Monthly Archives: September 2006

Massive Attack

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Ethan and I went to see Massive Attack last night at the Hollywood Bowl. Simply put – it was completely amazing. Being able to finally see them was a treat in itself, but, to have them far exceed any expectation I would have had was the icing on the cake.

Liz Fraser was even there with them; whom I’ve loved for many years. The gift of seeing her perform in person was outstanding. Such a wondrous voice. Daddy G couldn’t make it though. When 3D came out to give that news I was a little bummed at first, but then he explained that Daddy G was on paternity leave! Ya!!! Best wishes to Daddy G, baby g, and family. :) Mr. Horace Andy also graced us with his presence! Oi what a night of music it was.

Everything they played sounded great. The full band behind them sounded spot on – perfect.

TV on the Radio opened – which made Ethan quite happy. He’s quite into them currently so I was happy he got to see them. And a band named Gang Gang Dance started off the night; wish I got to hear more of them – interesting sound as well.

Hollywood Bowl is weird. Frigin weird. Everyone is allowed to bring in picnic baskets. (wish we knew this before) You’d think I had been there before, but nope, I’ll know for next time. Here’s the weirdest part; not only do they allow people to bring in alcohol, they sell full glass bottles of wine and allow people to bring them back to their seats. WTH? Not that it matters since I don’t drink, but that just struck me as strange.

paper bags…

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So yesterday we went to Fashion (fascist) Island to see the nifty playhouses they currently have on display. I like the fact that all proceeds will be donated to charity. As cool as they are, they defeat the purpose of a playhouse in my mind, but, that’s a while different discussion. They are definitely nifty though.

The other day, Dawn brought home some dark chocolate made with chili for me to try. It was amazingly good. The store she got it from is at Fascist Island so we decided to get more while we were there. Went in, nicely done store and very nice people working there. Dawn bought the chocolate and we went outside. Low and behold, they had taken the chocolate bar (normal size mind you) – wrapped it in tissue paper – and placed it inside a gift bag. Now, I can understand that presentation means something in the consumer world; hell – I admittedly walk into the Apple Store and eat it with a spoon. That I get. But, seriously people, this is a dang chocolate bar! Does it really need all this waste? I’m quite bothered by this. Do we really need to have our chocolate wrapped in 42 times as much waste paper as necessary? Isn’t the the cleverly designed wrapper enough?

Ok, I’ll stop the rant. It is insanely great chocolate BTW…

Magazine update

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So I’ve slowly become a little more comfortable with the Joomla! software. It’s a but un-intuative, but when you just sit and hack away at it, things seems to fall into place. Guess that’s not too far off from most software packages though. (expect the mac,, it does most everything as you’d expect it to; maybe I’m a little biased though. haha) I am quiet excited about the magazine website though – it’s going to be such a rewarding thing to do. I don’t ever expect recognition for this – I don’t need any – so not what it’s about. I do however, hope that the website becomes a tool for more people to get familiar with Hsi Lai Temple, and the Dharma. Even if only a few people – that would make it all worth it.

If I hadn’t posted it before, our URL will be http://www.blmla.org – Buddha’s Light Magazine of Los Angeles.

What The Bleep Do We Know?!

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We had movie night at Hsi Lai tonight with our group. Such a good time. We watched ‘What the Bleep Do We Know’ – and I must say so appropriate after this week’s teachings with His Holiness. Then on do dinner at a great vegetarian Chinese place in 99 Ranch. (Yes, it was a little too good, I stuffed myself.. haha)

Start work again tomorrow…. betting my inbox is going to be insane…

HHDL – Day 3

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Well, yesterday was the final day of teachings, along with the initiation ceremony. It was amazing. Overall, I feel this deepened my Bodhisattva vows. A deeper commitment to the path of Awakening Mind. Something has already changed. Through right effort, right thought, I will continue on the path.

It was interesting, I’ve noticed my change already…. So I walked out yesterday for lunch break and heard yelling in front of the building. Come to see it, there were three men across the street holding up signs about how we should all read the bible and we’re going to hell. Before, I would have laughed at them,, and now I didn’t so much do that; I felt that they must be suffering with all that hate inside, to go out and just stand there to yell at people who they perceived as different from them. Hopefully they find peace in their minds.

The initiation and transmission was incredible. I can’t describe it here in words.

