Amida Buddhism Newcastle

How to deal with anger over collective issues

Dharmavidya writes on the question

How to deal with anger over collective issues

QUESTION: I have attended a couple of your talks. I have continued to struggle with a issue that I raised at the last talk. At that talk one of the participants was extremely critical of the government and its policies. What struck me was not the criticisms but the anger and hatred (personal attacks were made on the Premier etc.) that went along with the person's comments. I continue to be amazed at the lack of awareness most people have around that fact that quite often protestors will use the very same methods they are condemning in those they oppose (e.g. anger and sometimes violence at peace marches, or groups of individuals who have been victims who them acquire power and become victimizers of those who had hurt them).

::read more of the question and the answer here

Event in support of Burma on Thursday 8th November - Newcastle

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 8th November:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (very slow quiet walk with Buddhist chanting) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at the War Memorial to the right hand side of the door of St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6:15 pm. Come along and join us when you are able - you'll easily catch us up! Wear red if you can.

Last week we walked very slowly and didn't reach the Monument - but everyone who participated felt that walking at that speed attracted a lot of attention and was in keeping with the walking of the Burmese monks a few weeks ago.

Report of the event two weeks ago:

burma: newcastle hasn't forgotten you

Yesterday evening we met up at five pm and walked for the people of Burma. This was our fourth event and there were only three of us this time, walking slowly and chanting 'Amitabha' down the main shopping street of the city as workers rushed home and late-night shoppers took over Northumberland Street. We walked slowly, taking forty minutes for a distance that one could cover in about eight at normal pace.

We carried placards with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and Buddhist slogans and then, when we reached Grey's Monument to sit in meditation, we blu-tak'd these and others to the pavement and side of the monument. During our walk many people felt able to come up and read the words. We were looking about 7 feet ahead at the pavement as we chanted - so our lack of eye contact emboldened others. There were nods and 'thumbs up' of recognition and support. Even three can make an impact. To walk slowly and chant peacefully demonstrates a different way of being.

When we reached the monument we were approached by a group from the Kurdish community. As we prepared to sit in silent meditation we gave them a quick precis of the history and current situation in Burma. Would we pray for them, too, we were asked. Of course.

After the clock struck six we finished by chanting the nembutsu and bowing. Then we collected our belongings and repaired to a cafe for hot chocolate.

We're glad to be able to play a very small part in keeping the eyes of the world on the situation in Burma. The eyes of the world are having an effect, both for those who can make a crucial difference and for those who know that, this time, they have not been forgotten. So we will walk again next Thursday, whether we are few or many.

::link

Free Burma, free Aung San Suu Kyi!

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 8th November:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (very slow quiet walk with Buddhist chanting) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at the War Memorial to the right hand side of the door of St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6:15 pm. Come along and join us when you are able - you'll easily catch us up! Wear red if you can.

Last week we walked very slowly and didn't reach the Monument - but everyone who participated felt that walking at that speed attracted a lot of attention and was in keeping with the walking of the Burmese monks a few weeks ago.

Report of the event two weeks ago:

burma: newcastle hasn't forgotten you

Yesterday evening we met up at five pm and walked for the people of Burma. This was our fourth event and there were only three of us this time, walking slowly and chanting 'Amitabha' down the main shopping street of the city as workers rushed home and late-night shoppers took over Northumberland Street. We walked slowly, taking forty minutes for a distance that one could cover in about eight at normal pace.

We carried placards with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and Buddhist slogans and then, when we reached Grey's Monument to sit in meditation, we blu-tak'd these and others to the pavement and side of the monument. During our walk many people felt able to come up and read the words. We were looking about 7 feet ahead at the pavement as we chanted - so our lack of eye contact emboldened others. There were nods and 'thumbs up' of recognition and support. Even three can make an impact. To walk slowly and chant peacefully demonstrates a different way of being.

When we reached the monument we were approached by a group from the Kurdish community. As we prepared to sit in silent meditation we gave them a quick precis of the history and current situation in Burma. Would we pray for them, too, we were asked. Of course.

After the clock struck six we finished by chanting the nembutsu and bowing. Then we collected our belongings and repaired to a cafe for hot chocolate.

We're glad to be able to play a very small part in keeping the eyes of the world on the situation in Burma. The eyes of the world are having an effect, both for those who can make a crucial difference and for those who know that, this time, they have not been forgotten. So we will walk again next Thursday, whether we are few or many.

