Rocking Prajna Paramita Dharma Jams

The teachings of the Buddha mention music on many occasions. In the Amitabha Sutra it is written that heavenly singing mandara and chanting is heard all day and night as flowers softly rain down from the heavens. All kinds of birds produce beautiful and harmonious music throughout the day and night. Upon the blowing of a gentle breeze, the movements of jewel trees bring about a kind of wondrous music, as if thousands of gentle tunes are being played together in harmony. Upon hearing these melodious sounds, those present naturally become mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha. In accordance, all Buddhas and bodhisattvas are very skilled in utilizing music to spread the Dharma and guide sentient beings to enlightenment. [from here]

Ok, whatever.  Even without the fancy pilphered intro I think this was just to awesome not to share…

as long as we are doin’ this I should include my favorite rapping monk…

and from my favorite Roshi in Black (Hat tip to Art of Dharma)

and lastly for my favorite Monk-stelid @bitterrootbadge (Bitterroot Badger’s Bozeman Buddhist Blog)

But one thing’s for certain
When it comes my time
I’ll leave this old world
With a satisfied mind

Cheers,

John

Singing Buddhist Nuns and Lord Ganesh

Ani Choying has always believed that nuns have a great desire and potential to make the world a better place, if only given equal opportunities. Arya Tara School, opened in 2000, aims to equip nuns to help and to serve their communities in a professional and humanitarian capacity. With a fully developed and realized potential, she believes that her nuns will be able to not only help themselves, but also to help others. In brief, Arya Tara School aims to help young nuns bring their compassion into fruition, actively, effectively, skillfully and meaningfully. Traditionally, says Ani Choying, women’s education is neglected in Asia. “most of the girls at my nunnery are from rural areas either in Tibet, India or Nepal, patriarchal cultures where women are expected just to cook, clean and bear children. Even in the nunnery, they are taught to read classical Tibetan in order to do the religious practice, but many cannot write their own names.” Her school would educate them in Literacy, Maths, Science, Medical and Nursing skills, and Buddhist philosophy. ~ from website

During his photo shoot for his new album, Trevor was painted by a real elephant. Probably in thanks, he sang a Hymn to Ganesh.  What is missing from the last few minutes of the video where Lord Ganesha returns to Earth and pounds Trevor into a crudely painted, bloody and twitching pulp!  Go Lord Ganesha! 

Cheers,

John