A Magnificent Interview With Mystic Sang'ha

[Sunstone]

Good morning, Mystic Sang'ha! I am very pleased you have agreed to be interviewed for Religious Forums!

Welcome, Viewers, to this Magnificent interview with Mystic Sang'ha!

As many of our viewers know, this interview coincides with your recently having won the RF Courtesy Award and the Nobel Peace Prize. Of the two awards, which do you rank as more deeply meaningful to discuss in after dinner conversation with a good friend, and why?

Have you lived in Southern California all your life? And precisely where do you live these days?

How many earthquakes have you lived through while residing in Southern California, and what do you typically do these days when one strikes?

As a Southern Californian, there is little doubt you drive a car. Have rising gas prices alarmed you yet, or have you, like many people, avoided paying more by pushing your car everywhere you want to go in it?

Is it important to you to be tanned, or merely impossible not to be tanned by the Southern California sunshine?

Have you ever travelled abroad? That is, to New York?

What's your favorite beverage besides water, and why is it your favorite?

Would you like to tell our viewers of any special reasons why you don't smoke the spines of old leather books to get high anymore?

Why Tibetan Buddhism? Why not Zen, for instance, or another form of Buddhism?

How do you bake cakes? Do you use a recipe from scratch, a mix, or buy them at the bakery?

Did you have any odd jobs as a kid, such as mowing lawns or babysitting, and if so what did those jobs teach you?

Are you married to a husband, a career, both or neither?

What sound does the apostrophe in your username stand for?

About how often do you redecorate? Does changing things around freshen up your thinking too?

How many nights in a row can a teenager eat pizza for supper and still enjoy it?

Who are six of your favorite ten posters on RF and why are they your favorites?

What are the two things you like least about RF and how would you correct them?

Are horses more intelligent than dogs or are dogs more intelligent than horses?

If you were a bear, would you be a black bear, a grizzly, a polar bear, or a sun bear, and why that particular bear?

Can it be reasonably said of you, Mystic Sang'ha that you are always at least tempted to blow the wrapper off restaurant straws rather than remove it in a dignified manner?

Who is your favorite waiter or waitress and what does that person do that makes them special?

Have you ever compulsively multiplied random numbers?

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Here goes:



As many of our viewers know, this interview coincides with your recently having won the RF Courtesy Award and the Nobel Peace Prize. Of the two awards, which do you rank as more deeply meaningful to discuss in after dinner conversation with a good friend, and why?


Funny you should mention this, since I was recently at a lovely dinner with fellow RF Courtesy Award recipient Standing_Alone and also fellow Nobel Peace Prize recipient The Dalai Lama............and I have to go with the RF Courtesy Award. Why? Probably because I find more meaning in hearing why congratulations is spelled with a "d" and not a "t" than levitating with His Holiness over the Himalayas. We ALL know how boring levitating is, right?



Have you lived in Southern California all your life? And precisely where do you live these days?



Well, since I've lived in SoCal all my life........it stands to reason that I live now in southern Illinois, and have since I was born except for a couple of years in northern Indiana, New York City, North Carolina, and the Florida Keys.



How many earthquakes have you lived through while residing in Southern California, and what do you typically do these days when one strikes?



See, this is where I don't understand why so many other people think that California is, like, this BIG EARTHQUAKE state when I've only lived through one in my whole life, and that was the big one in 1989. Funny thing is that I only felt the chair under me shake a tiny bit while we were watching the World Series. Anyway, when one strikes, I usually drive by in my car and sometimes honk the horn if I feel the strike is a worthy cause.




As a Southern Californian, there is little doubt you drive a car. Have rising gas prices alarmed you yet, or have you, like many people, avoided paying more by pushing your car everywhere you want to go in it?



Oh, yes! I own a car that's all mine. It's a green 1995 Ford Escort with four wheels and everything. I love Southern California so much because I don't have to pay a dime for gas since the state provides me with the vibes necessary to totally break down my transmission. Now, I drive my car everywhere by getting in the driver's seat in the parking lot, and yelling "VROOOOM!" while bouncing up and down with a big smile on my face. I don't know why I get strange looks from people............




Is it important to you to be tanned, or merely impossible not to be tanned by the Southern California sunshine?




