Blogisattva Awards

Blogisattva Awards 2011

2011-11-15T04:35:00.000-08:00

The wheels of the Blogisattva's are turning and soon voting will be open for the calendar year 2011.

More info to come soon!

BATW: Buddhism in Malaysia

2011-06-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

Our seventh installment comes from Malaysia. You;ve probabl heard of the teacher this person studies under, but this article is great and gives a perspective on Malaysian Buddhism that we are hoping opens readers eyes to their culture leanings. Thank you Tenzin for this.

I am a Buddhist blogger from Malaysia. Although Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, there is freedom of religion and non-Muslims can choose to practice whatever religion they want. Currently, approximately 20% of Malaysians practice Buddhism.

In Malaysia, we have many Buddhist Traditions such as the Theravada, Mahayana and the Vajrayana. Because of the colourful and broad religious mix of Malaysia, there will be a Theravadan temple on one street, and a Mahayan temple on another, next to a Christian church and a Hindu temple.

I belong to the Kechara Buddhist organisation which is of the Vajrayana school. I began learning about Buddhism since I met my teacher, the Tibetan Master, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, when I was about seven years old. I do my best to incorporate the teachings of the Buddhas into my daily life. Tsem Tulku is an avid blogger too and his blog covers a very wide range of topics (http://blog.tsemtulku.com).

When learning Buddhism in the Kechara organisation, we get to practice kindness and compassion wherever we go. For example, there is the Kechara Soup Kitchen where we can feed the homeless and we also help them find jobs because that is what helps the homeless in the long term. There is also going to be an animal shelter where we can take care of animals in the future.

Kechara also has the first Himalayan Arts Studio in Southeast Asia (Kechara Saraswati Arts) where people can roll mantras and paint statues or do brocading for thangkas; a publishing house (Kechara Media & Publications) which publishes Buddhist books; two vegetarian restaurants (Kechara Oasis) to encourage compassionate eating; a film production house (Kechara InMotion) which produces documentaries and
TV shows; a travel consultancy and statue maker (Kechara Discovery) and a range of retail shops (Kechara Paradise) which makes Buddhist images, artefacts and prayer items easily accessible to all.

I have written a blog where I show people how my life goes by with Buddhism applied in every corner. (http://tenzinkhenchen.blogspot.com)

It would be nice to be able to interact with other Buddhists all over the world and the Blogisattva awards seems to be the best place to introduce Buddhist blogs to other interested Buddhists everywhere. Malaysia is a country in South East Asia and one of the main languages we speak in Malaysia is English. I am sure that the many Buddhist blogs worldwide will find many Malaysians interested in them.

An ocean of prayers and with folded hands,

Tenzin Khenchen

BATW: Buddhism in Italy

2011-02-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

Our sixth installment in the series Buddhism around the world comes from a Laura, a Buddhist practitioner and blogger from Italy. Laura was kind enough to give us some background of Buddhism as it has evolved in Italy, as well as a taste of the different traditions that are found there today. Thank you Laura for the excellent post!

Though Italy sunk its roots in Christianism, it has a good curiosity for the East. Buddhism with its various expressions is represented in our country for quite a long time. The blog that I run, Buddhismo Loto (http://buddhismoloto.wordpress.com), collects news from the buddhist world, the peculiarity of it is to give curious and unusual informations which relate the buddhist world to everyday life's aspects and events.

This allows me to offer a general panorama of news from all differents traditions to the onlooker of the buddhism.

Most part of italian Buddhist people attend a school which follows the monk Nichiren Daishonin. In particular there is a little group of Nichiren Shu, which is in Italy since 10 years ago and after some shifting of the centre and some organizational difficuties, it seems have found a new centre in Piedmont or the Honmon Butshuryu Shu that, after an initial growing enthusiasm, it seems is through a period of readjustment. The Soka Gakkai too has been present for many years in the country.

Recently in my blog I considered interesting giving some space to the arrival in Italy of the school that follow the ancient tradition of the Kempon Hokke Shu (http://kemponhokkeitalia.org) founded by Nichiju Shonin and come down to us intact, without patriarchal contaminations or pyramid structures. Also if appeared in Italy only some months ago, has already a good website very accurate and very educational for all those interested to learn more about this old school.

Known as the orthodox Nichiren school it believes in the transmission of the Dharma through the rolls of Lotus Sutra and the authentic writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Practitioners of this school, devotees of the Lotus Sutra, follow the Nichiren's teachings in faith and devotion, striving to build a land of peace through the guidance of the Rissho Ankoku Ron, one of the five basic treaties of the same Nichiren Daishonin.

Coordinator of Kempon Hokke Shu in Italy is the Rev. Sinjyo known for his missionary work and for being the founder of Myo Edizioni (http://www.myoedizioni.it) the only record label dedicated to the transmission of the Lotus Sutra and the authentic teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. Myo Edizioni represents a reference point for all enthusiasts and believers of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Its publications distributed in all digital music store are very appreciated.

The Zen tradition is also deeply rooted in the Italian territory for several years gathering many believers as well as the Tibetan tradition represented by various Sangha scattered throughout the country. There are many events organized by this tradition, such as exhibitions or gatherings of prayer.
Well known is also the tradition founded by Master Thich Nhat Hanh that suggests a conscious way of life that is manifested in the actions of all practitioners. Many are the practitioners of this tradition that brings together also people who do not have a Buddhist confession.

The Italian territory, with its beautiful scenery and the smiling people, enables certainly a way of life closer to Buddhism that the one proposed by the dogmas of other faiths

BATW: Buddhism in Denmark

2011-01-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

Our fifth installment of "Buddhism Around The World" comes from Senshin of Senshin's Lotus. For me, I learned quite a bit from this entry and it has peaked my interest to learn more about the tradition Senshin follows and practices within, Tendai. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Now is an exciting time to be a Buddhist in Denmark. There is steady growth in the number of Buddhists; one estimate states that there are more than 20,000. Most of these are immigrants and refugees from nations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The rest are ethnic Danes who have converted. The three major schools of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana are represented.

I practice in the Tendai tradition, a Mahayana school founded in Japan. This tradition teaches that all forms of Buddhist practice lead to enlightenment and thus unites all these practices. Because of this we call ourselves Ekayana or the One Vessel. Danish Tendai groups are well organized and are associated with the Karuna Tendai Dharma Center in the US (www.tendai.org) which was designated as the location for training of those outside Japan who seek ordination. Our primary presence in Denmark is located near Copenhagen. Now there are two branch sanghas in other cities, one served by a doshu priest and one by myself, since I began my training for ordination. Additionally there are two groups who are headed by lay leaders who have received thorough training in leading meditation groups.

In general I have found many Danes are cautious about religious matters. However many have the desire to learn about meditation and through this they come into contact with Buddhism. Of course, there is a wide range of committment that flows out of this contact, from those who go to temples for practice to those who view Buddhism as a path to self-development. Some seek an understanding of life's meaning while others are attracted to the opportunity to meet like minded individuals in a cultural and social community. Some people call themselves Buddhist but have a modest practice. Others perform the practices intensely but never refer to themselves as Buddhists.

I came to Buddhism less than three years ago. Last year I began the training for ordination, and if I do well enough I may be ordained a Doshu, i.e. temple assistant, next year. If I am, the training will not finish then; training never ends for Tendai priests. There is always much more to learn and understand.

Most Tendai priests have a normal family life and support themselves with income from jobs of all kinds. I have dedicated my life fully to the Buddha Dharma and do not have what would be considered a normal job. The sangha I serve meets in a private home, but I am working with the goal of have a temple established in this part of the country one day.

I started my blog, Senshin's Lotus, in December, 2008 shortly after I took refuge. Since then it has evolved into a website (www.senshin.dk) with information about Tendai in Denmark as well as our sangha. I don't write as often as I would like to, but when I do I try to share my life as a Buddhist and as a priest in training. The blog has a relatively large number of visitors. For those who do not read Danish, I have Google Translator incorporated. I enjoy the extended sangha of the internet where I have had the great joy of meeting lots of wonderful people via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and various forums.

Together may we progress along the Buddha path of liberation.

Gassho,
Senshin Karina Blomkvist.

BATW: Buddhism in Thailand

2011-01-26T09:21:00.000-08:00

In our fourth part of the series, Buddhism Around the World, Brooke Schedneck of the blog Wandering Dhamma, gives us a taste of Buddhism in Thailand. Brooke, who was also one of the 2010 Blogisattva winners, was awarded one of the 2009-2010 Fulbright research grants, to conduct fieldwork in Thailand for her ongoing Ph.D. dissertation. Her blog contains many more excellent in-depth first hand accounts of Buddhism as it is in Thailand, and is well worth visiting.

As an American living in Thailand, Buddhism is seemingly omnipresent. From huge monasteries next to shopping malls and young novices all around to lay people offering food into alms bowls each morning, Buddhism here is lively and dynamic, even to the casual observer. However, when one looks deeper Thai Buddhism reveals a diversity of practices and ideas about this religion.

There is not just one Thai Buddhism but a number of different groups. Anyone who has studied about Thai Buddhism knows about the Dhammakaya movement and the Santi Asoke group. These two have been well-studied because of their contrasts: Dhammakaya exhibits a modern religiosity of Buddhism mixed with consumer culture while Santi Asoke, with its focus on natural, simple living and organic products is the opposite. Besides this pair, one can also contrast city temples with forest ones. The forest tradition of Thailand is also one that casual students of Thai Buddhism will be familiar with. Ajahn Mun founded this tradition and today it lives on through his student Luangta Mahabua and his temple and many branch temples in Udon Thani in the Northeast of Thailand, and also through Ajahn Chah and his western disciples, who have founded temples in many English-speaking countries. The forest temples represent an ideal of monasticism with monks who do not even accept money into their alms bowls. This is in contrast to the many monks and novices in city temples who can be seen purchasing items in malls and talking on their cell phones. Many of these monks are temporarily in robes for the education this provides, especially international monks from poor backgrounds who can attain a college degree for free. All of these groups and images of Thai Buddhism can be found in different regions of Thailand.

Another major facet of Thai Buddhism in this era is lay meditation. Throughout Thailand there are many meditation centers with a variety of methods. The most widely-used, however, would be based on the Mahasi Sayadaw technique of noting daily-life activities and following the rising and falling of the abdomen while in seated meditation. However, there are many other indigenous Thai meditation methods such as that of the forest tradition (repeating ‘Buddho’), and the Dhammakaya method of concentrating on a ball of light inside one’s body. Basic methods of mindfulness of breathing and following the four foundations of
mindfulness can be found in abundance as well.

Many Thai lay Buddhists are seen everyday in the popular meditation centers in the cities and in more remote forest temples. Lay meditators dress in white and receive the eight precepts. They stay for a course with a set number of days or come for however many days they can take off from work. The meditation centers run off of donations and often receive much from the laity they serve.

My blog, Wandering Dhamma (wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com), has many more in-depth posts about meditation methods and lay meditation in Thailand. There is certainly a plurality of practices, groups, and ideas about how to be a Buddhist and meditate effectively here. I recommend a trip to see for yourself!

BATW: Buddhism in Sweden

2011-01-13T02:38:00.000-08:00

**The third installment is brought to us from Sweden. Thanks to Fugen for this piece, we hope you enjoy it!

I got the question if i wanted to write something about my view of Buddhism in Sweden.

Although I'm not an authority in the matter, after some discussion with some priest-friends of mine, I decided to go ahead.

First though, who am I?

An answer might be ”dont know”.

Another might be the one have on my blog, ”A nowadays single dad who spends most of my time taking care of my son. When not doing that I work at a school, a bookshop and as a zen priest in training, even though I don't consider any of them as work...”

I am also content to say that I was with part of the first online Shukke Tokudo in August 2010, where I received the Precepts from Jundo Cohen at Treeleaf Sangha.

Buddhism has had somewhat of an upswing here in Sweden, although there is much to work on. The upswing, I believe, has much to do with the introduction of mindfulness, and as we are more or less still in the starting blocks of this, it still remains to be seen where it will land.

A side effect to the introduction of mindfulness is that it has started to get people to realize what Buddhism is really about.

Buddhism has been depicted as a religion which is either all about escaping suffering through different means or baldheaded monks in robes doing strange ceremonies.

Now, I'm not saying Buddhism doesn't contain these things, just that it has a tendency to be depicted primarily as such.

While doing some research for this article I heard about people, in the 70's and 80's, having different contacts with Buddhism in all forms. Some stayed on, some didn't, but today, I think, we have about all the branches of the Buddhist tree represented in Sweden, with the emphasis on Tibetan Buddhism, Zen and the Theravadan Buddhism practiced by Thai men and women.

Aside from the Buddhists who has moved here from other countries, most ”large” Buddhist centres are centered in, or about, larger towns, with some ”small” Sanghas appearing in small towns all over Sweden.

As Buddhism starts to spread, this is about to change.

But in the end it's all good practice.

Thank you for your practice,

Fugen, Unsui Treeleaf Sangha

BATW: Buddhism in Hungary

2011-01-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

**In the second part of our series Buddhism Around the World, comes a group blog in Budapest, Hungary, who write for the site BuddhaPest. These folks hold a bit of a special place for me, since both my grandparents immigrated to the United States from the area of Transylvania, which at the time was still part of Hungary. We thank Roni and the other bloggers of the BuddhaPest Blog!

The BuddhaPest Blog was started in 2008 by Yoscha (also posting stories by Milaba) and became a group blog in 2010 when Astus and Roni joined in. All 4 of us have graduated from the The Gate of Dharma Buddhist College/Budapest Buddhist University which offers BA and MA degrees in Buddhism.

The name of the blog comes from a very old pun that was already well known in the 15th century, when Galeotto Marzio, the Italian chronicler of Matthias Corvinus, assumed that the town Buda (now the Western part of the capital Budapest) possibly owns its name to "a certain holy man called Buddha". This assumption has lived on to this very day and has given rise to claims that the Buddha in fact was Hungarian.

Instead of giving a historical overview of the early phases of Buddhism in Hungary myself, I would like share a couple of links (in English). First of all A Short History of Buddhism by Ernest Hetényi (PDF, Bulletin of Tibetology, 1973), and some about the most prominent Buddhists and Orientalists Hetényi refers to: Alexander Csoma de Kőrös from Transylvania (at that time Hungary, now Romania), Tivadar Duka (Csoma’s first biographer), Ferenc Hopp and Zoltán Felvinczi Takács (founders of the first Asian art collection), Aurel Stein archeologist and explorer, who disovered the Cave Temples of the Thousand Buddhas in Dunhuang, Trebitsch-Lincoln adventurer, international spy and Buddhist abbot in Shanghai*, who wanted to found a Buddhist monastery in Hungary in 1937.

The more recent history of Buddhism in Hungary begins with the author of the article above: Ernest/Ernő Hetényi and the founding of the Buddhist Mission** in 1951 (which became part of the Arya Maitreya Mandala founded by the German Lama Anagarika Govinda in 1952 and exists up to now). In the Communist Era the activity of the Buddhist Mission (and its educational project, the Kőrösi Csoma Buddhology Institute) was tolerated by the authorities, but Buddhism (as practising religion in general) was certainly not encouraged. With the political changes of 1989 Hungary became a new market for all kinds of religious, spiritual and New Age ideologies coming from the West. From then on we also can see a (reconstruction and) revival of the Shamanism of the early, nomadic Hungarian tribes.

An example of this revival is one of the largest Buddhist communities (Karma Kagyupa**, in Tar), that emphasises the parallels between Vajrayana Buddhism, Mongolian and Scythian culture, and Hungarian folk tales. The largest Buddhist community with many centers all around the country is that of Diamond Way Buddhism by Lama Ole Nydahl. With many more Tibetan Buddhist sanghas (among others the Sakya Community of Sakya Trizin with a resident lama in Budapest, and the Dzogchen Community** of Namkhai Norbu), Tibetan Buddhism is the most popular form of Buddhist practice in Hungary, probably due to the translation of the Dalai Lama’s books and also his visits (most recently in 2010). Zen/Chan/Seon lineages are also present, partly via the West (Mokusho Zen of Deshimaru Roshi, Kwan Um of Seung Sahn and One Drop Zendo** by Harada Roshi), partly by the presence of Chinese teachers whose communities** consist mostly of Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. Theravada Buddhism is represented by two Vipassana schools: Goenka’s international "movement" and Mahasi Sayadaw’s Buddhist Vipassana, and also by a monastery in progress in the Forest Sangha lineage: Dhammadipa Sangha**. There is one Buddhist monastery/temple functioning in Hungary: Wong Kwang Sa of the Kwan Um lineage. The most recent group is Hang Truong’s ComPaSS, that combines Ken Wilbers’s teachings, Engaged Buddhism, Integral Tai-Chi, meditation and mindful living. Another fairly new group is Jai Bhim, that integrates roma people in the trail of Ambedkar’s Dalit Movement with the help of the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly FWBO).

The Gate of Dharma Buddhist College was founded in 1991 by a handful of teachers who had studied (and later lectured) at the above mentioned Kőrösi Csoma Buddhology Institute. During its nearly 20 years of existence it has grown to an internationally acknowledged university accredited by the Hungarian State. The university is not affiliated with any lineage or school, the (core) curriculum gives a rather balanced overview of Buddhism.

Astus has a BA and MA in Buddhism from the Gate of Dharma Buddhist College/Budapest Buddhist University, he has been active on Buddhist online boards and he is currently one of the administrators of Dharma Wheel, a Mahayana Buddhist forum. He does translations of Buddhist texts to Hungarian**, also runs two blogs of which one is in English. His main interests are Chan and East Asian Mahayana.

Roni (who has written this summary) is interested in Theravada (especially the teachings of Ajahn Brahm & Ajahn Sujato) and (together with her fellow bloggers) in making Buddhism more popular(ized) via the BuddhaPest Blog.

* Roni wrote her thesis about him, the abstract can be read here (in English)
** Link in Hungarian

BATW: A Buddhist Blogger from Singapore

2010-12-26T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here we present the first in a new series of articles "Buddhism Around The World", which we hope to continue on with here. Our first "highlight" is Lee Yue Heng from Singapore. We hope you enjoy what he has to share...

I am a Buddhist blogger of Chinese ethnicity from the Republic of Singapore, which is a small island in Southeast Asia. Buddhism is a mainstream religion here, adhered to by about 42.5% of the population as of 2000.

