Photo © US Navy

GolbalGiving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/

Please come, enjoy the entertainment, and give your Lindens to an excellent cause. We have a roster of top-notch live Second Life® musicians donating their time and energy to help make this a successful fund-raising event. If you would like to play the event in one of our available slots, please contact Caspian Inglewood. See the schedule below.

FRIDAY (March 18)
4PM (Pacific) Woodsong Zaperto
5PM (Pacific) Geos Copperfield
6PM (Pacific) Thunderfoot Lorefield
7PM (Pacific) Strum Diesel
8PM (Pacific) Beth Odets
9PM (Pacific) Jaoquin Gustav
10PM (Pacific) Quinton Diavolo
11PM (Pacific) ZeroOne Paz

SATURDAY (March 19)
4PM (Pacific) Dusty Smythe
5PM (Pacific) OneSummer Oh
6PM (Pacific) LaidBack Celt
7PM (Pacific) ReggieSunset Rookswood
8PM (Pacific) Rara Destiny
9PM (Pacific) Lehmann Shinn
10PM (Pacific) Jaoquin Gustav
11PM (Pacific) ZeroOne Paz

PikkuBot, a ‘service’ in Second Life selling avatar bots for menial tasks, recently ripped the Kannonji Zen Retreat sim off for $8500 Lindens. I purchased a premium bot in good faith based on a description in one of their services, rather than trying out a trial bot for one week. I figured, if they were willing to give the bot away for free, why would there be an issue should we encounter a problem? Do not do business with this company. They are unfriendly, support is terrible, and they will take you for your money.

I purchased the bot because it claimed to allow you to send notices and IMs to groups you specify at specific times of the day. They did not deliver on this promise. The main problem is that the creator, Rebekka Robbiani, is a native German speaker who has written all documentation in English. When it became clear that what i purchased was not as described, they informed me that they would not refund the funds.

This is unacceptable and unethical.

Why, if they give people who never paid them a dime a free one week trial, would they not refund a purchase made only hours before? They are desperate for your money and cannot be trusted. Support is very, very poor and documentation is exhaustive, yet sparse. It looks like they’ve taken great pains to show you how to operate your bot but, instead, it’s very unclear.

When it was clear they would not refund my money, I filed an abuse report and they muted me. Let me get this straight—they haven’t given me my money back and, additionally, are unreachable concerning the bot that I purchased? They also are keeping the funds I paid for hosting ($2500), which is not being used. They fail at every level to conduct good business and they deserve this review.

This blog will stay up until I am refunded my purchases of $6000 for a “premium” bot and $2500 for hosting. It is up to them to do the right thing.

Kannonji Zen Retreat is an invaluable resource for individuals living with disabilities or in isolated areas with no local sangha for support. Established in October of 2008 in Second Life®, we’ve been steadfastly committed to making Dharma practice available to anyone and everyone. Through the generosity of many teachers and a community of volunteers over the years, we’ve been able to offer live and interactive Dharma study opportunities. We are not virtually practicing Buddhism. Rather, we are practicing Buddhism using virtual technology. There is a big difference. Here is what we offer:

*A 3D environment with three temple locations, allowing you to explore traditions like Korean Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Soto and Rinzai, Nichiren Buddhism, and more.

*Live public talks by Buddhist clergy and authors from diverse traditions from all over the world.

*3 to 4 daily meditation periods, lasting 30 minutes each. This is a good reminder for those who lack a structured sitting practice, plus you’ll get the sense that you are ‘with others.’ Guided instruction is available for those who require it.

OK, so maybe it all sounds a bit weird to you. How can Buddhism, let alone Zen, be practiced virtually? The short answer? It isn’t really. We are real people sitting in front of our computer. They probably should have just called the platform First Life, as it would have cleared up a lot of confusion. Our stance is that, well, wherever you go in life is practice. I know that when I use Facebook, as an example, I don’t compartmentalize that from my life. It’s a part of my daily routine usually. If for whatever reason you’d like to connect with a sangha and ordained clergy,  us on Facebook also and ‘RSVP’ for upcoming events with teachers at: Kannonji’s Facebook Page.

Be sure to check out our sponsor site, also: Sweeping Zen (also on Facebook)

The 21st-century found Sean writing and performing consistently. To gain exposure in the Atlanta market, he began playing cover gigs in local venues. These frequent 3-hour shows helped refine Sean’s performance technique, while providing him with an opportunity to expose his original material to larger audiences. He won ’Best Male Musician’ in Southern Voice’s Best of 2007 issue (2nd in 2005, 3rd in 2008).

In 2008, Sean entered the world of Second Life as Strum Diesel upon recommendation from a friend. Within 3 months of participation at open mic’s and live shows on the virtual reality commerce game he has amassed a devoted following with fans hailing from California to Germany. Unlike profile based sites like myspace and facebook, Second Life allows ’Strum’ to share his craft through full live sets, where listeners can hear what Sean is really all about. Sean has found a renewed sense of purpose as a performer and writer. This renewed sense not only involves having the time of his life performing as much as possible, in as many places as possible, but also truly being a part of what will help mankind enter into an elevated state of awareness of what it means to be human. Now that’s purpose!

