It has been rather quiet here recently, and I thought that it would be good if we can get to know each other and how we each became Buddhist or interested in it.

I was born into a Taoist family and studied Buddhism when I was in Secondary school. Although now I'm reading more books on Tibetan Buddhism than any others, I was basically taught Buddhism from the Theravada perspective.

My hope is to find a teacher who can assist me progress in my chosen path.

Kemmy

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I'm an MA student at Florida State University, studying Tibetan Buddhism in the Religion Department. I am not a practicing Buddhist, in fact, I don't ascribe to any particular religion. I will say though, that if I were to choose one, it would be Buddhism.

Currently, I am considering working on the question of assimilation of Tibetans in China. I have almost completed my first year of course work in literary Tibetan and will hopefully be starting colloquial Tibetan this summer.

MB

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G'day All

I'm studying Tibetan Buddhism with a small group in The Blue Mountains of NSW Australia.

I've had a shaky start as has the group - both due to financial concerns.We were meeting weekly & now it is monthly which will suit me better.The main group is in Katoomba & has been active for 20 years or so.

We are studying the Mahayana Tradition & I will post the web address so you can check in if you feel  so inclined.I don't have it at my fingertips right now so stay tuned.

May you all be happy & healthy

Roz

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Hi,

I'm a Sri lankan who was born into Theravada, but gravitated to Mahayana quite early on:am now very much into Vajrayana, although I havent taken refuge or been initiated.I hope to travel to Nepal leter this year or next year, where I can follow up on these feelings.I have had a very strong empathy with Tibet and Mahayana for a long time now.Am now nased in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where I work.

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Hi,

Susila and INge, hope to meet up with you when I'm in Nepal-I hopeing for this to happen this year at some point.I havent been yet, but have read so much that I feel I know it well.Have always wanted to go to Dolpo after reading Snellgrove's "3 Lamas of Dolpo" a long time ago.My boss who has an archtitectural practise in Katmandu, has a renovation project in Mustang.Perhaps we will meet real soon! UNtil then....

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Hi Debra,

If you havent read it already, I recommend a fantastic book "The Heart of the World" by Ian Baker, (Penguin Books HB), a great intro to Mahayana/Tibetan Buddhism and culture+a great travelouge, full of amazing experiences and descriptions.Good luck

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Hi Debra!

Welcome! and I hope that you'll enjoy and learn from this site!

Cheers! Kemmy

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Thank you for joining this site, Rebekah.

May this site provide us all with much knowledge and wisdom... as well as thoughts to meditate upon!

Kemmy

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hello. so happy to be here. 

i found Buddhism just over a year ago. i started my journey with an open mind and heart but considerable personal pain and anxiety.  through mindfulness and cultivating my compassion for others, i have found total freedom and inner happiness. 

one of the books i refer to frequently (and would need to take to my own desert island!) is 'The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - transforming suffering into peace, joy and liberation' - Thich Nhat Hanh.

"To make hell into paradise, we need only change the mind on which it is based ..."

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Well i'm still not practising buddhism,but i like reading about it,because it's the most tollerable religion,the most peaceful as well and it's the biggest source of wisdom.The only one truly way out of the matrix in which we live.

So support for you and everyone fighting for the liberation of Tibet!!!!

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Welcome, Claire! Welcome Vastimir! Welcome all!!!

Kemmy

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I was born and raised in a Christian atmosphere, like most Westerners but followed Buddhism later. I believe all religions have wisdom as well as dogmas. There is something to learn from each and sometimes we can see a bigger picture when we do. I have found a sanity and peace of mind from Buddhism that is hard to find in other religions, however. To me, Buddhism is like a spiritual psychology. It makes a lot of logical and practical sense. It is also one of the oldest religions and its influence can be seen in some other religions who may have "borrowed" from Buddhist ideas.

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Hi Jugney. Thank you for joining our group!

I hope that you will find the discussions here interesting and I sincerely hope that you will assist us in our understanding (correctly) of Buddhism .

Thank you.

