Hey, fellow Worst Horses. I’ll be taking a week and a half or so to explore other pastures — real ones, off-line.
Just wanted to give you a heads-up, and also to again say thanks for making this site so much fun.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for more Buddhism-and-culture stuff, you couldn’t do better than to see what my colleagues at Shambhala SunSpace are cooking up, nor the many awesome people who make up the ever-vibrant, increasingly diverse Buddhist blogosphere. (The Horse’s blogroll, marked “Graze,” on the right side of this page, might be a good place to start.) And then there’s always the Horse’s archive of features including Dharma-Burgers, Buddhist tattoos, and more from recent days gone by.
‘Til next time: May the road rise with you!
Rod Meade Sperry
Editor of The Worst Horse
Via the TimesOnline: “Burma’s military government is contemplating the release of the country’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, at the end of the year, but only after the anticipated date of national elections, according to reports from Rangoon.”
Meanwhile, as the Times writes, “Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi are unconvinced. They say they will be ordering the flying pigs.” (And with good reason; the Burmese junta is quite skilled at saying one thing and doing another.) At any rate, this will be one to watch; more here!
Yes, even PerezHilton.com posted this video, writing: “LOLs! In an attempt to attract new, younger followers to Buddhism, Buddhist monks in Japan are trying a new approach – rapping! Check out the HIGHlarity of the hip hop monks…” (And comments there have been positive, too, so far.)
What do you think of Mr. Happiness and his drink-pouring extended posse? The more traditional of us may balk, but he’s doubled attendance at his temple. Can you argue with those results? (And really, is this all so “HIGHlarious”?)
From the Star of Mysore:
“If only the Management gurus like Peter Drucker had known of Ashoka and his inscriptions, they would have unhesitatingly called Ashoka as the Father of Advertisements.”
Really. More here.
Boy, this story about Japanese monks trying new approaches to bring youth under their wings sure has been popping up a lot over the few months. I’m not gonna rehash it here, but suffice it to say this story’s been recycled a lot.
And hey, no need to rehash anyway — not when good ol’ Nate at Precious Metal is getting to the heart of the matter in a different and personal way. Check it out and lend your voice.
Howl, starring James Franco as Allen Ginsberg, is off and running, set for a Sundance debut tomorrow. Here’s video of some clips from the film:
So, what do you think? Does Franco do justice to the late, revolutionary dharma-poet? Could anyone?
I frankly thought this looked like an SNL skit. Not a good sign. But I’d love to be wrong.
Have you seen it? It takes place in a sort of stand-in for the Potala Palace, completing the scene with prayer wheel, devotees and a levitating semi-Dalai Lamaesque figure. Meditation, it seems, is not necessary when you have Red Bull.
I can’t find the video online yet, but will post here when I do. You can see a screenshot, thankfully, thanks to good ol’ Many Flakes, One Bowl.
(BTW, “Many Flakes, One Bowl” has to be the best Buddhist blog name, no?)
This year’s Tibet House benefit concert — it’s twentieth! — just got a boost: Iggy Pop, legendary frontman of The Stooges (just named as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (for whatever that’s worth)) has now joined previous performers Philip Glass and Patti Smith on the bill, along with Gogol Bordello, Regina Spektor, and more. Now that’s cool.
The benefit will be held at Carnegie Hall on February 26. For tickets or more info call Tibet House (NYC) at (212) 807-0563, between 10AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday. More info of course on the TH site, here.
After first writing up this item, I decided to start playing recordings by the great artist, Iggy, himself. Some after-listening thoughts:
First off, I have to give kudos to Tibet House for booking Iggy. And Iggy for supporting Tibet House. (It goes without saying that anyone who supports a fine cause has earned their kudos, of course. And Tibet House surely qualifies as a fine cause.)
But why is Iggy cool? Well, as a writer of music (albeit a private and “unconventional” — read: bad – one) I would say this:
If I could write one song as good as, say, “Gimme Danger,” I’d be… well… I’d be Iggy Pop. And there really can be only one Iggy Pop.
I mean, who else could write (and sing) the phrases “that’s like hypnotizing chickens” and “I’m just a modern guy; of course I’ve had it in the ear before”? And not only that, he put them back to back. (Those are lyrics from “Lust for Life.” Don’t let those horrible cruise commercials ruin that song for you. The song is brilliant. And darkly so. And, okay, those lyrics may not thrill you, but trust me, it’s about context. And Iggy had it. “Lust for Life” wasn’t key to the soundtrack of 1996’s Trainspotting for nothing.)
Also, as a guy who calls himself a Buddhist (and who advocates meditation for everyone, in pretty much whatever form works for you), I want to hear why Iggy is playing this show. Maybe it’s just that he’s available and said, “Sure,” because he’s an affable and enthusiastic and good guy. Maybe it’s something else, more specifically related to meditation or Buddhism.
Either way, I’d like to know — this is an actual artist, a lifer. And he knows a thing or two about perseverance through suffering. That’s the type of person I consider worth following, whatever the reason he’ll be performing at Tibet House in February. So I’ve got a message in to Tibet House to see what they say.
Anyway, that’s besides the point. The real point is: Iggy is big-time, enduring Great. Nice get, Tibet House. Iggy rules.
