An ominous calm settles in Myanmar, as people return to the squalor and inflation that brought them to the streets in protest.

It's been one year since saffron draped monks marched through the city of Yangon, formerly Rangoon. They took to the streets, in peace, to show strength for the people who came to them for help. The whole world watched. And, despite all the media coverage, the government crackdown that followed still continues today.

One year later, the monks and others who stood up, are still on the run. Nightly house-to-house searches take place looking for dissidents who have, or are willing to continue the fight for their rights. One year later, the democratic leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest. One year later, the military regime still rules this Buddhist country with an iron fist.

Meanwhile, eight Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, released a joint-statement this week marking the anniversary of the “Saffron Revolution” by urging the people of Burma to “maintain nonviolence, determination and vigilance—despite the odds.”

Let's all hope that the rules of karma lead to freedom for the people of Myanmar and the end of their oppression.

READ MORE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES...
WATCH A SLIDE SHOW FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES...
READ MORE AS THE BUDDHIST CHANNEL PAYS HOMAGE TO THE SANGHA OF BURMA...

It's back and better and than ever!

The third annual Calgary Buddhist Film Series kicks off on Thursday, October 30. It features seven films followed by discussions led by Ministers of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism including Sensei Ulrich of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple. It's probably the best deal in town... FREE!

Also check out DharmaFlix. Its a new collaborative wiki web site listing films with Buddha dharma content. It also features a top 100 list based on participants' reviews. So what's your favorite Buddhist film or TV series?

VISIT THE CALGARY BUDDHIST TEMPLE WEB SITE...
SEE THE TOP 100 BUDDHIST FILMS AT DHARMAFLIX....

Our organization used to be called the BCC (Buddhist Churches of Canada), but as we have officially changed the name to Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada (JSBTC) this spring, we are commemorating the 103rd JSBTC Day in 2008. Simply put, it has been 103 years since Jodo Shinshu was first introduced by Senju Sasaki Sensei in 1905.
  
May I join all the Dharma Friends across Canada in paying my tribute of appreciation to the pioneers and predecessors for their vision and commitment to guide us in the teaching of the Nembutsu.  
  
Today, if you go to internet and check Buddhism in Canada, you will be surprised to know there have been hundred of groups in many Buddhist traditions mushrooming throughout the country , which never existed 40 years ago. Therefore, I think it was a good choice to put the name of Jodo Shinshu in front to clarify our mission. At the same time, however, we have to be prepared to explain what is Jodo Shinshu Buddhism to the general public. Especially ministers, temple leaders and officers are responsible to take the lead.
 
Let me remind you of the 750th Memorial Service of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu tradition, which will be observed in Kyoto from April 9, 2011 to January 16, 2012 under the theme of “AN-NON”, Peace and Tranquility. We, the JSBTC are also planning to observe our national service one year before, in 2010, to promote our tradition. 
  
May each and everyone be aware of this important event which is only observed once in 50 years and participate with good understanding and support.  
  
In gassho,
Socho Orai Fujikawa, Bishop of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada

My daughter, who recently began fostering six kittens, finds this video very amusing. It's a cat who puts his paws together for gassho.