Karma is one of the most misunderstood ideas in #Buddhism, with even many #Buddhists getting it completely wrong. Many people think it means fate, cosmic reward, or punishment carried over from past lives. All of this is influenced by Hindu interpretations. In #Buddhism, karma is much simpler & more immediate. It means “intentional action.” What you choose to do, say, & think shapes your experience. (2/4)
@DavidM581

Xa Loi Pagoda in #Saigon was a hub of opposition to the Diem #USPuppet government. In 1963, Diem had his domestic terrorists attack the monastery. They arrested 1,400 monks, nuns & patriarch.

In 1963, faced with a coup, Diem tried to escape from the tunnels under one of his houses [now the Ho Chi Minh City Museum] to the perceived safety of Cha Tam Church in Cholon. Here he was captured and assassinated.

The #coup was staged by the #USA, the same USA who had brought him to power.

#AsianMastodon #Vietnam #GenevaAccords #VietnameseSovereignty #VietnamRevolutionaries #LongLiveVietnam #WarSurvivorsForPeace #VietnamHistory #ForeignInvaders #VietnamRevolution #geopolitics #WWII #GlobalSouth #SouthEastAsia #ASEAN #WorldHistory #LearnHistory #Courage #ResistanceFighters #Guerillas #VietnamLiberation #BuddhistCrackdown #Buddhists

It’s interesting where people fail to realize that the provenance of #Peace and #SelfDefense are not mutually exclusive. Skillful means are required for both faces of the coin. Even #Buddhists realize that defensive responsibilities are incurred when life is under threat and all other paths are blocked. Martial skills are neither forgotten nor neglected. As with everything else, training, discipline and discernment are emphasized. Never assume inherently peaceful people don’t know how to fight

@joycemccray, Black Royalty, shared the text and video below.

Thank you guys for the 👟4☮️. This is what I needed going into 2026❣️

#blackwomen #92percent #buddhists #blackmastodon

What many don’t know: While all #Monks are #Buddhists, not all Buddhists are Monks
A monk wearing #saffron #robes, his head shaved, walking peacefully while carrying a begging bowl, is a common way for many #people
https://juskosave.blogspot.com/2026/01/what-many-dont-know-while-all-monks-are.html

Most #Muslims and #Christians say they don’t participate in celebrations of #Diwali the Indian festival of lights that is traditionally celebrated by #Hindus, #Sikhs, #Jains and #Buddhists But substantial minorities of Christians (31%) and Muslims (20%) report that they do celebrate Diwali. Celebrating Diwali is especially common among Muslims in the West, where 39% say they participate in the festival, and in the South (33%).

Not only do some followers of all these religions participate in a celebration (Diwali) that consumes most of the country once a year, but some members of the majority Hindu community celebrate Muslim and Christian festivals, too: 7% of Indian Hindus say they celebrate the Muslim festival of #Eid and 17% celebrate #Christmas
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/06/29/religion-in-india-tolerance-and-segregation/

Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation

Indians see religious tolerance as a central part of who they are as a nation. Across the major religious groups, most people say it is very important to respect all religions to be “truly Indian.”

Pew Research Center

I've spent time around active Zen practitioners (real ones, not posers) in a few great periods of my life.

One thing I love about Zen Buddhists is what I think of as their flintiness.

They can be as compassionate as the day is long, but in my experience, they cede no ground to dangerous nonsense.

Absolute role models.

#Zen #Buddhism #Buddhists #RoleModels

Review of "What Makes You Not a Buddhist, Second Edition" (5 stars): A Generous and Compassionate Wake-Up Call

https://bookrastinating.com/user/Sasu/review/971497

" it has been used by religious associations, including #Buddhists, #Jains and #Sikhs. Given this history, some Buddhists have stated that the tradition of the #sangha represents humanity's oldest surviving #DemocraticInstitution "

Conscious breathing appears to synchronise #brain and #body activity https://www.psypost.org/conscious-breathing-appears-to-synchronize-brain-and-body-activity/

#Buddhists have been proving this for centuries.

#Meditation

Conscious breathing appears to synchronize brain and body activity

New research in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience suggests that slow, controlled breathing strengthens communication between the brain and body. This frequency-based synchronization may enhance self-regulation.

PsyPost Psychology News