2nd Wave American Buddhism

Hold up; dukkha=sukkha!

2010-10-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

News Flash!

All dependently-arisen mere-appearances are of the nature of equality!

Thus have I heard, from Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

Less Dukkha; More Sukkha.

2010-10-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

So sayeth @BuddhistHulk.

(compassionately)SMASH(negative habitual tendencies)!

Indeed.

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's Rebel Buddha!

2010-09-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

The interactive website is now live!

Check it out:
http://rebelbuddha.com/

Wonderful Tibetan Digital Buddhist Altar post

2010-09-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

Love this blog post:
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-fine-day.html

Buddhism in Mongolia flourishes!

2010-09-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

From the inimitable Danny Fisher:
http://dannyfisher.org/2010/09/18/buddhism-continues-to-flower-in-mongolia/

DPR: Is Buddhism a Religion?

2010-08-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

Excellent Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche article at HuffPo:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/is-buddhism-a-religion_b_669740.html

Ponlop Rinpoche on relating with emotions

2010-06-08T12:39:00.001-07:00

Wonderful article on Huffington Post by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/emotional-awareness-buddhism_b_598417.html

Pema Chodron plug on Fast Forward

2010-05-07T19:19:00.001-07:00

Pema's book gets a lovely cameo at 10'45":
http://www.hulu.com/watch/144922/flashforward-course-correction

mainstream, baby.

Ponlop Rinpoche in Washington Post

2010-04-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
on Buddha Wasn't a Buddhist
from the forthcoming book
Rebel Buddha:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/04/the_buddha_wasnt_a_buddhist.html

Incredibly Beautiful Sand Mandala time-lapse video

2010-03-29T16:16:00.001-07:00

Really quite amazing:

http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/Realm/mandalaVideo2.htm

h/t to Rev. Danny Fisher.

Ponlop Rinpoche Article

2010-03-24T17:25:00.001-07:00

Resting the Busy Mind
By Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

http://www.fsbmedia.com/article_display.php?article_id=960

Rumtek Clinic Blog online

2010-03-09T12:40:00.001-08:00

Check it out!
http://rumtekclinic.tumblr.com/

Warm wishes to all!

April dharma showers bring May enlightenment flowers!

2010-03-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

We have the honor to be hosting several amazing teachers at Nalanda West in the months of April and May.

We will be offering a special package-deal rate that will make these programs very accessible!
More details to come. Save the dates!!!
Pre-register now to save your seat: admin@nalandawest.org

Gelek Rimpoche, April 2-3.
Fearless Compassion and
Kindness and Compassion:
Principles for a Happy Life.
Challenging times demand clarity grounded in genuine compassion. Tibetan Buddhist master Gelek Rimpoche will address how to develop genuine and fearless compassion in order to engage our lives more fully and responsibly.
Developing kindness and compassion is the first step towards living fearlessly and harmoniously. Learn the essential principles necessary to create a happy life for ourselves and others.

Lama Palden Drolma, April 16-18
Extraordinary Shamatha, Vipassana and Mahamudra of the Shangpa Kagyu.
From the stream of teachings of the wisdom dakinis Sukhasiddhi and Niguma come profound practices for simultaneously transforming the elements, aggregates and conflicting emotions of our body-mind system while traversing the stages of concentration, insight, and realization of our true nature.

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, April 30 - May 2
Dudjom Rinpoche's Calling the Lama from Afar.

Calling the Lama from Afar is the most profound of Great Perfection teachings. It explains the innermost secret lama related with the view free from any elaboration, like the sky; meditation, unmovable and stable, like a mountain; and action, profound and vast, like the ocean. It is related with the practice of Guru Yoga and guides us to integrate the outer, inner, secret, and innermost secret practices of the lama. Through directly recognizing our own original, undefiled nature free from delusion, the innermost secret lama is revealed.

John Tarrant Roshi, May 14-15
Contemporary Zen
Engage your innate creativity and wakefulness!

Dharma Poetry and Haiku Workshop

2010-03-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

March 26-27

with Gary Gach

Explore the art, meditation, and creative expression of dharma poetry and haiku with renowned poet Gary Gach. Fri. night talk on the ancient tradition of dharma poetry from diverse lineages, Sat. workshop on the profound art of haiku.

