i think howard should take his AGT salary...

[vaginapoosie]

... and donate it here:

http://ajahnbrahmforsale.com/

this guy can do more for him in one week than his "psychiatrist" has done for him over the past couple decades.

ajahn brahm is the best. if anyone has big bucks, seriously donate to the nun's monastery, regardless if they win the contest or not.

[The Booey]

Howard's only thought for AGT salary is how to take it with him when he dies.

[killallposers]

Howard's only thought for AGT salary is how to take it with him when he dies.

that's why the jews insist on being buried as quick as possible, because there's a better chance no one will notice the riches they are taking with them. jewish graveyards are literal goldmines.

[NotMyBro]

Howard's only thought for AGT salary is how to take it with him when he dies.

this.

[vaginapoosie]

i'm bumping this because the auction started today (since austrailia is one day ahead of time).

i don't have a pot to piss in right now, and i was still able to scrounge together enough for the "registration" amount.

anyway, i know it's really stupid and corny, but i sent the stern show a quick email the other day asking for the word to get out there about what ajahn brahm is doing. i'm posting my email here in the hopes that some rich celebrity who may like howard sees this, or some tech-savvy person can get this out out there so lots of people know what's going on. it's a long shot and probably won't have any effect, but it doesn't hurt to try.

anyway, if you are taking this seriously, thanks. it's actually a super important event which is historical on so many levels.

Hi, Howard and staff. I'm not entirely sure if this is worth mentioning to you guys, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Long story short, there's this wonderful Buddhist Theravadan monk by the name of Ajahn Brahm. You can learn more about him on his official site.

http://www.ajahnbrahm.org/about.html

While you're at it, perhaps even watch some of his YouTube teachings when you have the time. Here's his latest one:

http://youtu.be/UU2oKq8X_po

Anyway, the point of this email is that Ajahn Brahm is trying to raise money to build the Dhammasara Nuns' Monastery in Perth, Australia. I know it's not in the United States, but it's a very historic and important event for humanity/women in general.

Ajahn Brahm has been working so hard, that he has now even given himself up for auction to the highest bidder in order to bring in donations:

http://ajahnbrahmforsale.com/

If you watch the short video on the above page, you'll get a better understanding about the auction and why it's happening. It was confirmed the other day that a very high profile Google employee from the US already placed a bid. That's where you come in.

Right now what Ajahn Brahm needs is to get news of his auction out there, and what better way to reach possible donors than either via a popular radio show (*ahem*), or simply through word of mouth from one high profile celebrity (*ahem*) to many others?

Don't get me wrong-- I'm sure there are already many high profile celebrities who love Ajahn Brahm as much as I do. Why, I remember seeing a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker last year reading one of Ajahn Brahms books. But sadly, I'm not sure how many high profile celebrities know about Ajahn Brahm in the states, and it's the celebrities in the states that have the ability to get the word out there as well as donate the funding that is needed.

Supporting the auction is more about supporting women in general than it is about supporting the religion/philosophy of Buddhism. So if you have any celebrity friends looking to donate some money in the not-too-distant future, and they believe in supporting women's rights and may even have an appreciation of the teachings of Buddhism in general, then please spread the word so more people can donate and participate in the auction.

And even if you don't care to help spread the word to possible donors, at the very least make sure to watch some of his videos and encourage others to do so as well. He is one of the most beautiful, enlightened beings I have ever witnessed to grace this planet. And on that note, I don't care what anyone else says... on some level, I believe Howard is some unspoken reincarnated lama... because only someone of that karma could be able to teach people about true dharma in such an odd, indirect manner.

Thanks.

[tv910]

Howard's idea of charity is doing a photo shoot that gives himself (and Beth because he drags her along as a "designer") a lot of free publicity and doesn't require that they donate a cent of their own money.

[Bye You!]

Howard's idea of charity is doing a photo shoot that gives himself (and Beth because he drags her along as a "designer") a lot of free publicity and doesn't require that they donate a cent of their own money.

and makes money off of it because he deducts it from his taxes. I would LOVE to see at what he values his time. we have already seen he completely overvalues his pictures.

[itpdude]

and makes money off of it because he deducts it from his taxes. I would LOVE to see at what he values his time. we have already seen he completely overvalues his pictures.

All that fancy equipment?

Write-offs.

It's how the mega-wealthy knock down their effective tax-rates lower than school teachers.

[Beth Eats Hay]

His kind doesn't donate.......they litigate...

[itpdude]

His kind doesn't donate.......they litigate...

In a way, that is donating.

The Pelican is donating a pool, a new Mercedes, and a year's worth of tuition to the attorneys through the fees.

[Murcielago]

'American Idol' tanked in the ratings again this week, hopefully the shit talent show will suffer likewise.

[Bye You!]

'American Idol' tanked in the ratings again this week, hopefully the shit talent show will suffer likewise.

oh god AI is haaarrrible this season. i hope it tanks more and more every week.

[JDDaBadAhz]

....and shove it up his ass.

[Bye You!]

....and shove it up his ass.

what i thought as soon as I saw the thread title

[tHISisKiSSeL]

he's using the money to train a dog from a rescue breeder to parent beth's future down's baby.

[username]

Howard have said on air that he only gives "charity" to jews/family.

He won't even bother to sign some show item and action off. Imagine how much his wig would bring in in an action.

BTW He will take all his money with him when he dies. Trust fund. Managed by Buchwald.

[vaginapoosie]

Howard have said on air that he only gives "charity" to jews/family.

He won't even bother to sign some show item and action off. Imagine how much his wig would bring in in an action.

