Month: August 2011

#TroyParrot Update – BREAKING STORY

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The following post was contributed by Ani Sangye “@sangyeH” on twitter:

After speaking with two individuals in Ohio who have direct knowledge of the Troy Parrot situation,  we have learned that the 50 parrots remaining on the property are still in harm’s way. They have been moved to a building on the property that is completely inadequate and unsafe for the birds, despite what the Humane Officer (Sharon Karns) in charge of the case says. It’s a metal building without windows, running water or air conditioning and has one fan to cool 50 birds. The parrots are not in good condition after having been starved for an indefinite amount of time and having eaten drywall, furniture and been exposed to toxins,etc…. They are not receiving proper veterinary care and no consideration is given to their intense psychological trauma. Basically, the parrots are being treated like chickens.

The officials at a neighboring county Humane Society are furious at how this case has been handled. They said they would have immediately seized the birds and arrested the owner (Doug Ratcliff) and certainly wouldn’t have given him two weeks to clean up a house that is or should be condemned. According to these individuals,  Doug Ratcliff has been in similar trouble before, with a record of parrot abuse and neglect that extends back 8 years—yet another reason to have arrested him and seized the birds immediately.

There is a fair amount of suspicious activity surrounding this case. No one understands why Sharon Karns didn’t seize the birds or why she gave Doug Ratcliff two weeks to clean up the premises. No one understands why she insists that the metal building is suitable housing for the birds when every parrot specialist says it is not. No one understands why she won’t authorize Dr. Bauer (the veterinarian who has the 10 sickest birds) to treat and foster the remaining 50 birds. She is married to the President of the Miami County Humane Society, which may explain why no one at her office is intervening on behalf of the birds. Last night there was a public meeting scheduled by the Humane Society for discussion of the Troy parrots.  When our sources and numerous other bird lovers arrived, they found a sign saying the meeting had been moved, but there was no new location. This is apparently an illegal action, as the 501c3 is required to have public meetings. Finally, one of our sources said there had been tampering of evidence at the property.

We hope that the ASPCA and PETA will intervene on behalf of the parrots who are still very much in harm’s way.

Chickens and Worms

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Of course, all sentient beings are equal in nature. I pick my battles by what I can do! Those that argue this usually do nothing at all!

I wish I could save every sentient being instantly. I do my part, do for pets and parrots, give to National Wildlife Society regularly, and work hard to re-build my clear-cut land to wholesome habitat. What can you do? Yes, chickens, parrots, and gossips full of hate are the same, and I love and pray for all. Worms too.

Do what you can! Benefit through compassion, stop cruelty, give to charity and get a job so you can.

www.garudaaviary.org

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

 

 

 

 

 

Astrology

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Love, creativity and doing happy things are extremely important.  You may be contacted by important people from your past, or you may contact them. A friend or group could attempt to pull you in a different direction, and you don’t want to go there.  Today you must satisfy two wildly divergent sides that can’t mix with each other.  Keep them separate!  Someone might make a financial request.  This is a mistake, don’t agree because it will expand and you  won’t be happy.  You are slightly overdoing at home but it can’t be helped, and you’re still dealing with issues from the past.  Mark Waldrip said “Just whenyou think you’ve graduated from the school of experience, someone thinks up a new course.”

The daily astrology post affects everyone.  Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently.  Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth.  There are many departments of life.  Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

Impermanence and Death: a Teaching by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso

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The following is an excerpt from a teaching given by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso at Kunzang Palyul Choling on Ngondro:

Precious human birth does not mean everyone who is born as a human being.  It doesn’t mean that.  There is precious human birth and ordinary human birth.  Those who don’t do any kind of practice, those who don’t even try to go to church on weekends, those involved in New Age groups or modern ways of belief, or those who enter into some kind of entertainment and waste their lives in that manner—that is just an ordinary human birth.  You really must have accumulated some merit in your previous lifetime.  You must have done some kind of purification in your previous lifetime.  You must have made some kind of connection with the Dharma and your lamas. That is why you are here.  Otherwise there is no possibility.  That would never, ever happen.  So since you have a precious human rebirth, you must immediately think,  “I should not waste it.  I have to get some advantage from this opportunity.”

Then how can one do it?  You must then think that all phenomena which are composed of cause and condition are impermanent.  Impermanence does not just mean that everything comes to an end.  Impermanence means that each and every moment is impermanent. Each and every moment of our lives we are becoming older and older; we are getting nearer and nearer to death.  If you waste even one hour, you are one hour closer to death.  If you spend your weekend enjoying yourself, still you are getting nearer to death.  Whenever you sit idle, still you are getting nearer to death.  Even if you do practice, still you are getting nearer to death.  Even if you don’t do anything, still you are getting nearer to death.  You are always getting nearer and nearer and nearer.  Every sentient being who is born is subject to death.

