Hello from the UK
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- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:58 pm
Hello from the UK
Hi all
I'm very happy to be here and look forward to getting to know you all and the forum.
I am pretty new to Buddhism, having only been meditating 6 months and even less time studying the Dharma and taking refuge in the three jewels.
So, as I stumble my way through my ignorant and supposed Buddhist practice I would like to thank you all for your patience with me and I will gratefully receive any correction to my understanding and behaviour. I hope you are all well and am honoured to have the opportunity to discuss the Dharma with you here. Thank you also to everyone who has contributed to this forum and its ongoing administration.
A little about 'the self' as I experience it... I am a locksmith, I have two children and partner Natalie whom I love very much. I am long term and very happily celibate (long before my meditation practice began). I am 40 but not for long. I am for the first time in my life filled with a sense of relief and happiness since finding the Darma and have become fascinated with Buddhism, particularly Mahayana and the Gelugpa tradition. I owe an eternal gratitude to the Great Buddha and also the Dalai Lama for bringing me to the Dharma and have a deep compassion for the Tibetan people and there enduring struggles as well as a great admiration for them as a people, their strength and virtue.
Partly I must admit I come to seek refuge in the Sangha a little. The emotional benefits I have received from my practice have been profound. I have volunteered to a few of my most local Buddhist centres offering my skills and recently attended an local Bodhisattva Centre for a Blessing Empowerment of Wisdom - Buddha Manjushri, taught by Gen Kelsang Thekchen, senior Buddhist Monk and Resident Teacher of Bodhisattva KMC.
I am deeply aware of the need for discussion of the Dharma to be appropriate to the audience and would like an outlet for discussion in which I can be sure not to hurt others with my own misconceived , perhaps irreverent ideas or questions. For example questions about bringing the Dharma to a western audience, not to convert but simply to educate, integrate and relive suffering whilst still remaining respectful to the Three Jewels and not upsetting folk. I don't ask this here so please don't reply here. I offer it only as an example of the questions I would like to discuss.
I would love to raise my understanding and wisdom to a point where I can share this new found freedom I am experiencing with others. I say this with all humility and understanding that I will have a long long journey before I can do so correctly. My family are of course not Buddhist so I study in solitude if I'm listening to audio and am very mindful of protecting their spiritual leanings and mental inclinations while I experience these changes in my outlook and emotional well-being. I have a natural inclination toward the practice of Bodhicitta (ultimate) and am currently meditating on emptiness, non-self, Lo Jong (giving and taking), as well as resting awareness as a basis. I have lots to work on myself to undertake including my patience, anger, ego, ignorance, torpor, concentration, attachment to name a few, but am determined to get there if not in this life then I hope in one of the preceding. On a lighter note, I have a solitary retreat booked in in a Kuti for my birthday!
Thank you all for reading this rather long winded and self-serving introduction. I humbly ask you to excuse any errors in spelling, etiquette or terminology. I look forward to reading your posts.
I'm very happy to be here and look forward to getting to know you all and the forum.
I am pretty new to Buddhism, having only been meditating 6 months and even less time studying the Dharma and taking refuge in the three jewels.
So, as I stumble my way through my ignorant and supposed Buddhist practice I would like to thank you all for your patience with me and I will gratefully receive any correction to my understanding and behaviour. I hope you are all well and am honoured to have the opportunity to discuss the Dharma with you here. Thank you also to everyone who has contributed to this forum and its ongoing administration.
A little about 'the self' as I experience it... I am a locksmith, I have two children and partner Natalie whom I love very much. I am long term and very happily celibate (long before my meditation practice began). I am 40 but not for long. I am for the first time in my life filled with a sense of relief and happiness since finding the Darma and have become fascinated with Buddhism, particularly Mahayana and the Gelugpa tradition. I owe an eternal gratitude to the Great Buddha and also the Dalai Lama for bringing me to the Dharma and have a deep compassion for the Tibetan people and there enduring struggles as well as a great admiration for them as a people, their strength and virtue.
Partly I must admit I come to seek refuge in the Sangha a little. The emotional benefits I have received from my practice have been profound. I have volunteered to a few of my most local Buddhist centres offering my skills and recently attended an local Bodhisattva Centre for a Blessing Empowerment of Wisdom - Buddha Manjushri, taught by Gen Kelsang Thekchen, senior Buddhist Monk and Resident Teacher of Bodhisattva KMC.
