Members Bios - please contribute yours

[Yana]

Hi Buddha soup!

Umm nooo..i'm not russian at all i am skinny black girl with unruly curly hair that MUST BE TAMED with various cremes and relaxers..!! it's not easy being black my friend..because this hair is driving me crazy.. But i did know my name is russian/ukranian/bulgarian and it means God is Gracious.
Thank you for the reply.That's very kind

[BuddhaSoup]

Well, Yana, I was way off, but it is great to hear back from you. Now, I will be a little more personal again, and say it's great that you are part of the Dhammawheel Sangha and are practicing. How important it is, too, that people of color (is that still OK to say?) are involved in Buddhism...it's amazing to think how important and effective you could be in inspiring others in the Black community (and all communities). Tricycle did some really good articles on Buddhism in the Black and other racial and ethnic communities, and the articles suggested that there's a strong base of strong Black Buddhist scholars and leaders who just haven't connected fully yet with their communities....maybe you could be one of those leaders? So many of the urban sanghas in the US are white, white, white, and it would be important for the future to see more diversity in Sanghas.

Sounds to me from what you've written that you're a pretty amazing person, so keep at it! I wish you all the best.

[Raksha]

For those that don't want to list too much detail about your bio, how about 6 words to describe yourself or your life?

Hebrides, Persia, Dalai Lama, Shaolin, ekayana, metta.

[SamKR]

Born in a Nepalese village that lies about 136 miles (road distance) away from Lumbini. Raised in the capital city Kathmandu. Always heard about the Buddha since childhood, but never realized that his teachings are so profound. Everyone used to emphasize that he was born in Nepal (and NOT in India: kind of taboo), and that his teachings about peace are great (never been explained how), and that's why Nepal is or should be a peaceful country (is it?). Interested in spirituality, philosophy, and physics since the age of about twelve. Being born in a Hindu Brahmin family, became familiar with Hindu rituals and basic philosophies.

Heard the word "Vipassana" from a neighbor and was immediately attracted by that word. Next year (1999), attended the first Vipassana course (Goenka), and being highly impressed started to practice the Buddha's teachings. Practice was irregular, on and off for a decade although always thought "I am very serious about Dhamma".

Moved to US for graduate studies, got a masters in Mathematics, then joined Physics graduate program (already had other two masters before these; spent important part of life so far studying; not sure why so many masters were needed; not sure how they are going to be used in life). Tried to concentrate on too many things (some of them useless) in life so far.

Realized recently that the human life is ridiculously short, and so urgently needs to find a right livelihood and practice Dhamma urgently - "concentrating on the things that really matter in life." (The last phrase within quotation marks is from Ben. Thanks, Ben for that inspiring sentence).

[BuddhaSoup]

Sam, having studied physics and math, you're in the good company of many scientists and mathmaticians who have become Buddhist monks, priests and leaders. All of your degrees obtained means you have a thirst and capacity for knowledge, a trait that will serve you well in Buddhist practice.

For example, the famous and well appreciated Ajahn Brahmavamso of Australia is a former Cambridge physicist. http://youtu.be/5JXoSyx-G-Q

HHDL is well known for his interest in science and the neuroscience of meditation. He's a great supported of the Mind & LIfe Institute, where Buddhism and Science meet.

There are many other examples of scientists who have been Buddhist teachers.

If you are interested in furthering your Buddhist practice, you will find a very welcoming home in Buddhism.

[Ben]

HHDL is well known for his interest in science and the neuroscience of meditation. He's a great supported of the Mind & LIfe Institute, where Buddhism and Science meet...

...There are many other examples of scientists who have been Buddhist teachers.

just to be clear - HHDL is not a scientist.
kind regards,

Ben

[Dan74]

HHDL is well known for his interest in science and the neuroscience of meditation. He's a great supported of the Mind & LIfe Institute, where Buddhism and Science meet...

...There are many other examples of scientists who have been Buddhist teachers.

just to be clear - HHDL is not a scientist.
kind regards,

Ben

Yes. Nor is Ajahn Brahm a physicist (he has a Bachelor's degree I believe and worked as a school-teacher before ordaining).

