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The Dalai's little bro

I'm putting up this interview from Giant Robot. I totally agree with him on preservation of "native" cultures. They seemed to have left it out of the this interview I snatched up off the web, but he believes it is up the people loosing the culture to preserve it. And it is not the end of the world and loosing traditions has always happened to humans. You move on.

I think the Burmese, Tibetans, and others nations being heavy handed by the Chinese gov. to let go of their cultures, its up to you to keep traditions and cultures if you really want them. Just as the Indians did here in the States.

What I hate is the violence toward these people by the Chinese gov. The beatings, killings, and all other sufferings need to end. The Chinese gov needs to stop brainwashing their people into believing the Burmese and Tibetans are sub-humans that should be loathed. This is not acceptable.

And I knew Seagal was a tool! Enjoy;

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Tendzin Choegyal is the Dalai Lama’s youngest brother. Aside from being related to one of the holiest persons alive, TC is a rebellious soul who dropped out of college, spent a couple of years as a paratrooper in the Tibetan contingency of the Indian army, survived alcoholism,and found peace through a blend of Buddhism, lithium, and reading the news on the Internet. When I met him at his home in Dharamsala, India—the Himalayan town that houses the Tibetan government-in-exile—we talked about reincarnation, war movies, Steven Seagal’s crazy outfits, and the preservation of Tibetan culture.

GR: At a young age, you, too, were recognized as a reincarnate of an important man, right?

TC: Oh, that’s bullshit. I don’t believe it. From a Buddhist perspective, we are all reborn. But choosing a particular person as someone special and saying he’s a reincarnation of so-and-so is bullshit. I don’t consider myself special. I’m just like you. I want happiness, and I don’t want suffering. I think it’s just a sheer accident that I was chosen.

GR: What about your brother?

TC: Ah, that’s different. He is on a completely different level—a much higher caliber, and a lot of tests were done. It may be true for others, but as far as I’m concerned, this is the greatest mistake of the century.

GR: Are you and your brother similar?

TC: His Holiness’ voice and my voice are similar, and we also look alike. I also share his philosophy of life. I share his views wholeheartedly. I mean, the guy cares, you know?

GR: Are you a practicing Buddhist?

TC: How do you define “practicing Buddhist”? Going to the temple every morning is nothing. We ourselves are temples. Even a dog can go to a temple. And as long as you have a little bit of money, you can always make an offering. I do subscribe to basic Buddhist beliefs, and the tenets of the teachings. I believe in taking refuge in the Buddha, in his teachings, and in his spiritual community. But I have to actualize all three within myself and enjoy the fruit of that development.

GR: What are your hobbies?

TC: I used to take photographs, and I used to like editing movies. But right now, my hobby is reading. I’m reading a book in English right now on Buddhism and world history. I don’t read fiction—my time is mostly spent reading about Buddhism and inner transformation. I also read The New York Times, The Herald Tribune, and the BBC on the Internet. Oh, and People’s Daily. I want to know what the Chinese are saying!

GR: Anything else you’re really into?

TC: I like useful tools. Until a few years ago, I used to fix my own car—I was a good mechanic. I used to drive an old Land Rover; now I drive a Suzuki station wagon. I used to wash my car every day, and my friends used to say, “Don’t do that, the paint’s going to come off.” When I’m doing something, I do it whole-heartedly. And then when I leave it, I just leave it. Just this evening my son called me an eccentric. I think he’s right. We all have our extreme sides. I used to take an interest in anything that was mechanical, but now, I don’t think these material things are all that important. I’m interested in human beings now.

GR: Do you like movies?

TC: Yes. This is going to shock you, but I like war movies, like Saving Private Ryan. Like any kid or person who doesn’t really think, I used to like them just for the action. But Saving Private Ryan shows how devastating and bad war is, and I think there should be more movies like that. Entertainment plays a big role in the world. Movies produced today with sex, violence, and drugs practically teach youngsters how to do things the wrong way. I think the entertainment industry holds a lot of responsibility.

