What to give up for Buddhist Lent? Materialism and an Americanized humility

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For those who are Theravada Buddhists, it’s time for khao pansa (lent). I’m not the perfect angel but I do have my ‘desires’. I don’t smoke. I drink wine. I don’t care for the latest gadgets or fancy purses. So while there’s not so much materialistic desires for me, the neo-Buddhist in me wanted to dig deeper into the triggers for the unnecessary desires in my life. There are many daily activities and choices that I make, which tend to cultivate a negative mindset and a clouded spiritual journey for how I live my life. I wanted to break the bad habits that have been debilitating for my psyche and aura. What is it, really? Continue Reading

Trayvon and Anousone, beyond an (un)reasonable (in)justice

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Hearing the words, “not guilty” can be the most joyous or frightening day of anyone’s life. But so is the person who is dead. Unable to speak for oneself. The world is angry, no, they are pissed off. Not at Zimmerman, but at the fact that a man can kill a boy and walk free, unpunished for his actions. History tells us this is the plight of the Black man. It is also the plight of many people of color funneling through a legal system that has its version of justice: sometimes it delivers, sometimes it doesn’t; and that typically depends on those in power and who are privileged. Continue Reading

The revival of Minnesota’s Boun Phra Vet celebration

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This weekend, the air was warm and festive as Lao community members gathered at Wat Lao Forest Lake for Boun Phra Vet. The temple revived its annual traditional celebration of the life of Phra Khodom/Vetsandone devoted to Buddha. The festival was filled with the usual Lao food staples from grilled quail to sweet khao lam (sweet sticky rice) and of course, the piercing loud mor lam (Lao folk music) rolled on in its parade with kong ee thum (drumming) as community members finally were able to enjoy what they’ve been looking forward to for so long. Continue Reading

In pictures: Boun season in Laos 2555 (2012)

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Boun That Luang. I remembered it like yesterday: Glaring bright lights, screeching sounds of live bands, clusters of laughter from the locals flooding in, sweet and spicy aroma tingling curiosity at the tip of my nose. While strolling along the edge of the Mekong River with a bag full of cafe nom yen and stuffing my face with about three freshly steamed sticks of khao lam, a young man tries to sell me a handful of Hello Kitty balloons. My first thought was, oh, consumerist culture sneeking in at its best? After all, it’s Hello Kitty. Who wouldn’t let this furry face of happiness dominate the world? I definitely would. Continue Reading