We also have a very diverse Buddhist scene here. There are Theravadains, Chinese Mahayanists, Korean Zen practioners, Sokka Gakkai devotees, Vajrayana, etc. and they generally co-exist in harmony.

Personally, I am not exclusively affiliated with any particular school or sect but I do try to integrate aspects of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, with a little dash of Tibetan Buddhism, into my daily practice. This is not unusual among Buddhists in Singapore and sectarian lines are not so rigidly defined.

For example, some time ago, I attended a talk by Venerable Thubten Chodron (who hails from the Tibetan tradition) which was hosted at a Theravada Temple and Ajahn Brahamavamso (from the Thai Forest tradition) frequently gives talks at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, which is a chiefly Chinese Mahayana organization.

Recently, I began a blog exclusively centered on Buddhism and its address is

http://refugee1978.blogspot.com/

I try to write about daily life from a Buddhist perspective and sometimes there are posts on the state of Buddhism in Singapore (from my humble and subjective viewpoint of course)

It would be nice to interact with Buddhists from all over the world and the Blogisattva Awards platform seems like one of the venues for doing so. Recently, you had a post about highlighting bloggers from non-English countries. Singapore is in Southeast Asia, but because of our colonial history, our main language is English. If you feel that any of my posts will be of interest to your readers, feel free to direct them to "The Refugee"!

Hoping this finds you in good health. With Metta

Lee Yue Heng

Buddhism Around the World

2010-12-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

Buddhism is a tradition that is growing exponentially throughout the world, and not just those countries where is English is the dominant language spoken. If you are a blogger, I'm sure you are more than aware of people from around the globe coming to visit your site. But I bet you weren't perhaps aware of the vast and diverse amount of non-English language Buddhist blogs out there. While the Blogisattva awards are primarily about recognizing English language blogs, we feel it is important that those voices around the globe, whatever language they maybe, have a chance to be heard and be part of the community. With technology today, language isn't the barrier to communication and the sharing of ideas that it once was.

With that in mind, Nate and I thought it would be a great idea to get bloggers from traditionally non English language countries to talk a little bit about Buddhism in their country, including a bit of the history, culture, growth and online world. So over the next several months, the Blogisattvas will feature posts from several different bloggers from around the world, who are kind enough to share their thoughts and experience from their perspective. We thought this not only a unique opportunity to expand our community, but a great way we all can learn what other wonderful voices are out there.

So far we have bloggers from Hungary, Brazil and Mexico lined up, and are working on bringing others in. If you are a Buddhist / Buddhist blogger from a non-English language country, and would like to share your thoughts and experience, send us an email here. It would be great publicity for not only your blog, but Buddhism within your country!

Also, Google has this handy tool that anyone can plug into their blog or website, that allows your blog to be translated into almost a hundred different languages instantly. We have put one up here on the right tool bar, and encourage everyone to put up a translator button.

2010 Blogisattva Award Winners

2010-12-12T03:13:00.000-08:00

I'll be perfectly honest, I was trying to find another word other than winner to use in the title here. Not because the winners here are less deserving, and not because I was trying to blur the line between winner and non-winner in the spirit of being a "Buddhist," but because all of these people that have had the heart, the guts and the determination to come online and share their thoughts and their practice with the world, cannot win or lose. What they do, what you do, day after day is immeasurably beyond the realm of relative winners and losers. YOU together are all the voices and the spirit that is moving and shaping the future of Buddhism, the future of an ancient tradition that points to a way beyond winners and losers, a way beyond suffering, a way beyond doubt.

Collectively, all of our words, which are linked together by print or by digital media or by podcasts, is far greater than one lone voice could ever be; and its real power and influence is beyond the poor abilities of human vocabulary to describe. However if I had to choose, I would say this community is the embodiment of Prajñā, Dāna and Śīla. We are all Sangha; Perhaps not in the traditional meaning of the word, but nevertheless a Sangha that I am most humbly overjoyed to be a part of.

In the Dhammapada, Guatama Buddha famously taught:

Are you a shepherd
Who counts another man's sheep,
Never sharing the way?
Read as few words as you like,
And speak fewer.
But act upon the dharma.
Give up the old ways -
Passion, enmity, folly.
Know the truth and find peace.
Share the way

From all of us at the Blogisattva awards, we thank each and every one of you for sharing the way in your own words and in your own way.

Your 2010 Blogisattvas!

✍ Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog or Blog Post

✓ Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Blogger: John Pappas

✍ Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging

✓ Buddhist Geeks - Blogger: Group Blog

✍ Best Achievement in Design

✓ 21awake - Blogger: Rohan Gunatillake

✍ Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or Political Issues

✓ Dangerous Harvests - Blogger: Nathan Thompson

✍ Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging

✓ Discovering the Divine Connection - Blogger: Emily Horn

✍ Best Blogging on Matters Philosophical, Psychological or Scientific
✓ Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck

✍ Best “Life” Blog
✓ Cheerio Road - Blogger: Karen Maezen Miller

✍ Best Buddhist Practice Blog

✓ Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao

✍ Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma

✓ The Meditative Gardener - Blogger: Cheryl Wilfong

✍ Best Achievement in Skilled Writing

✓ Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck

✍ Post of the Year!

✓Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Post: Point of Contact - John Pappas

✍ Blog of the year, Svaha!

✓ The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr

❁ I would like again thank our judges Rev. Danny Fisher, Philip Ryan, Tanya McGinnity, Barbara O'Brien and Andy Lambert; our resident guru graphic artist Anoki Casey from BuddhaBadges and DharmaDots; my amazing co-administrator and the man whose idea it was to revive the awards Nate DeMontigny; and with special thanks to the founder of these awards, Tom Armstrong.

Also, a big thanks to Shambhala Sunspace, Tricycle Magazine's Editors Blog and Elephant Journal for getting the word out to the world about the awards. We will have some information about the 2011 Awards soon, so stay tuned for that.

With deep gratitude to the entire community, thank you! - Kyle

For those that would like them, here are some badges for the winners to post on your blogs, etc.

Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award 2010

2010-12-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

This year, the Blogisattva Awards is offering up something new. Kyle and I decided that due to his passing, Robert Aitken Roshi should be the first recipient of the Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award. Aitken Roshi was a blogger too, but he will of course be remembered for his impact on Western Buddhism, which was as monumental as it was far reaching; so we felt this would be the right thing to do.

I e-mailed his son Tom about using a bio and was told it was ok to use the bio from Aitken Roshi's site. It was written by Aitken Roshi, and is pasted here to help us all grasp just what this man meant to the Buddhist realm. It is lengthy and I hope you will take the time to read it. Below the bio are comments and remembrances from the likes of Roshi Joan Halifax, James Ford, Rev Danny Fisher, Jundo Cohen, John Pappas...

I came to Hawai'i with my parents in 1922, when I was five years old. My father was an ethnologist at the Bishop Museum. His study, Ethnology of Tubuai is still in print. He was the first to earn a master's degree at the University of Hawai'i. I attended public schools here, with the exception of kindergarten at Hanahau'oli, two years of junior high at Punahou, and two years in California, including my final three semesters of high school. I attended the University of Hawai'i for 2 1/2 years before World War II, and two thereafter, graduating in 1947 with a degree in English Literature. Among my professors I was especially close to Daniel Stemple, Carl Stroven, Willard Wilson, Yukuo Uyehara, Andrew Lind, and A. Grove Day. Close friends among classmates included C. Frederick Schutte, late attorney in the Honolulu firm that bears his name, Jean McKillop (King), and Thomas M. C. Chang, retired professor of Educational Psychology at U.H. Acquaintances included Patsy Takemoto (Mink), Daniel Inouye, Duke Cho Choy, retired pediatrician, and Mary Whang (Choy). After the war, I lived near the University and had supper regularly at Hemmenway Hall with Marion and Allan Saunders. I was president of my senior class.

I returned to the University in 1949 for my masters degree in Japanese studies, graduating in 1950. Dr. Stemple was my thesis chair, and members of my committee included Cheuk-woon Taam, then East Asia librarian. I had a peripheral role in the East-West Philosopher's Conference the summer of 1949, and worked as a kind of gofer with Greg Sinclair, Charles Moore, and D.T. Suzuki. This was the beginning of a long friendship with Dr. Suzuki.

Later my connections with the University included a three year stint at the East-West Center as a program advisor in the Institute for Student Interchange, as student activities coordinator, and as alumnae secretary. Ms. Saunders was my supervisor during much of this time. I subsequently spent a year with the Youth Development Center as assistant to my friend Dr. Chang in the Upward Bound Program, and a year as English instructor at Kapiolani Community College.

Since the late 1960s I have been closely associated with the Religion Department of the University. I am a friend and colleague of David Chappell, Professor of Chinese Buddhism. I have spoken in classes in the Religion Department, taken part in colloquia and conferences which the department has sponsored, and written articles for its Journal of Buddhist-Christian Studies.

My record of community involvements in Honolulu includes stints in the late 1940s and early 1950s at community association coordination in Mo'ili'ili and Wahiawa. In this work I profited from a consultations with my then father-in-law, Ferris Laune, Executive Secretary of the Honolulu Council of Social Agencies.

I have had a long association with peace and social justice movements in Hawai'i. I took part in the Mother's Day Walk for Peace in 1952 with and Marion and John Kelly, an anti-nuclear protest, and the first of many demonstrations. During the Vietnam War as I was active as a resister and draft counselor, and was close to James Douglass, Walter Johnston, Oliver Lee, George Simpson, and Anita and Allen Trubitt. In 1967, while at the Youth Development Center I took part in the Bachman Hall sit-in as part of the faculty contingent. In 1972, I walked around the island for peace and social justice in a group led by Jim Albertini and John Wittick.

I am a founding member of the American Friends Service Committee, Hawai'i, and served on its first board of directors, chaired by Robert Bobilin. I attended the meetings called by Dean Saunders to establish the American civil Liberties Union, and have been active in that organization since, taking part in its campaigns, including the Camp Smith Cross case and more recently the various actions in support of same-sex marriage.

My major work through the years has been as founder, leader, and teacher in the Diamond Sangha, a Zen Buddhist society. With my wife Anne, I established the Koko An Zendo of the Diamond Sangha in Honolulu in 1959, and the Maui Zenda in 1969. In recent times the Diamond Sangha established a second Honolulu temple, the Palolo Zen Center, where I presently reside. The Diamond Sangha is now an international network, with centers on neighbor islands and in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington State, Germany, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

I have been fairly active in the local Buddhist community, beginning with a stint as a Sunday school teacher at the Hompa Hongwanji in 1957 and 1958, where my supervisor was the now retired Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani. In recent times I have been a member of the Hawaii Association of International Buddhists.

In the macro dimension I am well established as a teacher of Zen Buddhism. I take part in Buddhist symposia in North America, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, and am especially close to leaders of the San Francisco Zen Center. I am co-founder with Nelson Foster of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, now an international network of chapters concerned about the application of Buddhism in social, political and economic realms

I am author of eight books, co-author of one more, on aspects of Zen Buddhism, brought out by major publishers, including North Point; Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux; Pantheon; Parallax; Shambhala; and Counterpoint. Some of these books have been translated and published in Spanish, German, Dutch and Italian, with one to come in French. I am a frequent contributor to Turning Wheel, journal of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and have written also for a large number of other journals, mostly Buddhist, but also including Parabola and The Wallace Stevens Journal. I've also written a number of forewords to books by friends and colleagues, including a lengthy introduction to Hee-Jin Kim's Dogen Kigen: Mystical Realist. I did extensive research on Dwight Goddard, an early pioneer in Buddhist studies, and contributed a long introduction to the reissue by Beacon Press of his seminal work, A Buddhist Bible.

On moving to Kaimu-Kalapana on Hawai'i Island in 1997, I built a small home across the driveway from my son, Thomas Laune Aitken, a school counselor. I became ill with Hodgkins' Disease, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation, which ultimately was at least temporarily cured. The Zen Center of San Francisco sent an attendant to look after me, and since I have hired a series of many people in that role. In time I also hired a secretary, again the first of a series. I started a Zen group in my home.

In the course of this retirement I have taken part in Ho'opakele, a group of mainly Hawaiian people interested in decarceration and prison reform. I helped to organize the East Hawai'i Island Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and have taken part regular vigils and periodic rallies.

I have continued to contribute to Buddhist and other publications, and am at this writing completing preparing manuscripts for my 10th book, The Morning Star: New and Collected Writings, and a revised edition of my first book, A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen.

After his passing, the online Buddhist community rallied behind him. I asked a few folks for words and or comments about him.

Received these wonderful words from Lama Surya Das
"Aitken Roshi was a great inspiration and spiritual friend to us all. His pioneering books, teachings, scholarship and example helped me grok zen Dharma during the past several decades. He and I both shared a great appreciation for and interest in haiku and oriental poetry, which we both wrote, translated and read widely. We never ran short of things to talk about, and he was always an Elder to me.

In my conversations with him over the years he always brought a different and interesting perspective to things, from his vast experience and Dharma wisdom, although he wasn't always right, which I found that amusing.

I remember once we were both at a Buddhist teachers Conference in San Francisco, discussing some particularly thorny issues around teacher-student relations in the American Dharma scene, and Bob advised shunning; that is, the practice of ostracizing, cutting off, isolating and shunning teachers who exploited their students. Along with my other colleagues, I thought that was just about the worst idea anyone had ever come up, since the time of the Puritans and Pilgrims; but we all had to laugh together, since we were united in being fond of the good ole roshi as well understanding, from knowing him personally, that it was somewhat consistent with his own patrician Protestant background.

A year or two later, when I visited Bob briefly in Hawaii and shared this little insider anecdote to him, he laughed and said, "It seemed like a good idea at the time and may still be, who knows? These things continue to go on anyway."

Robert Thurman was gracious enough to send us the following words re: Aitken Roshi
"Though I didn't know Aitken Roshi very well, his formation of BPF and his leadership in spurring Buddhist ethical activism against war and injustice was very inspiring to us all. I enjoyed some of his writings as well. The few times we met were occasions with lots of people around so never had very full dialogue. He made a great contribution and will be missed and remembered."

Roshi Joan Halifax had the following to say about Aitken Roshi
"Aitken Roshi brought into sharp focus for Western Buddhists the importance of a practice that was not only inward and spare, but as well outward and sharp. His tenaciousness in keeping social and environmental responsibility in the foreground of Buddhism in the West cannot be underestimated. For decades he was our elder, a source of deep inspiration, and as well a source of strength. His death leaves behind for all of us a legacy of integrity and courage."

We received this fantastic remembrance from James Ford of Monkey Mind
"My most vivid memory of Aitken Roshi was following a big Diamond Sangha event we were at a small party in someone's back yard in Northern California. As I was standing enjoying the Summer weather and the amazing view from that yard, I noticed the roshi talking with a young woman. Actually, she was talking to him. He was pretty tired and at first he seemed reluctant to enter into the conversation. Then she mentioned "base communities," communal projects closely associated with the Christian liberation theology movement. He was instantly excited and the conversation quickly expanded to include a number of us, each speaking from our hearts about how our practice, the Zen way, just as it is true for other traditions, has a deep responsibility for the health and well being of all people and, indeed, for the world itself. Only the most vivid of a number of moments where his larger vision of what we're about came to the fore. Now, as I've completed the "formal" aspects of my training and am now teaching, I never forget his profound understanding we are not in this world alone, none of us."

This link goes to a sit-a-long that Jundo Cohen of Treeleaf Zendo put together which was dedicated to Aitken Roshi
http://www.treeleaf.org/sit-a-long/with-jundo-and-taigu/archives/2010/08/sit-a-long-with-jundo----they-cant-eat-merit.html

And we were pointed toward this post by our friend, and fellow judge here at the Blogisattvas, Reverend Danny Fisher which has more links to articles posted by Tricycle, Shambhala Sun and Mahasangha News.
http://dannyfisher.org/2010/08/06/robert-aitken-roshi-1917-2010/

John Pappas of Zen Dirt, Zen Dust/ Point Of Contact Subtle Dharma Mouth Punch had this to say:
"Aitken was a rough and tumble zen master. Simple, profound and with all the scrapes and stories that life can bring. Unlike other Zen rough-necks, Aitken Roshi presented a uniquely simple American dharma composition without settling into zen aphorisms. His words and actions represented a practice that was internalized spiritually, physically and politically ~ a practice that encompassed your life. As a person he was willing to present his humble and flawed side as well. I love his words.."

Old age ain’t no place for sissies...Yet I don’t mourn my loss of youth. What a confused mess I was! What time I wasted! All in all, I am really quite comfortable in these last years. Pass the marmalade.

While it may seem he left us all early, his body of work is nothing to balk at and will be studied for years to come. Those that met him were lucky to know him, those that have read his work are lucky to have studied him. It is with this we dedicate the first ever Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Aitken Roshi. Thank you and safe travels Roshi!!

For those that would like to, feel free to add your comments below about what Aitken Roshi's teachings meant to you.

2010 Blogisattva Award Finalists

2010-12-08T02:04:00.000-08:00

This past six months has been quite the wild ride for us here at the Blogisattvas. First off, I want to thank everyone, the readers, the Buddhist publications and most of all the hard working bloggers out there that have made this whole thing possible. The response we received in nominations far exceeded anyones expectations, and that is why we would like to also thank the hard work the judges did in digging through literally hundreds and hundreds of entries. It was certainly no easy task for them!

Below are the 5 finalist blogs and bloggers in each category listed in alphabetical order. Also, we have added a line for honorable mentions, to give as much recognition to the just enormous amount of excellent blogs out there. On Sunday December 12th, we will reveal the winners for each category. Congratulations to everyone!

Without further ado, here are the 2010 Blogisattva Award finalists.

Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog or Blog Post

Beginner's Mind - Blogger: Michelle Wing
Elephant Journal - C. Douglas - Blogger: Coe Douglas
Lama Jigme - Blogger: Lama Jigme

✓Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Blogger: John Pappas (Winner!)

Tsemtulku - Blogger:

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

✍ Honorable Mentions: Lotus Flower SGI, The Jizo Chronicles, Awake is Good

Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging

21awake - Blogger: Rohan Gunatillake
Applied Buddhism - Blogger: J Sumitta Hudson

✓Buddhist Geeks - Blogger: Group Blog (Winner!)

Mindful Balance Blog - Blogger: Karl Duffy

Dangerous Harvests - Blogger:

Nathan Thompson

✍ Honorable Mentions: 108zenbooks, My Dharma Adventure, Vincent Horn, In This Instant

Best Achievement in Design

✓21awake - Blogger: Rohan Gunatillake (Winner!)

