"You said you might not return. My question to you is where are you going to go?"

"To hell," the Dalai Lama retorted, bursting out in hearty laughter.

He then struck a serious note, saying that his favorite daily Buddhist prayer contains the line: "So long as sentient beings' suffering remains, I will remain in order to serve, to share their suffering."

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Dear President-elect Obama,

Congratulations on your election as the President of the United States of America.

I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America's diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land. This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.

The American Presidential elections are always a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.

May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated throughout the long campaign, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged. I recall our own telephone conversation this spring and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the situation in Tibet.

As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human
needs. You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

THE DALAI LAMA



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There is a beehive on one of the Buddhist Support Society temple buildings that members of the local Cambodian Buddhist community believe is shaped like a Buddha.

... The Buddha wasn't trying to send a message with the nests, but the insects were trying to communicate a Buddhist message, Thun said.

"Bees can do this kind of miracle, so humans can also do miracles," he said. "Everywhere in this world, we humans need to follow in the bees' path to make peace and serenity."

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Friday Five


Jessica brought this fun game:


Here's how it works:

• Step 1) Write your blog on Friday (or any day!) answering the loverly questions below. You can copy and paste them into your blog and just type in answers.
  

• Step 2) Make sure you've added "Friday Five" as a tag for the blog and in the title.

• Step 3) If you wish, "Tag" up to five Gaia members and send a little note letting them know they're "it" and thus called upon to blog the Friday Five too. These members can be in your friends list or new people you'd just like to connect with. Then they answer the Friday Five and can tag more Gaians :)
  
  The way I'm doing this tagging one is - anyone who visits this blog IS IT!
  So off you go now - looking forward to reading your Five Love sharings!
  

Share with us...

1) Who is the last person to whom you said "I love you"?
2) Who did you look up to as a child?
3) Which public or historical figure (s) do you admire?
4) What qualities in others inspire you?
5) What makes you feel loved & appreciated?

ok here goes:

1) Who is the last person to whom you said "I love you"?
Gien

2) Who did you look up to as a child?
My father

3) Which public or historical figure (s) do you admire?
Buddha, Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mandela - many!

4) What qualities in others inspire you?
Bodhicitta qualities, loving kindness, openness, integrity, wisdom, ability to truly connect with others

5) What makes you feel loved & appreciated?
a warm smile, a hug, acceptance, integrity and constructive criticism, open channels of communication, being with me in the now, having a healthy self love,  a surprise... a myriad different ways!