Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

[See also Myanmar Seizes U.N. Food for Cyclone Victims and Blocks Foreign Experts – New York Times]

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma’s poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government–but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.

[video and more details]

TIBETAN FREEDOM TORCH in Vancouver on Saturday, May 10 - 12:00 noon to 4:30pm [details]

The Tibetan Freedom Torch was lit in Olympia, Greece on 10th of March, 2008, commemorating the 49th anniversary of the Tibet Uprising Day. The Tibetan Freedom Torch represents the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice. It will be carried to more than 20 countries worldwide, reaching Tibet on the eve of the Beijing Games. The Freedom Torch also highlights Tibetan opposition to the Chinese government’s politically motivated plan to carry the Olympic Torch through Tibet and to the top of Mount Everest. The Tibetan Freedom Torch will begin its Canadian leg in Victoriaon Friday May 9, and will arrive in Vancouveron Saturday May 10.
VANCOUVER Schedule of Events on May 10:

12:00 noon to 1:15pm: Rally at the Chinese Consulate, 3380 Granville Street. Gather with Tibetans and supporters to light the “Freedom Torch” in front of the Chinese Consulate, while demanding that the Chinese Government meet the following demands:

- Halt the Olympic Torch Relay route through Tibet
- Cease the current crackdown and “re-education” campaign taking place in Tibet and release all political prisoners
- Allow UN observers and International Media unfettered access to all Tibetan regions
- Engage in sincere dialogue and negotiations with the Dalai Lama.

12:30pm to 2:30pm - Freedom Torch Relay - Tibetan relay runners and their supporters will carry the torch in a circuit North across Granville Bridge, loop South across Burrard Bridge, and then return to the Chinese Consulate to the Rally. They will be greeted at the Consulate by the supporters at the Rally and then will loop around False Creek completing the run at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side).

2:00pm to 4:30pm: TIBETAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL, Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side). After the Rally at the Consulate supporters will go to the Vancouver Art Gallery by public transit or personal vehicle. Performers include:

· Pepe Danza
· The Tibetan Children’s Choir of British Columbia
· Shenpenn
· Hayfa Makes Music
· music of the Uyghur people (East Turkistan)

Please join this celebration of culture, determination, and the spirit of survival in the face of adversity.

Contact: Mati Bernabei, 778-999-4578, tibet [at] rogers [dot] blackberry [dot] net
Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet

Other Canadian cities on the Freedom Torch route include Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
For more information on the Tibetan Freedom Torch: www.tibetanfreedomtorch.org

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS WITH A CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS FOCUS

May 25 – Freedom Torch Relay
12:00 noon at the Vancouver Art Gallery
For information (check closer to the date for the specifics of the Vancouver and Burnaby events): http://www.humanrightstorch.org/news/

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Meditation: Transforming Life’s Challenges into Wisdom
A Day of Meditation Instruction, Teaching and Practice
with Ajahn Tiradhammo

an invitation from

The Friends of Thailand Society of Vancouver
and the
Asian Studies Department of Langara College

[Click here or on the image above for a poster with these details in Word format.]

Ajahn Tiradhammo is from Surrey, BC. He interrupted his studies at UBC to travel extensively in Asia, where he discovered the Theravada Buddhism of Sri Lanka. In 1973 he began practicing intensive meditation in Northern Thailand, where a year later he was ordained. He trained at the temples of the Northeatern meditation master Ajahn Chah from 1975, and in 1982 he began to assist in the historic transfer of the Thai Forest Tradition and Ajahn Chah’s teaching lineage to the UK. He spent three years in charge of the Harnham Vihara in Northumberland. In 1998 he helped establish the Dhammapala monastery in Switzerland, and was the senior monk there until 2005, when he became senior monk at Bodhinyanarama monastery near Wellington New Zealand. The Vancouver area is fortunate indeed to have a visit from this widely respected monk. Check out dhammatalks.org.uk/tirad.

LOCATION: Room 201, B building, Langara College, 100 West 49th Ave.
DATE: Sunday, 11 May, 2008
PROGRAM (subject to revision):
9:00: Registration
9:30 - 11:00: Morning Session (introduction, sitting and teaching)
11:00 - 12:30: Lunch Break
12:30 - 2:30: Second Session (sitting, walking, teaching)
2:30 - 3:00: Tea Break and Q&A
3:00 - 4:30: Third Session (sitting, walking, teaching)
4:30-5:00: Final Questions and Answers

ADMISSION: Free of charge. (Donations accepted to defray Ajahn’s travel
costs.)
BRING: Your own lunch (and ready-to-eat food for the monk if you would like to offer dana).
A sitting cushion.
Wear loose clothing.
CONTACT: Jim or Tip at 604-224-1588 or tipp [at] telus [dot] net

Sunday · May 11 · 6:30pm to 8:30pm

See MEDITATION FOR WORLD PEACE
and then leave a comment here, or call Kristin:
604 872-0431

BPF hosted a beautiful peace walk for Burma the day the Olympic torch came to the USA.

[Watch a 3-minute video of] a wonderful interview with Jack Kornfield after the Golden Gate peace walk and also a slideshow from that day which has the walk and also the protests from around the city that day including the Tibetans, Burma activists etc.

Peace,

[edited message from]
Margaret Howe
Human Rights Program Coordinator
margaret [at] bpf [dot] org

Turning Wheel is calling for submissions for the Summer/Fall 2008 issue on the theme Engaged Dharma — Legacy and Future.

Deadline for submitting articles for consideration: June 1, 2008

“As leaders of the Buddhist Churches of America we support the efforts of the Dalai Lama to bring the recent conflicts between the people of Tibet and the Chinese authorities to a non-violent resolution. His stature as an internationally respected religious leader . . .” [full statement]

Tell anyone you know in the area about this event in San Francisco led by Burmese monks and Buddhist clergy, including Jack Kornfield and other senior teachers, on Wednesday, April 9.

On April 9, San Francisco hosts the US stage of the relay taking the Olympic torch to Beijing. No other North American city is directly involved. Please send metta to those on the peace walk in San Francisco that day.

For other actions you can take, click here (then scroll down).

An Appeal to the Chinese People from
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Today, I extend heartfelt greetings to my Chinese brothers and sisters round the world, particularly to those in the People’s Republic of China. In the light of the recent developments in Tibet, I would like to share with you my thoughts concerning relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples, and to make a personal appeal to you all. [full text]

Vigil for Tibet
Monday, 31 March 2008
4:30 to 7:30 PM
Chinese Consulate, 3380 Granville Street