Seventy-five years ago today

The US dropped a nuclear bomb on a civilian population. Today we have much larger ones ready to launch as does Russia, enough to eliminate all higher forms of life. Other nations have joined this club and more are in line. We, all of us, don't have time to deal with this issue now and most don't even realize it's much of an issue. World Suicide. 

Taigen on Tree of Life Synagogue massacre

Taigen Dan Leighton 's Bar Mitzvah was at Tree of Life Synagogue. Here's what he wrote about the recent massacre of people there. - Tree of Life. 

Taigen is the guiding teacher at  Ancient Dragon Zen Gate in Chicago. He says, "Please Vote!"

Dalai Lama: Our Future Is Very Much in Our Hands

In the NYTimes reprinting from Turning Points
---thanks Gregory Johnson

Houston Hurricane victim Dharma Friend needs help

Jamie Avera organized a fundraiser for his relatives who are victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. He's a longtime supporter of Cuke Archives - from the first year - helping with web design, suggestions, and financial contributions which now are monthly. Now he and his loved ones need help. I always prefer to give to individuals with ties rather than institutions. Please send a little something you can afford to help them meet their modest goal. Here's the link to a YouCaring crowdfunding page he set up.
Thanks.- DC

Jane Hirshfield's On the Fifth Day powm getting international attention

One of the major German newspapers, Frankfurter Allgemeine, just published a piece about Jane's "On the Fifth Day" poem, which she read at the April 22nd March for Science (which should have been held earlier so that it could be the March March for science) In this article there's a framing of it as Buddhist,. It's of course in German but Google Translate seems to do a fairly reasonable job..That's Jane reading at the March. Here she is on Youtube at the DC March speaking and reading the poem.

The Washington Post's digital version of the poem is here:

We’re Edging Closer To Nuclear War

Experts are worried about India, Pakistan and North Korea. - from 538

American Poets, Refusing to Go Gentle, Rage Against the Right

front page NY Times today - featuring Jane Hirshfield. - thanks John Steiner 

On the Fifth Day - Jane's poem on the Presidency published in the Washington Post

Trump Wants To Cut Russia Sanctions In Return For Nuclear Arms Deal

Trump raised the prospect of the first major step towards nuclear arms control since President Barack Obama struck a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia in 2010. “For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially, that’s part of it. But Russia’s hurting very badly right now because of sanctions, but I think something can happen that a lot of people are gonna benefit.”

text From Huffpost - Cuke Species threats (nuclear)

Looking for the good in people.

Thanks Gregory Wonderwheel for transcended Trump

Jack Kornfield Engages

Now is the time to Stand Up

Stephen Hawking writes

This is the most dangerous time for our planet

Time to Stand Up:

 An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for our Earth – The Buddha’s Life and Message through Feminine Eyes – Book Review- thanks John Steiner

How Trump could be the Greatest Hero Ever

Posted on cuke.com's Species Threats Nuclear

Not only in the Engaged but also the Cuke Archives label because this is the #1 threat to our spiritual practice, practice places, teachers, fellow students - as well as to everything else.

Farewell America

Bill Moyers on the new order - thanks Gregory

History tells us what will happen next - thanks Katrinka

How to Restore Your Faith in Democracy - thanks Brit

So many good articles. Don't plan to make a habit of linking to them but here are a few to consider. - dc

This Won't Happen because it would cause too much trouble

What about this movement to get the electors to vote for the candidate who won the most votes regardless of how their state voted? That could start now. The founders created a republic with representatives to be a buffer between the public and decisions. Electors were created somewhat to be a last check on an election. They could choose the winner of the popular vote. And then there'd be a civil war so nevermind. So even though there will surely be irreparable long lasting harm and suffering, I think the greatest blow to this menace will come from letting it play out.

Obama said

the sun will still rise.

Louis CK

on this election - Youtube video - on Conan

Deplorable

I thought about that deplorable thing and sent this to some people connected to the campaign.

Putting it in Christian terms.

People are not deplorable. If they are, then I am a deplorable. It is deplorable to say that people are deplorable. However, one may correct oneself saying they were passionate about this and what they meant was that there are deplorable beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, statements, actions. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, and as Hillary Clinton has referenced, we are commanded by Jesus to love everyone. But we are all sinners in that a sin is a harmful mistake. We forgive the sinner but we do not ignore the deplorable.

Trying to do as little harm as possible,


dc

Clear View Project

Buddhist-Based Resources for Relief and Social Change 

September 1 report on activities and appeal by Alan Senauke of the Berkeley Zen Center

Byodo-in

Back in January Andrew Atkeison sent these photos and report on the temple, Byodo-in in Japan and just now getting this PDF up as it slipped through the cracks.

Andrew's cuke page - with a lot of other reports and photos and links

Andrew's Iron Flute Song website

Good Doomsday Article

The Looming Extinction of Humankind, Explained - thanks John Steiner