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“Survivor China” goes to the home of Zen and Kung Fu

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:25:41 -0800

Tonight on Survivor the players had a “reward challenge” that would take them to the 1500-year-old Shaolin Temple -- where legend has it that Bodhidharma gave birth to both Zen as we know it, and the martial art of kung fu. (See here for more about this.)

Whoever would win the challenge would “enjoy a kung fu demonstration, a vegetarian meal, and [get to] spend a night in the temple.” It would be, said host Jeff Probst, “an opportunity that very few people will ever experience.”

Contestant Peih-Gee won the challenge and got to bring two others, choosing quiet, near non-entity Erik, and the mulleted and sweet lunchlady Denise, who just so happens to be a black-belt-to-be.

After taking a ride on a private jet where they enjoyed pistachios and champagne, the survivors arrived at Shaolin, where they were welcomed by two monks. Then, there was the kung fun demonstration, which, all told, really looked a lot like breakdancing -- all the way down to one monk’s undeniable mastery of “The Worm.”

After the veggie meal, the survivors slept in a temple room, and the challenge ended soon after. “Best challenge ever,” concluded Peih-Gee. And Denise got enough inspiration from the Shaolin visit, she reported, that she had enough strength to happily play the game til the very end. (If someone there should win a million dollars, it's her. She's the worst horse in the race.)

So there was plenty of kung fu. But where was the Buddhism? Where were the Dharma-Burgers? Were was the product placement for Zen Liqueur?

Any trace of Dharma was pretty much absent, actually, excepting a single shot of a monk meditating, and the overall atmosphere of the temple.

Too bad. Apparently Survivor producer -- and all-around reality-TV mastermind -- Mark Burnett hasn’t been reading The Worst Horse.

(See our report on Survivor China’s premiere here.)

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Body vows: DB's practice tattoo...

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:53:46 -0800

Db-heart_sutra_tattoo

Thanks to reader DB, who sends this shot of his dharma / practice tattoo. He writes:

You'll find attached an image showing my Heart Sutra tattoo. It can be read "Form is Emptiness" and also "Emptiness is Form" since it's circular and therefore recursive. I wanted it plain and unadorned and that's exactly what I got.

It comes from Pain and Wonder in Athens, Georgia.

Thanks, DB!

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Dharma-Burger fans: read this book! "Unmarketable," by Anne Elizabeth Moore

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:45:10 -0800

Unmarketable-nov07

Hey, all...

I'm traveling, so updates are hard to do at the moment. And while I don't generally want to comment on books -- there are enough people doing that, especially when it comes to Dharma books -- I did want to let you know my thoughts about "Unmarketable: Brandalism, Copyfighting, Mocketing, and the Erosion of Integrity," by Anne Elizabeth Moore.

Got this book to pass the time while visiting with relatives in a particularly slow (and conservative!) corner of the world -- and I couldn't be more glad that I did. A.E.M. is an excellent writer (I knew her from the late great mag Punk Planet), and what she's talking about -- how independent and punk culture is being co-opted by the advertising and marketing industries -- is totally fascinating.

It's fascinating in and of itself, but also, the implications of what she's talking about are crucial in terms of what The Worst Horse examines via our "Dharma-Burgers," which are of course our looks at "Buddhist imagery and ideas in the marketing of goods, services, and schlocky crap." (You may also want to read the Horse's article touching on co-optation, here).

Reading "Unmarketable," you can pretty easily extrapolate from the original subject matter, and form a clear vision of just how deep and insidious the marketing-world's influence really is (or at least could be) becoming in the Buddhist world -- and even, vice-versa.

But the book is also just a great read. It might be a little depressing for all its Orwellian revelation, if Moore wasn't such a good and fun and honest writer. But she is.

Anyway... just had to tell y'all.

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Dharma-music update! (Part One)

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:56:24 -0800

Tosca-suzuki-cover

Thanks to reader Dan Barry, who recently wrote to the Horse with some of his thoughts on "good dharmic tunes."

First up is the album you see on the left, "Suzuki," by the excellent electronic act (and I mean that in the best way), Tosca. I've been meaning to put this up for forever -- I LOVE this album -- but somehow just never did. Let's let Dan do the explaining:

"[Tosca's disc is called "Suzuki,"] after/dedicated to Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. (From whom The Worst Horse got its name, at least indirectly. - ed.) It's good, chilled-out lounge in the vein of Thievery Corporation and Kruder & Dorfmeister. The front cover features the two members of the group in bathrobes, with their bodies Photoshopped out -- I cracked a big grin when I figured out it was a 'no self' reference."