Open Buddha - Blogger: Al Billings

Related Tibetan Scripts - Blogger: Tashi Mannox

The Worst Horse - Blogger: Rod Meade Sperry

Buddhist Geeks - Blogger: Group Blog

✍ Honorable Mentions: Sumeru, 108zenbooks, Cheerio Road

Best Engage-the-World Blog

The Awakened Life - Blogger: Bindu Wiles
Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao
Online Meditation Crew - Blogger: Group
The Buddhist Blog - Blogger: James Ure
✓The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr (Winner!)

✍ Honorable Mentions: Sweep the dust, Push the dirt, Buddhist Geeks, My Dharma Adventure

Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or Political Issues

✓Dangerous Harvests - Blogger: Nathan Thompson (Winner!)
Monkey Mind - Blogger: James Ishmael Ford
My Buddha is Pink - Blogger: Richard Harrold
Bill Schwartz' column on Elephant - Blogger: Bill Schwartz
The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr

✍ Honorable Mentions: Angry Asian Buddhist, The Buddhist Blog, Notes From a Burning House

Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging

108zenbooks - Blogger: Genju
✓Discovering the Divine Connection - Blogger: Emily Horn (Winner!)
Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao
My Buddha is Pink - Blogger: Richard Harrold
The Buddhist Blog - Blogger: James Ure

✍ Honorable Mentions: Digital Zendo, Online Meditation Crew, The Jizo Chronicles

Best Blogging on Matters Philosophical, Psychological or Scientific

Buddhist Geeks - Blogger: Group Blog
The Buddhist Blog - Blogger: James Ure
The Revolution is Within - Blogger:
Think Buddha - Blogger: Will Buckingham
✓Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck (Winner!)

✍ Honorable Mentions: The Buddhist Blog, Sujato's Blog, American Buddhist Perspective

Best “Life” Blog

✓Cheerio Road - Blogger: Karen Maezen Miller (Winner!)
Digital Zendo - Blogger: Jaye Seiho Morris
Fly Like a Crow - Blogger: Adam Johnson
Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao
The Buddhist Blog - Blogger: James Ure

✍ Honorable Mentions: Sweep the dust, Push the dirt, Monkey Mind , The Worst Horse, Metal Buddha, Blissed Bitch

Best Buddhist Practice Blog

Digital Zendo - Blogger: Jaye Seiho Morris
Discovering the Divine Connection - Blogger: Emily Horn
✓Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao (Winner!)
Ox Herding - Blogger: Barry Briggs
Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck

✍ Honorable Mentions: Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Hardcore Zen, Wild Fox Zen, Lotus in the Mud

Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma

Buddhist Mama - Blogger: April Andrews
Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Blogger: John Pappas
✓The Meditative Gardener - Blogger: Cheryl Wilfong (Winner!)
Wild Fox Zen - Blogger: Dosho Mike Port
Wildmind Buddhist Meditation - Blogger: Bodhipaksa

✍ Honorable Mentions: Ox Herding, Wandering Dhamma, Mind Deep, Open Enlightenment

Best Achievement in Skilled Writing

Digital Zendo - Blogger: Jaye Seiho Morris
Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao
Zenosaurus - Blogger: John Tarrant
The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr
✓ Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck (Winner!)

✍ Honorable Mentions: 21awake, Run with Mu, Deitch

Post of the Year!

Mind Deep -
Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao -

Post: 10 Ways to Mindfully Touch the Dying
My Buddha is Pink -
Blogger: Richard Harrold -

Post: Four Noble Truths for Gays
Peace Ground Zero -
Blogger: Emily Breder -

Post: Unnatural, Sexless and Startled Awake
Wandering Dhamma -
Blogger: Brooke Schedneck -

Post: Buddism in the Category of Religion
✓Sweep the dust, Push the dirt -
Blogger: John Pappas -
Post: Point of Contact (Winner!)

✍ Honorable Mentions: Discovering the Divine Connection, The Jizo Chronicles, Vincent Horn

Blog of the year, Svaha!

Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao
The Buddhist Blog - Blogger: James Ure
Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Blogger: John Pappas
The Big Old Oak Tree - Blogger: Trevor Maloney
✓The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr (Winner!)

✍ Honorable Mentions: Dangerous Harvests, Zendotstudio, 108zenbooks, Ox Herding, Wandering Dhamma, Buddhist Geeks

Two Important Announcements

2010-12-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday December 8th, we will be announcing the finalists for the 2010 Blogisattva Awards. On Sunday December 12th, we will be unveiling the winners. We want to thank everyone again for their patience and support!

Secondly, as you all may have heard, the Buddhist Geeks are hosting a conference in July 2011 called Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism. Nate and I spoke with them just yesterday, and they have volunteered to donate a quite sizable discount to the conference for the finalists ($50) and winners ($100) of the Blogisattva awards. We are very thankful to them for taking some time and effort to help recognize the online Buddhist blogging community!

From their website about the conference:

Taking place July 29th – 31st, 2011 in Los Angeles, Buddhist Geeks | The Conference brings together some of the most exciting teachers, leaders and thinkers from the US and beyond as Buddhist Geeks continues its ongoing mission to discover the emerging face of Buddhism. With a vibrant program of presentations, workshops, performance and participant-led elements and its inclusive non-denominational attitude, #bgeeks11 will be the most innovative, energetic and relevant event in the Buddhist world. We would love you to join us.

By being part of The Conference you will:

be inspired by amazing speakers, some of the freshest voices in the Buddhist world today
make connections with people around the world who—like you—are passionate about 21st century Buddhism
shape the conversation in an event where everyone has a valuable perspective

This landmark Los Angeles weekend be an energetic adventure into the opportunities, the issues and the excitement of 21st century Buddhism. Don’t miss out.

Thank You for Your Patience

2010-11-30T08:40:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update; the judges have been hard at work putting together all the information, and we have begun to consolidate the data. We should have some announcements soon, so stay tuned!

Thank you again for your patience, your practice and your dedication!

Nominations are Now Closed!

2010-11-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a wonderful last six months since we announced the return of the Blogisattvas. The nominations are now closed for the 2010 Blogisattva awards, many thanks for all those who nominated their favorite Buddhist bloggers. There have been tons of great nominees in all the categories, and I certainly don't envy the work our wonderful judges will be doing in the next week or so. So much excellence to choose from.

I will be putting together a worksheet for the judges to go through and make their nominations for the finalists and winners. This task may take up to a week or longer, so we thank everyone for their patience. Most likely, when the judges have completed their work, we will unveil the 5 finalist for each award category in one post, then reveal the winner of each category in another.

I also wanted to post the badges that the Finalists and Winners can use for their blogs. A million and one thanks to Anoki Casey for yet again donating his time, his talent and the great graphic artwork to the Blogisattva Awards. He is most definitly a talented guy!

Finally, while you wait for the results, go check out the Online Meditation Crew, a group of folks, of all Buddhist traditions, who get come together online for discussion, meditiation and support. They are a great crew, and if you have any questions, feel free to hop on Twitter and send @ZenOutlaw a note.

Interview Re: The Blogisattvas

2010-10-26T18:38:00.001-07:00

First and foremost, in less than a week nominations close for the Blogisattva Awards. Make sure to nominate your favorite blogger.

Recently, I was asked by Emily Breder of the Peace Ground Zero blog and a columnist for the Examiner, to answer some questions regarding the Blogisattvas. You can find the interview HERE! I hope you enjoy it, as much as I enjoyed answering. Thank you Emily for writing this up and helping us promote the Blogisattvas.

One week left!!

2010-10-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

We are down to the wire here for the 2010 Blogisattva Awards.

Don't wait until the last minute to give props to your favorite blogger for inspiring you with their wit, wisdom, compassion, etc.

I just want to take this moment to thank all those that have been involved in the rebirth of the Blogisattva's. It's been enjoyable to say the least. I look forward to awarding this years and getting to work on next years. So, thank you everyone, you've been great.

If all goes as planned, the next post will be our announcement of the winners. Thanks everyone for your support and talk to you soon!

Awards Update

2010-09-30T05:59:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there is only one month left to get those Blogisattva nominations in! November 1st will be the last day to submit your nominations for those outstanding Buddhist blogs that you read and love. The process for sorting through and posting the finalists and award winners will probably take a few weeks after nominations close.

Also, we have hit the 400 milestone mark for Buddhist related blogs and websites in the directory, and everyday a few more get added. The Buddhist Blogosphere is far larger and more dynamic than I ever imagined! We will be keeping the ability to add to the blog directory database probably through November 1 as well. I am working on sharing the code so sometime in the near future that anyone can publish the blog directory that resides here.

Finally, for next years awards, we will be looking for new volunteer administrators to run the awards. I'm not sure if Nate, Anoki or myself will stay on, but there is definitely a good chance for an opening to volunteer! If you are interested in carrying forward the Blogisattva torch in 2011, just drop us a line here.

Thanks again for everyone's time and effort to make this year Blogisattva awards possible!

Blog Of The Day!

2010-07-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a contact I made via Yahoo Answers, I was able to come up with a cool script that randomly chooses a new blog each day.

We imported the list of nominations for the Blogisattvas, so the blogs that are chosen are one's you guys have all recommended others to check out. This is just another way that we think will help garner a little more attention to blogs other's may or may not have checked out yet.

The "Blog Of The Day" has been up for a few days now, just tucked under the fold you might say, that way we could make sure it would run properly. Now, it is "above the fold" for all to see.

There has been no human intervention in choosing the "Blog Of The Day". The code randomly selects a new blog every 24 hours. And, like I said, the list for the script to choose from has come from you guys.

We hope this exposes some great blogs and as always thank for your interest and support of the Blogisattva Awards!

Blogging Summary

2010-07-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who responsed to the survey we ran last week, here is a results summary of the rather unofficial, unscientific poll.

As you can see of the 40 responses we got, under one year was first with 35%, and between 1-2 years was last with only 15%. I think this shows us a couple of different interesting things about the Buddho-blogosphere, which I think were fairly expected. (Obviously these are just our opinions of course.) Firstly, I think this shows how difficult making it past the 12 month mark for new bloggers can be. Many folks do tend to take up blogging and begin with a lot of enthusiasm, ideas and energy, but as you can tell by the numbers after the first year, quite a few bloggers stop writing. Sometimes it is rather difficult to come up with new writing topics and interesting ideas to keep that energy and enthusiasm going. As well, it does take quite awhile to build up some return readers and followers. This can be a bit disheartening to some after awhile, even though becoming a well known Buddhist blogger perhaps isn't their intention to begin with.

Also, as you can see, and I think this is mostly true, if a writer hangs in there for a couple of years, they do tend to stick around and continue blogging for quite sometime. Here are 10 tips that may help new Buddhist bloggers build a readership, keep a steady flow of ideas and perhaps have a more enjoyable time blogging.

Don't push yourself too hard, too fast. Be easy on yourself and don't be afraid to take a step back every now and then.
Get involved with the online community; join other Buddhist blogs, comment on other posts and perhaps ask to exchange being added to each others blog roll if they are a blog you enjoy reading.
Reading others blogs is also a great way for you not only to learn about other peoples practice and what they are writing about, its also a great way to get new ideas for topics to write about yourself.
Making a post complimenting another blogger on something they wrote that impressed you can go a long way to building new friendships and getting a dialogue going.
If you have time, get a twitter account to promote your blog as well as to converse with other Buddhist tweeters out there. There are tons!
When an idea strikes you for a post, jot it down on a piece of paper. Don't ever feel bad about having several partially finished posts started at once. When the moment is right, you'll find the words to finish them.
Speak in your own voice about how your practice is coming, or about your understandings of the dharma. Don't be afraid to bring up controversial topics that interest you too.
Learn about the different sites around the web you can register your blog to point new readers to your stuff. It only takes one great post to get a loyal reader.
When people leave comments on the blog, take some time to thank them and interact with them.
Don't let negative feedback get you down. Sometimes the criticism isn't constructive and should be ignored, but many times you might pick up a tip or two, and make a new friend.

We have reached over 225 blogs and websites that have been added to the directory here already. Don't forget to add yours. Also, Nate has been hard at work on something special we are hoping to unveil in the next few days. So stay tuned!

How long have you been blogging/writing online about Buddhism?

2010-07-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

We thought it might be fun and interesting to do an informal anonymous survey about how long folks have been blogging about Buddhism. If you’re a blogger/writer/journalist feel free to answer the question below. You can also see the real time results by clicking on 'See Previous Responses' after you submit the form, or just click here. We will publish the final results up in a week or two.

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About the Directory and Nominations

2010-07-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

We first wanted to take a second to thank a few of the Buddhist publications for their support and encouragment, and also for getting the word out to the Buddhist community in general. So a big thank you to Elephant Journal, Shambhala Sun and Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. We also want to thank Anoki Casey of BuddhaBadges and DharmaDots for the fantastic graphics he did for the site, and for helping us out as an administrator! I think everyone is enjoying this process tremendously, and it should be a lot of fun as we get closer to November.

Secondly, just a few items of note about the blog directory;

It doesn't have to be the blog or site owner that adds a site to the directory, anyone can add a site.
The blog directory and the nominations have nothing to do with each other. The directory is a simple link list to Buddhist sites, and being added there does not mean that the site was nominated for an award.
There have been a couple of requests to add a non-English language category to the blog directory, so we have. While the awards are for English language Buddhist blogging, the directory is for any type of Buddhist site.
Edit: Whatever people enter down as information about what type of blog they are is what I enter in the directory. There are only three expections, if its an academic or Buddhist Resource blog, I do make sure that they are somewhat conforming to that. Also, any sites selling products is fine as long as it isn't the primary intention and focus of the site.

There are over 150 sites added already, so feel free to browse through them and check them out, and of course contact us if you see any errors or changes that need to be corrected.

Lastly, just as a reminder, for blogs to be considered for an award they have to be nominated. So don't forget to nominate your favorite bloggers. We encourage all bloggers, who may not be known to a larger audience yet, to nominate themselves if they so choose. We want to get the word out about all the wonderful writers and blogs out there. Also, a nomination is not a vote, so adding a site once is enough to enter them into the nomination database.

And as always, feedback and ideas are encouraged and welcome!

Welcome to the Panel TMcG!

2010-07-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

We'd like to welcome Tanya McGinnity of Full Contact Enlightenment to the panel of the Blogisattva Awards. We are confident that having her as part of the team she will bring a an interesting perspective to the panel. You can see her profile, which was just added, on the Panelists Profiles tab.

Welcome aboard Tanya!

Items of Note and Open Forum

2010-07-04T05:11:00.000-07:00

There are a few items of note I wanted to mention, as well as addressing a couple concerns raised by a few folks about the awards. Also, please feel free to comment about what you like, dislike or would like to change about this awards process. It is indeed a process, and one that the entire Buddhist blogging community and their readers can most definitely help be a part of! We need to hear what you have to say.

There were a few vocal folks that have raised a concern that they thought these awards are about being the "Best Buddhist." I want to assure everyone, under no uncertain terms, that this is most definitely NOT the case! Just as in years past, these awards are about recognizing excellence in blogging about Buddhism, to introduce blogs that many may not know about to others and to help build a sense of community. Like many other online blogging genres that have their way of recognizing and fostering a better sense of community through recognition, so do us Buddhists. This is about blogging, and is only about Buddhism in so far as that is what flavors how we blog and what we write about. Here are some quotes from the founder of these awards, Tom Armstrong, from previous years' awards.

"The prime purpose of the awards is to introduce Buddhists -- and others with a nascent interest in Buddhism -- to some of the great many excellent, varied Buddhism blogs that are out there, as close as a click away. In the meantime, we bow to the winners, all the nominees, the excellence of Buddhism blogging and the work that buddhobloggers do to bring us information and joy."

"While our very expert blogger jurors have labored mightily and cogitated deeply and voted faithfully to determine "winners" in the midst of plenty, there is no claim that we have found absolute bests nor that there is such a thing as "absolute bests." But it is worthy -- and fun, just fun -- to seek excellence, honor it and encourage it. It is also beneficial, and the prime directive of these awards, to get out The Good News. No, not that Jesus died for your sins, but that there are excellent Buddhism blogs out there that people like you may read for pleasure and information."

Thanks to a lot of good feedback, a public vote, for a multitude of reasons, on the final five nominees’ in each category probably is not the best route to go. Please feel free to have your say on what you think is the best way to gauge the nominee finalists.

Just for clarification, while we greatly thank the larger online Buddhist magazine blogs and the like, for their support, promotion and encouragement, the awards themselves will be for smaller individual and group sites and blogs. Perhaps we can do something different for those sites separately to recognize them, but these main awards are to showcase all the wonderfully diverse and sometimes eclectic Buddhist blogs floating out there on this ever growing blog-o-sphere.

We have already hit the 100 nominations mark, and there is still over three months left to go. We have also hit almost 70 Buddhist blogs/websites added to the new blog directory. So don't forget to put your nomination in for your favorite blogger as well as add any Buddhist related blog/website/journal etc. to the blog directory! (It only takes a few seconds!)

If someone would like to volunteer their time to be an administrator of these awards, please let us know. We could certainly use another person to lend whatever help they would be so kind as to offer. Remember, it is just two of us administrating these awards in our spare time, and is most certainly not run by some large office, corporation or any other such entity.

Thanks, and don't forget to let us know what you have to say!

The New Blog Directory

2010-07-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

As you might have noticed we have added two new tabs, one to 'Add a Blog to the Directory' and the 'Blog Directory.' We are trying to compile a comprehensive list of Buddhist and Buddhist themed blogs, websites, message boards, journals etc into one place. We have already had over 25 added in just 24 hours, and another 15 to update! Please bear with us as the directory will be spruced up a bit once we figure out how to best export a Google spreadsheet with the formatting we want. A big thanks goes out to Anoki from the Buddhist feed site Dharma Dots for stepping in to help out with the technical aspect!

Please feel to add any Buddhist related site to the directory, we update it daily! Also, let us know if you feel we should add another category to the details. Right now you can choice from;

Personal Practitioner
Academic
Monastic
Ordained/Lay Teacher
Online Magazine/Review
Link/Feed Site
Message Board
Group Practice Blog
News Journal
Other

And don't forget to submit a nomination for your favorite blogger!

