Celebrity Baby Shower Gift

Whom to bestow gifts on for the greatest results? The Buddha explained that those with the greatest virtue (sila) make the greatest recipients. The results of actions done to them or for them, explains the Sayadaw, are the weightiest and most far reaching. It is notable that one's parents make excellent recipients for the giver -- even if they would only be ordinary recipients to someone else. Even a gift given to an unvirtuous beggar brings great results, because as a human being that person is still of a caliber not found in subordinate worlds. Therefore, it is wise to view everyone who asks out of need as one's "best friend" offering an excellent opportunity to gain substantial merit.

"The gift of the Dharma excells all gifts." The Sangha of monks and nuns are called an "incomparable field of merit for the world," which applies to the accomplished Noble Sangha as represented by ordinary monastics. To give to anyone (any being), however, bears profitable results for the giver making for one a store of merit useful in whatever one wishes. This applies to wishes for ordinary worldly wealth up to and including the supreme goal of enlightenment and liberation through knowing and seeing nirvana.

Thanks to Victoria Guinan from Martin Mere, who has just forwarded the following details of this year's NW Birdfair at Martin Mere next month.......

North West Bird Watchers Festival at Martin Mere

WWT Martin Mere is hosting the North West Bird Watchers Festival on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October.
Whether you have an interest in bird watching, photography, conservation or the environment, the North West Bird Watchers Festival is an enjoyable and informative day out. With six guest speakers, ringing talks twice a day, workshops to learn about photograph manipulation using Adobe Photoshop and a range of stands offering clothing, holidays, binoculars and second hand books in addition to environmental and bird charities, there is plenty to see and do.
There is also plenty for the local community to get involved in with craft activities for children including building nestboxes and there will also be a feed on the mere at 3pm and 3.30pm when up to a thousand wintering waterfowl will come up to feed including Pink-foooted Geese, Teal, Pintail, Pochard and Wigeon and the first of the Whooper Swans arriving from Iceland which could even be one of the ‘Super Whoopers’ that are currently being tracked by satellite.
There will also be a barbecue lunch in the coffee shop or simply browse the gift shop to complete your day.
Guest speakers will talk about the Great Crane project, The Red Breasted Goose Conservation Project, as well as talks such as ‘Footsteps of Incas’ and ‘A lens for all seasons’. All talks will be in the Lecture Theatre and are from 11am to 3.15pm.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.

And there you have it - time to smash the piggy bank.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....