It's definitely important to be tanned, since you know the ol' Southern California sayin': "Gag me with a spoon, you know, it's like SAD that (he/she) died from skin cancer, but like, didn't (he/she) look SOOOOO good in the casket?"




Have you ever travelled abroad? That is, to New York?



No, I've only lived in NYC. I have travelled abroad to San Diego, though. Beautiful! I've also really enjoyed nearly all of the state of Florida, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, and Jackson Hole, WY and the Grand Tetons.




What's your favorite beverage besides water, and why is it your favorite?




I'm a fan of certain herbal tea blends. Any berry-flavored tea usually has me at the table with a biscuit and a smile.




Would you like to tell our viewers of any special reasons why you don't smoke the spines of old leather books to get high anymore?





SSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Phil, that was YEARS ago and you KNOW how I've left that part of my life in the past!!! *pouts*




Why Tibetan Buddhism? Why not Zen, for instance, or another form of Buddhism?



Besides the fact that following the Tibetan tradition gives me better opportunities to stalk Richard Gere, I first became intrigued with Tibetan Buddhism because of it's pageantry and it's lineages. When I began to read Padmasambhava's writings on the Bardo Thodol (the Tibetan Book of the Dead), I found not only instructions on living in this world, but instructions on how to transition peacefully into the next. I knew that discussing the dharma on the nature of suffering was liberating because of the teachings on how to dissolve the ego, but learning about the nature of death has been the most liberating for it's ultimate dissolution of the ego.




How do you bake cakes? Do you use a recipe from scratch, a mix, or buy them at the bakery?



Well, the most important thing to do when baking cakes is remembering not to get in the oven with the cake while it's baking...........but, I like to use a recipe from scratch. That's usually how I cook (and bake) because having ingredients in the kitchen that are base ingredients for most other recipes cuts down on using up shelf space with all kinds of mixes. *pulls out soapbox* I also feel like I'm helping the environment a bit by not purchasing prepared mixes and creating waste with all the packaging when I can take a few extra minutes to bake from scratch. *steps down off soapbox*




Did you have any odd jobs as a kid, such as mowing lawns or babysitting, and if so what did those jobs teach you?



I babysat for a long time, and even had a minor business operation in the neighborhood my family lived in when I was a teenager. I always loved kids, and knew that I'd eventually wanted kids of my own, so babysitting was the first thing that I wanted to do, and I babysat for lots of our neighbors kids between the ages of 13-19 until I felt it was time for me to move on to other jobs, like waiting tables - which I sucked at.

Babysitting taught me the value of a dollar, the contentment of knowing that a job was well done, the patience of improving my craft, and the knowledge that some kids find it "interesting" to try to spike my Coca-Cola with nail-polish remover.



Are you married to a husband, a career, both or neither?



Married to the coolest guy in the world. Steve is so much my "alter-ego" and we complement each other perfectly. I haven't tried being married to a career............I don't know how a career would help with picking up the house and tucking the kids into bed each night.




What sound does the apostrophe in your username stand for?



At first, I thought it was a popping sound or a clicking sound one would hear in a native African language, and then I thought I was an extra "ng" sound (it would be pronounced Sang-ng-ha, but that made it sound like I was singing "HA"), so I decided that it would act like a silent "e" in other words.



About how often do you redecorate? Does changing things around freshen up your thinking too?



I redecorate every couple of years, and usually do it on a tight budget since we live mostly off of one income. But, I like how it truly does freshen up my thinking, which usually works much better than trying to spray Febreze on my head.



How many nights in a row can a teenager eat pizza for supper and still enjoy it?

42. I just asked our oldest son and he confirmed it for me.




Who are six of your favorite ten posters on RF and why are they your favorites?



Well, if I must:

(in no particular order) Katzpur, YmirGF, ScarlettWampus, Mr. Guy (I think he's the "crapsack" member), Michel, and Buttercup.............and they all bring me joy for many different reasons ranging from making me laugh my *** off - to inspiring me with their compassion - to their profound insight with various topics.

The other four favorite members will forever be a secret - at least until I win all the other awards here at RF, possess a million coins, boast the most frubals, and have completed my plan to take over the world. Then if you've helped me along in my global takeover, you'll also be listed as my favorites and I'll spare you death by firing squad.



