I went to see Geshe Konchog Kyab, a Tibetan monk, speak last Tuesday at Borders. I've tried to contact his school before, but they never returned my calls. But, this was a good way to see him, and learn about him. I'm still looking for a teacher in this area, so going was good.
He spoke about "Recognizing Our Human Potential". Not a whole lot of new information for me, since I have been studying/practicing Buddhism for some years now. He spoke a lot about anger and how it is a bad emotion. How to avoid anger, and how training your mind is the key. Pretty basic Buddhist (and Christian) philosophy. In all, he as good and I will try to make it to his center for practice.
Now, the people asking questions were another story. The first question: "So, what woud you do about 9/11?" If the man paid attention, he would have heard Geshe-la talk about non-violence... I guess missed that. Geshe-la answered well, saying he isn't a politician, and thinks peace-talks are better than violence. I agree, and disagree... but that's for another time. A few others seemed to think a Buddhist monk could give them some magic pill, or cure, for their personal anger and suffering. So, some of the questions I didn't care for. A few questions were good, and more relion based. Like believing in God(s), death, what happens when this world goes *boom* and we are all dead.
It was good to see, but I wish some people would at least read a little about Buddhism before asking questions like they did.
Posted by Kevin at November 23, 2002 10:59 AMHi Kevin,
Concerning the "no reply" of phone calls at Tubten Kunga Center; You may have been calling at a time when there was nobody available to reply to messages due to the fact that the system is all volunteer. I urge you to try again as Geshe-la is a very kind and devoted teacher and well worth listening to. Yes, some information is basic stuff that we may already know but it does not hurt to have it brought back into view. If we pay close attention we can also learn new lessons. There are events happening here in the near future that may be of interest to you. We have a tour of 11 monks coming from Drepung-Gomang Monastery in India from January 3 through 9. Contact the Tubten Kunga Center, or their website at Tubtenkunga.org, and ask for information, or contact me via the internet for more details. I'd love to have you do a review of the tour! Good health and much happiness to you.
Risha
(RishaLinda@webtv.net)
I found your ramblings interesting, but was suprised to learn that you practice Buddhism. I am not trying to throw stones, but your outlook on things, mainly religion, seems somewhat bleak. As a Buddhist, it is not considered a good thing to make such negative or sarcastic comments about other religions, or other Buddhists. Monks/Lamas sincerely believe in the "there is no such thing as a stupid question" point of view.
In Tibetan Buddhism, there IS a pill (you usually take 5 daily) that is given to some people as a medicine to prevent just about everything, physically and psychologically - since those two often go together. Of course this isn't something that will cure cancer or depression, but they are often taken to help prevent many illnesses or negativity in general. They are brown or reddish brown and very small, just a little bigger than a poppy seed. They almost look like tiny wooden beads.
Also, many Buddhists do believe in what could easily be described as "magic". Not so much in the Harry Potter sense, of course, but Monks and Lamas have studied magical/mystical subjects for centuries.
Besides, in Buddhism, EVERY question is "religion based", seeing as Buddhism is a way of life.
And Buddhism has no God (with a capital G)- at least not a 'supreme God' as there is in most other major religions. There are many gods and they are just another type of being. We can believe in them simply as manifestations of what they represent or believe in them as actual beings. Neither is wrong.
I don't find anything majorly offensive or anything with your posts. I don't think that you should censor yourself or anything like that. I'm merely saying these things to point out that you may be happier or at least more at peace with a more positive outlook, and maybe a tad less judgemental. The answer to what you may deem as a "stupid question" could easily change someone else's life for the better.
I hope you understand my meaning.
Take care,
-Nisha :)