Click here for more information (.pdf):
http://www.nalandawest.org/gach.pdf

Please pre-register. Limited space!
admin@nalandawest.org

Gary Gach is author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism (third edition), editor of What Book!? ~ Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop (American Book Award), and translator from Korean of three books by Ko Un.

Tara Dance at Nalanda West

2010-01-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

February 26-28

Fri. night 7 – 9 pm ($15) Open to everyone Sat. 9.30 am – 6 pm and Sun. 10 am – 12.30 pm ($108 – 150, includes Fri. evening) Sun. at 4 pm : Dance Performance– Open to everyone ($15)

The Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara is a unique devotional movement meditation dance offered worldwide as a prayer of peace, protection, wisdom and capability. The words of the dance are based on a traditional Vajrayana text said to have been received from Tara Herself.

Created by Prema Dasara, the dance has been turning since 1985 and it has been taught to thousands of women and men throughout the world, including several groups of Tibetan nuns and laywomen.

Pre-registration required. Limited space! admin@nalandawest.org or (206)529-8258

www.nalandawest.org

http://www.nalandawest.org/taraflyer.pdf

Family Dharma Conference - Jan. 22-23 at Nalanda West

2010-01-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

Family Dharma Conference

The Family Dharma Conference, co-sponsored by Northwest Dharma Association and Nalanda West, will take place Friday evening and all day Saturday, January 22 and 23, 2010, at Nalanda West, Seattle. The address is 3902 Woodland Park Ave. North in Seattle. For directions, click HERE.

Friday, January 22

Jan Chozen Bays Roshi, founder and co-abbot of Great Vow Monastery in Clatskanie, OR, will present the Friday evening keynote address. A student of Maezumi Roshi and Shodo Harada Roshi, Dr. Bays is not only a beloved teacher of Dharma but also a well-known pediatrician specializing in issues of child welfare. She is the author of several books, including Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Women, and other Voyagers (Shambhala, 2003).

Meditation, 6:30 p.m. Program, 7:00 p.m.

Cost: $5, plus dana for the teachings.

Saturday, January 23

Morning and afternoon panel presentations followed by audience discussion and Q & A. Children will participate in the conclusion of both sessions.

Morning:

Meditation (upstairs), 9:30 a.m. Program, 10:00-12:30.

Family Friendly Sanghas: Incorporating children and parents in sangha activities, including Dharma school classes and curriculum, retreats, summer camps, and regular practice.

Afternoon:

Program, 1:30-3:30. Closing, 3:30-4:00.

Dharma at Home: Establishing home practices and rituals, mindful parenting and self-care, growing up Buddhist, and other personal and individual aspects of combining family and Dharma.

Cost: NWDA members: $20/family, $15/individual. Non-members: $25/family, $20/individual. (No one turned away for lack of funds.)

Daycare in the form of Dharma activities for children will be available by registration for the Saturday portion of the conference.

Check in times for children (downstairs) are 9:30-10:00 a.m. and 1:00-1:30 p.m.

A prepared LUNCH is NOT INCLUDED in the program. Sandwiches, soup and pastries can be purchased nearby and conference participants are welcome to use the Nalanda dining room for seating and socializing during the lunch break.

Click HERE to register for the conference and/or to register a child for Dharma activities.

If you are interested in volunteering for Dharma activities with children, please contact info@northwestdharma.org.

Sogyal Rinpoche in Seattle, Dec. 11-12!

2009-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Nalanda West is honored to host Sogyal Rinpoche:

Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World.

How to Discover Inner Peace & Contentment • The Essence of the Teaching of the Buddha • Meditation Leading to the Understanding of Mind & its True Nature • Finally, the Profound Methods for Bringing Forth the Nature of Mind

Venue: 200 8th Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109.

Karmapa in America 2008 Videos Released!

2009-11-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

Whoo!!!
Check them out:
http://www.karmapafoundation.org/videos.aspx

Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown on American Buddhism

2009-11-09T10:20:00.001-08:00

The ever intrepid Buddhist Geeks have the interview:

http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/236-buddhist-geeks

Good stuff.

This week, we're joined by Shambhala acharya and Naropa University professor, Judith Simmer-Brown. She joins us today to discuss four areas, which she learned about while at Colombia University in the late 60's, that help determine whether or not Buddhism will take root in a new country. These four are:

The translation of core Buddhist texts into English
The development of a monastic lineage w/ American lineage holders
The training and appointment of dharma transmission holders
Royal patronage, or financial support from within the country

After describing each area of focus, Judith goes into depth as to how we're doing with the first three areas, today in America. She shares her reflections, while also raising some provocative questions, as to how we're doing with building a sustainable infrastructure for Buddhism to prosper in the West.