Kemmy

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It brings great joy to my heart to know that the Dharma has touched all of you.  Whether we are new to the practice and teachings, just curious, or have been walking the path for some time now, this connection with the Dharma is truly profound and transformative.  I consider myself to have always been connected with the Dharma even before I knew what that meant.  People would ask me even when I was really young what my spirituality was and I would answer Buddhist.  Why.....I don't know.  Maybe it sounded cool.... I was too young to really know any different.  After graduating from college I was at a loss for what to do and began to travel.  At the same time I began my own informal yoga and meditation practice.  During these travels I met amazing people and quite a few of them were practicing Tibetan Buddhism.  I was reading a Krishnmurti book and found the paralells fascinating. Then, after a series of adventures, which in the interest of brevity I will not describe, I looked up my father who I had never known.  It was truly amazing!!!  We talked for hours and as it turns out he's also a Buddhist in the Tibetan Tradition.  He gave me my first Dharma book and I read it in a couple days.  Then I read another and another and so on until I felt the urge to really immerse my self in practice.  I volunteered to do work study at Shambhala Mountain Center where I came in contact with my current teacher.  I followed him down to Crestone colorado to help with his retreats and helped with the building of a stupa dedicated to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the father of my teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche.  They both teach in the Dzogchen tradition and of course I highly recommend anything they have written.  Of course there is so much to say, and I feel like I have already written too much, but even if I had an ocean of words it could not describe the love, repect, and awe that I have for the Dharma.  I have definitely found home.  Unity In One Love, Matthew

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Hello again,

 Just thought I would post the website of my teacher's foundation.  He is currently involved with certain humanitarian causes in Tibet and Nepal that you might be interested in.  It also has lots of pictures of him and the retreat land they are developing.  A little slice of who I am and here I've been.  Hope you enjoy!!!

WWW.pundarika.org

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My mother always taught me to look at things with an open mind. And discover for myself what my heart tells me is right. My grandfather studied religions for many years and he often talked to me about re-birth, death, creation, and even evolution. Although he was not confine to one religion, my Opa was by far the most kindred spirit I've ever known.

I learned a lot from him about buddhism and other eastern religions. I think the Buddha makes the most sence out of all the major religous figures, however, I have a paranoia problem when it comes to organized faith. Buddha seems to be the most tolerate of this suspicion.

  Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
- Buddha 

Is this three dead fish pic really a Buddhist symbol?    

Thanks and peace.

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I picked up a book on Tibetan Buddhism while I was in the ARMY, stumbled along the path, sampled some Advaita Vetantism, often missing it completely; got interested in Russian Orthodox Christianity, then other forms of Christianity. After I got divorced,,  I returned to Buddhism.

from Metta,

Kit

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Yeah organized religion is querky in a way I guess. At Abhayagiri(fearless mountain) Monestery(Thai tradition) where i stayed for a week was strange....but in a very good way. I remember they were building the foundation for a kuti(hut) and helped a little. Though i spent most of the time trying to bat the mosquitos away(was trying to go by a precept against killing any living thing). I remember that the Achaan monk working with us asked me "even if you killed them all right here where we are, could you really stop them from coming?", with a smile remenicent of an obelisk.

When at a tibetan monestery up in the hills of Santa Cruz, CA, the resident lama there started some casual conversation with me. He asked me about myself, and after I was through, his eyes met mine, and he said,"I'm very impressed," with one of the most loveing smiles I have ever seen. I did'nt know whether I should be angry or just give him a big hug out of gratitude for showing me in a very unique way, what i was doing with my mind. That's one of the most fondest memories. Yeah, Buddhist monasticism is strange, but I have found no reason so far to be paranoid about it.

from Metta,

Kit

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I was born a Christian but many of my own personal beliefs and ideals did not fit in with Christianity, so I began a sort of journey to find something that seemed to fit with what I believed in and something I felt comfortable with.  I had a friend who was Wiccan and suggested I should read some books, study them and see if that fit.  Some of the ideals did fit with what I believed in, but I never felt fully comfortable as Wiccan, for me inside it didn’t really fit me as the person I was; it took me 8 years to realise that. Then I studied and read as much as I could on Druidism and Shamanism and again I found some things that seemed to meld with what I believed in, but I still didn’t feel comfortable that I had found what I was looking for.  My sister has read a few Buddhism books and knowing me so well, she suggested that I take a look at some Buddhism books, which I’m reading my first one ‘The Transformed Mind – by The Dalai Lama’ and I must say, I’m finding a lot that I like and so far from what I have read seems to fit like a glove and I feel comfortable, perhaps I have found what I was looking for then again maybe I haven’t.  I’m open to the possibility and perhaps after reading and studying a few more books, perhaps I’ll have my answer