The Blogisattva Panelists

2010-06-29T04:16:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone who has volunteered both their time and ideas to this years Blogisattva awards. As you know it can be difficult to find people who are familiar with the Buddhist blog-o-sphere, who are knowledgeable about Buddhism and are also willing to give some of their spare time to be a part of this panel. While we are still in the final stages of rounding out our panel, I wanted to take this opportunity to announce to the community the good folks who have so graciously offered up their time and expertise to be a part of this years Blogisattvas panel.

Without further ado, in alphabetical order:
(The bio's are borrowed from each of the panelists websites.)

Rev. Danny Fisher - Rev. Danny Fisher, M.Div., D.B.S. (Cand.), is a professor and Coordinator of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Program at University of the West in Rosemead, CA. He was ordained as a lay Buddhist minister by the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California in 2008. In addition, he is certified as a mindfulness meditation instructor by Naropa University in association with Shambhala International.

J. Andy Lambert- Andy is a practitioner from the humid lowlands of the Texas Gulf Coast. He struggles to maintain a practice, overcome the five hindrances, and walk the eightfold path. Andy has taken refuge and received the precepts in the Chinese Mahayana tradition and is a Zen practitioner. Andy co-writes Bayou Buddhists on the Houston Belief portal of the Houston Chronicle.

Barbara Hoetsu O'Brien - Barbara is a journalist and student of Zen Buddhism currently living in the greater New York City area. She began formal study with John Daido Loori in the late 1980s, and she currently is a student of Soto teacher Susan Jion Postal. Through these years Barbara has been actively engaged in meeting Buddhists from other traditions and learning about the many forms of Buddhism. She now blogs at the popular about.com site and has her own personal blog,The Mahablog.

Philip Ryan- Philip has worked for Tricycle: The Buddhist Review on and off (mostly off) since 1996. He is an inconstant and unreliable sitter, mainly in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Asked by Tricycle ’s founder Helen Tworkov in his job interview why he wanted to work at a Buddhist magazine, he cannily replied, “I don’t know.” When he is not working on tricycle.com, he eats and goes to sleep.

We heartily thank these fine folks for generously giving both their time and expertise to these awards!

Thanks and remember to nominate your favorite blogger!

To answer a few questions....

2010-06-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

...the Blogisattva Awards are, and were, not intended to become a popularity contest. As the founder of the Blogisattvas himself said, they are intended to shed light on bloggers who's ability to write insightful articles impact the buddho-blogosphere.

Our panel, which is still coming together, is very diverse-- that was our intention when reviving the Blogisattvas.

The process, for how this will all work is this, for those that are unsure. It is different than how the original Blogisattva's were awarded, and since we are an all volunteer panel, this seemed to be the best and most fair way to get it done.

Nominations will be taken until November 1st. Upon receiving the nominations, the panel will convene and pick 5 deserving bloggers from each category and will have a run-off vote. This run-off vote will be done by the public, the blogosphere. Our nomination process uses forms built through Excel spreadsheets, which is how the end voting will be put together as well. We believe this is the way to keep things fair and square.

Our intention has always been for this to be something fun. There is no conspiracy, there is no corporate take-over. I can barely put food on my table and pay the bills, no corporation involved here folks. This is supposed to be fun, and that's how it'll stay with us.

I've enjoyed being part of the process and I hope you are exposed to some new and refreshing blogs come the end of the year.

Nominations Are Open!

2010-06-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

Feel free to use the Submit Nomination tab to nominate your favorite bloggers /blogs. The nominations are open for the time frame of Dec 1, 2009 to this Nov 1, 2010; so there is still plenty of blogging to do before the finalists are announced. We have already had quite a few entries!

We will finish up all the details soon and they will be made available up on the guidelines tab.

We still need a couple of folks to finish filling out the rest of the panel, so if you are interested please contact us at this email address. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to make them here in the comment section or send us an email. (edit: The panel has been filled, thanks for everyone's interest!)

One last item, if you would like to have a logo for people to click on your blog so they can nominate you, or another blogger, you can use the following graphic and point it to http://www.blogisattva.org/p/submit-nomination.html.

Thanks and good luck!

Blogisattva is making a comeback!

2010-06-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

With Tom's blessing, he is giving a small number of us access to this blog in order to revive the Blogisattva Awards.

A note will be posted within the next couple days as we pull some things together and then start the nomination process.

Thank you Tom for allowing us to help and giving us the opportunity to revive the Blogisattva's!!

Kyle has taken it upon himself to get the BA's a domain, to make it easier for people to find us. The new url is http://www.blogisattva.org and it of course, directs folks to this blog. Please update links if you are pointing any toward the BA's!

thinkBuddha and Monkey Mind Honored

2009-02-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

Both Will Buckingham's blog thinkBuddha [link!] and James Ford's Monkey Mind [link!] have been honored recently for excellence.

thinkBuddha was named by the [London] TIMESONLINE, in its February 15 edition, as one of the 100 best blogs in the world. The Times' article estimates that there are now 200 million blogs on the internet. Hey, that's not bad! Will's blog is one in two million; in the upper crust, better than 99.99995% of the blogs out there. Yowza!

In the Times' bloggers' article about the top 100, Bryan Appleyard waxes enthusiastic. He writes,

Blogs let you jot down what you think, feel or know and, at the speed of light, publish it to the world. They now cover everything from quantum theory to politics to low-life celebrity gossip and intimate personal confessions. They can be vast publications written by teams of writers, or fragmented jottings from a student pad. They are the most successful, addictive, potent and radical application of all the new technologies and applications spawned by the personal computer.

Boy howdy, that!

The citation of thinkBuddha's excellence is on page five of the article, where the six best original thinkers are named, and reads as follows: “A blog that brilliantly suggested a Buddhist bus in response to the atheist and Christian advertising signs now stuck on traffic jams around the country. The Madhyamaka bus would bear the slogan: 'Neither an entity nor a nonentity moves in any of the three ways. So motion, bus and route are nonexistent'. That settles that.”

Monkey Mind got some love from the UU Blog Awards 2008, getting a silver 2nd place award in the category "Best Religious Writing or Theological Commentary" and a bronze 3rd place award in the category "Best Political Commentary - Single entry" for the post "A Briefest Reflection on American Politics and Liberal Religion."

Ford is a Unitarian Universalist minister who heads the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Rhode Island. He is also [quoting his blogsite] "a long-time Zen practitioner ordained as a Soto Zen priest and one of the guiding teachers for the Boundless Way Zen project, currently serving as school abbot."

At the Boundless Way webspace, we are told this re the UU - Buddhism connection:

"Many western-born Buddhists, particularly those of European descent, have found Unitarian Universalist congregations welcoming communities within which they could raise their children. And these Buddhists, including our three guiding teachers, have been active in returning the favor by offering Zen and other Buddhist practices within those congregations.

"Today there is an ongoing and fruitful dialogue between western Buddhists and Unitarian Universalism expressed in part through the UU Buddhist Fellowship. Boundless Way Zen sees as one part of its mission a furthering of that dialog."

Will Buckingham and thinkBuddha have been nominated for nine Blogisattva Awards. Will is the recipient of the 2008 Wordsmithing Award. James Ford and Monkey Mind have been nominees for eight Blogisattvas, including seven last year. James/Monkey Mind won in the category "Best Buddhist Practice or Dharma Post" last year for the blogpost "Briefest ruminations on the death of a child"

Award Nomination Announcement to be Delayed

2009-02-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to inform that the announcement of award nominations for 2009, honoring buddhoblogging in calendar year 2008, will be much delayed.

The delay is due to the sorry circumstance of the poor awards administrator who is facing daunting financial and legal problems.

There is every expectation that the Blogisattva Awards will go forward this year and in future years and, maybe, forever, bestoying glory on splendid Buddhism blogs.

The awards administrator is sorry about the delay as he knows that a delay diminishes the hoopla that should properly come to any blog honored with a Blogisattva.

Blogibuttons

2008-03-22T14:43:00.001-07:00

Rootin' Tootin' Raspberry	For all you Blogisattva winners interested in displaying a button on your blogsite, we now offer buttons in six varieties -- well, really five, with one being worked on by our Research and Development Department. Let the world know that you are A WINNER, BETTER than those other, no-account Buddhist blogs. Our blog buttons are modest -- demure, even. Humble and shy. Just 100 pixels wide and 40 pixels high, smaller than a picture of a chihuahua. If YOU are a WINNER [of any Blogisattvas from 2006 through 2008] grab a button [right click and hit properties of the button you like, then snag it's location or address], put it up on your blog's sidebar and link it to the the anchor for your blog, found at the table of blogisattva winners and nominees in blogsite order. [Your anchor is the same as the link location for your blog, as found in the alphabetized listing at the top of the table.] Pretty spiffy, eh?
I am Curious Yellow
Orange Orange
You're in Yellow
Hi-Ho Silver
Jerry Brown

2008 Blogisattva Award Winners Announced

2008-02-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

Today's the day that the world has been waiting for, when the winners are announced -- for the Blogisattva Awards! [drumroll, please] "And the winners are ... why, Buddhism blog readers, worldwide.

While our very expert blogger jurors have labored mightily and cogitated deeply and voted faithfully to determine "winners" in the midst of plenty, there is no claim that we have found absolute bests nor that there is such a thing as "absolute bests." But it is worthy -- and fun, just fun -- to seek excellence, honor it and encourage it. It is also beneficial, and the prime directive of these awards, to get out The Good News. No, not that Jesus died for your sins, but that there are excellent Buddhism blogs out there that people like you may read for pleasure and information.

I am very sorry that this announcement is bare bones; there are storms literal and metaphorical here in Sacramento as I type this. Comprehensive information about the winners, nominees, process and significance of the Blogisattas will be forthcoming tomorrow or shortly thereafter. In the meantime, we bow to the winners, all the nominees, the excellence of Buddhism blogging and the work that buddhobloggers do to bring us information and joy.

The 2008 winners, for achievement in calendar year 2007, are:

Blog of the year, Svaha!: One foot in front of the other; Michael

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Best Post of the Year: "Addressing Comments From the Meditation Thread"; Tricycle Blogs - Jeff Wilson; Jeff Wilson

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Best Achievement in Skilled Writing (The Wordsmithing Award): Ed of Bad Buddha.

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Best New Blog, 2007: Progressive Buddhism, a group blog with contributions by Ordinary Extraordinary [Justin Farquar], WH [William Harrison], Nacho Cordova, Buddhist_philosopher [Justin Whitaker], odin [Paul Jahshan], Tom [Tom Armstrong], and Joe in 2007.

* * * * *

Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma [blog; blogger(s)]: 108 Days; Lekshe

* * * * *

Best Buddhist Practice or Dharma Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Briefest ruminations on the death of a child"; Monkey Mind; John Ishmael Ford

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Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person [as a diarist; writing of events in one's life; offering thoughts; or by venturing out into the world, gonzo style] [blog, blogger]: One foot in front of another; Michael

* * * * *

Best "Life" Blog Post [Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person (as a diarist; writing of events in one's life; or offering personal thoughts)] ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Breaking Point"; One foot in front of the other; Michael

* * * * *

Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Philosophical or Psychological [blog, blogger]: American Buddhist [the combination of American Buddhist Perspective (1/1-9/23/07) & American Buddhist in England (9/23-12/31/07)]; Justin Whitaker

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Best Philosophy or Psychology Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Zen Teachings and Idolatry"; Flapping Mouths; TedinAnacortes

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Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Scientific [blog; blogger]: Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky

* * * * *

Best Science Blog Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Perils of a Digital Life"; Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky

* * * * *

Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging [blog, blogger]: One Foot in Front of the Other; Michael

* * * * *

Best Kind and Compassionate Blog Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Awakening"; Budding Buddhist; EdaMommy

* * * * *

Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or about Political Issues [blog, blogger]: Zen Traveler: Eric Stewart

* * * * *

Best Opinion or Political Blog Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Politics: toward a Buddhist immigration policy"; American Buddhist in England; Justin Whitaker

* * * * *

Best Engage-the-World Blog Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Meat eaters are bad people"; Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky

* * * * *

Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design [blog, blogger]: Hoarded Ordinaries; Lorianne DiSabato

* * * * *

Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design [blog; blogger]: Tannishblog; Tannish

* * * * *

Best Achievement in Creation or Use of Graphics in a Blog [awarded for use within posts for overall effect] [blog, blogger]: Hoarded Ordinaries; Lorianne DiSabato

* * * * *

Best Single Photograph, taken by blogger or an associate, used in a post [Photo link; description; "post"; blog; blogger]: Photo link; "A Western pilgrim sitting among the small stupas and votives at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara."; "India Post #23"; Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher

* * * * *

Best Achievement with Use of Quotations in a Blog [blog; blogger]: lotusinthemud; sujatin

* * * * *

Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging [blog, blogger]: Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman

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Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog, Blog Service, or a Serial within a Blog[blog, blogger(s)]: Buddhist Military Sangha; Lt. Jeanette Shin et al

* * * * *

Best Multi-Part Blog Post [post series; blog; blogger]: Dharma from the sky "I: legends and history", "II: Indian or Chinese dharma?"; earlyTibet.com; Sam Van Schaik

* * * * *

Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog Post ["post"; blog; blogger]: "Vegetarian Christmas"; This Is This; Cliff Jones

2008 Blogisattva Awards Nominees Announced

2008-02-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Written by Tom Armstrong, awards administrator

The Blogisattva Organization is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2008 Blogisattva Awards honoring English-language Buddhism blogging during calendar year 2007. This is the third annual iteration of the awards which are given wholly for merit, and not as a measure of blogs’ popularity.

This year, ten accomplished buddhobloggers participated in the gathering of candidates and the voting that determined this year’s nominations and/or will participate in the voting that determines the winners, to be announced on February 24.

There are 26 categories of awards with an aggregate 132 nominations, making for a bounty of worthy honorees.

The prime purpose of the awards is to introduce Buddhists -- and others with a nascent interest in Buddhism -- to some of the great many excellent, varied Buddhism blogs that are out there, as close as a click away.

The 2008 nominees are:


	Justin Whitaker's American Buddhist in England, with his American Buddhist Perspective, is nominated for Blog of the Year, Best Philosopy or Psychology Blog and four post awards. Also, Justin is a contributor to Progressive Buddhism which is up for two nominations.

	Danny Fisher's Danny Fisher is a nominee for Blog of the Year, Best Kind and Compassionate Blog, Best Single Photo and three blog post awards. Danny, himself, is up for The Wordsmithing Award.

	Konchog Norbu's Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa is nominated for Blog of the Year, Svaha! It is also up for Best Kind and Compassionate Blog, three post awards and Best Photo.

	William Harryman's Integral Options Cafe is up for ten awards this year, including Blog of the Year, Svaha! Bill's blog was a big winner last year.

	One foot in front of the other, blogged by Michael, is a nominee for Blog of the Year, and in eight other categories. Michael is also nominated for The Wordsmithing Prize.

Blog of the year, Svaha!; 5 nominees; [blog; blogger]:

American Buddhist [the combination of American Buddhist Perspective (1/1-9/23/07) & American Buddhist in England (9/23-12/31/07)]; Justin Whitaker
Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
One foot in front of the other; Michael

Best Post of the Year; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"A Case of Spirit Possession in Tibet"; Kathmandu for You; michael smith
"Addressing Comments From the Meditation Thread"; Tricycle Blogs - Jeff Wilson; Jeff Wilson
"Briefest ruminations on the death of a child"; Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
"The physical of spiritual"; Bad Buddha; Ed
"Secrets"; One foot in front of the other; Michael

Best Achievement in Skilled Writing (The Wordsmithing Award); 5 nominees; [blogger, blog(s)]:

George Dvorsky; Sentient Developments
Ed; Bad Buddha
Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
James Ishmael Ford; Monkey Mind
Michael; One foot in front of the other

Best New Blog, 2007; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger(s)]:

A Hoodie Monk; Zen Priest Gomyo
Forest Wisdom; Gary
Progressive Buddhism; Group Blog
Zen Punk Diary; Dharmashanti
Zen Traveler; Eric

Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma; 5 nominees; [blog; blogger(s)]:

108 Days; an anonymous group blog
Hardcore Zen; Brad Warner
Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
Moonpointer; shian
Mystery of Existence; Per

Best Buddhist Practice or Dharma Post; 10 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Addressing Comments From the Meditation Thread"; Tricycle Blogs - Jeff Wilson; Jeff Wilson
"Blessing and curse"; One foot in front of the other; Michael
"Briefest ruminations on the death of a child"; Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
"Buddha and Myth"; Hokai's Blogue; Hokai D Sobol
"I Dunno--What Do You Think?"; Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
"Is Buddhism Too Conservative?"; Bhikkhu's Blog; Ajahn Punnadhammo
"On Zen Koans"; Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
"Of Pizza Hut and Enlightenment"; Tricycle Editors' Blog; Andrew Merz
"The Dharma of Wile E Coyote"; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
"The Importance of Rebirth"; Bhikkhu's Blog; Ajahn Punnadhammo

Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person [as a diarist; writing of events in one's life; offering thoughts; or by venturing out into the world, gonzo style]; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Hardcore Zen; Brad Warner
Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
Kathmandu for You; michael smith
Moving Mountains; Mugo
One foot in front of another; Michael

Best "Life" Blog Post [Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person (as a diarist; writing of events in one's life; or offering personal thoughts)]; 10 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"A Father's Death"; Deep Surface; Sean
"An Epiphany: My Spiritual Awakening and Path Toward Forgiveness"; The Buddhist Blog; James Ure
"Breaking Point"; One foot in front of the other; Michael
"Life's Experiences"; Zen Traveler; Eric
"Loose Ends"; One foot in front of the other; Michael
"Matter"; Via Negativa; Dave Bonta
"My Father's Death -- Internal Family Systems in Action"; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
"The Mother That Gives Birth to All Things"; Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
"Quest for Fire"; Truth is Within; yuttadhammo
"Visiting Maia's birth family"; Bodhi Tree Swaying; Bodhipaksa

Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Philosophical or Psychological; 3 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

American Buddhist [the combination of American Buddhist Perspective (1/1-9/23/07) & American Buddhist in England (9/23-12/31/07)]; Justin Whitaker
Deep Surface; Sean
Mystery of Existence; Per

Best Philosophy or Psychology Post; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"buddha and the ecological footprint"; Mystery of Existence; Per
"ground awakening - state or not?"; Mystery of Existence; Per
"I'm an Atheist, Sort of"; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
"Why Buddhist Ethics? - and how"; American Buddhist in England; Justin Whitaker
"Zen Teachings and Idolatry"; Flapping Mouths; TedinAnacortes

Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Scientific; 3 nominees; [blog; blogger]:

earlyTibet.com; Sam Van Schaik
Inverterate Bystander; John
Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky

Best Science Blog Post; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Christianity in early Tibet"; earlyTibet.com; Sam Van Schaik
"Consciousness & The Scientific Model"; Inveterate Bystander; John
"How will our Universe die?"; Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky
"Neuroscience and Buddhism"; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
"Perils of a Digital Life"; Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky

Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
One Foot in Front of the Other; Michael
The Buddhist Blog; James Ure

Best Kind and Compassionate Blog Post; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Awakening"; Budding Buddhist; EdaMommy
"Briefest ruminations on the death of a child"; Monkey Mind; James Ishmael Ford
"Doggone Tough"; Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
"Face to face"; One foot in front of the other; Michael
"Interconnection & Our Suffering"; WoodMoor Village; Nacho

Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or about Political Issues; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger(s)]:

Bodhi Tree Swaying; Bodhipaksa
Genius of Insanity; James Ure
Progressive Buddhism: A group blog - Justin Farquar, Justin Whitaker et al
The Mahablog; Barbara O'Brien
Zen Traveler: Eric Stewart

Best Opinion or Political Blog Post; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Five Miles, Uphill Each Way"; Zen Traveler; Eric
"Romney offends my religious position"; Mumon's Diary at Daily Kos; Mumon
"Politics: toward a Buddhist immigration policy"; American Buddhist in England; Justin Whitaker
"The Virginia Tech Shootings and Iraq"; Genius of Insanity; James Ure
"War is Madness"; Bhikkhu's Blog; Ajahn Punnadhammo

Best Engage-the-World Blog Post; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Buddhism: a recipe for social action"; American Buddhist Perspective; Justin Whitaker
"Facing Facts"; Bhikkhu's Blog; Ajahn Punnadhammo
"Meat eaters are bad people"; Sentient Developments; George Dvorsky
"On Buddhist Environmental Activism"; Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
"We Cannot Forget about Myanmar"; Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher

Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Bodhi Tree Swaying; Bodhipaksa
Hardcore Zen; Brad Warner
Hoarded Ordinaries; Lorianne DiSabato
jack/zen; Jack Ricchiuto
The Level 8th Buddha; Gerald Ford

Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design; 5 nominees; [blog; blogger]:

Moonpointer; shian
Tannishblog; Tannish
The Urban Monk; Barry Graham
WoodMoor Village; Nacho
Zen Under the Skin; chalip

Best Achievement in Creation or Use of Graphics in a Blog [awarded for use within posts for overall effect] ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger(s)]:

Dharma-Burgers "2" and "2a"; Rod Meade Sperry [Dharma-Burgers was moved rather recently, its blogging programming taken out from under it. But the posts can still be seen at the links given as part of theworsthorse.net ezine where the Dharma-Burgers resides.]
Hoarded Ordinaries; Lorianne DiSabato
Kathmandu for You; michael smith
One foot in front of the other; Michael
That Was Zen, This is Tao; An Xiao

Best Single Photograph, taken by blogger or an associate, used in a post; 5 nominees; [Photo link; description; "post"; blog; blogger]:

Photo link; "A Western pilgrim sitting among the small stupas and votives at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara."; "India Post #23"; Danny Fisher; Danny Fisher
Photo link; "One of the things you learn from meditating is how your own mind is like a meadow."; "Foggy meadow";Hoarded Ordinaries; Lorianne DiSabato
Photo link; "...the proceedings marking the first anniversary of the consecration of Khamariin Khiid’s sacred Shambhala site..."; "Special Delivery"; Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
Photo link; "Tompkins Square / East Village / Manhattan"; "Untitled [Jan 15, 07]"; One foot in front of the other; Michael
Photo link; "Peg attains perfect stillness and silence..." From the post "The teaching of emptiness by Zen master Peg"; Ordinary Mind Zen - Austin; Peg Syversen

Best Achievement with Use of Quotations in a Blog; 3 nominees; [blog; blogger]:

Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
lotusinthemud; sujatin
The Buddhist Blog; James Ure

Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
peaceful turmoil; tinythinker
Precious Metal; Nate DeMontigny
The Buddha Diaries; Peter Clothier
Tricycle Editors' Blog; Philip Ryan et al

Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog, Blog Service, or a Serial within a Blog; 3 nominees; [blog, blogger(s)]:

Buddhist Military Sangha; Lt. Jeanette Shin et al
Dharma-Burgers [2 & 2a]; Rod Meade Sperry; [Dharma-Burgers was moved rather recently, its blogging programming taken out from under it. But the posts can still be seen at the links given [2 & 2a] as part of theworsthorse.net ezine where Dharma-Burgers resides.]
Gratitude; Serial within a blog; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman

Best Multi-Part Blog Post ; 5 nominees; [post series; blog; blogger]:

"Collage: Blurring the Line Between Memory and Nightmare" I, II, III, IV, V; Integral Options Cafe; William Harryman
Dharma from the sky "I: legends and history", "II: Indian or Chinese dharma?"; earlyTibet.com; Sam Van Schaik
"Drop karma", "Drop karma (2)" & "Karma of excellence" Hokai's Blogue; Hokai D Sobol"
God" part 1: living with myths; part 2: the meaning of things; part 3: tentative resolutions; American Buddhist in England; Justin Whitaker
"Pondering the meaning of liberation from suffering" part 1, part2 & part 3; peaceful turmoil; tinythinker

Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog Post ; 5 nominees; ["post"; blog; blogger]:

"Austin winter deepens"; Zen Odyssey; Peg Syverson
"Dogs' Bodies"; Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa; Konchog Norbu
"Happier = Smarter"; Tricycle Editors' Blog; Philip Ryan
"The teaching of emptiness by Zen master Peg"; Ordinary Mind Zen - Austin; Peg Syverson
"Vegetarian Christmas"; This Is This; Cliff Jones

The UU Blog Awards

2008-02-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

The fourth annual UU Blog Awards, honoring Unitarian Universalist blogging in 2007, is past its nomination stage and is now in an open voting stage that determines winners in fifteen categories.

I learned about this from a post today in the UU blog Philocrites written by Chris Walton, who blogs using the pseudonym Philocrites. His post tells his readers of the voting, but it is also, unmistakably, a not-terribly-subtle suggestion that these readers link over to the awards site and cast votes for his blog. Anyone can vote. The nominee that gets the most votes in each of the UU Awards's 15 categories is a declared winner. Polls close a minute before midnight, Central Time, on February 15.

The UU Blog Awards are admirable. I wish I had the tech moxie and means to pull together some of the things I see at the UU Blog Awards site for this Blogisattva Awards site.

Still, I am very glad the Blogisattvas have taken the road less travelled, making a determined attempt to honor blogs for merit only -- and decidedly not by a means of open voting that becomes significantly, if not almost wholly, a measure of popularity rather than excellence.

The Blogisattva Awards are determined by a small pool of voters -- excellent buddhobloggers, all -- committed to objectivity and a task of seeking excellence. There's no campaigning.

Campaigning is now brisk for the UU Blog Awards. Ms. Kitty of Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show writes in a post today, "Please consider voting for Ms. Kitty in a few categories! Thanks." The anonymous minister of the blog Peacebang wrote today, "go vote for me as Best Something this year. I put a lot of heart and soul into my blogs and I ain’t gonna lie to ya: it would be nice to be honored with your vote." She then lists her seven nominations. In a post titled "Vote for ... ME!", Minister Debra W. Haffner, in her blog Sexuality and Religion, tells us, "I feel a little silly asking, but if you like what you read here, I hope you'll take a minute to go [to the webpage where votes are cast] and vote!"

This Year's Logo

2008-01-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

I wanted to get a post up here. And others every couple of days since this is awards season.

The Blogisattvas, like the Oscars, are late arrivals, but both are coming soon in the wake of great years in the buddhoblogosphere and the multiplex, respectively.

At right is the 2008 logo for the Blogisattva Awards: A person rejoicing at the high-quality post he is reading while meditating.

The latest schedule of upcoming events is in the sidebar at left.

Tags: buddhism, buddhoblogosphere, blogisattva, blogging awards

Awards Categories for 2008

2007-12-25T12:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Everybody.

The Awards Categories for the 2008 Blogisattvas, honoring English-language Buddhist blogging in calendar year 2007, are 'firming up,' though -- appropriately for anything Buddhist -- all things remain subject to change.

As of this hour, there are seven new categories, while three have gone by the boards, giving us a total of 25 happy categories in the new year. The expectation is that there will be five nominees in each category for a total of 125 nominations. Last year, there were 21 categories and 115 total nominations.

There will be twelve categories honoring whole blogs, including the premier award, Blog of the Year, Svaha!

The Wordsmithing Award will be back this year, honoring the best writing done by a blogger, which can span any number of blogs. Also back is the Niche Award, which as its title suggests, might go to any of a number of uneasy-to-categorize things: unusual blogs, series of posts within a blog, or a service that aids the buddhoblogosphere.

A new category is for Best Single Photograph taken by a blogger or associate, exhibited in a post during the year

Last year, there were four categories of awards specifically for excellent posts. This year there will be ten, as Best Philosophical or Psychological Blog Post; Best Science Blog Post; Best Political Blog Post; Best 'Life' Blog Post; Best Practice or Dharma Blog Post; and Best Engage-the-World Blog Post join Best [Overall] Blog Post; Most-Compassionate Blog Post; Funniest Blog Post; and Best Multi-part Blog Post as awards categories.

Nominees and winners of the awards will be determined by votes tallied by a voting service. Voting will be done by a select, divergent body of Buddhist bloggers and blog readers [of about twenty in number] who affirm their votes will be made after a careful assessment of the excellence of the candidates in each category. Almost unique in the realm of blogging awards, the Blogisattvas are given wholly for merit, not based on popularity. There is nothing we like better than to reveal previously-hidden sources of excellence in the buddhoblogosphere.

Awards Categories for 2008
[Note: These are the categories' nicknames. The formal, long-winded names are yet to be reviewed by a grammarian and translated into Pali.]
"#" designates each of the seven 'new' categories this year

Blog of the Year
Blog Post of the Year
Wordsmithing Award
Best New Blog
Best Practice or Dharma Blog
Best First Person Blogging
Best Philosophy or Science Blogging
Best Compassionate Blogging
Best Political Blog
Blog Use of Graphics
Blog Use of Quotations
Funniest Blog Post
Most Compassionate Blog Post
# Philosophical or Psychological Blog Post
# Science Blog Post
# Political Blog Post
# 'Life' Blog Post
# Practice or Dharma Blog Post
# Engage-the-World Blog Post
# Best Single Photograph, taken by blogger or an associate, used in a post
Best Wide Range of Topics Blogging
Best Blog Design [Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected]
Best Blog Design [Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant]
Best Niche blogging
Best Multi-part Blog Post

Tags: buddhism, buddhoblogosphere, blogisattva, blogging awards

Awards Season is Acomin' FAST

2007-12-08T12:29:00.001-08:00

Just writing to let anybody subscribed to this blog, or whomever otherwise comes along, know that another season of Buddhist blogging awards [i.e., the Blogisattvas] is coming.

News about the 2008 Awards, honoring excellence in English-language Buddhist blogging during the year 2007, is forthcoming.

Blog on, y'all

- Tom Armstrong
Awards Administrator

Tags: buddhism, buddhoblogosphere, blogisattva, blogging awards

Announcement: 2007 Blogisattva Award Winners

2007-02-25T00:05:00.000-08:00

I am pleased as Punch to announce the wonderful winners of the 2007 Blogisattva Awards, honoring excellence in English-language Buddhist blogging during calendar year 2006.

The premier award, Blog of the Year, Svaha!, goes to Bill Harryman’s Integral Options Café [link] the fulsome and intellectually hefty -- yet fun, smooth, easy and delightful -- carnival of information and insight. Bill has a broad and sophisticated palate of what is worthwhile and interesting and has an ability to sweep his readers in to his world of treasures and responsible living. We learn to stay fit; eat right; take care of body and mind, but we are not being lectured to by a finger-wagging nag. Bill gives us things to do, fun to find and insights that come from his challenging, interesting life and then adds thoughtful essays that are finely crafted, masterfully done, about Buddhism informed by Integral theory.

The other exceptional nominees in this category are [Blog, Blogger]: Danny Fisher, Danny Fisher; Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali; One foot in front of the other, Michael; Sentient Developments, George Dvorsky; thinkBuddha.org, Will Buckingham; and This is This, Cliff Jones

A chorus of “HAPPY!!!!!”: The award for Best Post of the Year goes to This Is This’s Cliff Jones’s irresistible “Vesak and the Art of Changing Tyres” which tells of Cliff’s success teaching the meaning of Vesak to a class of winsome five year olds. In his post Cliff captures the essence of the five-year-olds’ experience and the adult experience dealing with the jumpy, trusty, loving minds of the cute-as-peaches very young. Vesak has never been explained more winningly to the gappy toothed nor with such toothsome brio to an older set, blog readers. A stunning achievement. Huzzah, Cliff!

The other very worthy nominees in this category are ["Post" Blog, Blogger]: "A note on death" in One Robe, One Bowl by Soen Joon Sunim; "Meditation: A Rare Practice" in Tricycle Blog - Jeff Wilson by Jeff Wilson; "On the other hand" in Via Negativa by Dave Bonta; "On Knowing Nothing" in Deep Surface by Sean; "The Mind-Nature Sutra" in One Robe, One Bowl by Soen Joon Sunim; "The Mountain Road" in thinkBuddha.org by Will Buckingham; "The Red Rite" in The Jayarava Rave by Jayarava and "Thinking of Others" in Clarity's blog by clarity.

Oh to have the mind of Will Buckingham as displayed in the feverish cargo of posts in his blogs thinkBuddha.org [link] and WillBuckingham's weblog [link]! His head must certainly be a royal palace, filled to the flying buttresses with perfect diamonds. Will is the winner this year of The Wordsmithing Award for Best Achievement in Skilled Writing, honoring him for his unique abilities that turn phrases into gold, churn lofty thoughts into buttery text and burn his clear visions into marble, etching it with words. And then, too, there's the arranging electrons into nice streams of letters and words on the webpage thing that he does so masterfully which causes one to exclaim "Immersed in it all – the savour of the words and the radiance of the paragraphs, the song of the blog posts and of the Bollywood strumpet on the speakers, the horn blaring and goats bleating – I realised to my surprise that I was happy." [The quote here is from Will's post in thinkBuddha last year, "The Mountain Road" -- with, ah, maybe a few alterations.]

Other powerfully skilled writers nominated this year for The Wordsmithing Award [Blogger, Blog(s)]: Dave Bonta, Via Negativa; George Dvorsky, Sentient Developments; Bill Harryman, Integral Options Cafe; Cliff Jones, This is This; Paul Salamone, Paul's Blog, and The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster; and Brad Warner, Hardcore Zen

The award for Best New Blog of 2006 goes to the cutting-edge podcasting wonder Buddhist Geeks [link] a production of Ryan Oelke, Gwen Bell and Vince Horn. It may well be that texty blogs will be remembered like the silent era is to those in the motion-picture business. It may be that we texty bloggers are the Mary Pickfords and Charley Chaplins of our day while Ryan, Gwen and Vince are modern-day Brads, Gweneths and Leonardos. But Buddhist Geeks is more than just edgy, it’s excellent – pulled together with talent and intellect. It is nice to know that Buddhists are on top of the world, in full color, in full motion, with audio, on the bow of the ship with the wind gusting through their hair (if they have any). But, then, of course they are and it is. Buddhists can be geeky. And they rock. And none more so than the triumphant triumvirate of Ry, Gwen and Vinny.

Other tremendous new blogs nommed in this category [Blog, blogger]: Big Red Buddha, Miso; For The Turnstiles, Daniel Gustav Anderson; Kathmandu for You, Michael Smith; Monkey Mind, James Ishmael Ford; TMcG, TMcG; Unknowing Mind, Mike

The aperture of Tyson Williams's magnificently designed journal of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom tysonwilliams.com [link] is focused squarely on the dharma. Tyson's taste in crafting an entry is consistently excellent making him and his blog the choice as first winner in this new Blogisattva category, Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma. Whether he selects a generous quote from Sogyal Rinpoche, a poem by Shantideva, follows the activities of the Dalai Lama or presents news of travels or adventures in his own life, the text is interesting and presented beautifully. Tyson’s blog is a must stop for the dharma lover that we all are.

Other blogs of merit nommed in this category [blog, blogger]: Anonymous Dharma, Dan; Dharmavidya Web, David Brazier; don't drop that atomic bomb on me!, me; My Zen Life, John Soper

Impossible not to become enchanted by the sights and text in Michael's One foot in front of the other [link] blog. Whether he is keeping us abreast of health issues relating to his cancer, taking us to interesting, not-touristy sections of The Big Apple, or whisking us to Japan with his photographs, his prose, poetry and pics are each works of art. This year's winner of Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person is Michael and his wonderful blog. [Here a sampler from the archives, May 2006. See what I mean?]

Other terrific writers who draw from the the heart-mind and deliver direct to the reader and whom, with their blog, were nominated this year [blog, blogger]: A Blue Eyed Buddhist, Paul Cox; American Buddhist Perspective, Justin Whitaker; auspicious coincidence, “the girl”; Clarity's blog, clarity; Doe-Do, MikeDoe; Dust, Bob; Integral in Seattle, Gary Stamper; Naked Reflections, Nagarjuna

George Dvorsky is a force to be reckoned with in the category Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Philosophical or Scientific. He writes with perfect clarity and great intelligence on issues relating to "science, philosophy, ethics, and the future of intelligent life" in his blog Sentient Developments [link]. He is an authority, himself, with an impressive resume as a leader and writer on matters relating to ethics, technology and the future of humankind. All this came through in the frequent posts and podcasts in his blog in 2006 which is why Blogisattva is honored to give him our award.

Other mighty philosopy- &/or science-interested blogs nominated this year [blog, blogger]: American Buddhist Perspective, Justin Whitaker; Hyperaware Consciousness, Daniel Scott Poynter; Inveterate Bystander, John; and Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali

Michael of One foot in front of the other [link] keeps us apace with issues relating to his illness, parathyroid cancer, while sharing his feel for humanity, in words and pictures, in metropolitan New York City. He writes of his personal issues matter-of-factly. His camera, too, tells a pictoral story without pathos and bathos. And yet, all of Michael's entries are fiercely attractive and vividly human. And so it goes. Allow me to write in plain, flat words that which should be etched in the sky with firecrackers, Michael and his blog are highly worthy, so bestowed upon him (the blogger) and it (the blog) is the award for Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging.