Next week, we'll finish the conversation by exploring the 4th area in depth, and speaking about how we can best invest in the future of American Buddhism.

RZA interview

2009-10-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hi team,
Mad props to Shambhala Sun for interviewing legendary RZA.
Discussing Right Speech and the Heart Sutra.

http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=12818

Holla!

John Daido Loori, Roshi: 1931 - 2009

2009-10-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

Prayers for a true pioneer of American Buddhism.

Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 17:24:42 -0400
Subject: John Daido Loori, Roshi: 1931 - 2009

Dear Friends,

It is with sadness that we are letting you know of Daido Roshi's having passed away this morning, Friday, October 9th, at the abbacy of Zen Mountain Monastery. He died peacefully from complications of lung cancer diagnosed eighteen months ago.
We will keep you informed of the upcoming schedule of the funeral ceremonies. Also, please see our mro.org web site for more information.

Thank you for all your thoughts and messages.

Be well

Ryushin Sensei

Zen Mountain Monastery

Erring and Erring, we walk the Unerring Path

2009-09-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche article at Shambhala Sun.

Article on Ani Pema Chodron

2009-08-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hey there,
Here's an article I wrote
about Pema's recent amazing
No Time to Lose program
here in Seattle (July 8-10),
hosted by Nalanda West.

It's at the
Northwest Dharma News.

Check it out!

Solidarity in Metta

2009-08-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

Props to Chaplain Danny for an excellent idea of viral maitri.

May the monks and nuns of Burma, and all beings there may be, be happy and free at heart.

Record yourself reciting the Metta Sutta.

Post on You Tube.

Spread the good word.

Khandro Rinpoche on trekcho

2009-08-04T12:56:00.001-07:00

From the current issue of Bodhi Magazine, 10-2:

http://www.bodhionline.org/ViewArticle.asp?id=231

Check it out!

She'll be teaching at Nalanda West this weekend, Aug. 7-9!

Click Here for the flyer (.pdf)

Buddhist Economics

2009-07-26T16:26:00.001-07:00

Very impressed by this chapter by EF Schumacher in his work Small is Beautiful.

I am most inspired by humanity when we can employ thoughtful, creative and sustainable solutions to not just living in the world, but incorporating compassion and liberation from suffering into the very mechanics of our cultures and societies.

Lots of meaningful wisdom in this short piece...I highly endorse it and encourage you to read it:

http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/buddhist_economics/english.html

Peace.

Colorado Dharma Odyssey - 2009

2009-07-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Colleen and I embarked on an epic American Buddhist pilgrimage to several dharma centers in Colorado in late June.
It was amazing to see the diversity and vibrancy of living American Buddhism.
While we primarily focused on sites from our own Tibetan traditions, there are many more different kinds of dharma alive and well out there.

Here are some pix that you may enjoy (click to enlarge):

The Torii gate and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing, Shambhala Mountain Center.

View of SMC Downtown from Marpa Point, Shambhala Mountain Center.

Kyudojo with deer, Shambhala Mountain Center.

Road to Tara Mandala, Pagosa Springs.

Stupa at Tara Mandala.

Approaching Tara Mandala.

Tiger lintel, exterior Tara Mandala.

Mandarava, Padmasambhava, and Yeshe Tsogyal lintel, Tara Mandala.

View from Tara's Knee, Tara Mandala.

Tara Shrine, Tara Mandala.

Ekajati Peak, Tara Mandala.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's stupa, Crestone.

Guru Rinpoche mantra stone, Crestone.

Mantra Wheel, Crestone.

Can you spot the A?

Approaching HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.

HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.

Statue detail, HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.

Prayer flags and storms, Crestone.

Joyful Journey, Crestone.

With our furry companion, Ralph.

Back at Karma Dzong, in Boulder.

King Gesar of Ling, Karma Dzong, Boulder.

Vajradhara, Karma Dzong, Boulder.

Sakyong's throne, Karma Dzong, Boulder.

Shrine at Phunstok Choling, near Ward.

Tent at Phunstok Choling, near Ward.

