International Revoluntionary leaders as Halloween costumes

I thought, given the proximity of Halloween, I would use this opportunity to offer a few inspirational costumes of international figures for those of you that haven’t chosen something yet. I am going as Tinkerbell. No, she isn’t specifically “international,” but Never Never land is definitely not in the United States.

Che Guevara

You need: a sweet black beret (this one includes hair!), a cigar, a button-up shirt from an Army surplus store. (Bonus points if you have a beard and mustache. Beards and mustaches always look good, whether you are wearing a costume or not.)

Also, you can team up with a friend and make that person be Che’s less romantic comrade Fidel Castro. Double the communist fun! Keep in mind: it is clear in order to be a Latin American Communist Revolutionary, facial hair (and a beret) is essential.

Kim Jong Il

You need: BluBlocker sunglasses and a sweet polyester pantsuit that has a zip-up jacket. (Bonus points if you’re very small).

Mohandas Gandhi

You need: A white sheet, white linen pants, round glasses. (Bonus points if you are able to continuously look and act serene.)

Michael Collins

You need: a suit. (Bonus points if you have an Irish accent).

Occupy Wall Street goes GLOBAL

Above: Occupy Wall Street.

Occupy Wall Street, a self-described “horizontally organized resistance movement employing the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to restore democracy in America,” is going global. Protests in cities around the world, and in Louisville too, are ramping up in the fight to gain justice, equality, and importantly, a voice, for the “99%.”

Above: The Occupy Milan protest.

Above: Protesters in front of European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt.

Louisville’s own Occupy movement began at the beginning of this month. The protesters are camped out at Jefferson Square Park, and look to be in it for the long-haul. Or at least until December 31st when the permit expires. Hopefully this movement can really get the momentum going and create concrete and significant change in the ways in which wealth is distributed in America and the world.

Above: Occupy Louisville protest.

Tibetan monks sacrifice their lives for freedom. And a meditation at DGI dedicated to that cause.

The Tibetan Government-in-Exile issued this statement regarding the increasingly critical situation in Tibet and the self-immolation of seven Buddhist monks in Tibet this year so far:

Since the 2008 uprising in Tibet, the situation in Tibet has been deteriorating. Particularly, as of March this year, it has become ever more tense and urgent with the increasing cases of self-immolation by young Tibetans who find China’s occupation and repression of Tibet intolerable.

Tibetans in Tibet are driven to these drastic acts to resist political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalization and environmental destruction.

From the seven young Tibetans who self-immolated this year, the following succumbed to their injuries: On March 16, 2011, Lobsang Phuntsok (age 21), a monk of Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet. The second reported case, on August 15, 2011 was that of Tsewang Norbu, (age 29), a monk at Nyitso monastery in eastern Tibet. The third and the fourth cases were Khaying (age 18), and Choephel (age 19), both former monks of Kirti Monastery. They self-immolated on October 7, 2011 and died on October 8 and 11 respectively.

The conditions of the three others, namely Lobsang Kelsang (age 18), Lobsang Kunchok (age 19) and Kelsang Wangchuk (age 17) are still unknown.

The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply concerned about their whereabouts and well-being. We express our solidarity with all those who lost their lives and with all other Tibetans who are incarcerated for their courage to speak up for the rights of the Tibetan people.

We appeal to the United Nations, freedom-loving countries and people around the world to show their support and solidarity with the Tibetan people at this critical stage.

Given the undeclared martial law in Tibet and the increasing cases of self-immolation, the international community must press the government of People’s Republic of China to restore freedom and resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue for the mutual benefit of the Tibetan and Chinese people. In this light, we urge the international community and the media to send fact-finding delegations to ascertain the situation on the ground inside Tibet.

The Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have jointly planned activities in India and the world-at-large to highlight the deepening crisis in Tibet.

We call upon all Tibetans and Tibet supporters in the free world to join efforts and organize activities in their respective regions. These events must be peaceful, respectful of local laws and dignified. On October 19, 2011, the Central Tibetan Administration will offer day-long prayers and encourage all Tibetans to fast on that day as a gesture of solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet.

To our brothers and sisters in Tibet, we stand with you in fulfilling our common aspirations, and we share the pain of your sacrifice.

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile                    The Kashag

The Drepung Gomang Institute is dedicating its Wednesday, Oct. 19 meditation to the people of Tibet. If you would like to attend it will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can find more info, like the address, here.

Tibetan monks visit a Louisville Tibetan Buddhist Institute

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery in India are visiting as guests of Louisville’s Drepung Gomang Institute. The original monastery in Amdo, Tibet was destroyed in 1958 during the Chinese cultural revolution and occupation of Tibet. In 1967, a group of exiled monks rebuilt the monastery in Clement Town, Dehra Dun, India. The seven monks that gave a cultural performance last night at DGI are traveling in the area to teach Dharma, educate the public about the culture and religion of Tibet, and to raise money for much-needed improvements to their monastery.

The monks put on a varied and exciting performance including giving the traditional blessing to the Dalai Lama. If the Dalai Lama is not physically present (would that he was!), the monks display his portrait to symbolize that he is nevertheless the chief guest of the gathering and all in attendance give a Mandala offering in which they offer all they value in the universe by reciting prayers and visualizing that they are giving these to the lama.

The monks also performed scenes from the life of Milarepa, a Tibetan saint, and Lha Tsering, who represents Life and also the “clown” who entertains and offers happiness.

I also got the opportunity to interview a resident monk about his experience fleeing Tibet and coming to the United States to teach Tibetan Buddhism at DGI. It was incredibly moving to listen to Geshe Kelsang Rapgyal speak about his experience fleeing Tibet as a refugee, traveling only at night and hiding during the day, and being constantly aware of the consequences if captured by the Chinese. I highly recommend visiting DGI for a Sunday teaching or Wednesday meditation, which you can find out more about here. They are very welcoming and warm, and always happy to help people new to Tibetan Buddhism learn more about it.

Women activists receive Nobel Peace Prize. And change the world.

Three women activists will share the Nobel Peace Prize, the committee announced today. The women – Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, activist Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and rights activist Tawakkul Karman of Yemen – are being honored for their critical leadership in achieving peace in their respective countries.

It is a momentous day for these women, and the world. In countries that have historically denied women many basic rights, they have found the strength and courage to face down oppressors and dictators to achieve peace and change for themselves and the people of their countries. They are all models to emulate.

 

 

Osaka. And a new sushi location.

I wanted to make a quick note about one of my favorite sushi restaurants, Osaka, and also mention that another great Highlands sushi establishment is moving.

Osaka is delicious. We had a Groupon there and it is always a good deal. The sushi is excellent though, and I think this is true of a lot of the sushi restaurants I have eaten at in Louisville, they don’t have a whole lot of raw options. The fried sushi that I have tried at Osaka is good, but not really the way I like my sushi.

And Oishii Sushi, formerly on Bardstown Rd. near Douglas Loop, is moving to 2810 Taylorsville Road, next to Queen of Sheba, an incredible Ethiopian restaurant. I highly recommend trying both. Oishii is the best sushi but the atmosphere at the former location definitely left something to be desired. Fluorescent lights – ick. Hopefully, the new place will have better ambiance.

I recommend trying all three!