At the same time, death is uncertain.  You can see many examples.  Someone will say, “Just yesterday he was talking with me, and then last night he had an accident.”  Or somebody shot him or killed him or whatever.  There are so many conditions that may bring death.  If I cannot do actual practice and if I do not have something I can carry with me, then tonight if something happens, what can I do?  What are you really going to carry with you?  You cannot pack up like when you get divorced or when you get mad at your friends and you say you’re going to leave and you take your suitcase and pack all your clothes and everything and whatever money and credit cards you have and you leave and go some other place.  When death comes, you cannot do that.  There is no way that one could do that.  Up until now in this world, even the great popes, even Milarepa, even Shakyamuni Buddha, even His Holiness Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, they left all their belongings behind.  Even His Holiness Karmapa left his black hat behind, even his body.  Never mind about an ordinary sentient being who cannot carry all those things.  Even the great Christian popes who passed away, could not carry anything.  All the great ones and not so great ones—when death came, nobody could pack anything, nobody could carry anything along.  You could not even make a phone call.  “I’m coming very soon, so could you please reserve a place for me?”  There is no way that one can do that.  You say, “Oh please, you save a better place for me since I am coming very soon.”  Or you want to make a phone call to heaven.  “Oh God, please save a place for me.”  So you have to realize that life is like that.

In one sense, life is very long.  You can experience lots of things.  In another sense, life is gone like that.  When death comes, what one can carry is just whatever accumulation of merit or whatever negativity one has done.  That is the only thing that comes with you.  Even if you don’t want it, it is stuck there and will be coming with you.  So you have to realize that life is uncertain and death is uncertain.  At any moment it can come.  When you really consider that, you really get scared, goose bumpy.  Then you really get motivated to do practice.  Then your sleepy way of thinking and laziness and everything is gone just like that.  You cannot feel so tired if death is coming like that.  Then you can make yourself so alert. You can generate so much courage in yourself.  “Why can’t I do 100,000 prostrations in a month?  Why can’t I do that?”  Then you can have that kind of courage within yourself.  Otherwise you say, “Other people are out enjoying the weekend and going here and there and I am stuck here doing prostrations. I get pain in my legs and my knees and pain there. When can all this be finished?”  Then it feels really difficult.  When you really see that death is coming, then you can bear it.  If you think about that, then that will really help you to apply yourself into practice with full energy and with full courage.

Astrology

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Lots of activity on the home front!  You’re divided between the demands of your job and the demands of your home.  Don’t try to bring the two together (don’t bring your kids to work or your work home!).  Separate the two, work and home, work and home.  Someone genuinely loves you and is willing to commit to you. Romance is not only possible but likely.  Have a mid-week party!  You are able to wear two hats during this time…serious on the job and joyous in love and fun. Continue to dress as well as humanly possible.  Your entire situation can depend on making a good impression on someone you don’t even know is watching you. Mark Nepo said “Just as the warmth of summer can make a cricket sing, the qualityof being held enlivens the heart.”

The daily astrology post affects everyone.  Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently.  Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth.  There are many departments of life.  Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

A Treasury of Wisdom and Blessing

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The following are some teachings from other Lineages:

Terton Sogyal Rinpoche: On Ignorance

Surely one of the most heart-breaking aspects of our lives is that we cannot recognize the fundamental cause of our suffering. Isn’t it curious how we can not detect ignorance at work? But, you see, this lack of awareness is exactly what ignorance, ‘ma rigpa’ in Tibetan, is.

For full teaching go to: http://www.rigpa.org/en/teachings/extracts-of-articles-and-publications/more-articles-and-publications-/view-and-wrong-view.html

From Khenchen Palden Sherab: Cause and Effect

Now we shall explore the third attitude, the cause and effect system. This is also known as the understanding of the system of the cause and effect. Everything really depends upon the cause and effect system. The law of cause and effect is always working. If a cause and condition are present, there will definitely be a result. Results must come from their causes and conditions. Right causes and conditions produce right results or effects. This never alters. This always operates. If we don’t have the right causes and conditions, there will not be right results no matter how much we hope or expect them. If we have the right causes and conditions, definitely the right results will come. It is inevitable. Even if we say we don’t want them, the results will definitely show up. Inwardly everything is like this also.  Positive inward causes and conditions bring positive inward results. Negative inward causes and  conditions bring negative inward results. Mixed positive and negative inward causes and conditions bring mixed inward results or effects. Knowledge of the cause and effect system is very important in Buddhism. Karma is the name of this system. You are the one who gets the results of your own causes and conditions. You are the producer of your own causes and conditions; you are therefore the producer of your own effects. Whatever you do, the results will come to you. By understanding this system, we can learn the importance of having more positive attitudes. Reduce your negative activities, and learn more positive activities. This is the lesson of this line of the text.Cause and effect are inevitable.