Buddha Shakyamuni, Phunstok Choling, near Ward.

Vajrasattva, Phunstok Choling, near Ward.

Nalandabodhi Shrine, Dzogchen Cottage, Boulder.

Guru Rinpoche mantra (by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dzogchen Cottage, Boulder.

Like a child in a shrine room.

Peace.

Sarva Mangalam!

DKR & DKR on culture, values, and Buddhism

2009-06-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

Really great articles from

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

and

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

on the timely and fascinating topic of bringing dharma to the West.

Translating the Words of the Buddha.

2009-03-11T22:05:00.002-07:00

A (compassionately) kick-ass translation conference in Bir, India.

Convened by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and headlined by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche:
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/03/dharma-translation-conference-news.html

Ponlop Rinpoche on Relationships

2009-02-28T09:56:00.000-08:00

DPR speaking on the Buddhist view of relationships from the Love & Relationships conference at Omega last year:
http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=6843

HHK in Newsweek

2009-02-22T02:06:00.000-08:00

Check it out:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185796

HHK on the Environment

2009-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

Pretty cool stuff.

Check it out at elephant journal.

Although these guidelines are specifically focused on Karma Kagyu monasteries and centers, there is wisdom for all to be had.

May we all open our hearts and minds to each other and our shared environment!

Peace.

Buddha and Kuan yin statues on Firefly

2009-02-09T22:12:00.000-08:00

Season 1, Episode 4: "Shindig"

At 14'46" in.

Season 1, Episode 5: "Safe"

At 2" in.

Season 1, Episode 7: Our Mrs. Reynolds (a fantastic ep)

32'34"

HHK on Aussie teevee

2009-01-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Check it out.

Mother Load of Dharma vids

2008-12-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

Totally awesome.

Dharma Punx in NYT

2008-12-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

Check it.

HHK Adventures

2008-12-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Sept.21 -
Stranded on high mountain pass.
See photo slideshow.

H to the H K

2008-11-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Who couldn't see this coming from a yojana away...

Also...

Long Live the King!

2008-11-13T18:38:00.000-08:00

Of Bhutan.

Back in Black!

2008-11-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

Ram Bahadur Bamjan back in Nepal!

Tibetan Buddist bell in "Jericho"

2008-09-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so:
A) Been watching episodes of Jericho the last few days. Fantastic Teevee, by-the-by.
B) In Season 1, Episode: "Red Flag," there is a Tibetan Buddhist ghanta (bell) on Mayor Green's desk minutes 27-28.

Sorry I don't have a screenshot, but I'll definitely be keeping my eyes even more wide open.

Boo ya.

Represent.

Ethan Nichtern

2008-09-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Recently was on Authors@Google:

Hoooooo eeeeee!

2008-09-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

What have we here?

A good, ol' fashuned feud.

Better get a bucket.

Buddhists on Youtube

2008-09-10T09:38:00.001-07:00

Excellent resources, as always, from the intrepid Rev. Fisher.
List of Buddhists on youtube

Luv me sum RNC!

2008-09-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

Maitri for all.

Groovy:

2008-08-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Check it out:

2008-08-29T15:02:00.001-07:00

Someone under 50 talking about Buddhism on Mainstream TeeVee!

2008-08-25T23:52:00.001-07:00

Brad Warner (is 44):

Buddhism in the Global Age of Technology

2008-07-26T17:42:00.001-07:00

Check it out:

Colbert hits a home run

2008-07-15T14:43:00.001-07:00

cultivate bodhicitta

2008-06-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

popdharma

2008-06-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Good ol' HuffPo:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kay-goldstein/mindbodyspirit-the-medita_b_109041.html

Religious Landscape in America

2008-06-25T08:46:00.001-07:00

Interesting site...
not sure how accurate, but pretty interesting nonetheless:

http://religions.pewforum.org/

Khandro Rinpoche

2008-06-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Rox out.
We need to get her to Nalanda West...

2008-06-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

Bill Moyers is the man.

2008-06-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

Totally worth a gander:

H to the H K

2008-06-10T21:07:00.001-07:00

'nuff said.

Burma is Important

2008-05-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.burmaitcantwait.org

HHBL

2008-05-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Kool Keith's advice

2008-04-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Jaed Coffin - A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants

2008-03-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Jaed will talk about his new memoir describing his experience as a monk in Thailand, at Nalanda West on Friday, April 4 at 7 pm.

