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 Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:45 am
Allright so I'm really new to this.
Ive started doing some reading, books and websites and such, on buddist teachings. But frankly I feel over my head.
So I want get some real life help.
Lucky for me (or unlucky) I live in halifax. Which has a massive buddist population. They all belong to a group called Shambhala. Their is a centre right near me.
My questions are this,
is it allright to just show up their? Do I need to do something first? Should I wait a bit? Do I need to call and make an apointment or something?
Second, has anyone heard of these guys before? Are they ok? Are they well out of my leauge?
Any help/guidence would be welcomed.
And sorry if I come across as a totaly uniformed.
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:30 pm
ღஐღ
If it's a Dharma Center, then I think you can just show up, but it's usually proper to bring an offering (usually monetary of around $5 to $10) but not necessary. If someone from the nearby Gampo Abbey is giving teachings, and you attend then it is also proper to bring either monetary dhana or food to offer to the monastic community (they eat a vegetarian diet at the Abbey, so you'll have to keep that in mind).
Try to wear simple clothes, preferably without logos, try to avoid wearing anything with a strong odor such as cologne or thick layers of deodorant. Other than that, just be polite and honest.
That's wonderful that you're in Halifax. I know that when Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche moved to Nova Scotia, thousands of his followers went with him (which is why there is such a large Buddhist population there). Only about a thousand of those original followers are still there, most of them returned to the United States after they couldn't find work.
While he was there, he established Gampo Abbey (where the prolific and delightful Pema Chodron is the resident teacher). I keep meaning to contact the Abbey to discuss going there, myself. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, and have been wanting to go to the Abbey for a while now. I honestly believe that I would be of a greater benefit to others by ordaining as a monastic, but I understand there's quite a process involved in that, which is why I need some guidance from someone at the Abbey about how, exactly, I can do that when I'm virtually isolated here on the prairies.
Sorry, I babbled there. Didn't mean to.
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:33 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:47 am
Thanks alot everyone. Its good to know they dont have a reputation of being a cult like or anything. I thought they seemed pretty honest and everything, but I wanted an outside opinion.
And thanks on the tips about what to wear and stuff. Ill bring like ten dollars with me to donate smile
The one thats real close to me, has open meditation on wednesday night with someone around to take questions (as the website says.) Ill get the night off work, call them ahead just to make sure and just see about stoping by. 4laugh
But once again, thank you very much.
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:50 am
[ Jizo Bosatsu ] ღஐღIf it's a Dharma Center, then I think you can just show up, but it's usually proper to bring an offering (usually monetary of around $5 to $10) but not necessary. If someone from the nearby Gampo Abbey is giving teachings, and you attend then it is also proper to bring either monetary dhana or food to offer to the monastic community (they eat a vegetarian diet at the Abbey, so you'll have to keep that in mind).
Try to wear simple clothes, preferably without logos, try to avoid wearing anything with a strong odor such as cologne or thick layers of deodorant. Other than that, just be polite and honest.
That's wonderful that you're in Halifax. I know that when Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche moved to Nova Scotia, thousands of his followers went with him (which is why there is such a large Buddhist population there). Only about a thousand of those original followers are still there, most of them returned to the United States after they couldn't find work.
While he was there, he established Gampo Abbey (where the prolific and delightful Pema Chodron is the resident teacher). I keep meaning to contact the Abbey to discuss going there, myself. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, and have been wanting to go to the Abbey for a while now. I honestly believe that I would be of a greater benefit to others by ordaining as a monastic, but I understand there's quite a process involved in that, which is why I need some guidance from someone at the Abbey about how, exactly, I can do that when I'm virtually isolated here on the prairies.
Sorry, I babbled there. Didn't mean to. Yea, Im lucky to live in nova scotia. The abby is a few hours away though. Well I think their are two actualy. And I think thay have fish on sundays or something like that. I read it somewhere. But other then that its just veggies.
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:44 am
ღஐღ
Eye_seE Yea, Im lucky to live in nova scotia. The abby is a few hours away though. Well I think their are two actualy. And I think thay have fish on sundays or something like that. I read it somewhere. But other then that its just veggies.
Two of them? Goodness! I need to move to Halifax! Note to self ... I know that Gampo Abbey, on Sunday they do allow laity to eat tuna (at least), and I think Saturday is a schedule-less day where you can do as you please. It sounds delightful.
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:04 am
[ Jizo Bosatsu ] ღஐღEye_seE Yea, Im lucky to live in nova scotia. The abby is a few hours away though. Well I think their are two actualy. And I think thay have fish on sundays or something like that. I read it somewhere. But other then that its just veggies. Well like you said they moved the whole lot to halifax. And while many have left, ive been told its still the largest group. The other two big settlements are in new york and colorado. The buddist community runs a variety or resturants, centers, classes, and abbys like you said. I the local news put it, but halifax is like a mini vatican city for the the Shambhala community.
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Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:38 am
heart Yes, Halifax is the main center for Shambhala - I've much wanted to spend time there, but it's not likely my path this time around sad .
I hope you find the guidance you are seeking. Let us know how your visit goes!
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Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 5:15 am
K so I went last night.
The open house was at 8. I spent a good portion of the day flipping back and fourth on if I should even go or not. Then at 7:30 i was like, "I'll go and check it out. I dont have to make any grand life changing decisions, just go and see what its about." So I went.
The outside was well kept but not really anything spectacular. Inside was nice. A man asked me if I was for the open house. He showed me a coat room and I took off my shoes. The doors would open in a few minutes and I could go in. When they did open and I could go inside, I was totaly floored by the shrine room. Very nice. I got to sit on a cushion on the wood floor. hehe. Their were a number of people in the room. Only about three were their for the first time and only about three were members.
Their was about a half hour talk, plus some group discussion. All very nice, no pressure, very open.
So now im going back next wednesday. Next time ill go from 7 to 9. So ill get the meditation session at the start.
In general I liked it, but I do have one concern. Their leader. Its a non profit group and all, but from my understanding the group provideds for him quite alot. Im just not sure how I feel about him. If he was a monk that would be one thing, but hes not even that. Well not unless they have some warped idea on what a monk is. Hes getting married and seems to have alot of material possesions. Dosent sound like a monk to me.
I dont know. Im going to go slow. If any starts going all hail the leader im out of their. Other then that I should be ok.
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