For the full teaching go to: http://pbc-tn.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/NgondroCommentary.pdf

From Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche: Cause and Effect

The third ordinary foundation practice is the truth of karma, cause and effect. Unfortunately, many deluded people believe that although death may be a very harrowing experience, after it has occurred, one is then completely free. Some believe that once you’re dead, things are all taken care of for you, as if somebody picks you up and puts you in a very enjoyable place where there are all kinds of pleasant entertainments. Other people believe that after death there is nothing, all experience just abruptly ends. There’s no good or evil, it’s just ashes to ashes and that’s that. Of course, such attitudes are the epitome of ignorance, and reveal a total lack of wisdom. It is utter delusion to believe that there will be no suffering, only pure enjoyment awaiting you after death. It is grievous that people do not realize that we are experiencing this life and its various conditions because of our conduct in previous lives.

Sometimes we think that once we are dead we will experience a very magical realm, and that even if we face suffering we’ll have the ability to immediately transform it. But how could this possibly be done? We should use our intelligence and other abilities now, while we have time, to see through our delusions. For instance, if it’s winter and you want it to be summer, no matter how much you long for the seasons to change, you are powerless to do anything about it. And if you are sick and want to be healthy again, you can’t just miraculously cure yourself. All suffering and experiences of the phenomenal world are caused by our habitual patterns and our karmic accumulations, and these are the materials with which you must work.

Furthermore, when somebody says that nothing exists after death, that you are free of suffering because you’re dead and it’s all finished, that is a very ignorant attitude. It’s something like standing before a blazing fire and telling somebody that if they close their eyes and jump into it, it’ll be okay. This will of course just make the situation worse. It’s a simple refusal to acknowledge reality, a wishful desire to escape the order of things. But it doesn’t change anything. It will only make reality that much more difficult to face. It’s also akin to playing around on the edge of a cliff, believing you won’t fall off. But then, once you’ve fallen, and you’re in midair, it’s completely useless to say to yourself, “Oh no, I hope I land softly.” No matter how much wishful thinking you do at that point, it won’t help you at all.

For the full teaching go to: http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/buddhism/dha/dha03.php

Contemplating this Precious Opportunity by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso

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The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso given at Kunzang Palyul Choling on Ngondro:

The Four Thoughts that turn the mind from samsara are very important.  Our minds are distracted by this world.  We practice a little bit, and then get distracted, thinking life is good — eating pizza in the restaurant, going to the beach on weekends, and enjoying ourselves.  It is really nice.  One could have a very happy life with one’s family, and eating, and experiencing all those happy experiences.  At the end of life, if one could not have the continuation of that kind of happiness in the next lifetime and many future lifetimes, one may get a little upset and think, “I should have done something.  I have just been going to the beach, the mountains, camping, bungee jumping, and all that.  I’ve spent my time doing all that, but I really didn’t do anything.”  Then all one’s karma ripens.  Whether you believe in karma or not, understand it or not, it doesn’t matter.  Whether you are a Christian or a Buddhist or a Hindu or a Jew or a Muslim, in cyclic existence, karma is the life process.  It is the nature of cyclic existence itself.  So that nature ripens to everybody.  Everyone experiences that.  After death, if one has to bear all different kinds of suffering, then one may experience some regret.

This is how one has a very happy life.  You can have entertainment, but at the same time have a kind of entertainment which really makes sense, which you can carry with you.  On weekends, you could come here and participate in a tsog offering or a puja or some kind of a practice.  While you are doing the practice, you may experience some minor problems with your knees or sitting or doing prostrations, but still you are bearing some karma and having some purification.  After all, you could have something you can really carry with you after death.  It is as the Buddha, who is fully enlightened, has explained.  Jetsunma has also explained all this a number of times.  The important thing to realize here is that this precious human birth is one in which one could really become involved in practice, in which one could become involved with the Dharma teachings, in which one could really become involved in Dharma activities.  If one could really have some time to apply to practice, then this becomes a precious human birth.

First Noble Truth

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by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a Teaching called “How Buddhists Think”

The Buddha’s first teaching dealt with what is now called “The Four Noble Truths.”  This is the basis for everything he taught later.  If it is not understood, then Buddhism will not be understood.

