The Planet's Sangha: Buddhist discussions, thought, etc.

[Linus]

I consider myself Buddhist. I haven't found a Sangha here in NY that I feel at home with so I've been self teaching and trying to understand. I am hoping that I might find something once i move to Los Angeles but until then, an online option would be the best way to go. I'll admit that it was Lama Surya Das' books that appealed to me and I'm hoping to get through the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

I was curious if there are others out there.

[PoeticWitch]

Linus I am what is called a Nichiren Buddhist.. sadly I do not know much about the basic philosophy of the sect you are mentioning... I am still learning more about my practice... I would like to learn more about yours sometime.. and if you would like to learn about mine you can go to www.sgi.org or www.sgi-usa.org ... SGI stands for the Sokka Gakkai International... well have a wonderful day

[Linus]

Cool. I'm going to look into the links you've posted. I've read a bit about Nichiren from E-Sangha Forums but will read more. I'll probably have questions for you about it specifically. (particular when I've finished my teach this week -- which will be today)

I am curious, however, as to why you choose this particular path over others and if you go to a Sangha in RT (Real Time; not online)?

[PoeticWitch]

Originally Posted by Linus

Cool. I'm going to look into the links you've posted. I've read a bit about Nichiren from E-Sangha Forums but will read more. I'll probably have questions for you about it specifically. (particular when I've finished my teach this week -- which will be today)

I am curious, however, as to why you choose this particular path over others and if you go to a Sangha in RT (Real Time; not online)?

I will be honest I have never heard of Shanga, but I am assuming, so correct me if I am wrong, that it is a term used for temple? Nichiren Buddhist do not go to temples persay... We have community centers that we congregate at. I dont think I can really do it justice. I dont attend much anymore because I live in York and the closet Community Center is in Baltimore and I am sadly lacking a car... When I was in Austin I was there as much as I could be. I miss it terribly. Well I am off for the day and not back til tomorrow sometime... you know the whole Thanksgiving thing lol.. You have a wonderful Turkey Day!

[SFFemmePrincess]

So my story goes like this: My parents are Bahai, (http://info.bahai.org/) but never really practiced. We had some books lying around and they talked about it every now and again, but that was about it. I longed for some sort of sprituality. So as a child I would go to the Sunday bible study at the Christian church down the road. But I never felt quite right. I mostly kept going for the arts and crafts and snacks. As I go older the desire for sprituality still haunted me. I read books on Wicca, but that didnt really work for me. I talked to friends of other faiths, but never found anything that I could relate to. In my late teens I went pretty often to a Christian Megachurch in Alb. until the Pastor said that Homosexuality was causing the death the "American Family." When I moved here I started going to MCC and became an official member, but I still never felt quite right. It felt like a farce. I was going through the motions, bowing my head in prayer, taking communion, but it felt empty.

Then one day, my family and I were having a disscussion about religion and the subject of Buddhism came up and none of knew what Buddhism actually was. So being the little researcher that I am, I brought out my laptop and looked it up. I came across this article: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm

All of a sudden I started to feel like I had found what I had been looking for. So I started reading and researching more. Never in my life have I felt more complete spiritually. Now I am still just reading, I haven't actually started meditating or further investigating the traditions, but it just feels so good to know that there is something out there for me. Some of the books that I have read are Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron and Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling and there is a great list of recommended books here: http://www.sfbuddhistcenter.org/dharma/books.shtml

It's nice to see others on similar paths...

[Diva]

Originally Posted by Rainbowchick07

So my story goes like this: My parents are Bahai, (http://info.bahai.org/) but never really practiced. We had some books lying around and they talked about it every now and again, but that was about it. I longed for some sort of sprituality. So as a child I would go to the Sunday bible study at the Christian church down the road. But I never felt quite right. I mostly kept going for the arts and crafts and snacks. As I go older the desire for sprituality still haunted me. I read books on Wicca, but that didnt really work for me. I talked to friends of other faiths, but never found anything that I could relate to. In my late teens I went pretty often to a Christian Megachurch in Alb. until the Pastor said that Homosexuality was causing the death the "American Family." When I moved here I started going to MCC and became an official member, but I still never felt quite right. It felt like a farce. I was going through the motions, bowing my head in prayer, taking communion, but it felt empty.

Then one day, my family and I were having a disscussion about religion and the subject of Buddhism came up and none of knew what Buddhism actually was. So being the little researcher that I am, I brought out my laptop and looked it up. I came across this article: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm

All of a sudden I started to feel like I had found what I had been looking for. So I started reading and researching more. Never in my life have I felt more complete spiritually. Now I am still just reading, I haven't actually started meditating or further investigating the traditions, but it just feels so good to know that there is something out there for me. Some of the books that I have read are Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron and Introducing Buddhism by Chris Pauling and there is a great list of recommended books here: http://www.sfbuddhistcenter.org/dharma/books.shtml

It's nice to see others on similar paths...

