Dhamma Wheel members online "bomb"

[Annapurna]

I saw 80 as well.

Stay online guys, some members maybe late!
As Quinn said, there'll be a video shortly. My internet speeds been slowed to 64k so uploading is taking longer than anticipated.
I hope to have a link to it within the half-hour.

Time to break out the sparkling chamomile ice-tea!
Happy Birthday to Dhamma Wheel!!!

kind regards

Ben

Yes, Happy Birthday, Dhammawheel!

[Ben]

[Lazy_eye]

Hello and happy birthday from Laurel, Maryland! I'm a bit past the 6:40 pm EST deadline, but cheers anyway!

And thank you all for the fruitful discussions -- I've learned so much here. May this community continue to flourish in 2010 and beyond.

[David N. Snyder]

THANK YOU BEN AND QUINN ! ! !

Excellent video, well done!

[Ben]

Oh no no no no!
Thank you David for Dhamma Wheel!
Look at this amazing online place that you created. What a meritorious deed to help to bring the Dhamma closer to so many people!
What an awesome act of generosity of yours to pay for the software and its hosting of this discussion board!
Thank you David again for Dhamma Wheel!
metta

Ben

[tiltbillings]

Indeed, thanks very much.

[jcsuperstar]

thanks david, and also thanks retro, tilt and ben for being such great mods

[David N. Snyder]

Oh no no no no!
Thank you David for Dhamma Wheel!

This should be a direct link to the video above if anyone wants to rate it or post a comment there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D8FIV7j ... r_embedded

over 1,000 members
almost 50,000 posts
80 people online at one time today!

Great DW birthday !

[christopher:::]

Great work guys. Happy Birthday ((Dhamma Wheel)) and Happy New Year to us all..!!

[Annapurna]

Thanks from me as well.

I hope I will soon be able to watch the video.

No speakers.

[cooran]

Thanks to the Admins and all the Staff of Dhamma Wheel
A great place to connect to everyday.

hey Ben! loved the video

metta
Chris

[BlackBird]

Sorry I couldn't make it to the member bomb, had work.

Anyway thank you David and Retro, so very very much for all that you have done for us, I really mean it. Thank you Ven. Dhammanando, Ben and Tilt Billings for all your hard work in maintaining DW as a great place for discussion of the Dhamma. Thank you to all the members whom have helped to deepen my understanding of the Buddha Dhamma.

Truely I am indebted to you all for you kindness and compassion, your friendliness and you wisdom. Wherever I go in life (and I suspect for a long time it will be nowhere near a computer) I will carry these fond memories with me.

May we all realize the Dhamma
May Dhamma wheel continue to flourish

Metta
Jack

p.s. Great video Ben!

[notself]

Happy New Year to all of us.

[Vardali]

Lovelymessage, Ben & Quinn

I would like to echo the sentiment of gratitude already expressed here and wishing you - and us - all the best for this new year

[acinteyyo]

Dhammawheel is such a great place with so many wonderful beings! I don't really know what to say....
Thank you all for making Dhammawheel to one of the best places for learning, practicing and discussing the unsurpassable Dhamma online!

I bow with great respect for you all!

best wishes, acinteyyo and a happy new year 2010

[Fede]

I get a message flashing;
"Caution: This man is wanted in 48 states of Australia, simply because he really should'n be confined to such a small Island: I mean, they have devils there, what they done to deserve him? He is a distinct individual, and should be approached with caution:
he has rapier wit, cutting-edge knowledge of the Dhamma and a sharp mind, not to mention being a mean hand with a bow and arrow. if you meet him, do yourself a favour: Stand behind him."

Anyone know anything about this?

Love him to bits.

He's been a solid, supportive and generous friend to me, and (together with the rest of the team, Bless them!) is a real jewel in anybody's friend-box.
With an online community like this one guys, and with mutual support, Loving Kindness and companionship, it's the place to be, in twenty-ten...and onwards.....
Much metta amd Karuna to all...
Ben, Paul, Ven. Appichatto, Ven Dhammanando -
Thank you for everything.

[Cittasanto]

Just seen this video!
Love it

[Annapurna]

What did he say? (Ben)

[Ben]

Hi Annabel
Thanks for your kind comments!
I had a good laugh too! Wanted in 48 states? Hilarious!
Yes, we have devils down here in Tasmania and on the news tonight a group of scientists announced a major break through on working on a cure for the facial tumour disease which is threatening the devils with extinction.

If you didn't hear the audio, below is the message that I read to camera. Im a terrible public speaker and I have to rely on notes or a script to ensure I get my message across. While I love writing, speaking coherently is something that I struggle with.
So here's the text that i read in the video message:

Hi everyone
My name is Ben O’Loughlin, and this is Quinn. You know me as ‘Ben’ one of the moderators at Dhamma Wheel. This being the event of the anniversary of the establishment of Dhamma Wheel, I thought it best to say a few words.

Firstly, I would like you to join me in congratuting and expressing gratitutde to David Snyder and Retro for establishing Dhamma Wheel just over a year ago to be a safe place for the discussion of the Theravada. Dhamma Wheel was born from some very traumatic experiences at e-sangha just over a year ago and since our inception, Dhamma Wheel has gone from strength to strength. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the administrators and my colleagues Ajahn Dhammanando and Tiltbillings in working tirelessly to ensure that Dhamma Wheel remains a vibrant, respectful and friendly environment for the discussion of the Dhamma.
Lastly, and on behalf of the administrators and my moderator colleagues, I would like to say thank you to you, our members. I might sound like a broken record but it is my firm contention that it is our members who make Dhamma Wheel what it is. Without your deep love and interest in the Dhamma, then Dhamma Wheel would have gone the way of so many other Buddhist discussion boards. By continuing to contribute to Dhamma Wheel, you help to illuminate the path for those new to the Buddhadhamma and those who maybe interested in testing the waters.

On behalf of the administrators and moderators of Dhamma Wheel, I wish you a happy new year. May you grow in your practice. May you and your loved ones be at peace, be free from disease and become liberated.

May you all be happy!

Metta

Ben

[Annapurna]

Wow, Ben, and that's on YouTube?

Congratulations to such a wonderful message!

I saw a lot of guests on-line today, so maybe this was helpful for some people to find us!

By mere coincidence (or not?) I zapped myself briefly into a documentary about Tasmania yesterday, and thought: Oh look, so this is where Ben lives....!

They showed the little black devils and talked about the catching tumur. What a pity. I couldn't watch all of it, but they spoke about the intact nature and I saw some beautiful scenic views Perhaps it gets repeated today, and I can watch more...

And: Honor to whom honor belongs: Fede wrote the witty post, but I wholeheartedly agree !!

Happy new Year!

Anna