Huge thanks to the mighty Konchog Norbu for a heads-up on what looks like a must-see film (at least for this Worst Horse):

“Journey of a Dream is a feature-length documentary that will take audiences on a global journey into heavy metal music, exile, Buddhism, and Tibetan roots. How one man is trying to find solace and self-realization through Buddhism, living the life of a refugee, and playing death metal.

I am IN. Are you? Watch the trailer here.

If you haven’t heard about the earthquake in Yushu county, a Tibetan autonomous prefecture in western Qinghai Province of northwest China — that is to say, Kham, Tibet – here’s a good start.

More importantly: Tibet Relief Fund has launched an appeal for victims of today’s earthquake. Donations can be made here.

The tattoo in question, via farm4.static.flickr.com

Sports site TSN reports that:

“English welterweight Dan (The Outlaw) Hardy’s stomach tattoo was airbrushed out of the UFC 111 fight poster because it is ‘anti-Chinese government stuff,’ according to UFC president Dana White.

‘”I’m trying to get into China,” he told fans at a question-and-answer session Tuesday. ‘I don’t need anti-Chinese government stuff on my fighters.’

“Hardy, however, says the tattoo — the fighter’s favourite — is a Tibetan Buddhist prayer written in Sanskrit.

‘”It’s basically just like a prayer for focus,’ Hardy said. ‘It keeps me walking the path that I should be walking without veering off and distracting myself.’

“Apprised of that explanation, White said: ‘That’s not what I heard.’

[...] “‘I heard that it was anti-Chinese government, so I ripped that thing off it. I’m not going to put him on a poster with anti-Chinese government writing on it when we’re trying to get into China. . . . I don’t know what this stuff means, so I’ve got to be safe.’

But, as the MMA site Bloody Elbow (nice name, that) points out:

“The tattoo is the well known Buddhist mantra “Om mani padme hum” which has no political significance in relation to China.”

Well, not quite no political significance.  While the tattoo isn’t an overt anti-China statement, China sure is sensitive to hearing about Tibetan Buddhism. Some, like Robert Thurman, would even go so far as to say that the Chinese government is trying ‘re trying to, um, airbrush it away.

That’s right, folks, set your DVRs. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be on Larry King Live this coming Monday night. The LKL site says he will talk “about China, human rights and Haiti in his only interview after his controversial meeting with President Obama.”

And speaking of that meeting, the Dalai Lama yesterday described Obama as looking “like a monk… [he] had a peaceful, calm expression on his face.” …A nice thing to hear about one’s president, no?

This article from China Daily highlights “art monk” Shi Daoxin (left).

What do you think about this shades-and-Blackberry wearing Buddhist monastic? (Just a friendly note to Shi Daoxin: That’s not the best look for anybody, monk or not.)

Some highlights:

Buddhist monk Shi Daoxin’s daily routine is not about chanting scriptures, meditating or temple ceremonies – rather, he spends his time listening to different categories of music, updating his blog, exchanging messages and emails with fans, and granting interviews in addition to working on his music. [...]

On the one hand, he has a huge crowd of growing fans, praising and downloading his songs; and on the other, a substantial number of people who question the true motivation of a monk active in the secular entertainment world.

Most of his previous songs are what he describes as the “modern and popular version of traditional Buddhist chanting”, but now, he is considering a switch in style.

He said he will try something less religious, and easier-to-understand lyrics. He does not think this is a departure from Buddhism; instead, it is a better way to “call forth the busy urban dwellers’ reminiscences of childhood and allay their anxiety and restlessness”.

But skepticism abounds, especially online. Many accuse him of chasing personal fame in the guise of Buddhism; some even dismiss him as a disgrace to the religion.

“Think different.” Or, don’t.

Via ComputerWorld: “Apple appears to have blocked iPhone applications related to the Dalai Lama in its China App Store, making it the latest U.S. technology company to censor its services in China. [...] At l

east five iPhone apps related to the Dalai Lama are unavailable in the China store. Some of those apps — named Dalai Quotes, Dalai Lama Quotes and Dalai Lama Prayerwheel — display inspirational quotes from the Tibetan spiritual leader. Another, Paging Dalai Lama, tells users where he is currently teaching. A fifth app, Nobel Laureates, contains information about Nobel Prize winners including the Dalai Lama.”

Via Ananova:

Photographs of a monk skateboarding inside a historic temple have caused controversy in China. [...]

“Monks should seek quietness and riding a skateboard is such a contradictory thing to Buddhist life,” said [internet commenter].

However, a spokesman for the temple said that the outside world did not understand the life of a contemporary monk.

“People get their impressions from TV or movies, where monks are praying all day long, without any motivation or desire,” he said.

“But these days monks also enjoy sports like badminton, table tennis and skateboarding in the spare time, as well as praying.

“They even use the internet and mobile phones to promote Buddhism. This is not contradictory to Buddhism but actually is part of the Buddhist spirit.”

Right on.

When Melvin McLeod (my boss at the Shambhala Sun) recently asked me if I wanted to interview Wu-Tang Clan founder The RZA for the magazine, I jumped at the chance.

Well, I’m happy to say that a new Shambhala Sun Audio clip from the 45-minute interview is now online at Shambhala SunSpace. Hope you’ll check it out and leave a comment.

And for more from the Horse on the Wu and the hip-hop/Buddhist connection, click here.

…and goes for laughs at His Holiness’s expense, too. All this in Thursday night’s opening segment. Here it is — what do you think?

(Um, it should be said, “Parental Advisory: Explicit Content” sorta applies here.)

Haven’t seen it personally, but here’s the cover for (and an article about) “Tibetan Rock Dog,” a new graphic novel by a Chinese rock star.

Its story “unfolds in Tibet, where a Tibetan mastiff named Metal grows up in a Buddhist temple after his parents and siblings die protecting a peasant family. His grandfather, who learned the secrets of walking upright and speaking human language, trains him in canine meditation and teaches him about his ancient enemy, the Tibetan wolf. A rock musician on a pilgrimage adopts Metal as a son and takes him back to Beijing…. He forms a rock band with the friends he meets at obedience school.”