What are the two things you like least about RF and how would you correct them?


Hmmmmm..........I really like so much of RF that it's difficult to find where the site is inadequate. I did have the suggestion to Todd not too long ago to add a frubals symbol to recognize the 100,000 milestone and the eventual million-frubal milestone. I thought maybe a coat of arms, or a lotus flower, or a stick of dynamite would be really cool. Anyway, I think that the annoying thing is how the frubals symbols make the right margin get longer and longer..............I'd just nix the frubals symbols all together and just let the amount of frubals speak for itself.



Since I was asked for two things I'd change - can't we add a sub-forum that is devoted to Lord of the Rings geeks like me? Then we can put up pics of Viggo Mortenson day in and day out.............*sighs dreamily*



Are horses more intelligent than dogs or are dogs more intelligent than horses?



I would say dogs since they're "man's best friend", but then I remembered that dogs eat their own excrement and vomit...................and somehow seem to enjoy it.........




If you were a bear, would you be a black bear, a grizzly, a polar bear, or a sun bear, and why that particular bear?



None. I want to be a Build-a-Bear. Then I could be stuffed with love and kindness by kids everywhere.




Who is your favorite waiter or waitress and what does that person do that makes them special?




My KIDS, of course! They're so cute trying to serve me and make me happy.............they're incredibly motivated to do their job after I promised them they can eat that day and they can sleep inside if they made me a palatable and delicious dinner, clean up afterward, and then rub my feet while professing their eternal loyalty to me.



Have you ever compulsively multiplied random numbers?



Ummm, YEAH. :areyoucra I do it all the time. Who doesn't?!?!?




Please, ladies and gentlemen, remember to donate your coins for my worthy cause. Have a good day!




Peace,
Mystic

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Oops! I forgot one question:



Can it be reasonably said of you, Mystic Sang'ha that you are always at least tempted to blow the wrapper off restaurant straws rather than remove it in a dignified manner?



Tempted?
I do, in fact, usually blow the wrapper off, and in the last couple of years I've graduated from blowing to unsuspecting restaurant patrons the table over to blowing the wrapper at whomever I'm having the meal with. That is, unless I'm by myself, and then I just blow the wrapper toward the chair/booth across from me.




Peace,
Mystic

 

[Sunstone]

Welcome back for the second round, Heather! Today, dear Viewers, we'll challenge Heather to describe the current political climate in the US without using curse words! On with the questions then:

Could you describe the town you live in in Southern Illinois, or at least the town you're closest to? What sort of place is it? What are the people like? Is it a small or large town? Does everyone mostly know everyone else? And what are the summer fashions in your town, given Southern Illinois' typically hot humid weather?

Your three favorite flavors of ice cream?

Could you describe your watch for us, and what time it is, so we can all set our watches and be in sync with you?

Southern Illinois is farm country for the most part. Back in the old days, before modern hybrids, a good crop of maize was said to be "knee high by the fourth of July". Now with modern hybrids that's a little on the short side. How tall was the maize on the Fourth this year?

The mountains of Southern Illinois are notorious for being non existent. Do you feel and suffer their lack each year when you try once again to downhill ski your local corn field?

What political issue do you feel most strongly about and why?

When was the last time you listened to National Public Radio, and did you confuse it with the teen channel, National Pubic Radio?

Excluding admins, which of the mods on RF is you favorite and how much is he or she paying you to say that?

Is it safe to say that you converted to Buddhism shortly after being kicked out of your nineth church for telling off color jokes during the socials?

When you hear a jet pass overhead, do you still rush outside to wave at it?

How many children do you have and what are their names and ages, please?

Do you bedevil your children by telling them they can have all the ice cream they want if only they will count all the fireflies in the back yard that evening? If so, which one is most likely to attempt it due to his or her fondness for counting things?

If you were the prisoner of a pirate captain, would you marry your captor in exchange for his treasure maps, or for the title to his ship?

What is the symbolic meaning of the dance gypsies sometimes do in which one person holds a rose between her teeth while another dancer eventually plucks it from her, besides the dance's obvious purpose of encouraging proper dental hygeine?

Do you have any relatives living nearby you?