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I was attracted to Buddhism in high school during a world history class.  I started practicing yoga, and buying books on Buddhism as well as other Eastern religions.

I had a vision a couple of months back during one of my meditations of flying over mountains and seeing a man in an orange garb standing on a plateau.  In my dream  I flew down to get a closer look (it was more of a lucid dream) and as I got closer I recognized the man as Buddhist monk in the traditional cloak.  He looked me dead in the eyes--the vividness was startling, and the monk threw me a backpack, and then continued on his way climbing down the mountain.  Knowing what I do about symbolism and lucid dreaming on the spiritual path I take this as a sign.  I know that Buddhism and learning about it is something that I am being directed to do in my life.  I think it is wonderful.  I have become more socially conscious, and a complete vegetarian.  I hope to continue to learn and grow with Buddhism. 

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Welcome, Psychic, Avegail and Kasey!!!

I'm glad that you have found the Buddhist path and I hope that you will continue to grow and learn with us.

I'm sorry that I can't contribute as often as I used to because my computer is still in the repair shop, but do feel free to write and discuss everything that is Tibetan Buddhism here!!!!!

Kemmy

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I am Christine and I just joined Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet.

I don't practise Buddhism but I have a great interests for Buddhism and I feel very close to Buddhist Philosophy. I don't really know how it happened but I know that , now I have a lot to lean from Buddhist. I grew up in a Roman Catholic family and my family is still Catholic , my Mum is s great believer and I have a great respect fro her and I get along with her very well.

But now Catholic Religion doesn't bring me anything, I even think that Roman Catholic Church is too narrow minded and not tolerant enough but I am not not here to make critics and only to say what Buddhist philosophy brings me; a new vision of life an death , a new way of looking at the others . What I admire in Buddhism is that Buddhists are always smiling, yesterday I was watching a TV program about The Dalaï Lama and it was amazing to see how he was smiling and laughing all the time , he shows to the world a real happinees to live.

Christine

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Welcome, Christine and Carol!!!!!

I hope that you'll enjoy this site. I'm currently away from home, on my summer vacations, but do keep your posts coming and keep this group lively!!!!!

Kemmy

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I was raised Roman Catholic, and went to Catholic school for a long time. Though, I never connected with it. This is largely because I had a lot of questions as a child and no one would (or could, I guess) answer them and I felt wrong for inquiring.

A friend of mine started calling herself a Buddhist (right after she said she was a Wiccan) when we were 13. Everything she told me about it sounded too good to be true, in terms of what any religion or practice could offer. Later at my first university I took a course that changed my view completely, called Chinese and Japanese religions. I learned about Buddhism in depth for the first time, and deeply resonated with everything I heard! I did not like this school I was attending anymore and had been wanting to transfer. One day I thought...I wonder if there is a Buddhist university out there somewhere; I thought that would be perfect for me. Now, I am a graduate of Naropa and, yes, it was perfect! I love this beautiful, challenging path I have decided to walk on.

We are all so fortunate to have been introduced to the dharma/dhamma; it is a rare blessing I feel grateful for.

Much love and many blessings, Julie

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How delightful to find all of you .... what a wonderful group of interesting people!

I met H.H.XIV Dalai Lama at a private receiption during an InterFaith Conference at The National Cathdrawl in Washington, D.C. ... and that meeting changed my life.

Mangalam,

patt

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Hi there,

I began studying Tibetan Buddhism when I was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley.  I became much more interested in Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche than in my academic pursuits!

I wish I had more discipline.  His Holiness says that change requires meditation.  I hope that we all can practice every day...