Other very kind and most compassionate blogs and their masters nominated in this category [blog, blogger]: Clarity's blog, clarity; Dharmasattva's Meditations, Dharmasattva; peaceful turmoil, tinythinker; and The Buddhist Blog, James Ure

The thundering Theravada monk from Thunder Bay, Ajahn Punnadhammo, writes posts that are lightning in a bloggle. Bhikkhu's Blog [link] is a must-stop place for virtual explorers who want their minds expanded with new insights and Buddhism connections to world issues. This abbot of the Arrow River Forest Hermitage writes compassionately, yet bluntly, in posts that are always clear, clean, logical and eloquent (without distractive embroidery). Whether the issue is war in Sri Lanka, the Narnia books, or the Bamiyan Buddhas, Ajahn Punnadhammo tackles important issues and brings his incisive genius to the fore in delving deeply into the nexis of problems and conflict. The Canadian monk and his Bhikkhu's Blog is the 2007 winner of Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or about Political Issues.

Other excellent opinion blogs nominated in this category [blog, blogger]: Genius of Insanity, James Ure; Notes in Samsara, Mumon; Republic of T, Terrance Heath; and thinkBuddha.org, Will Buckingham

Integral Options Cafe was a busy place with a long menu in 2006 which included a comprehensive buffet of Integral dishes. [I am going to wear out the Cafe/eating thing pretty quick, you think?] Early in the year, Bill Harryman presented a bodacious series on Integral Relationships [Part I, II, III, Further & More ]; in the middle of the year, he wrote mature, thoughtful posts in the wake of the Earpy dust-up provoked by Ken Wilber; later in the year, he delved into the issue of change in a series of posts [ Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five]. In addition, throughout the year, his Integral awareness was evident in posts in ways overt or subtle. Integral Options Cafe and blogger Bill Harryman comprise this year's worthy winner of the Best Achievement Blogging on Integral Issues award.

Other nominees in this category [blog, blogger]: ~C4Chaos, ~C4Chaos; Dashh, Dashh; Integral in Seattle, Gary Stamper; Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali

I look at the photographs of Michael's in One foot in front of the other [link] and think if the picture had been taken one second earlier or later, or if it had been framed more narrowly or wider, or if his position when taking the pic had been one inch to the left, right, forward or back could it have been better? And I cannot see how it could have been. His are consistantly amazing pictures. Also, as was mentioned in a Blogmandu post last year, Michael has a facility of including wondrous, surprizing details. It is an honor to bestow the Golden Pig for Best Achievement in Creation or Use of Graphics in a Blog to Michael and One foot in front of the other.

The other award-worthy nominees this year [blog, blogger(s)]: Danny Fisher, Danny Fisher; and foot before foot: the photoblog, F. & X. Kwan

With quotes from a wide variety of sources - though with some favored, frequent sources, including Thich Nhat Hanh - James Ure presents wise words both unannotated and, at other times, adding interesting commentary from his experience. Using quotes isn't all James does at his popular blog The Buddhist Blog [link], but it is a big part of what readers come to enjoy. James and TBB win the inaugural Best Achievement with Use of Quotations in a Blog award.

Other blogs that use the wisdom of sages and were nominated in this category are [blog, blogger]: Anonymous Dharma, Dan; lotusinthemud, Sujatin; tysonwilliams.com, Tyson Williams; and whiskey river, whiskey

With his manifold interests and creation of a grand, convivial bounty of sumptuous quality and quantity, Chef Bill Harryman of Integral Options Cafe [link] cooked up a daily brainfeast in 2006 and is winner of the 2007 award for Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging.

Other never-boring blogs casting a wide net that were nominated in this category this year [blog, blogger]: ~C4Chaos, ~C4Chaos; Digital Dharma, Bill; Mudita Journal, Joshua Zader; and Naked Reflections, Nagarjuna

It's a hard choice here, but after putting a finger on the chin and looking up searching for guidance, it's been determined that the winner of the award for Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design is Paul Salamone and his The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster [link]. You have to like what Paul has done with his profile picture. And adding a background pattern to a common Blogger template is an inspiration. His color choices, too, are excellent, variations on green without a mean green in the bunch. A few inspired touches and Paul has taken the ordinary making it extraordinary.

The other nominees - all quite wonderful - are these blog and blogger tandems: A Blue Eyed Buddhist, Paul Cox; Authentic Personality, beesucker; Nine Out of Zen, ryan; and TMcG, TMcG

A couple of the nominees in the category Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design did radical surgery to their look since being nominated [Will you guys hold still, pleeeeease!?], proving that attachment is a problem [for Blogisattva!] and that change, whether or not it is good, is inevitable. The worthy winner in this category is George Dvorsky's Sentient Developments [link] where the design perfectly fits the nature of his serious science-themed blog. Blocks of different colors differentiate the title banner, body and sidebar. Graphics and photos stand out as additional rectangles in the darker-than-typical backgrounds. The line spacing is tight [a good choice for someone who has a lot to say] in an easy-to-read verdana font, sans serif. I don't know the jargon of design, so let me cut to the crunch: It's earthy, nice and people like it!

The other nominees in this category [blog, blogger]: Big Red Buddha, Miso; Green Clouds, Gareth; Mudita Journal, Joshua Zader; zen-lunatic, anathea

The terrible-sounding award Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog, Blog Service, or Serial within a Blog may seem like a catch-all for scraps and used rusty nails that don’t belong in “real” categories – but no, no, no, no, no, not so at all. Nominees in this category are high-octane blogs and regimens within blogs, the powerful Indy cars of the buddhoblogging oval, built from plans that come from the steely vision of a blogger [or service provider] with a mighty [and sometimes quite-mad] dream.

The award this year goes to Bill Harryman and the feature “speedlinking” in Integral Options Café [link]. I am agog to think how Bill does it: pulling together a daily linkfest filled with so much, most of it fresh from the prior day, that is consistently fun, fluffy and fascinating. And then, AND THEN, Bill does so much else in his blog and in his life on top of all this. Yowza.

The other worthies in the race this year [blog, blogger]: Big Red Buddha written by Miso; gratitude, a series within the blog Integral Options Cafe,written by Bill Harryman; the blog whiskey river written by whiskey; and Zen Filter written by Mark.

The great ~C4Chaos of ~C4Chaos says that he blogs with passion and compassion and, truly, all evidence is that he understands himself and what he's up to quite well. He is combative, but kindly. Interested in all things, but sure of what he thinks. Happy. Geeky. Energetic. A creator of a new word (i.e., fluffy). Defensive, sometimes, but, at core, in sympathy with everyone in the world. Like others, he's done the Boulder-dash, but is now well into stage two, have sprinted off to some coastal state, staying in contact with his spiritual hub via wi-fi at coffee shops. In 2006, C4 was an inaugural kenwilber.com blogger, began employment at the online social-networking company Zaadz, flew off to Ireland - chasing a rainbow, perhaps - on some non-specific computer technology programming ... thing. I am not altogether sure what the labels are for all of C4's talents, but the talent is there in abundance. He's a photographer, a splendid writer, a top-flight thinker (excepting when in disputes with Tom Armstrong) and a raconteur without portfolio [which could probably be fixed if he got an account at Staples]. Plus, he is the 2007 Blogger Best Demonstating a Multiplicity of Talents.

The other big-brained nominees in this category [blogger, blog(s)]: Dave Bonta, Via Negativa; Will Buckingham, thinkBuddha.org; Bill Harryman, Integral Options Cafe; Paul Salamone, Paul's Blog, and The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster

Beginning on 9/11, exactly five years after that day that will live in infamy, American Buddhist Chaplain Danny Fisher of the blog named Danny Fisher was at the beginning of his passage through India and started a very long, rich series of entries, with lots of pictures, that continued into 2007. These entries comprise what is being honored as the 2007 Best Multi-Part Blog Post. Danny's 25 India entries let us tag along as he travelled from New Delhi [#1, #20], to Bodh Gaya [#2, #6, #8, #11, #14, #17, #18, #22, #23, #24], to Calcutta [#3, #10, #25], to Mahakala Cave [#4], Banares/Varanasi [#5, #10], Vulture's Peak [#7, #10], Delhi [#9, #19, #21], Gangtok [#12, #19], Darjeeling [#13, #16, #19, #21], Rajgir [#15], Ghoom [#21].

Other great multi-part posts nominated in this category [post series, blog, blogger]: "Conventional and Ultimate Truth", 1 to 5, Doe-Do, MikeDoe; "Fear", 1 to 4, Doe-Do, Mike Doe; "Who Owns God?", Part One - Three, Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman; "Suffering with a Cold," Part 1 - 3, This is This, Cliff Jones

The award for Best Achievement in a Compassionate Blog Post goes to Soen Joon Sunim’s “a note on death,” posted in her defunct blog One robe, one bowl. Her post tells the story of finding a dead bird, its burial, and the larger theatre of tragedy where death and threat of death are actions of suffering fomented from acts of unfettered cruelty. But she reminds us, with a quote from Merton, that many of us, by nature of where we are in life, “live in the presence of death, which calls into question the meaning of life.”

Other compassionate posts nominated this year [post, blog, blogger]: "Vesak Day and the Art of Changing Tyres", This is This, Cliff Jones; "Thinking of Others", Clarity's blog, clarity; "There are no nouns", don't drop that atomic bomb on me!, me; "a question from a friend", Kathmandu for You, Michael Smith

The award for Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog Post goes to Cliff Jones’s well rapped “Burrito” which appeared in his blog This Is This. “Burrito” is an economical post, told with gentle humor, which explains how a tasty burrito, sports fans and all of us “inter-are” – a term that Thich Nhat Hanh coined. Cliff's examples of how things inter-are are sometimes whimsical. They include original insights on how we and everything are interlaced, entwined, transmogrified and bound in a tapestry of being [and, well, yeah, non-being, too, as well as being sharers of sights and sounds]. Zounds!

Other funny nominees in this category [post, blog, blogger]: "Buddhist Covergirl Gets Own Magazine", Big Red Buddha, Miso; "NASCAR Buddhists Race for Recognition ", Big Red Buddha, Miso; "Schuylkill, Var and Thames", This is This, Cliff Jones; and "Sightseers Flock to Buddha Wall", Paper Frog, Christopher Baskind

This one’s easy. Recognition as the Best Conversation-Sparking Blog Post (not necessarily a good thing) goes to Ken Wilber’s attack post in kenwilber.com “What we are, that we see.” which loosed a maelstrom in the Integral community, dividing the true-blue believers in all things Ken from skeptics, critics and doubters. The post turned out to be a test, it was later revealed. But who was tested and who passed or failed (I guess you could say) depended on one's sensiblities, worldview, eagerness to get snapped up by a cult and taste for gunfighters.

Other sparking and sparkling nominees were [post, blog, blogger]: "Integral Institute - CEO Drama?", Numinous Nonsense, Vince Horn; "Meditation: A Rare Practice", Tricycle Blog - Jeff Wilson, Jeff Wilson

Winners to be announced on 2/25/07

2007-02-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Winners of the Blogisattvas will be announced on February 25, 2007, during the day before the night of the Oscar telecast. Thus, the Blogisattvas will steal all their thunder. Sorry, y'all, for this further delay. Hang in there on those tenterhooks, everybody.

Winners to be announced on 2/20

2007-02-14T08:12:00.000-08:00

Winners of the Blogisattvas will be announced on February 20.

Announcement: 2nd Annual Blogisattva Awards Nominees

2007-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce the nominees for the 2007 Blogisattva Awards, honoring excellence in English-language Buddhist blogging during calendar year 2006. This year, there are an aggregate 115 nominees in 21 categories.

The recipients of the awards will be anounced in a post in this blog on February 15. [UPDATE: ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS DELAYED UNTIL FEB 25.]

The nominees in 21 categories are ...

Blog of the year, Svaha!; 7 nominees; [Blog, Blogger]:

Danny Fisher, Danny Fisher
Integral Options Café, Bill Harryman
Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali
One foot in front of the other, Michael
Sentient Developments, George Dvorsky
thinkBuddha.org, Will Buckingham
This is This, Cliff Jones

Best Post of the Year; 9 nominees; ["Post" Blog, Blogger]:

"A note on death" One Robe, One Bowl, Soen Joon Sunim
"Meditation: A Rare Practice" Tricycle Blog - Jeff Wilson, Jeff Wilson
"On the other hand" Via Negativa, Dave Bonta
"On Knowing Nothing" Deep Surface, Sean
"The Mind-Nature Sutra" One Robe, One Bowl, Soen Joon Sunim
"The Mountain Road" thinkBuddha.org, Will Buckingham
"The Red Rite" The Jayarava Rave, Jayarava
"Thinking of Others" Clarity's blog, clarity
"Vesak and the Art of Changing Tyres" This is This, Cliff Jones

Best Achievement in Skilled Writing (The Wordsmithing Award); 7 nominees; [Blogger, Blog(s)]:

Dave Bonta, Via Negativa
Will Buckingham, thinkBuddha.org
George Dvorsky, Sentient Developments
Bill Harryman, Integral Options Cafe
Cliff Jones, This is This
Paul Salamone, Paul's Blog, and The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster
Brad Warner, Hardcore Zen

Best New Blog, 2006; 7 nominees; [Blog, blogger(s)]:

Big Red Buddha, Miso [a pseudonym of Christopher Baskind]
Buddhist Geeks, Ryan Oelke, Gwen Bell and Vince Horn
For The Turnstiles, Daniel Gustav Anderson
Kathmandu for You, Michael Smith
Monkey Mind, James Ishmael Ford
TMcG, TMcG
Unknowing Mind, Mike

Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Anonymous Dharma, Dan
Dharmavidya Web, David Brazier
don't drop that atomic bomb on me!, me
My Zen Life, John Soper
tysonwilliams.com, Tyson Williams

Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person [as a diarist; writing of events in one's life; offering thoughts; or by venturing out into the world, gonzo style]; 9 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

A Blue Eyed Buddhist, Paul Cox
American Buddhist Perspective, Justin Whitaker
auspicious coincidence, “the girl”
Clarity's blog, clarity
Doe-Do, MikeDoe
Dust, Bob
Integral in Seattle, Gary Stamper
Naked Reflections, Nagarjuna
One foot in front of the other, Michael

Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Philosophical or Scientific ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

American Buddhist Perspective, Justin Whitaker
Hyperaware Consciousness, Daniel Scott Poynter
Inveterate Bystander, John
Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali
Sentient Developments, George Dvorsky

Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Clarity's blog, clarity
Dharmasattva's Meditations, Dharmasattva
One foot in front of the other, Michael
peaceful turmoil, tinythinker
The Buddhist Blog, James Ure

Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or about Political Issues ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Bhikkhu's Blog, Ajahn Punnadhammo
Genius of Insanity, James Ure
Notes in Samsara, Mumon
Republic of T, Terrance Heath
thinkBuddha.org, Will Buckingham

Best Achievement Blogging on Integral Issues ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

~C4Chaos, ~C4Chaos
Dashh, Dashh
Integral in Seattle, Gary Stamper
Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman
Mystery of Existence, DotDotDot Putali

Best Achievement in Creation or Use of Graphics in a Blog ; 3 nominees; [blog, blogger(s)]:

Danny Fisher, Danny Fisher
foot before foot: the photoblog, F. & X. Kwan
One foot in front of the other, Michael

Best Achievement with Use of Quotations in a Blog ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

~C4Chaos, ~C4Chaos
Digital Dharma, Bill
Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman
Mudita Journal, Joshua Zader
Naked Reflections, Nagarjuna

Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

A Blue Eyed Buddhist, Paul Cox
Authentic Personality, beesucker
Nine Out of Zen, ryan
The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster, Paul Salamone
TMcG, TMcG

Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Big Red Buddha, Miso [a pseudonym of Christopher Baskind]
Green Clouds, Gareth
Mudita Journal, Joshua Zader
Sentient Developments, George Dvorsky
zen-lunatic, anathea

Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog, Blog Service, or Serial within a Blog ; 5 nominees; [blog, blogger]:

Big Red Buddha, Miso [a pseudonym of Christopher Baskind]
gratitude, a series within a blog, Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman
speedlinking, a series within a blog, Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman
whiskey river, whiskey
Zen Filter, Mark, et al

Blogger Best Demonstating a Multiplicity of Talents ; 5 nominees; [blogger, blog(s)]:

~C4Chaos, ~C4Chaos
Dave Bonta, Via Negativa
Will Buckingham, thinkBuddha.org
Bill Harryman, Integral Options Cafe
Paul Salamone, Paul's Blog, and The DENVER Anti-Apathy Cluster

Best Multi-Part Blog Post ; 5 nominees; [post series, blog, blogger]:

"Conventional and Ultimate Truth", 1 to 5; Doe-Do, MikeDoe
"India," Posts #1 to #20, Danny Fisher, Danny Fisher
"Fear", 1 to 4, Doe-Do, Mike Doe
"Who Owns God?", Part One - Three; Integral Options Cafe, Bill Harryman
Suffering with a Cold, Part 1 - 3; This is This, Cliff Jones

Best Achievement in a Compassionate Blog Post ; 5 nominees; [post, blog, blogger]:

"Vesak Day and the Art of Changing Tyres", This is This, Cliff Jones
"Thinking of Others", Clarity's blog, clarity
"There are no nouns", don't drop that atomic bomb on me!, me
"A note on death", One Robe, One Bowl, Soen Joon Sunim
"a question from a friend", Kathmandu for You, Michael Smith

Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog Post ; 5 nominees; [post, blog, blogger]:

"Buddhist Covergirl Gets Own Magazine", Big Red Buddha, Christopher Baskind writting as Miso
"Burrito"This is This, Cliff Jones
"NASCAR Buddhists Race for Recognition ", Big Red Buddha, Christopher Baskind writting as Miso
"Schuylkill, Var and Thames", This is This, Cliff Jones
"Sightseers Flock to Buddha Wall", Paper Frog, Christopher Baskind

Best Conversation-Sparking Blog Post (not necessarily a good thing); 3 nominees; [post, blog, blogger]:

"Integral Institute - CEO Drama?", Numinous Nonsense, Vince Horn
"Meditation: A Rare Practice", Tricycle Blog - Jeff Wilson, Jeff Wilson
"What We Are, That We See.", kenwilber.com - blog, Ken Wilber

Sightseers Flock to Buddha Wall

2007-01-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

Similar to the prior two posts in this blog, the following is a post nominated for a Blogisattva from a blogsite that has been taken down. This post is a nominee for Best Post Utilizing Humor. I thank blogger Chris Baskind for providing text and photographs from his post in Paper Frog which appeared on, ahem, April 1, 2006.

