Zen Buddhism and the NBA in the White House

Today President Obama honored the Los Angeles Lakers, the basketball team who won the National Basketball Association title last year. Obama joked with coach Phil Jackson, “I was hoping that, Coach, you were going to bring some books for Republicans and Democrats in Congress maybe to get them to start playing like a team together."

Jackson applies Zen Buddhist principles in coaching the team, and wrote a book, "Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior". Obama, a Chicago Bulls fan, stated of his success, “I want to congratulate him on his tenth NBA championship, the most in history. I do want to point out that six of them came with the Bulls."

The joke came from an administration that has long sought bipartisan support on issues ranging from healthcare to economic recovery, but has always found much success.

Obama also thanked players throughout the NBA for donating $1 million US to Haiti relief in the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake.

You can donate to Haiti relief and recovery as well through various organizations including
Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund
The Red Cross
Purchasing the Hope for Haiti Now album or TV season through the iTunes Music Store.