Hope your summer is excellent!

love and peace, Jen

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Welcome all to the Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet group.

I'm afraid I will not be available as often as before. But do continue to keep the messages and discussions going.

Love

Kemmy

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have always been very interested in buddhism but have always been too busy to delve too deep.. as for tibet.. MY DREAM! hope to learn more here!

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My friend Sunshine sent me an invite to this group and I see some famaliar faces.. wellllll avatars that are familiar. Gald to see so many good souls.

I've been in a mix of Buddhism and Hinduism for over 30 years. My family had no spiritual path, so this is the only one I've ever known. I came across the Buddha's teachings at 10 through an odd group of neighbours who gave me a mantra to chant. They were beatniks who were interested in Buddhism through Kerouac... Synder.. and Ginsberg. They took me under their wing because I was in a very bad family group. They had little idea of what that Mantra... Om Mani Padme Hum.. would set into motion. I practiced it without any real clue of what was in it... and didn't really clue in until 15 when I came across the Dhammapada. Well that was it, I was well and truly hooked..LOL... I have that mantra tattooed on my arm, years ago, where I can see it all the time. Interestingly enough it's the same as avatar for the site.. in the Tibetan script, but mine is black, not multi-coloured. I have the mantra to Tara on my other arm, it's in Tibetan as well, got it when I began working with the coroner's service and dealing with so much death and negativity. I think that it and the Om Mani has kept my heart open and whole. It's been a long trip, I'm well in my 50's now and as I said before have known no other real spiritual path. Anything else I tried my hand at only proved that I was a Buddhist pretending to be something else. I'm still struggling along the road and while I'm not into the Tibetan path, I have sat with them and hugely value this view of the Buddha. It's still the Dharma just a little differant spice added...LOL. So thanks, I'll hang out with you guys for awhile.

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Well, I was introduced to Buddhism by the movie Kundun.  I wish I had a less "pop cultural" exposure for my first time, but there you have it.  The movie was breathtaking and I felt drawn toward the Dalai Lama.  So, I went to a bookstore and picked up the first thing that I saw with his face on it "The Art of Happiness".  I was in love from the moment I started reading the book.  Now, I have a shelf full of books with various Buddhist authors, still trying to get the "hang" of meditation, and have 2 more movies:  Thich Nhat Han's Meditative Movements and Little Buddha (which has Keanu Reeves playing the part of Siddharta...so take it with a grain of patience.  You do keep waiting for him to say "Dude"...though very apropo with the whole Matrix equating to Buddhism thing...Weird.)  Anyway.  Sorry, my speculation on pop culture.  As far as "practicing" Buddhism, I'm never "quite" sure what that means.  I don't have a teacher.  I'm kind of just winging all this on my own.  Haven't gone to a Dharma Center around here yet...mainly cause I don't know what to expect or which one I should go to.  There are so many different "sects" around here, and I have the worst time deciphering between them all. 

Maybe when I finish "Awakening the Buddha Within" I'll have a less scattered "monkey brain" sounding answer for everyone. 

Personally, I studied the nature religions for the past 15 years and previous to that, was made to attend a Methodist church to help socialize me into the new communities we'd move to.  (We moved a lot...)  Now, I'm a single mother wanting to expose my daughter to this beauty that I've now embraced and cannot seem to get enough of, but I don't even know how to properly practice it myself. 

Any suggestions to a newbie?  There's so much information out there, sometimes it gets a little daunting.

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I am so bad, been in this group for ages and I dont think ever posted anything!!!  Ooops!!!

I studied all kinds of things before... Judaism, Ekankar, Paganism and even Christianity but nothing ever rang quite true to me, although certain aspects I found wonderful.  I think it is true that all paths are going in the same general direction.  The thing that got me was Buddhism was the only one that could answer a most burning question for me.......'why do so many innocent children suffer from so much sickness and abuse'...and also..'why do such good people seem to suffer so much and vice-versa...and also Buddhism is far more open to accepting and understanding all forms of spirituality.

These days, as a busy single mom, I practice only at home and with advisement from the most wonderful person online, he is a Tibetan man who studied with H.H. Sakya Trizin and I am sooo grateful for the time he spends with me, which is almost every evening!