What special challenges are there to being a Buddhist in Southern Illinois?

Should an internet romance be considered adultry if the partners are married but not to each other?

Has the current administration placed us at risk of loosing the war against terror through any of its policies?

Well, this wraps up our interview, Heather! Thank you so much for participating!

Viewers who wish to ask Heather any follow up questions can do so in the sister forum to this one, in the thread for the Mystic Sang'ha interview. Or just leave your comments on the interview. Thank you.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Today, dear Viewers, we'll challenge Heather to describe the current political climate in the US without using curse words! On with the questions then:

Could you describe the town you live in in Southern Illinois, or at least the town you're closest to? What sort of place is it? What are the people like? Is it a small or large town? Does everyone mostly know everyone else? And what are the summer fashions in your town, given Southern Illinois' typically hot humid weather?


I live in Belleville, IL, which is about 15 minutes away from St. Louis, MO. The town has a population that is roughly 50,000. Besides the fact that the roads are all ****ed up and weren't laid on any kind of "grid" system, it's actually pretty nice. We have a main street that acts as a kind of strip mall where residents and shoppers can walk up and down, and we see all ages, colors, and fashion statements on this street. Main street also houses businesses that are 90% local and that have been in business for many years. It has coffee shops where musicians come to play, and tea houses that also sell fresh herbs and spices grown by local gardeners/farmers............ we have a weekly farmer's market that brings local farmers to the area to sell their bumper crops that are pretty popular. The market has bands that play while you peruse all the booths that offer fruits, veggies, breads, honey, and even wine!



The heat and humidity isn't that much of a joke in these parts, we actually get it pretty bad in the summertime (95 degrees Fahrenheit, heat index sometimes getting as high as 110 degrees), so the fashions are mostly whatever clothes don't stick to you that badly. I've heard that ice-infused shirts are making a comeback.



Your three favorite flavors of ice cream?



Chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. We're close to St. Louis, so we're spoiled with Ted Drewes frozen custard.



Could you describe your watch for us, and what time it is, so we can all set our watches and be in sync with you?



I have a Mickey Mouse watch that I've had since I was a kid, although I hardly ever wear it. Right now, it's 11:30AM. Remember to set your watches right after reading this post, too, in order to be in sync with me.

Wait...........


Southern Illinois is farm country for the most part. Back in the old days, before modern hybrids, a good crop of maize was said to be "knee high by the fourth of July". Now with modern hybrids that's a little on the short side. How tall was the maize on the Fourth this year?


As tall as me, which is probably where the ol' folks got their phrase "knee high by the fourth of July." According to the state of California, I can put a handicapped sticker on my car since I'm shorter than 5 feet tall, and that's very handy here in Illinois.



The mountains of Southern Illinois are notorious for being non existent. Do you feel and suffer their lack each year when you try once again to downhill ski your local corn field?



Actually, no, since we have other options for downhill skiing. The extreme sport here is to ski down the river bluffs which go straight down. That beats skiing on mountains any day........so boring.




What political issue do you feel most strongly about and why?



I feel most strongly about issues concerning women's opportunities and issues concerning abortion. I think we as a nation feel equal opportunity and protection for women as a necessity, but I also think that we haven't taken all the steps to ensure them. I am also adamently pro-life.............I'm considered "extreme" pro-life since I believe it is morally wrong to terminate a pregnancy even if it is the result of rape. Again, I believe that most of us in our nation find abortion some kind of last resort, and would rarely choose it as a first option. I think, again, our hearts are in the right place, but we haven't taken the steps to ensure that women and unborn children are equally protected.




When was the last time you listened to National Public Radio, and did you confuse it with the teen channel, National Pubic Radio?



You mean Radio Disney? I listen to it a lot! I also like to call in when they have their contests where you have to answer really tough questions like "what's the name of Mickey's dog?" One of these days, with persistence, I know I'll get an answer right!



Excluding admins, which of the mods on RF is you favorite and how much is he or she paying you to say that?



ChrisP!!!!!! *jumps and dances and throws party with trampoline girls*


You owe me frubals every day for a month and 100,000 coins, Chris. Pay up, sweetheart.




