Okay, “Enlightenment or bust” might be a bit dramatic, but…

"Dang Zang" is an empty name. The blog has to do with the dharma; material related to Buddhist teachings (Tibetan style in particular, Kagyu in even more particular), meditation, gurus and lamas be they genuine or flaky, books and events. I do have a more personal blog, Pica Pica, and a site for my work.

Oh yes, it's by Alex Wilding

Archive

  • What’s holding Britain down isn’t benefits. It’s low pay 17/06/2013
    This article in the Guardian, in which Zoe Williams gives us some of David Schweickart’s thinking, is one of the most thoughtful contributions to the economy debate I’ve seen for a while. Repeat after me 7 times in fast succession: The way to make work pay is to pay for the work at a rate that makes the Read more... What’s holding Britain down isn’t benefits […]
  • Deer deer, that was a surprise 21/05/2013
    So there I was setting out with the dogs for a walk this morning, like nearly every morning, when there was a rustling and a movement in the bushes. Then out she came, maybe 10 or 15 m in front of us, what I take to be a female deer. She crossed the road and sprang Read more... Deer deer, that was a surprise […]
  • The Thatcher funeral 15/04/2013
    I am a free citizen of the United Kingdom. The police have no business whatsoever telling me whether and when to stand to attention, sit, wave, smile, salute, two-finger salute, hiss or boo. And they certainly have no business at all telling me which way I should face. This has nothing to do with “respect for the Read more... The Thatcher funeral […]
  • Had you noticed? 29/03/2013
    Probably a relatively low proportion of the people that I know would have voted for the Tories at the last election, although, given the train-wreck that Labour had become, I could understand the temptation. So perhaps I am preaching to the converted. The thing is, that Polly Toynbee, always well worth reading, has summarised with frightening clarity how Rea […]
Friday September 18th, 2009. Posted by Alex W:

Chime Rinpoche’s 70 th birthday

I mentioned Chime Rinpoche recently, for instance here. His students are organising a celebration for his 70th birthday, which will be held on Saturday 17 October (2009). Unfortunately I am too far away to be able to get there. I did attend his 50th birthday party in Ashdon, and still feel grateful to Piet (who was once on the staff at Marpa House) for making sure that I was aware of it.

So if any of his old students are not in touch with Marpa House but feel they would like to go, you might like to get in touch with them sharpish to get on the list!

Best wishes to Rinpoche, and I hope you all have a good time!

Friday February 13th, 2009. Posted by Alex:

No great joy this Tibetan New Year

The Tibetan New year is sometimes the same as the Chinese, but sometimes a month apart. This year, the Chinese day was the 26th January, and the Tibetan will be around 25 February. Usually, of course, it’s a time of merriment, visiting, chang-drinking, fire-crackers and so on, but this year the exile community is generally not celebrating; according to the Central Administration, the official celebrations will only comprise the customary religious programmes to mark the Tibetan New Year, “taking into consideration the continuing repression in Tibet and the ruthless crackdown last year which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Tibetans and thousands imprisoned.” See, for example articles archived at the Canada Tibet Committee or at Phayul.

PS: Here’s another relevant link, at the International Campaign for Tibet.

Thanks to Lu for spotting this one!