GR: Have you met a lot of the celebrities who stop through Dharamsala to meet the Dalai Lama?

TC: Celebrities? They’re all human beings, what’s the big deal? You sit down with them, you start talking, and it’s the same thing. Richard Gere is a wonderful person—very simple, modest, and natural with whomever he meets. He’s done a lot for the Tibetan community. And then, on the other side of the scale, there’s Steven Seagal. Oh my god. I met him when he came here. He was wearing a funny coat, a Chinese brocade, funny trousers, and funny shoes with that ponytail. I asked him, “Why do you dress in such a peculiar manner?” He didn’t say anything. He’s arrogant, and pretends to be a Tibetan reincarnate. But why? He’s a strange man.

GR: What do you think about the preservation of Tibetan culture in Dharamsala?

TC: I think we’re losing it. Culture is not about dancing; it’s not about the songs you sing. I think we are starting to go mainstream here—people are wearing baseball caps and baggy pants. Human culture keeps on changing—it’s constantly being modified. There’s no such thing as the “original culture”—we are always in a state of flux. So it depends on how you look at it. But no matter how you dress or what kind of song you sing, as long as you can relate with other people, I think it’s okay. Any trend that is based on the mistaken view that freedom under democracy is a license to do anything is dangerous. You’ll destroy yourself, your family, and your community, because it’s based on selfishness. Say somebody is very angry, and he just can’t listen to reason. That person’s reason for not restraining himself is, I’m free.I can to whatever I want. The restraining factor is becoming smaller and smaller. We are becoming noble savages.

GR: Do you think a part of Tibetan culture is threatened by things moving forward?

TC: I really love Tibetans. I really wish success to our cause and our people. But I’m very concerned with the direction in which we are heading. Young people are not taking interest in Buddhism as an internal science. They see that Buddhism dispensed in the name of religion by various institutions is not up to the mark. A good example is the number of monks we have. Firstly, we have too many of them. And then they’re in monks’ robes, but they behave in funny ways. Whatever you do in life, you have to love it or leave it. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. If you want to do it, do it because you love it. Find meaning in it. Otherwise, you’re tricking yourself. You’re tricking everybody.

Art by John Pham

Violencia

Planning to write a little about what I'm experiencing as far as the violence here on the US/American border. Some people are not effected yet but others are slowly becoming submerged in it. A few Mexican drug cartels along with the crooked mexican police (la linea) are killing each other off in droves over this little city's drug trade. The frightening part is hundreds of innocent people are also being murdered for just being in the way or witnessing the murders.

The total today is 600 killing since the beginning of the year. The latest thing is the gangsters are hijacking cars-killing the innocent people inside- and then going out to complete their hit. The killing are now six deaths a day. And the murders are very ugly most the time, burnings, decapitations, skin being pulled off, bodies wrapped in plastic, real ugly. The head of the mexican police has retired and left the city. In his place a retired military officer has taken charge. The government has sent mass amounts of military troops to help the civilians . But there are many sets up and illegal planting of drugs for whatever reason. Most of my fellow employees and workers who are Americans but living over there because its very inexpensive are coming back to the American side out of fear.

I had one employee who gunned down, lived, and is now in protective custody. He was shot when a handful of people were gunned down in a drive by. The pistoleros then got out of their car and shot each person one by one in the head. They got to this kid and realized he wasn't involved, not on their list and left him. After healing he came to this side and began to work for this company. After a few weeks he disappeared and his supervisor told me he was in protective custody. That week or two was tense.

The supervisors started to notice brand new SUV's parked in the alley, full dark shaded windows, very strange. We knew these were pistoleros looking for this kid but couldn't do anything about it. The police are crooked even on this side and its best to not fuck around. We took the shotgun and rifles out of the work safe and armed ourself for a few days just in case. We just had to wait it out until they realized the kid was not here or did what they had to do.