Dan also sent on a couple of other music tips:

I have a job as a music critic, and so I've come across several musicians who are overtly or covertly dharmic. Just thought I'd share.

Dredg's 2002 album "El Cielo" is a really complex alt-rock disc (they get compared to Tool a lot in that sense, even though they sound quite different). One track is called "Sanzen," and another interlude features soft breathing in the background.

And, Dan writes, "Bill Madden released a disc about a year ago called 'Gone' that has some explicit Buddhist themes on it as well. (He even has the wheel of the dharma on the covers!) Also, interestingly, Jimmy Chamberlin, drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins, played drums on this disc. Really solid folk rock."

Thanks, Dan. What a great contribution!

And while we're at it:

Ravenna Michaelson's new album Dharmasong is now out. Ravenna's very cool; she cites Joan Baez, Motown, and Milarepa among her influences. We just got a copy of Dharmasong, and hope to give you our thoughts on it soon. Or you can hear tracks yourself, here.

Ravenna's new website will be up soon, and you know we'll letcha know about it.

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Dharma-music update, Part Two: Shambhala!

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:46:07 -0800

SHAMBHALA::ENLIGHTENMENT (ARABIAN CLAPS)

Just sharing this with you -- a video that will give you a sample of music from the excellent hip-hop duo, Shambhala.

Imagine if the Wu-Tang Clan stopped talking about guns and drugs and instead started talking about enlightenment. That's, in a nutshell, Shambhala. Their record, "The Lotus of..." (from which this track comes) is pretty much bulletproof.

And their new album is coming soon. Frankly, I can't wait. As they write: "wer'e experimenting with a few new sounds -- more melodies and different instruments. This time around, we really want to deliver the full Shambhala experience. Expect a few surprises and changes in direction, but have no fear -- this is Shambhala 2.0 - it's all an UPGRADE."

That's hard to believe.

It's gonna smoke!

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Dharma-Burger! Pixie mate tea

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:37:52 -0800

Pixie-buddhasmaile

Reader Kevin O. recently let us know about this burgery bit of marketing.

He writes, "Who knew that this is what put the twinkle behind the Buddha's smile? ... Perhaps it's not the greatest dharma burger, but I thought I'd forward anyway."

OK. Maybe it isn't the "greatest" -- in that it's not particularly crazy, over-the-top, and/or somehow revolting. But points go to Pixie for going a little more subtle and obviously playful than most.

Thanks for sending it. Kevin!

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Dharma-Burger! Konchog Norbu comes thru again, part 1

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:27:15 -0800

Lucky-beer

Horse friend and fave Konchog Norbu sent us a link to Lucky Beer, which features a big ole Buddha -- or rather, Hotei, the "fat Buddha" -- right on the bottle.

As he writes:

Oh, Hoss...don't ask how I came across this. I just did. Don't worry -- I'm headed to Australia in January. I'll straighten those blokes out.

The question, as he puts it, is: "Lucky for whom?"

See more here.

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Dharma-Burger! Konchog Norbu comes thru again, part 2

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:23:34 -0800

Sleeping-buddha

Horse friend and fave Konchog Norbu also sent this one, with this comment:

Where will it ever end? You're supposed to awaken as the Buddha, not on the Buddha!

See what he's talkin' bout, here.

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New on TheWorstHorse.net: "Separated at Re-birth?" (Part Two)

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:19:07 -0800

Separated-at-re-birth2

It's new! Just go here.

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Spider-Man, the young Buddhist monk!

nobody@vox.com(theworsthorse.net) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:36:15 -0800

Spiderman-fairytales3-july07

Just learned about this comic book, Spider-Man Fairy Tales #3. It came out this past July. Here's what it's about.

Spider-Man Fairy Tales continues with a retelling of Spider-Man's origin, fusing one of Marvel's most classic stories with a number of popular Japanese ghost stories and legends! After the death of his parents, a young Buddhist monk is taken in by his elderly aunt and uncle and has since enjoyed a peaceful life away from further pain and suffering in a secluded temple. But when an evil "tsuchigumo," or spider spirit, attacks and bites the young boy, he finds he's gained tremendous abilities which he must now use to save his temple from six sinister ghostly invaders who have come for his blood!
COVER BY: KEI KOBAYASHI; WRITER: C. B. CEBULSKI
PENCILS: KEI KOBAYASHI

Available from this site (which is where the above description comes from.)

Dig the cover. I know I've had moments of zazen like that.

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