[BuddhaSoup]

I hope that in the interest of absolute accuracy, my point of encouragement to the OP was not lost.

Here's the Ajahn Brahm Wiki bio: "He won a scholarship to study Theoretical physics at Cambridge University in the late 1960s." That's close enough for me.

In addition, I don't think that I said HHDL was a scientist. I wrote that he has an interest in science. I checked the dictionary : sci·en·tist/ˈsīəntist/
Noun: A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences.

By definition, he is studying neuroscience, so I believe calling him a "scientist" (even if I didn't) was not too far off.

In any case, my post was one of encouragement to the original poster, and not one seeking to make a point about the definition of physicist or scientist, or the congruence of science and Buddhist teachers.

[SamKR]

Thank you, BuddhaSoup for your kind words.

[Puzzle Piece]

Greetings everyone!

It was nice to stumble upon this great forum!

I am a 33 year old male living in a very small community in the mid-west. I am married with a beautiful 2 year old boy and I am a stay-at-home-dad.

A little background: Born and raised in the current community I live in by a wonderful mother and father. Typical childhood, raised by parents whom allowed me to have an open mind. Graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Discovered Buddhism in high school but learned more about it in college when I took a World Religions class. Ever since then, Buddhism has always struck a chord with my heart. I haven't taken refuge yet and just recently found out about a temple that is located about an hour and a half away from my community, and I look forward to attending to learn more.

That is a very brief bio but I look forward to discovering all there is on this forum.

Thanks!

[cooran]

Hello Puzzle Piece,

Thanks for sharing. Interesting!

with metta
Chris

[ricebowl]

Good day one and all,

My name is Lin Rongxiang, and I just took Triple Gem refuge this year under a Tibetan lineage, the teacher who provided the ceremony is from a Tibetan monastery mission based in Malaysia. Prior to that I have a basic interest in zen and also people work, beginning in 2006, it came hand-in-hand with the Infocomm sector that I have been employed in, since leaving corporate sector in 2010 I have been focusing primarily on opensource software and China-side developments which are generally still a trying, yet promising market..

Bilingualism led me to this forum

[Gentle_heart]

Greetings!

I was raised in the Catholic faith and later became a Unitarian Universalist through my husband. Our children were raised in that faith, though both of them now self-identify as atheists. While attending the UU church, I served for 6 years as the Director of Religious Education for the Youth and Children -- a very rewarding position! This also allowed me the unique opportunity to learn about all faiths, since the Unitarian church does an outstanding job of incorporating many beliefs into their curriculum and worship services. I have no credentials other than my deep love of learning and reading!

I have now returned to school (at 49 years old!) to pursue a career in health care, specifically Respiratory Therapy. Though I still have a year of study left, I can tell that I am in the right place and pursuing the right career path. I truly enjoy caring for people, and knowing that I might play a small part in helping when they need it most. My clinical rotations at various hospitals are the highlight of my week!

Buddhism has been calling to me for years, and I finally decided it was time to open my heart and my mind and start down the road to a deeper, more personal understanding.
Thank you for allowing me into this community. Someday I hope to be able to contribute as an "answerer" rather than simply one with questions!

[Venerable Tam Luc Do]

I was born in the USA in the early 1950s to a working class couple. I became Buddhist 24 years ago and am a priest of Chua Tu Hieu Buddhist Temple and Cultural Center of Buffalo NY. I left the Christian ministry after twelve years as a Baptist minister. One of my nephews also became a Baptist minister but he is now Buddhist. My name is pronounced Tom Luke Doe and means compassionate heart in Vietnamese. My first introduction to Dhamma was via What The Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. Then I discovered Zen. Then Shin Buddhism. I currently reside in the State of Utah of the USA. near Salt Lake City.


Venerable Tam Luc Do

[David N. Snyder]

Thanks for the bio, venerable. Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!

[Cittasanto]

Here is mine
they are slightly different but that is due to the different natures of the sites
http://cittasantohumanities.weebly.com/ ... santo.html

http://cittasanto.weebly.com/about-cittasanto.html

[Sarnath]

This was originally my perspective regarding my experience within Hinduism and the negative impact of the false doctrine of birth based caste system to the hearts and minds of adherents and aspects of discrimination and shunning not only in India but worldwide including against new adherents in the West. However, this subject is not of interest it appears, so I am abbreviating my bio to a simple intro that I am a happily married family man and a world traveller who has many allegiences to India.