The Buddha taught that cyclic existence, the entire cycle of death and rebirth with all its phenomena, is pervaded by suffering.  If you disagree with that, just look at a newspaper.  Most people’s lives are affected by war, by hunger, by old age; we will all experience sickness and death.  Other forms of sentient life have similar suffering, and it also pervades their lives.

The Buddha does not deny that some happiness exists.  Is there not joy in the drug-like process of falling in love, in loving relationships, in the birth of a child, in acquiring wealth, in seeing and having beautiful things, in enjoying nature and simply feeling good on a good day?

But there is a form of suffering that we all share: every joy has a point of termination.   The Buddha taught that all things are impermanent.  Short-term loves break our hearts when they fail to endure.  Then we revert to our habitual loneliness, anger, and unhappiness.  Even life-long loves and marriages end in separation.

The bottom-line cause of suffering, the Buddha taught, is desire.  And what causes desire to arise?  At a point so unimaginably long ago that it’s called “time out of mind,” there arose the idea of self-nature as inherently real and as separate from “other.”  This fixation on the duality of subject and object is the persistent skeletal structure for all experience.  Until you achieve realization, all the experiences you have derive from this misperception.

Copyright ©  Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

Astrology

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Emotional caution is appropriate today.  Behave in a dignified manner in public, others are watching you.  If you see someone in need, help out.  Albert Einstein said “The world is a dangerous place not because of people who do evil, but because of good people who look on and do nothing about it.” If you can change a situation by intervening, do so, even in small ways. Stop a bully, comfort a crying child. Today you can help.  A generous person is near you and notices  what you do.  Hold yourself to the highest standards. If you exchange information with someone, be sure that you understand what you’ve received.  Double check.  A kind man or authority figure is in the environment, and love is in the air!

The daily astrology post affects everyone.  Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently.  Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth.  There are many departments of life.  Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

#TroyParrot URGENT: Rescue Parrots in Troy

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Links to story about birds: http://www.whiotv.com/news/28788559/detail.html

http://parrotnation.com/2011/08/06/an-avian-auschwitz/

SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/save-the-parrots-of-troy-ohio/

Owner: Doug Ratcliff – who currently is refusing to allow volunteers to feed and water

10 birds have been rescued and are being cared for at Dayton South Veterinary Clinic but dozens more are remain in wretched conditions at the home, 30 birds have already died.

Initially Ratcliff allowed members of the Miami Valley Bird Club to rescue the 10 birds, and to begin offering food and water to those that remained. However, in an interview with a veterinarian in the article above:

““Now, he has put a stop on everything, and they are no longer allowed to go in and feed, clean or water,” Brauer said.”

Please help save the parrots! Here is contact information for government officials:

Mayor:

Senator Sherrod Brown  in Washington DC

Phone 202 224 2315

Send Senator Brown a letter via http://brown.senate.gov/contact/

Governor John Kasich

Phone 614 466 3555

Send a letter via http://governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Humane Officer Sharon Karns
phone: (937)216-0070

Miami County Humane Society Director Terese Lynn
phone: (937) 698-7322
phone 2: (937) 335-9955
email: [email protected]

Prosecutor Lenee Brosh
phone: (937) 440-3928

Ohio SPCA
phone: (740) 420-2984
email: [email protected]

Miami County Animal Shelter Director Marcia Doncaster
phone: (937) 332-6919

HSUS Ohio State Director
web form: http://www.humanesociety.o​rg/forms/states/contact_oh​io_director.html

Union Township
phone: (937) 698-4480
fax: (937) 698-6171
email: [email protected]

Prosecutor Gary Nasal
phone: (937) 440-5960
email: [email protected]

Miami County Health Department
phone: (937) 440-8105
email: [email protected]

Speaker of the House Congressman John Boehner
phone: (937) 339-1524
 

Mayor Michael L. Beamish
phone: (937) 339-1221
fax: (937) 339-8601
email: [email protected]

Congressman Michael Tuner
phone: (937) 225-2843
fax: (937) 225-2752

Senator Rob Portman
Phone: (202) 224-3353

Tri-State County Animal Response Team
phone: (513) 702-8373

Concord Township
phone: (937) 339-1492
fax: (937) 332-1828
email: [email protected]

 

Union Township Trustees

President – Jim Albaugh  ph – 937-698-6432

 

Vice President  – Bill O’Brien ph – 937-698-4216

 

Trustee at large – Phil Mote  ph – 937-947-1217

 

Fiscal Officer – Majorie Coate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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