I am deeply aware of the need for discussion of the Dharma to be appropriate to the audience and would like an outlet for discussion in which I can be sure not to hurt others with my own misconceived , perhaps irreverent ideas or questions. For example questions about bringing the Dharma to a western audience, not to convert but simply to educate, integrate and relive suffering whilst still remaining respectful to the Three Jewels and not upsetting folk. I don't ask this here so please don't reply here. I offer it only as an example of the questions I would like to discuss.
I would love to raise my understanding and wisdom to a point where I can share this new found freedom I am experiencing with others. I say this with all humility and understanding that I will have a long long journey before I can do so correctly. My family are of course not Buddhist so I study in solitude if I'm listening to audio and am very mindful of protecting their spiritual leanings and mental inclinations while I experience these changes in my outlook and emotional well-being. I have a natural inclination toward the practice of Bodhicitta (ultimate) and am currently meditating on emptiness, non-self, Lo Jong (giving and taking), as well as resting awareness as a basis. I have lots to work on myself to undertake including my patience, anger, ego, ignorance, torpor, concentration, attachment to name a few, but am determined to get there if not in this life then I hope in one of the preceding. On a lighter note, I have a solitary retreat booked in in a Kuti for my birthday!
Thank you all for reading this rather long winded and self-serving introduction. I humbly ask you to excuse any errors in spelling, etiquette or terminology. I look forward to reading your posts.
Re: Hello from the UK
Welcome. I am glad you have benefitted from coming into contact with the teachings of the Buddha. You sound very inspired and it is important to keep that energy tanked up throughout your practice. So, take your time and enjoy.
On another note, I noticed you mentioned Bodhisattva KMC. Is KMC a Kadampa Meditation Center by chance?
If so, while I choose not to denigrate or in any way take away how you have benefitted, I need to point out that this organization is NOT mainstream Gelug. They are in open opposition to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and are highly controversial.
I would have to recommend that, if you have other options, please pursue them.
Shaun
On another note, I noticed you mentioned Bodhisattva KMC. Is KMC a Kadampa Meditation Center by chance?
If so, while I choose not to denigrate or in any way take away how you have benefitted, I need to point out that this organization is NOT mainstream Gelug. They are in open opposition to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and are highly controversial.
I would have to recommend that, if you have other options, please pursue them.
Shaun
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- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:58 pm
Re: Hello from the UK
Thank you for drawing this to my attention. Just did some reading. What a sad thing.zerwe wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 4:19 am Welcome. I am glad you have benefitted from coming into contact with the teachings of the Buddha. You sound very inspired and it is important to keep that energy tanked up throughout your practice. So, take your time and enjoy.
On another note, I noticed you mentioned Bodhisattva KMC. Is KMC a Kadampa Meditation Center by chance?
If so, while I choose not to denigrate or in any way take away how you have benefitted, I need to point out that this organization is NOT mainstream Gelug. They are in open opposition to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and are highly controversial.
I would have to recommend that, if you have other options, please pursue them.
Shaun
I had another event organised with them today but have decided not to attend.
I shall as you say persue other options.
Not sure what I will say if they follow up on my volunteering offer guess I'll say nothing...
Last edited by TannersHatch on Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Hello from the UK
This organization was one of the only options where I live as well and, when I was starting my practice, I went to see for myself. Those who I met were wonderful people. However, while being local offered tremendous convenience, I found that with some effort I was able to make numerous connections with other teachers and practitioners elsewhere. I feel that this was energy well spent. There are a number of opportunities for dharma practice in the UK within Gelug and there are a few on the forum who may be able to help you.TannersHatch wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:05 amThank you for drawing this to my attention. Just did some reading. What a sad thing.zerwe wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 4:19 am Welcome. I am glad you have benefitted from coming into contact with the teachings of the Buddha. You sound very inspired and it is important to keep that energy tanked up throughout your practice. So, take your time and enjoy.
On another note, I noticed you mentioned Bodhisattva KMC. Is KMC a Kadampa Meditation Center by chance?
If so, while I choose not to denigrate or in any way take away how you have benefitted, I need to point out that this organization is NOT mainstream Gelug. They are in open opposition to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and are highly controversial.
I would have to recommend that, if you have other options, please pursue them.
Shaun
I had another event organised with them today but have decided not to attend.
I shall as you say persue other options.
Not sure what I will say if they follow up on my volunteering offer guess I'll say nothing...
