During this time in our history radical transparency is needed.
We need to participate in and tolerate thoughtful
disagreements.
The mission of this Web site is to promote diversity and cultural competency, explore issues of color and gender, and inspire people
who have a history of being marginalized, using social media and other
means as platforms to inform various communities of the life experiences
and concerns of marginalized people with regard to the necessity for social
change, dialogue, inclusion, compassion, tolerance, and cultural literacy to
expand and improve human relations going forward in order to better facilitate
the current worldwide shift in global consciousness from tribalism, instability,
and extremism, to harmony, cooperation and enduring peace. In addition, we
welcome and support other organizations that promote the transformation of
consciousness taught by spiritual teachers like Siddhartha
Gautama and others.
Buddhism developed out of the teachings of Siddhartha
Gautama who, in 535 BCE,* reached enlightenment and assumed the
title Buddha. He promoted 'The Middle Way' as the path to enlightenment
rather than the extremes of mortification of the flesh or hedonism.
Long after his death the Buddha's teachings were written down. This
collection is called the Tripitaka. Buddhists believe in reincarnation and that one must go through cycles of birth, life, and death. After
many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire
and the self, they can attain Nirvana. In general, Buddhists do not
believe in any type of God, the
need for a savior, prayer, or eternal life after death. However, since
the time of the Buddha, Buddhism has integrated many regional religious
rituals, beliefs and customs into it as it has spread throughout Asia,
so that this generalization is no longer true for all Buddhists. This
has occurred with little conflict due to the philosophical nature
of Buddhism. See Editor's note.
*The
dates are given in BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era). These
years correspond to the same dates in BC and AD but by defining the
current period as the "Common Era" the nomenclature attempts
to treat all religions and beliefs as equal.
Editor's note: In the eyes of the enlightened student of religion,
there is only one God. The same God worshipped by various religions
and known by various names and descriptions, i.e., Islam
it's Allah, Christianity and Judaism
it's God, Hinduism it's Brahmin, the same
God masquerading via the diversity of creation
and wearing the mask of what Sikhs,
Hindus and others call Maya.