The books I have been reading and/or re-reading lately are truly wonderful for the experienced and the beginner...'The Words of my Perfect Teacher' by Patrul Rinpoche...'The Three Levels of Spiritual Perception and also..'Parting from the four Attachments'.  I recomend these books to anyone who hasnt read them yet!!!

Peace and love..........

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  My name is Paul.  I recognize some faces in here.   I practice meditation, and studied a lot of religion and esoteric writings.    I was born in India.  The Dalai Lama came to our school once in the early 1960's.

 Buddhism is such a gentle religion, and I like that. 

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I'm also new at Buddhist thought. I've always found it interesting but got more involved with it this summer. I had a bit of a rough summer due to an eventual ending of a relationship and started getting anxiety attacks and insomnia. So my cousin suggested meditation - which she does on a regular basis. I started looking around and found a Shambhala meditation group which I went to in order to learn "the basics". Through that I started reading up on Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism - even hung prayer flags out in my yard! I figure I can use all the help I can get!

I've also always dreamed of visiting Tibet and Nepal - hopefully someday soon!

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I'm wiccan, but my daughter has expressed an interest in Bhuddism , so I encourage her to follow her own path,and learn it with her. It was suprising to me to see how much of it reflected my own beliefs. It is a truly universal teaching, and I look forward to learning more about it. We live in the mountains, so the web is our main learning tool.

BB,Tina

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...belatedly, to JD B's query about fish - sorry, I can't get the picture to display, but TWO fish (often golden) are one of the Astamangala - the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism.

Interpretations vary, but they are often seen as representing mankind swimming in the sea of samsara (understood: that can be rescued through the teachings of the Buddha), or simply as a symbol of fertility and nature's richness - as in many other religions.

 In Hinduism, for example, the fish (matsya or maccha) was the first avatar of the Lord Vishnu. And Celtic tradition has the Salmon of Wisdom. And of course the fish is a central symbol in Christian tradition as well - apparently due to a pun, as the Greek word for fish has the same letters as 'Jesus Christ the Lord' (or something similar - sorry, can't check that right now, powercut is due in 2 minutes)

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Still here - ha! sometimes it's good that nothing goes according to schedule in Nepal!

Anyhow, http://www.nisbett.com/symbols/fish.htm has lots of fascinating stuff, but I don't know how accurate it is.

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It is so nice to read these messages!
I took refuge with my teacher Geshe Thubten Dawe in 1998, at Vajrayana Institute in Sydney. I attended many wonderful teachings there. Since 2000 I haven't been able to get to any teachings due to illness, so I hang around the internet a lot.

 Lama Thubten Yeshe (pictured) is my teacher's teacher. Lama Yeshe has been reincarnated and is now Lama Osel. Khabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues Lama Yeshe's work and their organization - Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). There are free teachings available at... http://www.lamayeshe.com/

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Hi,

I'm a college student in Laramie, WY and was involved in the Students for a Free Tibet group for a couple years, before it kinda fell apart.  It was really neat while it lasted though, the group brought Tibetan monks twice, & I went to see the Dalai Lama speak in Salt Lake City.

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Hi Carole! And welcome to the Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet group.

I've not been very active for some time due to my work, but do feel free to use this as a means of sharing your Buddhist thoughts, informing others of Tibetan facts...

Kemmy

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Hello everyone! My name is Karma Chonyi Zangpo or just Kevin.

I am new to the group and new to care2.

What a wondefull site !!!!!

I am a practioner from upstate New York US near woodstock.

I am so happy to meet you all!!

This is a great site !!!!!!

peace to all

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I found Buddhism in August  2002.

I feel i have always had some kind of conection with the Buddha so had to find a teacher.

I took refuge in April 2003.(Karma Kagyu Buddhism)and was given the name Karma Tsring Lamo (meaning long life goddess)

Buddhism is now my life...you have to live Buddhism and practice always to really get to grips with the teachings of the Buddha.

namaste Jesse Xx

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Welcome, Jesse. Thank you for joining our group and please contribute when you can.