I honestly don't want to feel like I am promoting an organization with whom I practice, but you might want to check https://fpmt.org.uk/
Also, there are some independently affiliated Gelug centers in the UK. Additionally, there are many Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya too.
Shaun
Last edited by zerwe on Sun Dec 05, 2021 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Konchog Thogme Jampa
- Posts: 1175
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- Location: Saha World/Hard to Take
Re: Hello from the UK
If I had to choose a centre in England to go to it would be here https://gomde.uk/ they’re building a Tibetan style temple also. Near Doncaster not Gelug however Nyingma/Kagyu
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- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:58 pm
Re: Hello from the UK
@zerwe @Kongchog Thogme Jampa
Thank you both for your kind advice. I shall look into all your suggestions.
Thank you both for your kind advice. I shall look into all your suggestions.
- Shotenzenjin
- Posts: 614
- Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:23 pm
Re: Hello from the UK
Welcome
Generation's shall pass, our determination shall grow, at the foot of Mount Fuji
Like smoke that reaches far beyond the clouds.--nichimoku shonin. Third high priest of Nichiren Shoshu
Hokekko of true Buddhism https://nstny.org
Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... VKyEQ_cxK9
Like smoke that reaches far beyond the clouds.--nichimoku shonin. Third high priest of Nichiren Shoshu
Hokekko of true Buddhism https://nstny.org
Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... VKyEQ_cxK9
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- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:58 pm
Re: Hello from the UK
I had a look. This looks so worthwhile. You can even sponsor a brick! That's awesome. Thanks budKonchog Thogme Jampa wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 4:40 pm If I had to choose a centre in England to go to it would be here https://gomde.uk/ they’re building a Tibetan style temple also. Near Doncaster not Gelug however Nyingma/Kagyu
- Konchog Thogme Jampa
- Posts: 1175
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2017 4:48 am
- Location: Saha World/Hard to Take
Re: Hello from the UK
TannersHatch wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 10:00 pmI had a look. This looks so worthwhile. You can even sponsor a brick! That's awesome. Thanks budKonchog Thogme Jampa wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 4:40 pm If I had to choose a centre in England to go to it would be here https://gomde.uk/ they’re building a Tibetan style temple also. Near Doncaster not Gelug however Nyingma/Kagyu
Yes and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche whose center it is and Erik Pema Kunsang who teaches there sometimes are very highly regarded
- chokyi lodro
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:30 pm
- Location: Scotland
Re: Hello from the UK
Hello from Scotland (Edinburgh precisely)! Welcome to the forum. I hope you gain much from visiting here.
Incidentally, I too found helpful teachings (so conveniently close*) from the group we don't mention - and years before from Michael Roach's ACI. Much better to find alternatives that present authentic teachings without denigrating great persons like HH Dalai Lama.
* - yes, it would be that way wouldn't it? Is that like Mara testing me!?
Incidentally, I too found helpful teachings (so conveniently close*) from the group we don't mention - and years before from Michael Roach's ACI. Much better to find alternatives that present authentic teachings without denigrating great persons like HH Dalai Lama.
* - yes, it would be that way wouldn't it? Is that like Mara testing me!?
~ Chökyi Lodrö
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Re: Hello from the UK
I wholeheartedly agree the venerable gentleman gave me my introduction to Buddhist ideas. I owe him so so much and he is my go to source of Dharma based inspirational texts and commentary. If a group has problems with the DL that's enough for me to stay well clear (compassionately so of course).chokyi lodro wrote: ↑Mon Dec 06, 2021 5:21 pm Hello from Scotland (Edinburgh precisely)! Welcome to the forum. I hope you gain much from visiting here.
Incidentally, I too found helpful teachings (so conveniently close*) from the group we don't mention - and years before from Michael Roach's ACI. Much better to find alternatives that present authentic teachings without denigrating great persons like HH Dalai Lama.
* - yes, it would be that way wouldn't it? Is that like Mara testing me!?
Last edited by TannersHatch on Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Hello from the UK
Thank you everyone for you warm welcome. I feel very lucky and honoured to be here.
Re: Hello from the UK
WelcomeTannersHatch wrote: ↑Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:46 pm Thank you everyone for you warm welcome. I feel very lucky and honoured to be here.
Happy Pride month to my queer dharma siblings!
What do you see when you turn out the lights?
What do you see when you turn out the lights?