I have not known many practicing Buddhists...but the ones I have known always seemed so centered. (I know that word is almost cliche` any more....)

I've been curious and intrigued about Buddhism, but never really took the time to see if it might suit me.

This past year has been one of many changes...coming to grips with many things....having to give up control....and having now read this article, perhaps this way of life WOULD be the right way for me....it seems to speak to my soul and is reminding me of a compass of sorts.....

Thank You Rainbow.....for posting this.....I am overwhelmed in the best of ways!

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by Linus

I consider myself Buddhist. I haven't found a Sangha here in NY that I feel at home with so I've been self teaching and trying to understand. I am hoping that I might find something once i move to Los Angeles but until then, an online option would be the best way to go. I'll admit that it was Lama Surya Das' books that appealed to me and I'm hoping to get through the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

I was curious if there are others out there.

I have a very very good friend in Denver who is Buddhist. He and I have had some of the most amazing conversations around what it is and isn't for him. When we first met, he was an athiest. His journey has been mind-blowing to watch.

His wife and I share a Wiccan path. I find that Buddhist are some of the least judgmental folk. I admire that. It's something I really struggle with.

Love you, Linus!

[Linus]

Originally Posted by lillith

Hey Linus. Los Angeles is a big place, where are you planning on moving to? The temple I went to is in Gardena (near the beach cities or LA's version of the South Bay). There are great temples all around here and in the valley and out east. It all depends on where you are moving to.

If you would like, I can do some research on a temple that is close to where you are moving to.

Hope you are having a good day.

lillith

Heh. Yes, it definitely is big. As to where we'll be exactly, we haven't fully decided but are looking at West Hollywood, Van Nuys and a few other places. K's parents are near Manhattan Beach. I know there are a few Buddhist temples but haven't been able to find all of them on Google.

Originally Posted by Arwen

I have a very very good friend in Denver who is Buddhist. He and I have had some of the most amazing conversations around what it is and isn't for him. When we first met, he was an athiest. His journey has been mind-blowing to watch.

His wife and I share a Wiccan path. I find that Buddhist are some of the least judgmental folk. I admire that. It's something I really struggle with.

Love you, Linus!

Hey Arwen,

It is something that I struggle with at times (removing old habits) but I find that it lessens the more I spent time on Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Reminding myself of each reminds me that others do suffer as I do, even if that experience is different. And no one should suffer.

For those unaware the Four Noble Truths are:

1. All of life is marked by suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment.
3. Suffering can be stopped.
4. The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

And the Noble Eightfold Path is:

1. Right knowledge
2. Right intention
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

[lillith]

Hey Linus. Here is are some results I did on google: http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...uddhist+temple

Hope it helps.

Lillith

[Linus]

Originally Posted by lillith

Hey Linus. Here is are some results I did on google: http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...uddhist+temple

Hope it helps.

Lillith

Ya. It did. Took me to here: http://www.urbandharma.org/wilshire/.../buddhist.html which lists the variety of temples and the Buddhist lineage that it comes from. That should give me an idea of where I'd want to look for a temple (I prefer more of a Tibetan buddhism to the Japanese buddhism but then again.. the concepts are the same). And who knows? Perhaps I may find more of what I'm looking for at a temple near me because of the people involved.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Linus,

Thank you for this thread. I want you to know that I have quite a few friends who are practicing Buddhists. They too are very centered in what their priorities are. And it reflects in their lives.

I also belong to a paranormal group. In this group are several Buddhists. They have taught me quite a bit about spirituality and inner peace. It is something that once you obtain, you never loose it.

Love,
Andrew

[imperfect_cupcake]

I'm more along the lines of Taoist but a lot of taoist philosophy matches up with buddhism. I do enjoy a bit of banter with a buddhist

[key]

But have to admit I don't have that kind of long term discipline. And the Buddhists that I have known are very centered indeed. Love me some Pema Chodron. http://www.pemachodron.org/ However, I get some mixed messages about Buddhism's acceptance (or lack thereof) of homosexuality. Some places I read that we fall under "sexual misconduct" laws of their religion and other places I read that they do not judge us. As someone who grew up under the boot of "hate the sin, love the sinner" Xtianity, this kind of gives me the willies.

Certainly don't want to discourage anyone from walking the path of their choosing, but worry that all religion, even ones without God's can be a minefield of do's and don'ts that is bound to leave someone out.

I guess any door through which we enter, can snag us on it's splinters, we must walk on through to get to (what I believe) is our shared destination.

Sacred communion with all.