All the quotes that people have posted are great, but I think the question of how to make dharma centers friendlier begs for more "solution-oriented" suggestions.
purplelotus wrote:I just feel that we are going slightly off track with this topic. There is a real need for Dharma Centres and what appears to be an institutionalised coldness and lack of caring and concern is an important point. It puts people off the Dharma and it is also a bit weird for a religion that stresses love and compassion. One is left with the impression that to become a Buddhist you have to be some mindless robot and advancing in ones practise means you become oblivious to the needs and concerns of others because of one's lofty attainments.
Perhaps I am missing something and if so please correct me.
P