Quitting Coffee

A Survey Of Buddhism, published by Windhorse Publishing, will turn 50 in 2007. I've begun my second reading of it.

If I were on a desert island, and could only take one secondary material book, I would take Survey of Buddhism. I think if I had 5 books, I would take the Middle Length Discourses, The Dhammapada, A Survey of Buddhism for sure. The other two would be difficult to choose, I'd like to take a Mahayana sutras, maybe the Bodhicaryavatara, and Ten Thousand Songs of Milarepa.

Through meditation, I've decided to quit coffee tomorrow. I've weaned myself down to 1 cup in the morning. With the use of wikihow, I looked up how to quit caffeine, and I've read that and girded myself for tomorrow.

News/opinion/retreat/travel

Ambedkar's death anniversary set off more activity in India, read all about it in the FWBO/TBMSG News.

An op-ed article in the NY Times suggests we should rebuild Nalanda.

I really wish I was going on a retreat at Aryaloka over Xmas. The NY Times has an article on retreats around the NYC area.

There's an article about traveling in Tibet in the travel section.

Sad Messages

Messages from people who died in 9/11 left on voice mail and answering machines:

"Honey. Something terrible is happening. I don't think I'm going to make it. I love you. Take care of the children."

"Hey, Jules. It's Brian. I'm on the plane and it's hijacked and it doesn't look good. I just wanted to let you know that I love you, and I hope to see you again. If I don't, please have fun in life, and live life the best you can. Know that I love you, and no matter what, I'll see you again."

"Mommy. The building is on fire. There's smoke coming through the walls. I can't breathe. I love you, Mommy. Good-bye."

"I love you a thousand times over and over. I love and need whatever decisions you make in your lives. I need you to be happy, and I will respect any decisions you make."