Check it out.

Bjork Rox

2008-03-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/05/china.musicnews

Ethan Nichtern at Nalanda West

2008-02-18T14:01:00.001-08:00

Ethan, Nick, and Janelle

We recently had a hoot and hollah discussing interdependence with Ethan Nichtern of NYC.

Check out his website: http://www.theidproject.com/

He has an excellent book: One City: A Declaration of Interdependence on sale now. Check it out.

We hope he comes back to Seattle soon!

One City at Nalanda West

2008-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Starting Tomorrow!
Be there!
More Info.

peace.

Lama Boy

2008-02-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Wow.
Dharma hip-hop.
Check it out.

hat tip to d.

DPR in Seattle PI

2008-01-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

Check out this recent article.

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

2008-01-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

Wall Street Journal article on American Buddhism

2007-11-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

Check it out:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110010842

Buddhist Youth Writers Symposium at Nalanda West

2007-10-07T08:52:00.001-07:00

Hi gang,
I am contemplating putting together a conference at Nalanda West in 2008 that would bring together published authors (in many different media) from a diverse variety of Buddhist traditions in America. They would also all be under 40 years old.
Please give me feedback about what you think about this idea, and I'd love to hear any suggestions you have to make it be creative, innovative, engaging, and inspiring.
Please also suggest anyone you'd like to see, hear, and meet.
Best wishes,
Nick

Greetings!

2007-08-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Welcome to the 2nd Wave American Buddhists blog!
For more information about what this is all about, please see the first blog post, "Welcome!" in the archives.

The posts below are from 8 different people who posted anonymously, giving an interesting cross-section of 2nd Wave perspective from the Nalandabodhi sangha.

All are welcome to comment and post about their point of view of contemporary American Buddhism, from all lineages.

Peace, and may this benefit all!
Sarva Mangalam!

remember the kids

2007-08-20T12:11:00.002-07:00

as a person who works with kids who are having legal troubles, and then working with adults who often were legally troubled kids, I think it's important to make a place available for parents and kids to learn to meditate, perhaps without any Buddhist implication whatsoever. I often think: if these people had learned meditation, buddhism aside, it's possible they would have a different trajectory.

relevancy

2007-08-20T12:11:00.001-07:00

i think this dovetails a lot with our desire to provide programs from younger teachers with a distinctively cross-cultural message - that is the stuff that made the most difference to me as a younger practitioner coming into the dharma - people who were grounded in the tradition but speaking in my language and about stuff that was relevant to my life. not so much for tibetan texts etc.

so, in a word: younger, more cross-cultural, and sometimes more thematic - like addiction and dharma, or relationships and dharma, stuff like that.

Practice

2007-08-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

I'd like to see some training/practice in Tonglen happen at NB/NW- it came up a lot at Nitartha and it seems like an integral practice for Bodhisattvas... I think that both young and older populations would be interested in it...

also, we got abisheka for Tara practice during retreat and I'd like to start doing that practice... both H.H. the 17th Karmapa & Rinpoche are really down with Tara, she's huge, and we should (I think) make efforts to do the practice...

Definitely gather the (young) potential umdze's and get us trained...

I think that monthly benefit concerts would be/could be really cool...

Appeal of Buddhism

2007-08-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

As for being influential to the younger generation, Buddhism is
incredibly appealing for several reasons: 1)it is not opposed to the
methods and discoveries of modern science (and in fact often tries to incorporate them), while at the same time rejecting the extreme of scientific materialism, 2)it provides a thoroughly rational and experiential spiritual path, while rejecting dogma and religious fundamentalism, 3)it provides amazing, time-tested practices for spiritual realization that are not totally free and up in the air(preventing an 'anything goes' kind of mentality which can easily lead down dark paths), while understanding and working with individual differences and karmic propensities, 4) it promotes peace, harmony and cooperation with other beings and our collective environment, and 5)has many living practitioners who have attained a high level of realization and who can (and do) serve as teachers and examples for the rest of us

I'm sure there are many more, but these are the reasons that come most readily to mind, and certainly sources of inspiration that brought me to the path. The question is, how to make these things known to a wider audience?

