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You know that photo of “100,000 Burmese monks praying for world peace…”?

theworsthorse — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:57:48 +0000

You may have seen this photo (or others like it) going around, posted on Facebook, etc, with a note that it’s of Burmese monks praying for world peace. That’s not quite accurate.

The actual story is that this is from a photoset of what some call a cult, based out of Thailand, whose “mass ceremonies are inspired by the head abbot’s fascination with the Muslim hajj gatherings and Nazi parades…” That description and the photoset itself — called “Close Encounters of the Buddhist Kind” — come from Foreign Policy. These photos really do beg to be seen. Only, in context.

Watch the short film, “Altered Focus: Burma” (Features great skateboarding, too!)

theworsthorse — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:54:14 +0000

If you have 19 minutes to spare, you’ll likely love “Altered Focus: Burma.” Its makers describe this sweet little film as a look at “three filmmakers and skateboarders, including rider Ali Drummond, as they travel across Yangon and Mandalay. The film explores the reaction to this activity whilst touching on the political situation there.” Watch it here:

Altered Focus: Burma from Hot Knees Media on Vimeo.

Aung San Suu Kyi meets Asian Dub Foundation in 2011 Brighton Festival trailer

theworsthorse — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:28:13 +0000

After the news yesterday that she’s a fan of the Grateful Dead and of Bob Marley, maybe this is little surprise. Still cool, though:

Visit the festival here, and read more about The Lady’s involvement here.

Esquire on Aung San Suu Kyi: An honor? A “Dubious Achievement”?

theworsthorse — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:16:33 +0000

Esquire magazine — which for years entertained readers with year-end wrap-ups of “Dubious Achievements,” or pop-culture missteps — has just named Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi one of the magazine’s “Sexiest Women Alive.”

My first reaction was that this was in itself a dubious achievement, pure and simple. But then, I read the magazine’s short write-up about Suu Kyi:

This is what a rebel does: meets violent suppression from freedom with words (“It is not power that corrupts but fear”), risks her life for democracy, gets elected prime minister only to have Myanmar’s military force her out, wins a Nobel Peace Prize for it, gets imprisoned for twenty years for it, and begins her release fighting for one thing and one thing only: the right to vote. Amen. [Via]

Sure, “sexy” may be in the eye of the beholder, and sure, some will say that bestowing such a title is a sexist act. It certainly does have the air of a disconnect. But maybe that’s the point, and at least Esquire has recognized something truly, endlessly beautiful here. And the more people who are aware of that beauty, the better. No?

Here’s that Fiat “Aung San Suu Kyi” commercial with the Dalai Lama in it

theworsthorse — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:38:30 +0000

Toldja about this on The Worst Horse the other day. Here’s the actual video:

So. Thoughts?

Dalai Lama and Fiat together for Aung San Suu Kyi (Updated with video)

theworsthorse — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:43:00 +0000

Remember this ad?

Well, the Detroit News is now reporting that it has a sequel.

The Dalai Lama is in a hastily shot commercial for Fiat SpA, partner of Chrysler Group LLC in a follow-up to a controversial Chrysler ad from a year ago.

The commercial was shot in Hiroshima where the Buddhist leader is addressing the 11th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates this weekend.

It was quickly edited and is already airing, Olivier Francois, head of marketing for both Chrysler and Fiat, told The Detroit News at a Chrysler drive event in San Francisco Saturday.

The Horse hopes to have it to you soon. UPDATE: Here it is:

Aung San Suu Kyi is FREE!

theworsthorse — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:37:51 +0000

It’s been a long time coming. Here’s the story.

Bing goes Buddhist again

theworsthorse — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:14:10 +0000

I rarely look at Bing; for better or for worse I’m generally a Google guy. But today, the Bing homepage‘s cover star again hails from the Buddhist world.

It’s the stunning Thousand Temples of Bagan in Burma. You may have seen them in filmmaker John Bush’s also-stunning film, Journey into Buddhism: Dharma River, part of his three-part trilogy of films that reveals ancient Buddhist lands.

The Thousand Temples are really worth knowing about. Thankfully, Bing links to a short video, which you can see here. (But also, don’t miss the Bush films!)

Big (potential) news: “Burma ‘to free Aung San Suu Kyi in November’ after 20 years”

theworsthorse — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:56:01 +0000

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!

Chrysler gets behind Aung San Suu Kyi

theworsthorse — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:38:52 +0000

This 30-second spot was initially created as part of the Lancia auto brand’s sponsorship of the 10th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Berlin Nov. 10-11, 2009, for which the theme was “Knocking down new walls and building bridges for a world without violence.” How nice to see Chrysler, a major US automaker, joining in.