In your service ....

[SarathW]

Hi Friends
I am sure that most of you already know who I was by reading my forum questions and answers.
It is very difficult to tell you who I am because I find that I am a different aggregate every morning!

However historically I have been through the cycle as follows.

Buddhist parents , wanted to become a monk, Family, Music, Chartered Accountant, Family, Business,
Music , Party, Depression, Five Major Religions, Cosmos,
Buddha’s Teaching by Narada Thero, Dhamma Wheel, Seeker of the Path and Fruit

[Ayu]

This is an interesting thread. I love reading bio's.

In 1962 i was born near the seaside of Germany. A silent girl, a bad student, only good in arts, wondering about "What is time?" and "How unique every moment is." and "Why am I born here, in the center of the world, in Germany, where everything is as normal as it could be?"
Started to do Yoga with 14, drugs with 15, stopped unhealthy lifestyle with 18, started to practice meditaion in Hindu-Tradition. Such an easy protected life and i thought it was hard. Got my first son with 24, left the Hindu-Group with 26, did meditation alone without sangha for ten years. Found a good husband, got two more sons.
At the age of 46 i walked along a bookstore and there lay a red book on the table, i saw it from a distance: "Mitgefühl & Liebe" (Compassion & Love) by Jeffrey Hopkins. It was very cheap for to be sold out... When I read it, i found every thought on every page totally familiar. It was what i was thinking since i started to think. Sounds romantic, sorry.
Jeffrey Hopkins is a Gelug, was translator for the Dalai Lama for some time. So I started to search a Sangha in Gelug-tradition. I found my teacher in 2009 and i wonder why this happened so late in my life...
Now i lead on my householder life and try to study about the lamrim and the abhidharma. My hobbies are painting and singing in an a-capella-band. My profession is gardening.

[amata_dhamma]

I just joined the forum and thought perhaps I'd put a slightly more expanded biography in here.

I was born in the early 80s to a Lutheran mother and agnostic father. I went to church every Sunday and believed it all wholeheartedly. Gradually, as I became a teenager, I entered the crisis years where my critical thought capabilities developed, and I became an avowed atheist.

I stopped and reflected a bit after the 9/11 attacks in the USA, which had a strong personal effect on me. This led me down a kind of spiritual/mystical path and I encountered the writings of Aleister Crowley and Thelema, which I followed for maybe a couple years. Crowley wrote extensively on Buddhist meditation and that was what ultimately introduced me to eastern religions. I eventually morphed into a Buddhist, though quite how I don't really know. I remember thinking something along the lines that there was too much "symbolism" involved in western mystic traditions (I was pretty young).

I started practicing Zen but as I threw myself into learning about Buddhism, I learned more about Theravada. The antiquity and analytic tradition of Theravada appealed to me, so I gravitated there.

Around the year 2005 I went out the Abhayagiri monastery in northern California and spent a week there. It was an experience I still remember fondly. Some time after that, I lapsed in my practice. I reverted to my Christian upbringing for a couple of years.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with a nasty medical condition that requires daily therapy (painless, thankfully, but the condition is thoroughly fatal without the intervention). I am presently awaiting an organ transplant.

In 2010, I was married to my lovely freethinking/humanist wife. No children, but maybe someday...

I've taken my practice back up in the past several months after I thoroughly and persistently lost any sense of God (when I prayed, it felt like I might as well be talking to a brick; last Christmas I was asked by family to lead in prayer before dinner and I floundered); stunned, I realized it was doing literally no good any longer and I wondered if it ever really did - I remembered the teaching of the Buddha (I maintained a deep respect and fondness for Buddhism throughout this period) to the general effect of that which does not eliminate suffering is not useful (skillful). I guess you could say I'm an agnostic-inclined-to-atheist these days (but I try to not stand on too solid a view).

For a day job I work in the information security field. I'm a security technician for a midsize private US manufacturer on the east coast. It pays the bills (almost, kinda).

That's my story, winding road that it's been.