In terms of things that I feel are missing, or at least are underdeveloped at this point, that may help towards this goal:

If we are trying to support Rinpoche's vision of transmitting the pure water of Dharma into the container of Western culture, then we should think about the way westerner's express themselves in terms of the arts, music, and the media. For example, I have not seen much in the way of Western Buddhist art (although maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough). We seem to just import the thangkas (sp),
statues, etc. created by Tibetans, Indians and other Asian cultures.

Not that the art isn't beautiful (I happen to love it!), but it can have that kind of foreign 'exotic' flavor that can sometimes cheapen it, and also relegates it to another place and time. It would be really interesting to see what Amero-Canadian artists could do to capture the essence of Dharma in contemporary western painting, sculpture, etc. Same goes for music (I'm kinda working on that one myself...) and theater, as well as radio/television programming and movies.

Outreach: while I don't think any of us are interested in becoming evangelical Buddhists, one of the things that continues to make Christianity so successful is the way it reaches out to people. Focusing specifically on younger people, one thing I've noticed is that on UW's campus, there are constantly Christian, Islamic and Jewish groups around who are inviting people to Bible, Koran, etc. studies, potlucks, prayer groups, activity groups with other religiously minded youth, etc. They also have lots of info sheets, stickers, and other good advertising materials that try to get out some fundamentals of what they're about. I've never really seen that with Buddhist groups, though I know almost for certain that there are 1000s of people at UW who have an interest in meditation, yoga, and some very vague Buddhist notions of karma, compassion, etc. However, it may not be readily apparent how to explore these interests other than by reading books or talking to a few like-minded (but also
largely ignorant) friends.

How can we go about promoting and providing access to the teachings and practices in non-aggressive but nevertheless visible way? I wouldn't mind starting a group on campus here (and perhaps there are others at Seattle University, Bastyr University, the local community colleges, etc who would be interested in doing the same thing) to help facilitate this. The only problem is that fall quarter may be my last at UW for awhile, which would make this endeavor difficult at best.

Hotties

2007-08-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

the one thing that comes to mind in observing shambhala's success with newer and younger members is the prevalence of hotties. we need more smoking young women in NB. that would certainly help, but seriously, the most important thing might be to have time and space for young people led by younger people who have been around for a while.

i think this is something where a little advertising around seattle could produce good draws, just offer some free instruction in short sessions for people under... 30? 35? there seems to be few of us in NB in that range right now, but we are in a unique position to introduce dharma in a fresh, hip way with colloquial language and examples. it's more reminiscent of us naropa friends talking dharma over drinks, and maybe that's where it would lead to after some of these teachings, thereby furthering a younger community.

Practical Upaya

2007-08-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

One thing I've been thinking aboutis that it might be nice to offer a CPR training course for sangha members and local Buddhists. It might be a nice mundane-level extension of bodhisattva training and being ready to help in a wider variety of situations.

Also, in connection with such a program, might we also discuss how dharma centers would potentially serve as a safe haven in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami?

Buddhism and Neuroscience

2007-08-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Reading Mingyur Rinpoche’s book, “Joy of Living” I think there could be a lot of interest in the biology of experience and its application to everyday life. The brain is a “pattern magnet” – neurons reaching out constantly, laying down tracks like the grooves in a record, or imaging on a CD. There’s of course a direct implication to the patterns that mind lays down and its relation to meditation and mindfulness. Karmic threads and traces. I think that programs that elucidate the kind of scientific research that Mingyur Rinpoche is teaching from his experience in the Mind and Life Institute [ http://www.mindandlife.org/ ] would be very attractive to folks. Buddhists don’t study the material brain so much, but this is a great stepping stone to study and meditation on Mind for folks I think. Nitartha through the door of neurobiology…

"At the beginning of meditation training,
we identify (1) the observer, (2) the observed,
and (3) the observing act. As our practice matures,
these three become indistinguishable."

- Yongey Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche

http://mingyur.org/book/joy-of-living.html

Welcome!

2007-08-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

(c) DPR

Hello lucky students!
Here is an online forum for 2nd Wave American Buddhists* to share their experience of being 21st century practitioners together.
Welcome to one and all (Go Rime!), and may this benefit all beings.
Sarva Mangalam!

*
2nd Wave American Buddhist: n. any and all who go for refuge in the 3 Jewels, live on either continent with "America" in its name, and happen to have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1967. (With unbounded love, appreciation, and respect to those born before). Discuss.