My name is Kemmy, and I'm currently living in Bogota, Colombia, and look forward to the Dalai Lama's visiting Bogota on 10-12th May.

Kemmy

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Hi Kemmy

Oh i do hope you get chance to see HHDL.

He came to visit England where i live.

It was May 2004 and my friend got tickets to go to the interfaith lecture HH was giving in London.

When he came out onto the stage his face was all smiles as he lowered his head to us all...his eye's looking around the room.

As for me i could not believe i was in the same room as HHDL.

It passed quick and before i new it he was drawing the talk to a close.At the end of the talk we got a chance to ask His Holiness questions.

Mine:

'Your Holiness what would you say to some one like me who is shy and lacks confidence'?

The room was packed as you can imagine so my question didn't get handed to HH.

Then just as he was giving a wave and smiling to the crowd...HH looked i sware directly at me and said with a laugh...

'You who lack confidence in this life, you who shy sentient being,don't be for you can do many many things.Be proud after all you are a human'(more laughter)

namaste Jesse Xx

p.s my friend still says today 'Do you remember when HH  answered that question you sent him in your mind'?

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I am a seeker of spiritual truth. I have found elements that work for me in every religion I have studied and this list is quite long. I had the good fortune to have the opportunity to interact with a group of Tibetan monks 1995 and have had an ongoing interest since that time. I believe that within every person there is an eternal light of transcendent goodness and understanding that binds us in a oneness of being. Unfortunately, most cultures cause this true nature to become obscured with blatant materialism. By going within to find that light within ourselves, we can begin to recognize it in others. By acknowledging its presence in others, we can facilitate the awakening of understanding in those who do not see it in themselves. I look forward to walking with you and learning from you.

May peace and light always surround you on your journey,

2Trees 

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Observing

sitting quiet

breathing

respectful

shy

in peace I sit here

Observing

~Tonks~

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Welcome, Scarlet!

And may you find this group interesting and useful.

I have not looked at this for some time due to my work, but please feel free to contribute...

Kemmy

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I simply feel a deep connection to tibet and tibetan buddhism....

I have been prcticing buddhist mediation for years starting in tibetan tradtion , than theravada , than Zen ....now , as I study with a Native american teacher and step deeper into shamanic "things"- I am torn to tibetan buddhism again for two additional reasons

- the integrated shamanic parts of tibetan buddhist practice

- the prophecies about the connection between american natives and the Tibetans

that's it for now ( a lot mor on my profile )

Tashi Delek, Dagmar

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HELLO,

MY NAME IS JESS AND I HAVE BEEN A BUDDHIST SINCE 2002.I STUDY KARMA KAGYU BUDDHISM UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF HIS HOLINESS THE 17TH KARMAPA,TAI SITUPA AND  LAMA RABSANG.  I TOOL REFUGE WITH LAMA JAMPA.LAMA JAMPA KINDLEY GAVE ME THE REFUGE NAME OF KARMA TSERING LHAMO WHICH MEANS LONG LIFE GODESS.I AM HOPING TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GO ON A TRIP TO INDIA THIS YEAR SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER.

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so good to see someone alive in here

maybe that is the first step back for this group to become vivid again!?

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Hi everyone! I'm new to care2 and finding amazingly resourceful and addictive.

Ive been Buddhist for a few years now and I must say it has given me so much happiness in the last few years unmeasurable to that of he path I was on before. I was raised Catholic however my mother ws Buddhist and father Christian and Buddhism was not aloud in my home nor any other free thoughts. Happily as an adult I began like all of you reading and being inspired by Buddhism. I joined this group to be in contact with oher Buddhists as currently I don't know any other Buddhists. So that's me! Have a lovely week.

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Greetings... found this group because a friend posted a C2NN article about Chinese control on Reincarnation  in Tibet. Kindly take a look at the article. I am personaly interested in Buddhism since I was 13 years old . Namaste

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As one lamp serves to dispel a thousand years of darkness, so one flash of wisdom destroys ten thousand years of ignorance
- Hui-Neng

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THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY A BUDDHIST FRIEND. These teachings make so much sence to me. I wanted to share.