Press quotes:

‘Whether he’s singing about growing up next to the grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, surviving Hurricane Katrina, or getting beat up as a kid for not having a dad, there’s always a sense of hope behind even the most heartbreaking words.’ – Jen Cray, Ink 19

‘Simply put, his talent will blow you away.’ – Kim Frazier, gophertunes.com

‘Kagalis possesses the strong talent of presenting everyday life issues in his music, without losing the power of the melody and the impact of his guitar work.’ – Shawn M. Haney, Southeast Performer

Thunderfoot Lorefield

Besides singing in SL, he plays drums, guitars, bass, keys and other instruments.

More details @ http://www.artgriff.com/jerry.

His recent collaboration with percussionist Andrea Alvarez resulted in the award winning CD – Asado y Sidenafil. He has collaborated on the musical scores for a number of hit theatre productions including: “Enrulados Derechos”, “Buga” and “Donde estan las chcas?”

His formal musical education included graduating from the Music Popular School E.P.M., S.A.D.E.M. in Argentina. Since 1999, he has taught music focusing on jazz, rock and South American genres such as tango, milonga and candombe.

Performing live in Second Life as Joaquin Gustav he has charmed fans with his unique brand of Latin sizzle.

For more information on Joaquin’s music go to:

http://www.purevolume.com/joaquingustav

Nichiren Shu – A lineage of Buddhism founded in the Kamakura era of Japan by the religious reformer Nichiren Shonin (1222 – 1278). Our founder was a Monk in the Tendai order of Buddhism. He questioned the severity of the time, corruption in politics and within the Buddhist establishment. He set out to reform the Tendai order and was persecuted for his convictions. We follow the teachings of the Eternal Buddha Sakyamuni as outlined in the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren Shonin. Our main practice is chanting of the O-daimoku (sacred title) of the Lotus Sutra, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō. The chanting of the  O-daimoku can be heard at Myōhō-Ji. Secondary practices consist of chanting the sutra, Shodaigyo meditation and copying of the sutra. The Temple offers classes on the Lotus Sutra, Basic Buddhist Concepts and simple forms of daily service.

In late 2009 Myoho-Ji was moved to the Snowlion Mountain; Kannonji area. SLURL http://Slurl.com/secondlife/Snowlion Mountain/219/237/23

Rev. Ryuoh Faulkes (Ryuoh Faulconer in RL), Rev. Myokei Bosatsu (Myokei Caine-Barrett in RL) and Rev. Ryusho Spingflower (Ryusho Jeffus in RL) are currently in SL.  To find Temples and Sanghas or learn more about the Nichiren Tradition please visit;

http://www.nichiren-shu.org/NONA

Priest/Clergy Name: Rev. Paul Dochong Lynch, (Dochong Ordinary in SL)

School: Korean Zen

Where: Kannonji Zendo

Date: Every Saturday

Time: 3:00 to 4:00 PM SLT (PDT)

Follow Kannonji on Facebook

Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Snowlion%20Mountain/235/20/25
*(What is a slurl?)

Rev. Paul Dochong Lynch, the Guiding Teacher of the Five Mountain Sangha, received Inka from Zen Master Robert Jibong Moore on April 9, 2006.

Pŏpsanim (Dochong’s title) has been practicing Buddhist meditation for more than twenty five years, and is a poet and author.

The author of many books, including Cold Heart Thawing, a collection of his earlier poetry, and Peering Through the Cloud, a collection of his latter poetry, Pŏpsanim has also written The Ocean of Zen – a Practice Guide to Sŏn Buddhism; Zen Liturgy – Korean Sŏn Practice Forms; and Buddhist Precepts – a Guide for Western Buddhist Lay Practitioners -  along with translations of The Barrier That Has No Gate, Wú Mén Guān  and The Blue Cliff Record.

For more info, visit: http://www.fivemountain.org/

Clergy: Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik, Toledo Zen Center

Tradition: Soto Zen

Date: Sundays starting at 6:30 PM PDT

Agenda: Mix of Dharma Talk and Dokusan (Private Interviews)

Rinsen’s Website: http://www.toledozencenter.org/

Rinsen’s Podcasts: http://thedrinkinggourd.org/

Follow Kannonji on Facebook

Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik began his Zen studies in 1987 at Zen Mountain Monastery with John Daido Loori Roshi. In 1998, he receved the sixteen buddhist precepts and the Dharma name Chikyo. In 2001 he moved to Toledo and co-founded the Toledo Zen Meditation Group with his wife Karen Do’an Weik. In 2004 he continued his zen study with Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei, Daido roshi’s first dharma heir, and the Toledo Zen Meditation Group evolved into the Toledo Zen Center. In 2007 Myotai Sensei acknowledged him as Shuso (head monk) for the winter training period, and his Dharma Talks began being podcast as ‘The Drinking Gourd Podcast.’ In 2008 he received the Dharma name Rinsen and founded the Drinking Gourd Dharma Circle, a non-profit organization that evolved from interest in supporting the podcasts and connecting its listeners with Jay and each other. In addition, he has also studied with Fr. Kevin Hunt Sensei, OCSO since 2006, and in 2009 he became a shoken student of James Myo’un Ford Roshi who is the primary center of gravity for his continued study of the Dharma today. In June 2009 James Ford empowered Jay to meet with students in private interview, and in July of 2009, Jay was confirmed as a Senior Dharma Teacher by James Myo’un Ford Roshi, Melissa Myozen Blacker Sensei, and David Dayan Rynick Sensei. He was ordained a as Zen Buddhist Priest by Melissa Sensei in the Soto lineage in February 2010.