Is it safe to say that you converted to Buddhism shortly after being kicked out of your nineth church for telling off color jokes during the socials?



Yes, and I feel AWFUL about it. We all know that telling green jokes is reprehensible no matter how funny they are. I should've stuck with the burnt orange jokes.



When you hear a jet pass overhead, do you still rush outside to wave at it?



Unfortunately, you have your facts wrong here, Phil. I've never rushed outside to wave at it. I use Kung Fu to get their attention.



How many children do you have and what are their names and ages, please?


We have four:

Garette 13
Dylan 11
Tyler 9
Dana 7




Do you bedevil your children by telling them they can have all the ice cream they want if only they will count all the fireflies in the back yard that evening? If so, which one is most likely to attempt it due to his or her fondness for counting things?


I plead the Fifth on the first question. But I will say that our daughter Dana would most likely try it, and not because she's fond of counting things, but for her plans to invent a light source that is energy independent.




If you were the prisoner of a pirate captain, would you marry your captor in exchange for his treasure maps, or for the title to his ship?



The title to his ship, then as the rightful owner, I can demote him, put myself in charge, and then be the rightful owner of all the treasure maps. Then I'd feed him to the mermaids (whoever said they were peaceful?).



What is the symbolic meaning of the dance gypsies sometimes do in which one person holds a rose between her teeth while another dancer eventually plucks it from her, besides the dance's obvious purpose of encouraging proper dental hygeine?



Well, actually it isn't a gypsy who holds the rose in her teeth, it is the female passive partner in the tango that does. The tango also originated in the brothels of Buenes Aires in the late 19th century and became popular for it's highly charged sexual overtones. It continues to be very popular for the same reason, so I'll leave it to the reader to find the imagery associated with plucking the rose from the mouth.



Do you have any relatives living nearby you?


Yes.




What special challenges are there to being a Buddhist in Southern Illinois?



I'm the only one I know on this side of the Mississippi River who practices. I must travel to St. Louis to the Tibetan center over there, and there are still only 10- 15 people who attend for prayer, chanting, group meditation, and group discussion. It sometimes feels pretty lonely, since everywhere I look there's a Catholic church or any other Christian church on every block out here. And I become especially concerned when our children get harassed by other children for having a mother who "is a devil worshipper." I think the lack of Buddhist culture in our area can lead to ignorance on the part of others, so I remind myself that I may be the only Buddhist that someone in my hometown might ever meet..........so I better make a good impression.



I feel whiny and helpless when I look at my situation as a place where I am "stuck", but I tend to feel empowered and positive when I look at my situation as a "challenge." I believe my karma has brought me here for a reason.




Should an internet romance be considered adultry if the partners are married but not to each other?



To me, adultery is cheating, and cheating is evident where one partner destroys the trust of the other partner by crossing the line however it has been drawn. I think this question is not an absolute, and so should be discussed thoroughly by both partners. One could say that an internet romance is adultery because of a level of intimacy being experienced, and yet will not think twice about going to get a lap dance at the local strip joint (where a level of intimacy is experienced, too). So, the question is highly subjective and debatable.






Has the current administration placed us at risk of loosing the war against terror through any of its policies?



Yikes! I don't know how losing the war against terror would be defined, unless we get bombed out of oblivion by a terrorist act (or a series of them). But, I think that we are just as much at risk of being attacked as before 9/11. I don't think our security is any better, and therefore I think because of that, our current administration has thrown money in all the wrong areas. That is where I am most critical.



I would say that they're @%!^ers, and $%&@ 'em, and that they wouldn't know their
#&$es from a hole in the ground, but I was challenged to describe my feelings without cursing. It would also be against my religion.




Well, this wraps up our interview, Heather! Thank you so much for participating!



I had a blast, Phil! I hope everyone here knows that I'm kidding on some of these, and that I really don't spray Febreze on my head. But I really use Kung Fu and I do have plans to take over the world. The sooner you pledge your loyalty to me, the more likely you'll keep your head.



Peace,
Mystic

 

[Sunstone]

*bump*

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Note the date of this interview, kind folks. Mind you, not much has changed..........I continue to abuse our bottles of Febreze, but our kids are a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and a little bit more obstinate, LOL.

Enjoy!




Peace,
Mystic