My former secretary was dumb enough to go party in Juarez one night with her friend who owned a few bars over there. Allegedly, this was her excuse for not showing up to work for a few days, they left one of the bars at 2am. She went out the front door with some other girls as they were locking up the bar. The guy friend went through the back door to retrieve his car and pick them up. An unknown truck drove up and shot him dead in the street and kidnapped his right-hand man before speeding away. She was taken to a hotel and kept there for a day or so with the other girls until the guys holding them thought it was “safe.” I’m sure whether to believe this or not but its an example of what happens there daily.

He is gone now, I have no idea where to, but we would not let him work for us and endanger all. The secretary left two weeks ago to live in Arizona. Probably a smart move on her part. We have to be very careful of who gets hired now. I won't lie I was nervous, scared, and not liking this way of life at all. This is how some of us are living in El Paso. I kinda hope one side or the other wins so order can come back to this wild west story.

Tagged

Here you go my friends. After reviewing this I realize I am and angry man.

1 I hardly do anything more than two times.

2 I wish I lived in San Francisco and I’m not even Asian or gay.

3 I have an obsession with books. Not only what’s in them but the quality and the make.

4 I can teach a two hour class using only Japanese but can’t hold a conversation in Spanish.

5 Facebook confuses me.

6 I’m in love with someone almost a decade younger than me.

7 I’m a big goofy soccer scarfer, my team is Chelsea Football Club.

8 I’m moody, either very happy or very angry. Not much in between.

9 I can’t remember most of my college years.

10 I went to college for 7 years.

11 The majority of my friends that are female are Aries.

12 I sell gun products, own a gun, and hate guns. But it’s the state of the world I live in right now.

13 I had a childhood fear of the KluKluxKlan.

14 Dark blue and black, I can’t tell the difference between them.

15 most animals look eatable to me.

16 I was so broke & hungry in Chi- town one time that I almost treated a kid to a mugging on the red line who was counting out his $20 bills in plain view. He had too many I thought.

17 I’m moody, either very happy or very angry. Not much in between.

18 I don’t believe in gods.

19 I practice a 600 year old Japanese art.

20. I have an unwarranted hatred for authority.

21. When I fear something I become obsessed with that thing until I get over it. Usually I go so far as to learn every thing about it, to the point of even becoming or doing what I fear to better understand it.

All you need is me

Though I’d bring this blog thing back. Just to write out my thoughts and whatever comes up. I got apathetic and stopped writing, stopped meditating, and continued drinking. I lost heart when I found the girlfriend was still smoking, and a few other little things that happened. That’s what drinkers do right? Rationalize reasons to quit staying sober.

But I’m back, doing very well. I don’t think I’ll be writing about meditation anymore. Just putting my thoughts down for personal kicks. Cheers

Day 4

I was feeling well fucked today due to too much heat at work. So I stayed home all night. But this did give me time to try two half hour sits. My brain is very happy with me right now. I’m doing a half hour at night and ten minutes in the morning as a daily ritual. It does not bother me to sit for so long. I think is due to my Japanese sword training. I will stop counting days now and just post developments as I see fit.

I feel like I just don’t know how to sit up straight. Comes with being born a slacker I guess. I never knew my back could bend in two places. Now I have to keep both of them straight but not rigid.

I had an urge for a glass of scotch. I quenched it with a glass of soymilk; I’m a G.D. hippie now.

I did have a memory of the first time I was introduced to meditation as a kid. My parents put me in Judo lessons when I was like eight. The instructor would have us mediate for a few minutes before and after class. As we sat there trying to follow the instructions he just gave us, he would walk behind us holding a long dowel. When he thought we were not meditating hard enough or falling asleep he would lay the stick on our shoulder. Then he would hit us with a sharp whack with that evil stick from buddha hell. I really didn’t like that part of class.