The Buddha taught that we are responsible for our own happiness and/or suffering. What we experience is dependent on our previous actions. Good moral actions lead to happy states and bad actions lead to future suffering. No-one, according to the Buddha, can escape responsibility for what they do. This is the process of kamma or karma which literally means 'action'. The Buddha referred to actions as either wholesome (kusala) or unwholesome (akusala). For an action to be morally wholesome or morally unwholesome there has to be intention. To accidentally hurt someone is not morally wrong .The fruits of our actions ripen in the future. In Buddhism this could mean this life, or the next. Linked to the Buddha's teaching on karma, therefore, is the notion of rebirth and realms of existence other than the human realm.
Traditionally, six realms are referred to: the Hell worlds, the realm of the hungry ghosts, the animal world, the human realm, the realm of the jealous gods and the heavens. Depending on one's actions, a person is reborn in one of these realms. The best realm to be born into is the human realm is this affords the best opportunity for gaining enlightenment.
Importantly, the Buddha taught that it is not an individual soul that moves from one body to a new one but that there is much more of a fluid process in which consciousness continues from one life to the next determined by previous deeds.

NAMASTE!!!

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I was first exposed to Buddhism, specifically, the Dhammapada, in a college course on religion 11 years ago. The four noble truths had an impact on me then, however, it has only been recently that I decided to devote my life to walking the Buddhist path. Many of the Dalai Lama's books have influenced me. One of my favorites is "Kindness, Clarity, and Insight." I am still a beginner really. I am particularly interested in Buddhist ethics (e.g., five precepts) and Buddhist wisdom (e.g., emptiness, impermanence, and dependent origination). I have been listening to many Dharma Talks online lately. A truly wonderful resource for those interested in Buddhism, or those already practicing, is "Audio Dharma" at http://www.audiodharma.org/index.html. I am taking my refuge vows next month at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Kansas City. Although I already consider myself a Buddhist, for I already practice the eightfold path, the refuge ceremony will still be special for me. I am glad to be here in this group and hope to learn more and contribute what I can.

Peace and Joy,

Jaron Montemayor    

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My name is Pema Zopa. At the age of four I was enjoined to a wonderful mother-teacher, whose Buddhist Philosophy and Practice was a beautiful patwa of India and of Tibet. I have since taken refuge in the Nyingma lineage,

Thank you

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I was brought up catholic but have always been interested in buddhism and ancient mythology. I find buddhist texts calming and humbling.

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hi very big thank you for the very kind invite,and a big hello to all other members.no nothing about it thanks but l believe theythe tibetans. good people  . 

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hello everyone !

to answer the original question of this thread, I was born in France in 1948 with a catholic mother and an atheist father.

My mother raised us (her three children) in the staunch Spanish Catholic tradition with the usual weekly cathechism and Sunday masses attendances.

After private communion, confirmation and solemn communion I left the churches at age 14 (1962) with a one way ticket and no return.

For 15 years I did not practise any religion but after meeting a Germany yoga teacher at Club Med Pompadour (France) I decided to take up yoga classes and give up smoking

Once back at home I signed up with the Lyon main Yoga center (Institut de Yoga Intégral Christian Maillard) and went there daily for two hours after my daily work at Crédit Commercial de France (presently HSBC France).

But I still wasn't satisfied because the Yoga teacher, a 50 years old French man who was speaking a lot about Yoga and Hinduism but had never been himself to India, so I thought I needed to check it all out.

So in April 1977 i resigned from my post as an investment advisor at HSBC and hitch hiked from Paris to Istanbul then went by bus to Teheran, Mashad, Kandahar, Kabul, Bamiyan and Band-i-Amir, then Peshawar, Islamabad, Gilgit (where I trekked to K2 with an Australian engineer I had met in Pakistan) and then crossed from Lahore into India to visit first Amritsar and the Golden Temple of the Sikhs

After this visit I went straight to Dharamsala where is living His Holiness the Dalai-Lama and many Tibetan refugees... there I studied basic Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) during the monsoon 1977 then moved to Nepal to attend the basic Buddhist philosophy course at Kopan Gompa with Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

At the end of this month long course I took Refuge in the Three Jewels from lama Thubten Yeshe, received the name of Thubten Wangchuk and my first initiation to Manjushri Mar-Ser.

