Christopher Titmuss Dharma Blog

A Buddhist Perspective

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Overturning the Begging Bowl

Posted on November 1, 2007 2:44 pm by Christopher

As a former Buddhist monk, I bow down with the greatest respect and reverence to the thousands of Burmese monks who silently and respectfully walked the streets of cities and towns of Burma to communicate unequivocally their profound disapproval of the treatment of the citizens of the country by the military government.

I saw the picture of a senior monk in Rangoon with an upturned begging bowl leading a march with thousands of monks following in his steps. It was an extraordinary picture. Continue reading →



Science and the Mind of the Scientist

Posted on November 1, 2007 2:43 pm by Christopher

James Watson, the 79 year-old American, the winner of the Nobel Prize for his part in the establishing the model of the molecular structure of DNA, said last month in a newspaper interview:

 

“All our social policies are based on the fact that their (African) intelligence is the same as ours – whereas all the testing says not really.”

 

He said there was a natural desire that all human beings should be equal but “people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true.” Continue reading →



An Olive Grove in Devon

Posted on November 1, 2007 2:39 pm by Christopher

One of the signals of the impact of global warming is the decision of a Devon farmer to plant olive groves on his land.

 

There is a certain poignancy in all this. Palestinians especially love dearly their olive groves – taken care of in the same family for centuries upon centuries – a rural culture under threat from the occupation.

 

Mark Dacano, who runs Otter Farm at Honiton in Devon, England, about an hour or so drive from Totnes, says that food grown in the hot climate of the Mediterranean has a real chance to grow in Devon in the west country of England. As the winter frosts get lighter and lighter, he sees the potential for olive groves, almonds and apricots. Continue reading →



Three Monks Come to Stay

Posted on November 1, 2007 2:35 pm by Christopher

In September, I had the privilege of three Buddhist monks staying with me for about four days at my home, here in Totnes, Devon, England. Venerable Phap Son (Brother Michael), an abbot in a monastery in France of the much beloved Thich Nhat Hanh, the 81 year old Vietnamese monk, teacher and prolific Buddhist author, came here with two monks, Venerable Phap Due and Venerable Duc Tang.

 

It was a sheer delight to be with them. All three exuded a depth of mindfulness and kindness that exemplifies the teachings of their teacher, known as Thay. Continue reading →



Last Trip to America

Posted on November 1, 2007 2:32 pm by Christopher

 

I returned last month from the United States. I first visited San Francisco and New York in 1977. At the initial invitation of Jack Kornfield, I taught twice a year for 25 years at IMS, the Vipassana centre, in Barre, Massachusetts and for 25 years in the Bay Area, namely Spirit Rock starting in 1982.

 

Earlier this year, I decided to cut down on my overseas travel from four continents a year to three continents. I have the wish to spend more time serving the Dharma in Totnes, reducing carbon footprints and give more time to dharma writing. Continue reading →




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