Sightseers Flock to Buddha Wall

NAPLES, FL (API) -- In a city better known for its proximity to the proposed Roman Catholic development of Ave Maria, Florida, authorities are wondering how to deal with a growing stream of Buddhist pilgrims. “It's to the point of being a real traffic problem,” said Naples Director of Street Safety Lisa Cagle. “We're probably getting two or three hundred people a day looking for the Buddha Wall.”

The Buddha Wall is a 7-foot high brick fence facing a quiet residential street in one of Naples' older subdivisions. Until a few weeks ago, the wall hardly drew a second glance.

That was until Dan Andrews noticed a face forming on its surface. “I jog past that wall every day,” said Andrews, a local building contractor. “Then one morning I noticed it seemed to have an image of that Buddha guy on it.” Andrews brought the apparition to the attention of Naples resident and self-described “dharma bum” Tony Ronca, who posted pictures of the wall to his MySpace page on the internet.

“It's not actually the Buddha,” commented Ronca. “It's Hotei, a friendly deity popular in China and Japan.” Hotei is probably most familiar to Westerners as the smiling, obese statue common at the entrances of Asian food restaurants. It's considered good luck to run his belly. Whether Hotei was a historical figure is a matter of academic debate -- as is the nature of the marks on the Buddha Wall. Ronca is a believer. “I saw what Dan did right away,” said Ronca. “The shape is really obvious, and it's getting darker and easier to see every day.” Standing in front of the Buddha Wall, Ronca traces the figure's outline with his finger. “The face is what's so recognizable,” explains Ronca. “There's the open mouth, as if he's laughing. You can see his belly button down here. But what's really wild is what appears to be decorative patterns where Hotei traditionally holds his fan.'

Apparitions of the Virgin Mary or the face of Jesus are sometimes reported in Roman Catholic tradition. Onlookers and the faithful have recently been drawn to an overpass on Interstate 74 near Moline, Illinois, where some say they see an image of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. A vision of the Madonna on a burnt wall is currently being venerated by pilgrims in Mexico, Maine. And a Hollywood, Florida woman discovered an image of Mary on a grilled cheese sandwich in 2004. It sold on eBay for $28,000. But these types of apparitions are uncommon among Buddhists, particularly in North America. Perhaps that's why the Buddha Wall is drawing national attention.

“People started visiting almost as soon as I put the pictures in the Web,” said Ronca. “We even had a group of monks from Atlanta the other day.”

Hotei's smiling face has begun to draw frowns from nearby neighbors, some of whom are annoyed by late-night chanting, the clouds of incense, and visitors blocking their driveways.

Louise Tucker lives almost directly across the street from the Buddha Wall, and says she wishes the traffic would go away. She also has a very earthly explanation for the apparition. “It sure looks like water seeping through to me,” explained Tucker. “We had Hurricane Wilma last year. Wind like that can blow rain right through brick.”

Ronca dismisses the idea. “It doesn't feel wet, and Wilma was months ago,” said Ronca. “And some of the detail is lighter than the surrounding brick, so it can't be rainwater.” Ronca says he's like to send samples of the brick to a laboratory in Massachusetts for analysis, but the owner of the Buddha Wall isn't cooperating. And he offers an explanation of his own for the image. “I think it has something to do with Ave Maria,” he confided.

Ave Maria -- just 17 miles east of Naples -- is the planned Roman Catholic town and university being bankrolled by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan. Groundbreaking began last month, about the time the image was first reported. The development is being viewed suspiciously by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which is concerned about religious and social restrictions in the new community. Residents will begin to occupy Ave Maria sometime in 2007.

“If this is Hotei, I think he's here to tell us something,” speculated Ronca. “It's like, hey, there's more to this part of Florida than Catholics. We have people of all faiths here.” Apparently there are also apparitions of all faiths, too.

The Mind-Nature Sutra

2007-01-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

Similar to my prior post ... The following was posted by Soen Joon Sunim in her blog One Robe, One Bowl on April 26, 2006. Unhappily for the world, Soen Joon Sunim took down her blog. A friend was able to provide text of this marvelous post which will be an awards nominee this year.

"The Mind-Nature Sutra" From One Robe, One Bowl by Soen Joon Sunim Saturday, April 26, 2006

“Did you know,” my youngest heung-nim tells me, “That science has found nearly 80% of people to be attracted to both sexes?” Except, of course, in Korean it didn’t come out that way. In Korean, she said something more like, “With science it’s been found that nearly 80% of people are both-sex-attractable.” I have a lot more sympathy for translators now.

The Korean word she used for “bisexual” begins with the Sino-Chinese character yang (兩), which means “both.” We had been discussing the phenomena of an Asian woman’s attractiveness to American men but white women’s lack of interest in Asian men. If I’ve got this wrong, please someone correct me, but really: I don’t think I do. My heung-nim kindly explained that it was because Asian men look too “feminine” compared to the average George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or even Tom Cruise (height or lack thereof not being as noticeable over here, I suppose) that regularly saunter their way across the Korean cable movie channels. I actually already knew this—that most non-Asian women in America think Asian men aren’t masculine enough—but it was interesting to hear my heung-nim pony up to the social critique and spit it out so succinctly and calmly. What followed was a brief discussion on sexuality and gender, including the uncorroborated statistic of 80% bisexuality among humans, begun with the observation that humans come in a variety of interpretable and relative genders and that our sexual response to the world is far more conditioned than we usually believe it to be.

I don’t have these kinds of conversations much any more. I’ve been out of the Yale Women’s Center for four years now—count ‘em, it’s May and graduation season—and I left a lot of social and gender theory behind with my bright college years. It’s usually a relief not to constantly pick at the not-yet-fully-healed scab of Being an American Woman with those kinds of conversations, actually. One thing I didn’t discover until I stopped talking s’darn much about the theory behind why it was so hard to fix my body image, fix my self-image, heal the hole in my heart and truly love somebody etc. was that talking theory and even experience rarely translates into a change of heart (and here I mean the Sino-Korean word for “heart,” “shim” 心 which means both mind and heart together), and therefore a change in the way we live our bodies.

But sometimes, it’s very instructive to suddenly find yourself talking old, old shop in a new context. What we didn’t have a chance to discuss (we were talking over dishes and when they were done, so was our conversation as we went upstairs to clean the Dharma Hall) was the place a Sunim occupies in this complex interplay of sexuality and fluidity and ambiguity—which was part of my heung-nim’s point, that there’s a lot more room for ambiguity in Korean sexual and gender culture than in western and especially American culture.

Despite the emphasis on roles and social hierarchy that characterizes the Confucian aspect of Korean culture, I’ll call any social critique that focuses only on this a vapid and shallow excuse for observation. Stick around this country long enough, and it’ll shock the pants off of your first, second, even third conclusions. What I’ve found is that Korean society relies heavily on appearances, not in a superficial way, but in a functional way. It’s part of the reason titles are more important than names in Korea. It keeps things structured and working. In the school I taught in my first year in Korea, about half the teachers knew each other’s names. The other half didn’t have a clue. It didn’t matter. You just called everyone “Teacher” and that was good enough. It was what you needed to know in order to make the school work. Names—a personal identity—were not a necessary component of the work-day. Call this crazy (and it is maddening for a Westerner), but it’s the way things work in Korea. Below this “skin,” however, of titles, ranks, positions, and functions in given situations, a person has an enormous amount of emotional and psychological freedom. I’m not going to get into a discussion of how “free” a Korean is in an “absolute” sense, i.e. by Western psychological standards. But I’m going to note that while Koreans are forever on my case about how I look, stand, sit, eat, and speak—in short, how I appear and function especially as a Sunim—they almost never mess with my thinking. Americans are almost the opposite. We’re obsessed with the inside’s of people’s heads, our own or others. Americans are forever asking, “What do you think? How do you feel?” Koreans? Almost never. I can count the times in the past year on one hand that my thoughts and feelings have been inquired after.

What this results in is a hemmed-in “outer world,” but an extraordinarily fluid inner world. What’s more, because Korean culture hasn’t been colored from the get-go with a fundamentalist reading of the Fall from Eden—with all the spiritual pain that accompanies such a literal interpretation of the myth—they don’t carry the same seemingly intrinsic guilt around about their bodies and their souls. Take it from me: I wasn’t Christian by faith, but gosh-darned-it, I was by culture. I reacted very, very poorly to the news that I was a) a sinner and b) inferior by biology and c) my biological sex somehow tied me to Eve and her primary role in the Fall, as it was preached unto me in my childhood of suburban Colorado yore. I spent most of my life trying to figure out why I was so wounded at the core of my heart if I didn’t “believe” in any intellectual or religious sense the story I grew up with.

I didn’t really get how not present the Original Sin Complex was in Korea until I watched “Blue Lagoon” with my teacher while we were doing some chores in the common room. I’m not a fan of such B-flicks. I watched it and thought, “Nice try at re-creating Eden, buddy. Whatevs.” But all my teacher could say was, “Look at how naturally they’re living! What a beautiful island! Oh my goodness, she doesn’t know she’ll get pregnant if they do that! She’ll have a hard time delivering…” And the like. I realized half-way through that my teacher simply didn’t and couldn’t view the movie as I did, an attempt to erase 2000 years of ingrained neurotic religious sexuality and imagine growing up without all that hoopla burned into your every interaction. She just saw two ignorant kids growing up wild and natural on an island.

Wow. Imagine not carrying the weight of mankind’s degradation on your heart. Seriously: all you feminists, post-feminists, liberal Christians, and recovering Catholics know what I mean. Imagine not constantly freaking out about your body as a perpetual source of Original Sin. When I look at the really horrible problems Americans have with their bodies, I sense the connection between this deep spiritual rift between body and soul and our daily battles with our hearts and bodies. Other people have and will explicate this further. I’m not going to.

I’m not saying Koreans have a perfect world. Far from it; but my point is that until I came here, I didn’t understand how unnecessary so much of my thinking was in relation to my body. All those rallies, teach-ins, papers, lectures, political actions groups, relationships, and even a go at therapy couldn’t help me the way that two and a half years outside the war-zone of my home culture did. To live outside of America first of all entailed a sudden slip off the marketing radar. A quick way to accomplish this if you’re still hide-bound in North America is to turn off your TV, stop reading the newspaper, and don’t listen to the radio. I’m serious: marketing is NOT GOOD FOR YOU. It comes from our culture, so it’s got the same conflicting and toxic messages about our hearts and bodies that we get from our parents, from our religion(s), from our music, from our schools. But we can control our intake of marketing right now, whereas we can’t do anything about what we’ve already consumed in childhood.

Second, I shut up. Not many of my expat friends wanted to discuss radical gender theory with me over kimchee chigae at the local bunshik-dang, so I basically had to quit talking, which is like turning off the TV in your head. Silence equals violence in some circles; in others, silence equals healing. Take my word for it—though I suggest you try it under the guidance of a spiritual teacher you trust, because sometimes we do need to talk. But believe me… we don’t need to talk nearly as much as we do.

Third, I entered the temple.

The temple is the ultimate sphere of ambiguity, and as such, it is about as opposite the polarized world I knew in America as can be. Ambiguity is what Americans spend a lot of time running from. We are not comfortable with internal ambiguity, far less so than external ambiguity. That’s why, in my humble opine, we’re so hungry to know someone’s thoughts. We want to know where the world stands so we can know where we stand. And when we don’t know, we feel lost. Even the “gender rebels” I knew and even tried to be in college were always placing ourselves in a relative position. We were or were not masculine or feminine compared to the prevailing American stereotypes. If you took away the cultural bounds on the scale, there was nothing left to rebel against in an absolute sense, except for the Demon Within who insisted, or did for me, that I was somehow essentially female and essentially sinful. That was the ultimate scale of my existence as a body and as a being.

This—this--ancient, painful spiritual wound can’t be healed in a continually polarized world. I take that back: maybe it can for some people, but not for me. It’s significant to me that I studied Buddhism in Nepal, another country where I slid off the cultural radar and entered a space of public ambiguity. It’s not that I don’t look female—I do, even bald—it’s that the old way of being female was gone. I didn’t understand and often couldn’t “see” the new paradigm of Nepal and later Korea, and so it didn’t exist for me—and since I had no stake in fitting in to either society, the paradigm couldn’t be imposed on me. I was off the radar, ambiguous, and treading the first steps of freedom.

The old spiritual wound, that constantly played itself out in and on my body and how I lived, was and is healing in ambiguity. A Sunim is outside nearly all the social conventions of gender and sexuality in Korea. Unlike Catholic orders, the robes of Korean Sunims are not differentiated by gender, though I’ve noticed some slight tailoring differences. Although female Sunims (who I call nuns fairly often, even though this is an unresolved question of address) do have a different code of conduct than male Sunims, this derives not from some fundamental understanding of a “woman’s nature,” but from a pretty blunt and honest look at the reality of being a woman in the world, however bald or renounced. The vows of a fully ordained Bhikkuni also differ from those of a Bhikku, but again this reflects nothing intrinsic to women. Basically, we’re not differentiated from the male half of the Buddhist clergy by any argument for a fundamental difference. Moreover, we’re visibly similar enough that I’ve heard people say they often can’t tell the difference between monks and nuns at first glance (in Korea). Ambiguity compounded by un-differentiation at the source of being: Gilead’s balm is right here, folks. Free for the tasting, free for the healing. Free.

It’ll be interesting to look back at this when I return to the West, for a trip or for longer, at some point in the future. I could of course stay up all night writing on this subject, but I’ll let the comments thread point out where further clarification is needed or further interest lies. It's not all roses here for women, for female Sunims, for me; but it's fertile, fertile ground for long-needed growth and change.

I still have my body. Yes, it's still a woman's body. A change of heart does not change the DNA. But the place where that awful canker of gender and sexuality used to be, constantly irritated by and irritating the world with its fears and insecurities and nightmares and even hopes, is just...well, just space. Space to breath. Space to be somehow more fully human because I'm not always thinking about how I should be more fully woman, but not knowing how.

No: chastity, celibacy, and meditation in a foreign country is not the recommended course for everyone. If someone had told me six years ago, while I was a sophmore in college and cerebellum-deep in anger, pain, protest, and self-hatred, that I'd wake up nearly every morning on the floor of a Korean temple increasingly free from that burden, I'd have laughed them out of my gender-queer dorm room. I didn't think it was possible to be free and I certainly wouldn't have foreseen that freedom in this obviously unusual path. The gifts that I can offer from the far side of the ocean and most American women's lives are the promises that no, it's doesn't have to be the way it is. Yes, we can let go of those old pains. And if you give yourself some space to be quiet and away from your own thinking, and give yourself the space to be ambiguous, you can heal. You will heal.

There's no sutra in the canon on gender and sexuality. Maybe we should write one. We can call it the "Yang-seong-shim-gyeong (兩性心經)", the "Both-natures-mind-sutra," by which I do not mean to imply a continued polarity, but instead to suggest that polarity is only in the mind. Heck, let's drop that 兩 and just make it the 心性經, "Mind-nature-sutra." Healing begins and ends here, inside us. It's our nature to heal and be healed. I promise.

posted by Soen Joon Sunim at 8:05 PM

A note on death

2007-01-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

The following was posted by Soen Joon Sunim in her blog One Robe, One Bowl on April 7, 2006. Unhappily for the world, Soen Joon Sunim took down her blog. A friend was able to provide text of this marvelous post which will be an awards nominee this year.

"A note on death" From One Robe, One Bowl by Soen Joon Sunim Friday, April 07, 2006

We found a dead bird when we went up to clean the Dharma Hall this morning. Actually, I saw it first and waited for my sister to come up behind me. It was beautiful and large, certainly larger than the average song-birds I'm used to seeing. Somewhere between a robin and a magpie in size, its back and wings were brown with black markings--a soft, worn brown, the color of an old kasa. Its breast, however, was a clean white, the kind my mother would call "matte eggshell" and has painted on the livingroom walls of every house we've lived in. More of the same black markings there, too, making the white even whiter. "What lovely contrast!" my mother would say.

My sister came up the stairs. I said, "We have to hold a kido for a deceased. A bird-spirit," and I stepped aside to show her the feathered weight on the stone walkway. Sae-yong-ga-nim. She came up, said a quick "Pal-bo-ri-shim," and went downstairs to get a dustbin to carry the bird away. We would bury it in the park behind the temple.

Cause of death was unclear. A smudge on one of the windows suggested a collison, but who knows? We climbed up a dirt side-trail in the park and found a loose patch of soil under a shrub. As we were digging with our garden trowels, she talked a bit.

"When I was a child, so many different things would die on the temple grounds. Birds. Stray cats. Even dogs. We had a temple dog once, Ta-hui. We held a 49-day ceremony for her." And she laughed a little. "We said, 'kae-yong-ga-nim!'"--kae being "dog" in Korean. Then she became sober. We had dug about six inches down. "You know, the Japanese did this during the Occupation. They would make Koreans dig trenches, and then push them in. Bury them alive."
"Why?" I asked naively. Jeez. I watch the news. I read A Problem from Hell. I should know better.

She shrugged. "Just because. The Koreans knew why they were digging. They knew it was their own grave."

Enough. We gently rolled the bird into the shallow hole. We didn't want to touch it, because my mother always told me not to touch dead animals--"Disease!" she warned--and Avian Bird Flu isn't so far away, as the crow flies, in China. We pushed the soft soil, only a shade darker than the bird's feathers, over the body. My sister patted it all down expertly. "Come back as a human next time!" I said. "No, go to the Pure Land!" she corrected me. "Fine, go to the Pure Land and then come back here and teach us!" I amended. We said Namu Amitabul and then chanted the Heart Sutra. A passing jogger didn't stop to look us, two small women perched on a slope chanting to an empty bush.