::link

Free Burma, free Aung San Suu Kyi!

Event in support of Burma on Thursday 1st November - Newcastle

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 1st November:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (slow quiet walk) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street, followed by meditation and chanting at Grey's Monument - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6pm. Come along and join us when you can.

Report of last week's event:

burma: newcastle hasn't forgotten you

Yesterday evening we met up at five pm and walked for the people of Burma. This was our fourth event and there were only three of us this time, walking slowly and chanting 'Amitabha' down the main shopping street of the city as workers rushed home and late-night shoppers took over Northumberland Street. We walked slowly, taking forty minutes for a distance that one could cover in about eight at normal pace.

Event in support of Burma on Thursday 25th October - Newcastle

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 25th:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (slow quiet walk) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street, followed by meditation and chanting at Grey's Monument - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6pm. Come along and join us when you can.

::link

Event in support of Burma on Thursday 18th October - Newcastle

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (slow quiet walk) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street, followed by meditation and chanting at Grey's Monument - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6pm. Come along and join us when you can.

Updated 17th October: We hope to make this a weekly event.

For those who would like regular news about the Burma situation this site is updated every five minutes.

For video footage of the crackdown in Burma look here and here. The content is distressing and shows why we must keep the eyes, minds and hearts of the world on this grievous situation - and make sure that our voices, in places where we are free to express them, are heard by those who can make a difference

Peace Walk For Burma

Updated:

The event was successful in continuing to raise awareness of the situation in Burma and keeping it from being overshadowed by other news, with between 75 and 80 of us gathered at Grey's Monument. We then walked to the Millennium Bridge. We were a mixture of concerned students from Newcastle University and Buddhists from the umbrella group, 'Buddhists For Peace', which included members of several of the Newcastle Buddhist groups, the Burmese community in County Durham and academics from Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland Universities.

We received several comments about the quietness of our walk attracting more attention than had it been more vociferous.

When we reached the Tyne we gathered in a circle while Ashin Nandapala, a Burmese monk, chanted the Metta Suta (teaching on Loving-kindness) in Pali, which was then chanted in English by a small group. We then filed onto the bridge, facing upstream and all dropped petals into the river and tied red threads to the bridge.

Photographs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sujatin/sets/72157602292559039

and here

and here

Event in support of Burma on Saturday 6th - Newcastle

UPDATE: 5th October 15:24pm - Amida Newcastle and Newcastle Buddhists For Peace are now organising this event - this is a Yatra (meaning simply ‘walk’). We will be walking in silence (in a Buddhist manner).

Details: On SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER we will be gathering at
Grey's Monument
at mid-day
to walk in support of the people campaigning against the military regime in Burma.

Do advertise this to all your friends. Hope to see you there.

Thousands of people will be joining us globally in this rally! ::link

Please would people wear red or at least a red headband and if you can bring red petals (real or cut from red paper) we will make our way to the Millennium Bridge to sprinkle them into the river to coincide with similar events taking place in major cities all over the world.

We will be walking in single file  - in groups of five with gaps between each group so that we do not impede other pedestrians.

Look here to see a similar event in Cambridge. Here is a video

News of similar Yatras can be found here

Contact: sujatin[at]gmail[dot]com

Vigil at St Thomas's

There is a vigil being held, 8 am to 8 pm, all this week at St. Thomas's for the Week of  Action for Trade Justice, as part of the MakePovertyHistory campaign. Our Buddhists For Peace group decided to adopt this campaign as part of our activities for creating better conditions in the world. Sujatin took part in the vigil on Wednesday.  

Newsletter: Spring 2005

 Amida Newcastle Group
We continue to meet regularly at Amida Sanctuary on Monday evenings at 7:30pm for walking and sitting meditation, Dharma talk or tape and discussion, concluding with the Evening Service. This is a lively, friendly group. In addition to regular members there are now a number of new faces including Ching-Ying, Perry, Sally, Steve and Yoke Ling and occasional visitors including Dennis from Middlesborough and long-term Amida member Iain from Durham

Buddhists For Peace - meeting Thursday 24th February

Next meeting - Thursday 24th February 2005
Time: 7.30pm 
Venue: Amida Sanctuary