Afterwards, I was walking downstairs and just browsed into the bottom level of the auditorium. His Holiness was of course gone already, but the monastics were taking down the stage and giving out the flowers from each of the massive vessels on stage. I was fortunate enough to receive a yellow rose, and also bits of rice from the ceremony.

Today, Dawn took ‘the day off’. We all went to lunch with Matt, then she left to go see a movie, while he, Matt, and I went to the Apple store. Nice new iPods. The green one is especially nice looking. Then, Matt left so little man and I rode the ‘Giant Wheel’ at the Spectrum. He loved it, so of course I did as well. After that we came home so he could nap. Then, this evening we went and got him a fish for the tank he got for his birthday last Saturday. He got a red beta today. Ask him what the fish’s name is and his reply is: ‘his name’s fish’. so adorable.

HHDL – Day 2

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Today was yet another amazing day with His Holiness. This mornings teaching session was even quite intense. With each session though, I can honestly say I see changes in my own mind. My own way of thinking. (mind/own in the conventional sense of course ;) )

Bringing up mind and self; this is the essence of the teachings. The realization of no self – emptiness. Nagajuna’s commentary was written precisely for this; a deeper understanding.
The heart of Buddha’s teaching is really the combination, union, of compassion and understanding of emptiness.
The path that gets you there must be a form of this.
Method = cultivation of merit and collection of wisdom.
Great compassion is what makes the Buddha all that is good.
Highest level of conventional truth = compassion.
Ultimate truth – wisdom collection —- perfect view.
Truth about embodiment of truth and form
Through this one travels toward the attainment of Buddhahood.

Then we are on to the public talk over at Universal’s Gibson Amphitheater. The title of His Holiness’ talk was ‘Compassion – the source of happiness.’ My friend Fardous was going to meet me there, but was unable to due to family emergency. Quite unfortunate; I was happy that she would be able to see him. We can hope she’ll be able to next time.

Two things His Holiness said that really stuck in my mind today were:
This century should be the century of dialogue.
&
His real guru who taught him compassion was his mother.

Wow.

to be continued…

HHDL – Day 1

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Well, I’m off to day one of the teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is extremely exciting for me.

I’ve had the good fortune of seeing him speak once before, but never a big teaching like this. Actually, it was May 26th 2001 that I saw him; really, that was the day I knew I was to be a Buddhist. There really are no words for that day. The best way to describe it is that you literally feel him walk in the room. No other words for it that I can think of.

I’ll try to write later this evening about the day…

Om Mani Padme Hum

–added–

Day 1. Part 1.
9:30AM to 11:30AM

First, I arrived a few minutes late. Let me say, this was in no way intentional. I left the house this morning at 7:00 AM, therefore giving myself 2 1/2 hours to get there. My thinking was that this was even on the ridiculous side, but better safe than sorry.

Wrong! Wow, traffic is quite horrid at that time. I mean, I always knew it was bad, but that bad???

Anyhoo. On to the important part of the day. The stage setup was amazing. I wish I could show you, but picture taking was prohibited. I do have a picture of the outside of the building with a Tibetan flag, which I will have to share. His Holiness was on a platform with many Monastics of different traditions sharing the stage in front of him. The way he started out the teachings was ideal; perfect. After his introduction, he stated that since the Buddha taught in Pali, it would be beneficial to begin with a chant in Pali. One of the monastics was given a mic and blessed us with a very wonderful chant. Then, in His Holiness’ wisdom, he requested the Chinese give a chant, followed by a Vietnamese chant, followed by a Korean chant, (then requested a Japanese chant, but unfortunately no one could oblige), then finally a Tibetan chant who he himself lead. Truly a miraculous way to begin the set of teachings.

These teachings are to begin with a re-taking of the refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha to be in the correct mind-state to learn.

to be continued…

Little Man’s Birthday

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So my little man turned 3 years old today. It doesn’t seem like that long ago when we were just bringing him home from the hospital. I remember that day specifically too – I was so frigin nervous driving with him in the car!

Dawn put together such an amazing day for him as well, alllll the details; big park, train ride, thomas the train decorations, train cakes for the little ones to decorate, everything. She’s so great.

Tomorrow we take him for the yearly Dr. visit. Keep your fingers crossed for us, he’s not such a fan of the Dr. But, once we’re done we’re heading over to get him a little fish for his new fish tank. That will be a blast!