On the way back down to the temple, my sister said, "Ahh, that puts a strange feeling on the whole day, doesn't it. Not quite bad. Not quite sad," and I didn't have enough Korean to tell her I think it's because we spend so much time around the spirits that we get used to Death just a little, but not enough to know what to do when it comes for the living breath. The yong-ga-nim on our altar arrive after their last breath. We see their anthropomorphic pictures, deal with their grieving families, project them into a limbo and imagine we can help them to life again. But when Death drops a bird on the Dharma Hall porch, we get a little bit closer to the reality of death: stiff body. A smell of danger--infection? contagious?--and the small thorn of sadness that pushes up through the skin. Niether of us has been a mourner at a loved one's funeral yet, so there's also an aspect of rehearsal to these moments. Yes I will feel sad, oh I will, and I will say the right things, remember the Pure Land, oh Yes, I will.

Cleaning the Dharma Hall, she told me more stories of the Occupation. One of her high school teachers had related tales to his students: villages forced to watch the torture of one of their own, excruciating displays meant not to kill a body but to terrify the heart. People unable to trust one another because of informers strewn throughout the community. "Maybe your next-door neighbor," she said. "Maybe your own family. No one had money or food, and the Japanese paid for information. People would do anything." I remarked it sounded like Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, not a terribly original observation, and then said, "But no one seems to really pay attention to Korea's occupation like they do Nazi Germany." She said, "Well, yes..." indicating she understood the world's larger eyes for a different spot of history.

By the afternoon, I'd largely forgotten the morning's death. The magnolia out front is full bloom. The blossoms look like small lofted lotuses; perhaps the magnolia is a tree from the Pure Land. I can imagine the yong-ga-nim being reborn as tiny sparrow-like beings in the nest of a magnolia in front of Amitabul, instead of in boat-like lotuses on a vast lake. I like the image of a lotus-tree better than a lake, personally. That much closer to the sky.

Sister Sophia sent me another letter, as full of strange incidents and, oddly, the death of birds as the first part of my day. My college fiction professor called it the "plate of shrimp" phenomenon: for no apparent reason and without any prior discussion, everyone in a given seminar will submit a short story that includes a plate of shrimp in it, either as an incidental object or a piece of the plot. As it is, the birds are relatively incidental, but Death is the plot. As per our usual, too, Sophia sent me a quote from Merton:

The marginal person, the monk, the displaced person, the prisoner, all these people live in the presence of death, which calls into question the meaning of life. He struggles with the fact of death in himself, trying to seek something deeper than death, and the office of the monk or the marginal person, the meditative person or the poet is to go beyond the dichotomy of life and death and to be, therefore, a witness to life.

I put down the letter and sipped my coffee. Children ran screaming joyously across the courtyard of the elementary school below us. Forysthia cascaded along the retaining wall opposite the temple, and the cherry trees are on the verge of leafing, to be quickly followed by their clouds of blossoms. I came inside to type this. Even now when I look out the window next to the computer, I see a magpie streak over the old-man pines lining our drive, and can hear the single long falling note of a song-bird whose name I do not know.

Intent of the Blogisattva Awards and a Few Words on Selecting Nominees and Winners

2007-01-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

The Blogisattva Awards are intended to get out the good news that Buddhist blogs make for great reading. The buddhoblogosphere can be helpful to one’s practice or in helping people face the stress and challenges of knocking about on this old planet of ours, in addition to being fun and interesting to read.

Blogs, bloggers and posts nominated for awards or selected for awards will not necessarily be the very best blogs/bloggers/posts in their category out there. I do not pretend to be able to discern with precision what is magnificent from what is merely excellent. Often spectacular blogs and posts will be overlooked. And sometimes some less-than-sterling stuff will get nommed or win an award. Also, certainly, the idea of best is muddy and uncertain in this realm where judgment is necessarily subject to individual preference and prejudice.

But because of care and interest in what might be wonderful in the world of Buddhist bloggery, I will be bringing to the fore a boatload of stuff, most of which is really great, world-class reading material that deserves blog-readers’ attention. I hope you will come, read, and decide for yourself what you like.

A criticism has been expressed that these awards might cause some bloggers to alter what they do for the specific purpose of getting an award. I doubt that will happen. For one thing, it is known that the Blogisattvas are truly just a tiny enterprise and that Buddhists are immune to hoopla, fanfare, wild enthusiasm and anything that might make them giddy. Hooray for that!!! Also, the blogging art is, in and of itself, already, so exquisite a creative exercise that it cannot be augmented with greater pleasure; it is absolute bliss, a hardened sphere of perfect enjoyment. But in a larger sense, we cannot nominate, we cannot award, we cannot hallow the buddhoblogosphere. The brave Buddhist bloggers who struggle here have consecrated the Internet far above our poor power to add or detract.

Selecting nominees and winners

Generally, what is sought in making selections is excellence appropriate to the category. A few blogs, bloggers or posts that are a little blinky about whether they are Buddhist or not can be at a disadvantage. Blogs that don’t welcome comments and bloggers who don’t respond to their commenters can be at a disadvantage in being selected for awards. It is considered bad form not to have either a blogroll or a favorite-posts widget of some sort on a blog. If a blog isn’t opening doors to other blogs, it will be noticed.

But all this is not to say that bloggers should conform to what is sought by the Blogisattva Committee. Rather, I am just letting y’all know what minor elements are considered excellent and the committee will be aware of when your blog is perused. Just letting y’all know, is all.

Technorati tags: Blogisattva, Blogisattva Awards, blogging awards, buddhoblogosphere, buddhism

Announcement of 2007 Blogisattva Awards Categories

2007-01-14T14:36:00.001-08:00

The 2007 Blogisattva Awards Committee [of 1] is pleased to announce the categories and number of nominees within each category for the 2007 Awards that honor achievement in Buddhist blogging in calendar year 2006.

This year, the sophomore year of the awards, there will be 24 winners in 22 categories chosen from an aggregate of 100 nominees. This is up from 14 winners in 14 categories and an aggregate of 70 nominations last year.

One award category has been discontinued: Best Celebrity-Writer Blog. Many of the other 13 awards categories' names from last year have been tweaked this year to better describe what the award is for, or to change, slightly, the nature of the award.

Nine new awards categories have been created.

Four new categories were created to recognize blogging in styles not honored last year. Five categories were created to honor blog posts of different types.

A rule was written this year with respect to the two blog-design awards. Blogs nominated in the design categories last year that had not significantly altered their design at the end of 2006 are not eligible to be nominated this year.

Unlike last year when there were five nominees for each of the awards, the count of nominations varies by award this year. The number of nominations per award is governed by a rough sense of the population of candidates out there that might be appropriately nominated.

The awards categories in 2007 are the following with the number of nominations and winners in brackets. An asterisk indicates a title tweak. Text in orange indicates the award goes to a blog; red, the blogger(s); blue, a blog post(s).:

The thirteen carried-over categories:
Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design [4/1]
Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design [4/1]
* Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog, Blog Service, or Serial within a Blog [4/1]
Best New Blog [5/1]
* Best Achievement Blogging on Integral Issues [5/1]
* Best Achievement Blogging on Matters Philosophical or Scientific [5/1]
* Best Achievement Blogging in the First Person [on events in one's own life on in gonzo style] [5/1]
* Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or about Political Issues [5/1]
Blogger Best Demonstating a Multiplicity of Talents [3/1]
* Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging [5/1]
Best Achievement in Skillful Writing [5/1]
* Blog Posts of the Year [12/3]
Blog of the Year, Svaha! [7/1]
The nine new categories this year:
Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma [5/1]
Best Achievement in Use of Graphics in a Blog [4/1]
Best Achievement in Use of Quotations in a Blog [3/1]
Best Achievement Blogging on a Wide Range of Topic Interests [4/1]
Best Multi-Part Blog Post [3/1]
Best Achievement in a Compassionate Blog Post [3/1]
Best Achievement in a Integral Blog Post [3/1]
Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog Post [3/1]
Best Conversation-Sparking Blog Post [3/1]

Technorati tags: Buddhism, Blogisattva Awards, Blogisattva, awards, blogging awards, buddhoblogosphere

Something's coming

2007-01-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

Could it be?
Yes it could
Something's coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something's coming,
And I know what it is
And it is
Gonna be great!

With a click
There's a shock
A window opens
Words that rock
An announcement is near.

Something's coming, don't know when
But it's soon
See the moon
One handed catch

Around the corner
whistlin' down whiskey river
Come on - deliver
To me

Will it be?
Yes it will
Maybe just by sitting still
It'll be here!

Come on, something, come on in
Pour a nog
Find a blog
Pull up a chair

The air is hummin'
And something great is coming
Come on - deliver
To me

Blogisattva Award Winners Announcement

2006-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Following are the winners of the first annual Blogisattva Awards for achievement in Buddhism-inspired blogging, during the year 2005. Congratulations to recipients of the award and all the outstanding nominees.

Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design

The recipient of the Blogisattva is whiskey river and blogger whiskey. We find the design perfect for the function of the blog which beautifully and simply allows wonderful quotations to be readers' focus of attention. The right sidebar with the copious list of links is wonderful for this blog which reaches out to delight so many.

The other nominees in this category:

www.coolmel.com – Coolmel
The Invisible Cat – Johnny Newt
tysonwilliams.com – Tyson Williams
Virtual Zen – Eric

Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design

The recipient of the Blogisattva is Paper Frog and blogger Kit Christopher. When the design of this blog first appeared, it was astonishing, and it still is. The froggy in the water is whimsical, delightful and very appropriate for the feel of Kit's blog.

The other nominees in this category:

Dharma Vision – Amadeus Soren
thinkBuddha – Will Buckingham
WoodMoor Village -- Nacho Cordova
Zen Under the Skin – chalip

Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog or Blog Service

The recipient of the Blogisattva is Zen Filter and blogger Mark and friends. The quality of the treasures Mark, et al, find is always very high, and the presentantion of the finds is too. No zennist web surfer is ever lost or bored with Zen Filter at work, prowling the Internet for the best or most-interesting stuff that is out there.

The other nominees in this category:

Blogmandu – Tom Armstrong
Buddhist Blog WebRing -- chalip
Jinijik – Ian Sinclair
whiskey river – whiskey

Best Celebrity-Writer Blog

The recipient of the Blogisattva is Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner. Whew! None of these blogs made as much impact in 2005 as they will in 2006, but Brad's, more than the others, came in like thunder and whipped up our little corner of the blogosphere into a frenzy. Love him or not, Brad has an impact with what he wrote and the way he presents himself and his life in his blog. HZ is consistantly wonderfully well-written. That Brad. Where does he find all the energy?

The other nominees in this category:

Bhikkhu Blog – Ajahn Punnadhammo
The Buddhist – Zenmar
Dharmavidya Web – David Brazier
The Middle Way – Mike Cross

Best New Blog in 2005

Yowza! This is one truly tough category, chocablock with excellence, that feels like a possible preview of the five nominees for Best Blog next year. The Blogisattva Award goes to One foot in front of the other blogged by Michael. With positivism and a gentle heart, Michael is our guide into his life and his ordeal combatting a health threat. For readers, the blogsite is a blooming garden of kindness.

The other nominees in this category:

American Buddhist Perspective - Justin Whitaker
Eternal Peace – Bill Gardner
Hardcore Zen - Brad Warner
One Robe, One Bowl – Soen Joon

Best Integral Buddhist Blog

IOC has served spectacular feast after feast so far in '06 and Vince has provided a horn of plenty, but 2005 was played to the jazzy beat of mellow Coolmel and his www.coolmel.com. Prolific, wise, inventive and nerdy, the coolmel blog is Grand Central Station for the Integral blogging universe. Fluffy Mel claims he is not Buddhist. What a faker!

The other nominees in this category:

Generation Sit - Vince, eBuddha, coolmel, et al
Integral Options Cafe - William Harryman
Kosmic Bloggers - Vince, eBuddha, coolmel, Chris
VincentHorn.com [in early 2006, name changed to Numinous Nonsense] - Vincent Horn

Best Philosophical Blog

Ooo, a tough fight among young blogs and that blangha giant, WMV. The Blogisattva goes to American Buddhist Perspective, a very, very philosophical blog marbled with glipses into the globetrotting life of blogger and Buddhist scholar Justin Whitaker. ABP pulls together the wisdom of Europe's classic philosopher geniuses and Buddha's profound insights.

The other nominees in this category:

Integral Options Cafe - William Harryman
Wondering on the Way – Jeb
thinkBuddha - Will Buckingham
WoodMoor Village – Nacho Cordova

Best Personal Journal

The recipient of the Blogisattva Award is Eric and his blog Virtual Zen. Eric was a busy blogger in 2005, which was reflective of his active life. His posts are consistantly interesting, varied and excellent. Any person outside of his life could get attached to reading VZ and would learn a lot about Eric, his interests, his worklife and Zen.

The other nominees in this category:

auspicious coincidence – Dagme Metok
Dharma Path & My Zen Life – John Soper
this zen life [in early 2006, name changed to this life] – Kimberly Gold
Zenchick – Zenchick

Best Achievement in Addressing Public or Political Issues

Prolific deep-thinking, life-loving blogger Nacho Cordova of WoodMoor Village is the recipient of the Blogisattva in this category. Whether he is beating the drum for evolution or education, or discussing, at length, important political questions, his posts are intelligent and his ideas well organized and persuasive.

The other nominees in this category:

freedomforall.net - Matthew Jee
Genius of Insanity – James Ure
Notes in Samsara – Mumon
Bhikkhu Blog – Ajahn Punnadhammo

Blogger Best Demonstating a Multiplicity of Talents

All people nominated in this category are amazing to me. How fun it must be to travel this earth carrying the brain each one has. The winner of the Blogisattva is Dave Bonta of Via Negativa. While Dave has expressed a dislike for awards, perhaps he can accept the fact that regular visitors to his blog appreciate his multifacetted genius as a writer, poet and naturalist.

The other nominees in this category:

F. Kwan in foot before foot: a photo blog
James Ure in The Buddhist Blog and Genius of Insanity
Nacho Cordova in WoodMoor Village
chalip in Zen Under the Skin and for Buddhist Blog WebRing

Best Kind and Compassionate Blog

Kudos to the interesting James Ure who blogs both the spitfire, political Genius of Insanity and the Blogisattva Award-winning The Buddhist Blog. James has been tireless at exploring his compassionate self and the kind wisdom of our religion in his beautiful and gentle blog. TBB is a must stop for all Buddhist electronic wayfarers who want to bask in Buddhism's goodness.

The other nominees in this category:

Clarity's blog - clarity
Green Clouds - Gareth
Luminous Emptiness - Chodpa
tysonwilliams.com – Tyson Williams

Best Achievement in Skillful Writing
[The Wordsmithing Award]

F. Kwan is a curious woman in the embrace of a challenging life. She is certainly not as free as she would like to be to allow her artistic side to fly. She is very much an amazing photographer, but she is no less amazing in her turns of phase and summersaults with the English language in foot before foot: a photo blog. So while she may seem to dismiss her writing ability as secondary to other skills, we know the clarity and stylish punch of her streams of words to be ambrosia [even as we recognize and sympathize with the pain she feels].

The other nominees in this category:

Justin Whitaker in American Buddhist Perspectives
Will Buckingham in thinkBuddha
Dave Bonta in Via Negativa
Sean “Moose” Ennis in The Contemporary Taoist

Blog Entry of the Year [including comments]

Outside the War in Iraq, Katrina was the prime focus [in the US, anyway] for consideration around the watercooler and online of the nature of and quality of our values and our compassion. No blog post was more important or more keenly cut to the heart than Jeb's post in Wonderings on the Way: Buddhist Musings on September 4, 2005, "Katrina's Charity," the winner of the Blogisattva Award. In many ways, Jeb was prescient of the failures that we are better aware of now in the aftermath of the hurricane disaster. Kudos, too, to the insights in the comment thread that followed Jeb's post.

The other nominees in this category:

“If you meet the Buddha online, blog about him”, ZenDiary.org -- Jeff
“Fear of Science in a 2nd Axial Age”, WoodMoor Village -- Nacho Cordova
“Philosophy: Ordinary People”, American Buddhist Perspective – Justin Whitaker
“Baseball and the Bardo of Becoming”, Scott Wichmann Online – Scott Wichmann

Blog of the Year, Svaha!

With its rich variety of subjectmatter -- blogging, raising a daughter, dharma, writing and the challenges of being both black and Buddhist -- Zen Under the Skin moved us deeply in 2005 in many ways and gathered a wide array of tantilized readers. For consistant excellence in design, writing, depth, wisdom and compassion, Zen Under the Skin is the highly worthy winner of the 2006 Blog of the Year, Svaha!

The other nominees in this category:

Green Clouds – Gareth
Via Negativa – Dave Bonta
thinkBuddha - Will Buckingham
Wonderings on the Way – Jeb

Blogisattva Award Nominations

2006-02-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

Following are the nominations for the first annual Blogisattva Awards for achievement in Buddhism-inspired blogging, during the year 2005. Congratulations to all the nominees.

Winners will be announced on March 5.

Best Achievement in Clean, Straightforward, Unaffected Design

www.coolmel.com – Coolmel
The Invisible Cat – Johnny Newt
tysonwilliams.com – Tyson Williams
Virtual Zen – Eric
whiskey river – whiskey

Best Achievement in Wonderful, Remarkable, Elegant Design

Dharma Vision – Amadeus Soren
Paper Frog -- Kit Christopher
thinkBuddha – Will Buckingham
WoodMoor Village -- Nacho Cordova
Zen Under the Skin – chalip

Best Niche Blog, Unusual-Function Blog or Blog Service

Blogmandu – Tom Armstrong
Buddhist Blog WebRing -- chalip
Jinijik – Ian Sinclair
whiskey river – whiskey
Zen Filter – Mark, et al

Best Celebrity-Writer Blog

Bhikkhu Blog – Ajahn Punnadhammo
The Buddhist – Zenmar
Dharmavidya Web – David Brazier
Hardcore Zen – Brad Warner
The Middle Way – Mike Cross

Best New Blog in 2005

American Buddhist Perspective - Justin Whitaker
Eternal Peace – Bill Gardner
Hardcore Zen - Brad Warner
One foot in front of the other - Michael
One Robe, One Bowl – Soen Joon

Best Integral Buddhist Blog

www.coolmel.com - coolmel
Integral Options Cafe - William Harryman
Generation Sit - Vince, eBuddha, coolmel, et al
Kosmic Bloggers - Vince, eBuddha, coolmel, Chris
VincentHorn.com [in early 2006, name changed to Numinous Nonsense] - Vincent Horn

Best Philosophical Blog