Since then I have practised as much as possible and received many teachings and initiations which hopefully will help me create less suffering around me and to begin to slowly lead towards the "middle way" the sentient beings I am meeting..

In a nutshell this is how I became (again) a Buddhist and practiced the Tibetan Tantric style of Buddhism for thirty years

May all sentient beings reach Buddhahood asap !!!

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Thanks Dagmar for inviting me.  I have lots to say, but as it is now 1:40am, I best get to bed.  I am looking forward to lots of adult, respectful, and enlightening conversation in the future! 

Peace,    Ree

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Thx for the invite, Dagmar.  I'll be reading here and there.

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all others coming here lately - Welcome !

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First I have to say thank you Dagmar for inviting me.

I believe in fate and this is definitely that!  I am not Buddist nor have I ever truly looked into it until recently.

Being a spiritual being I am always reading and and looking into other belief systems but Buddism was never one until I started reading Deepak Chopra's and Don Miguel Ruiz's books.   Suddenly for some reason I have been pulled towards wanting to learn about Buddism.  Now I have not read Chopra's book "Budda" as of yet but felt I needed to look into it.  I did purchase the Tao to read but have not had the opportunity to sit down with it as of yet.

Yesterday I watched a movie called Little Budda from 1997.  Now again I orginally did not watch this because of Budda.  Honestly I watched it because of the actor Keanu.  But after I found myself thinging a lot about Budda and what the belief system stood for.   The beginning of the movie mentioned a location in the Hymalaians that I had not heard of until about two months ago from an invitation to attend a spiritual journey that will be going to the location.

Also I have a product business that the big thing behind it is the financial adoption of children in countries that need help with Education, Food, Clothes and health care.  Now the big thing with this is the child I am sponsoring is a little boy in Nepal.

I realized last night that all these signs are being thrown at me for a reason.  So tonight I logged on the computer to review my e-mails and then to look further into this person called Budda.  I was pleasently surprised to see the invitation from Dagmar.

With all this in mind I look forward to getting to know all of you and to hopefully learn why this is the time for me.

Namaste,

Melissa

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Hello, my name is Jenny and i am currently living in Tucson,Arizona.  Religion has always been a negative word to me until about a year ago.  I was raised as a Jehovahs Witness.  When i turned 16 I told my mother that i was no longer going to be associated with it.  I then moved to live with my father and i was emersed with our beautiful Native American Culture.  I am now 35 years old and about a year ago i started taking Philosophy classes at our local community college. I have awakened and i am on my journey of enlightenment thanks to my teacher.  My path has led me to Tibetan Buddhism.  I have yet to go to a center, however there are a few here in town that i will be visiting soon.  I finally feel that i have reached my true path.  Namaste

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Tashi Delek. Welcome to the new people - thanks for sharing your experiences and wishes. I hope that those seeking will find their teachers very soon, and that those interested will have many opportunities to study the Dharma.
I haven't posted in this thread for a couple of years - still hanging in, gleaning what I can from internet, watching my thoughts and motivation.
Some might find this streaming radio beneficial (as I have):
iTunes/Radio/Religious/FPMT Radio or (sameagain)/LamRim.com
or via FPMT website http://recordings.lamayeshe.com/
Best wishes, Jenny (Thubten Chökyi)

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Hello everyone, I joined the group yesterday and I'm looking to widen my friends in Buddhism. The Sangha is very important in practice and I have met real and virtual Sangha members over the last couple of years but have only recently returned to Care2. I have been a Buddhist for a few years now and I have a local Buddhist centre which I attend regularly. I first connected with Buddhism when I studied Systems Theory as part of a degree. I began to understand interconnectedness and cause and effect and there are so many parallels with Buddhism. I then read 7 years in Tibet and also a few books from Lama Surya Das and Jack Kornfield and since then I have learnt that the Buddhist Path is for me. Metta to you all and I hope to learn more from and with you all. Stevie

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