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<TITLE>Getting video equipment into Burma</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Optima, Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Friends,<BR>
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<BR>
Most of you are likely aware of the situation in Burma where a growing liberation movement is being threatened by the violent repression of the Burmese government.<BR>
<BR>
It is clear that one of the most powerful forces that is keeping the Burmese military from an all-out violent repression of this movement is the weight of international pressure that is being supported largely by our modern media capacity. <BR>
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The Burmese government is trying very hard to prevent images and news content of the situation from leaving the country. Journalists are being targeted, internet cafes are being shut down, cameras and communication equipment are being confiscated, etc. <BR>
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In lieu of an actual physical international presence on the ground in Burma, it is evident that one of the best ways we have to supporting the effort of the Burmese people is to make sure these lines of communication to the outside world stay open and up-to-date.<BR>
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We are trying to find a way to gather photographic, video and transmission equipment and get it into Burma through contacts in Thailand. We would appreciate your help by sending any extra equipment of this nature that you may have to our office in North Carolina, where they will be compiled and sent as quickly as possible to the appropriate people. This can be old, used and even out-dated equipment- as long as it works and you are willing to part ways with it.<BR>
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If you do not have equipment of this nature but would like to help you can also send donations to help pay for additional equipment and shipping charges.<BR>
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Please send all resources to <BR>
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The Stone House<BR>
attn: Burma equipment<BR>
6602 Nick’s Rd<BR>
Mebane, NC 27302<BR>
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And checks payable to <B>stone circles </B>with “Burma video equipment” in the memo line.<BR>
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Stone circles is an organization dedicated to sustaining activists and strengthening the work of justice through spiritual practice and principles. We are moved by the efforts of the Burmese people, and of the monastic community there in particular, in their brave commitment to their human rights and as inspiring examples spiritual activism. Feel free to check us out on the web at www.stonecircles.org<BR>
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In peace and solidarity<BR>
<BR>
Jesse<BR>
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P.S.<BR>
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You may have read that the Burmese monastics and lay people have been chanting the Buddha’s words on lovingkindness or “metta” during many of their marches. If you do not know it already, here are the words in Pali and in English:<BR>
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<B>The Karaniya Metta Sutta <BR>
the Buddha’s discourse on Loving Kindness<BR>
1</B> <BR>
Karaniyam atthakusalena<BR>
Yan tam santam padam abhisamecca<BR>
Sakko uju ca suju ca<BR>
Suvaco c'assa mudu anatimani <BR>
<BR>
This is what should be done<BR>
By one who is skilled in goodness<BR>
Having glimpsed the state of perfect peace,<BR>
Let them be able, honest and upright,<BR>
Gentle in speech, meek and not proud. <BR>
<BR>
<B>2</B> <BR>
Santussako ca subharo ca<BR>
Appakicco ca sallahukavutti<BR>
Santindriyo ca nipako ca<BR>
Appagabbho kulesu ananugiddho <BR>
<BR>
Contented and easy to support,<BR>
With few duties, and simple in living.<BR>
Tranquil their senses, masterful and modest, without greed for supporters<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B>3</B> <BR>
Na ca khuddam samacare kinci<BR>
Yena viññu pare upavadeyyum<BR>
Sukhino va khemino hontu<BR>
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta <BR>
<BR>
Also, let them not do the slightest thing<BR>
That the wise would later reprove.<BR>
Let them cultivate the thought:<BR>
May all be well and secure,<BR>
May all beings be happy<BR>
<BR>
<B>4</B> <BR>
Ye keci panabhut'atthi<BR>
Tasa va thavara va anavasesa<BR>
Digha va ye mahanta va<BR>
Majjhima rassakanukathula <BR>
<BR>
Whatever living creatures there be,<BR>
Without exception, weak or strong,<BR>
Long, huge or middle-sized,<BR>
Or short, minute or bulky, <BR>
<BR>
<B>5</B> <BR>
Dittha va yeva adittha<BR>
Ye ca dure vasanti avidure<BR>
Bhuta va sambhavesi va<BR>
Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta <BR>
<BR>
Whether visible or invisible,<BR>
And those living far or near,<BR>
The born and those seeking birth,<BR>
May all beings be happy<BR>
<BR>
<B>6</B> <BR>
Na paro param nikubbetha<BR>
Natimaññetha katthacinam kanci<BR>
Byarosana patighasañña<BR>
Naññamaññassa dukkham iccheyya <BR>
<BR>
Let none deceive another<BR>
Or despise any being in any state;<BR>
Let none wish others harm<BR>
In resentment or in hate. <BR>
<BR>
<B>7</B> <BR>
Mata yatha niyam puttam<BR>
Ayusa ekaputtam anurakkhe<BR>
Evampi sabbabhutesu<BR>
Manasam bhavaye aparimanam <BR>
<BR>
Just as with her own life<BR>
A mother shields her child,<BR>
her only child, from hurt<BR>
Let all-embracing thoughts<BR>
For all beings be yours. <BR>
<BR>
<B>8</B> <BR>
Mettañ ca sabba-lokasmim<BR>
Manasam bhavaye aparimanam<BR>
Uddham adho ca tiriyanca<BR>
Asambadham averam asapattam<BR>
<BR>
Cultivate a limitless heart of goodwill<BR>
For all throughout the cosmos,<BR>
In all its height, depth and breadth -- <BR>
Love that is untroubled<BR>
And beyond hatred or enmity. <BR>
<BR>
<B>9</B> <BR>
Titthañ caram nisinno va<BR>
Sayano va yavat'assa vigatamiddho<BR>
Etam satim adhittheyya<BR>
Brahmam etam viharam idhamahu <BR>
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As you stand, walk, sit or lie,<BR>
So long as you are awake,<BR>
Pursue this awareness with your might:<BR>
It is deemed the Divine Abiding- here and now.<BR>
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<B>10</B> <BR>
Ditthiñca anupagamma silava<BR>
Dassanena sampanno<BR>
Kamesu vineyya gedham<BR>
Na hi jatu gabbhaseyyam punar eti'ti <BR>
<BR>
Holding no more to wrong views,<BR>
A pure-hearted one, having clarity <BR>
of vision, being freed from all sense desires,<BR>
Is not born again into this world.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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------ End of Forwarded Message<BR>
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