BTW He will take all his money with him when he dies. Trust fund. Managed by Buchwald.

well, the message/email wasn't really just for howard. it's for whomever has a generous heart and wants to create a happier world. and it doesn't hurt if they're million/billionaires, either. in fact, it's probably better if they are. i *think* it will cost about 5-7 million for the entire project. hey-- it's tax deductible!

but yeah... research and read up on ajahn brahm and the dhammasara nun's monastery. i encourage people to do this. i just don't want people to blindly give money. research and find out if it's something you believe in as well.

[vaginapoosie]

[vaginapoosie]

thought this was apropos in relation to this thread... plus i needed to bump it...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...7ad_story.html

Why is there no female Dalai Lama?

By Michaela Haas, Published: March 18

Every time Buddhism migrated from its place of origin in India to other countries, whether Sri Lanka, Burma, Japan, China or Tibet, the philosophy, customs and rituals transformed as well. Not surprisingly, Buddhism’s relocation to the West comes with a sea change of emphasis and culture. In Tibet, revered masters might isolate themselves in remote caves, sometimes for decades, in deep meditation. In the West, teachers reach thousands instantly by streaming their wisdom on podcasts. Throughout Asia, women rarely had equal access to education. In the West, women demand to be acknowledged in the many leadership roles they assume. In many Asian Buddhist communities, open dissent is unthinkable, while in academia, critical discourse is crucial.






Of all these changes that we are watching Buddhism undergo in the West, the most momentous may be that women are insisting on playing an equal role. More and more Buddhist women are now rising as teachers in their own right who understand their responsibility: to invigorate and bolster women to hold up “half the sky” as spiritual seekers and teachers. As feminist Buddhist scholar Rita Gross points out in her book “Buddhism After Patriarchy,” “The single biggest difference between the practice of Buddhism in Asia and the practice of Buddhism in the West is the full and complete participation of women in Western Buddhism.” The 14th Dalai Lama has acknowledged this by pointing out that his next incarnation could be a woman. “I call myself a feminist,” he said. “Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights?” Despite the complex historical, religious and political factors surrounding the selection of incarnate masters in the exiled Tibetan tradition, the Dalai Lama is open to change. Why not? What’s the big deal?



“The lamas can’t ignore this any longer,” says Western nun Karma Lekshe Tsomo, the founder of the most important international organization for Buddhist women, Sakyadhita (“Daughters of the Buddha”). “In most Buddhist centers, look into the kitchen—all women. Look into the offices, who does the administration? Mostly women. Who does the driving and organizing, the cleaning and the correspondence, the shopping and managing? Mostly women.” That women then also become teachers, abbesses and even Dalai Lamas is only a natural evolution.



The current transformation of Buddhism in the 21st century is stunning on so many levels, and women play a role in this endeavor as prime agents. The Buddha was the first religious founder after the Jains who allowed women into the ranks of his order – a revolutionary decision at the time, more than 2,500 years ago. The historical Buddha clearly encouraged lay women and nuns along with men to be the pillars of his community. But while iconic archetypes of feminine enlightenment were erected on shrines, few women were actually emboldened to follow in their footsteps. Despite an encouraging quote of Padmasambhava, the 8th century pioneer of Tibetan Buddhism, that women’s potential to attain liberation is supreme, most Buddhist cultures throughout the centuries perceived women as lesser beings. The few encouraging statements are outnumbered by plenty of passages in the writings attributed to Padmasambhava and other masters that lament the hardships of womanhood. Commonly used Tibetan words for woman, lümen or kyemen, literally mean “inferior being” or “lesser birth.” Some orthodox masters doubt to this day if women can attain realization at all, and age-old liturgies have women pray for a better rebirth in a male body.



“There were certainly many great female practitioners in Tibet,” British nun and abbess Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo writes in her book “Reflections on a Mountain Lake.” “But because they lacked a background of philosophical training, they could not aspire to write books, gather disciples, go on Dharma tours, and give talks. When we read the histories, we will notice that nuns are distinguished by their absence. But this doesn’t mean they weren’t there.” To this day nunneries in Asia usually lack the resources the monasteries get, and full ordination for women is currently not a possibility in the Tibetan tradition, though many monks and nuns, including the Dalai Lama, are working towards a change.



The Dalai Lama has spoken out many times about the need for resolving the issue. “Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha was preaching in a male-dominated society,” he stated in an interview. “If he stressed feminist viewpoints, nobody would have listened to him. The important thing is that now, for the past thirty years, we have worked to change that.”



This is a challenge all religions in the 21st century face in one form or another. Watching the change in the Vatican, many hope that the new pope will be a little more inclusive, especially when it comes to women’s issues and questions concerning sexuality and contraception. More than 70 percent of American Catholics want the next pope to ordain women, approve the use of contraception, and let priests get married. But we know Catholics won’t get a female pope or female priests any time soon. Women are the only group categorically excluded, and Pope Francis has not made encouraging statements in the past. But any organization that excludes 50 percent of their brightest and most capable members from leadership won’t be able to escape change forever. The papacy won’t be a mamacy any time soon, but at least we know that Her Holiness is an option.



Michaela Haas, PhD, is an international reporter, lecturer, and consultant. She is the author of “Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Changing the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West,” which will be published by Snow Lion/Shambhala this April. With a Ph.D. in Asian Studies, she is currently a visiting scholar in Religious Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara. She has been studying and practicing Buddhism for almost twenty years. She is the founding owner of HAAS live!, an international coaching company which combines her experience in media with mindfulness training. Since the age of sixteen, she has worked as a writer and interviewer for major nationwide German newspapers, magazines and TV stations.