgrass Players Club in Ponte Verde Beach, Fla.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Dalai Lama giving up
The Dalai Lama has said he will stop talking to Chinese leaders about allowing autonomy in Tibet.
The Religion News Service recently reported that the exiled Tibetan leader made the statement from his home in Dharamsala, India.
“As far as I’m concerned I have given up,” the Dalai Lama, 73, told The Associated Press.
He said a new advocacy plan must now be created by Tibetans. For years, the Buddhist leader has urged China to create a ” diplomatic approach,” under which Tibet is ruled by China but has space to continue its ancient Buddhist culture, the RNS reports.
“There hasn’t been any positive response from the Chinese side,” the Dalai Lama said, according to the AP.
Meanwhile, several news outlets have reported that Tibetan-Chinese talks are planned in the near future. Tibetan Buddhists’ efforts to gain religious freedom under Chinese rule was highlighted during the the summer Olympics in China when several peaceful protests — some sparked online — occurred around the world.
According to the U.S. State Department, religious freedom in Tibet has been sharply curtailed since Communist Chinese forces invaded the country in 1950.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
