Members Bios - please contribute yours

Introduce yourself to others at Dhamma Wheel.
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Dan74
Posts: 4529
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:12 pm
Location: Switzerland

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by Dan74 »

What a bunch of incredibly colourful life-stories! There is surely a rich tapestry of human condition right here on Dhamma Wheel.

Thank you for contributing. :bow: :bow: :bow:
_/|\_
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peterdac
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:54 am

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by peterdac »

Greetings Dhammawheelers,

Started off with Hatha yoga, circa 1964, discovered Theravada chatting to strangers in a pub. Found my way to first teacher Kapilavadho, in 1970; at Dhammapadipa, the English Sangha Trust, Hampstead, London, UK. Knowing nothing about it at all, even pronounced it wrong. But got off to an excellent start, standing me in good stead ever since.

Spent 10 years in the Achaan Cha lineage '77 to '89. Next 14 years carried on alone, with mixed results. Finally, 2003, deciding to go to Luang Ta Maha Boowa, Wat Pa Baan Taad, Issan, NE Thailand, before it was too late, LuangTa was 90, and Luang Pow Punya was 80, I was 60.

Having completed ten years here, am contemplating a return to UK. Have no idea what I'll find there, but your Sangha will make an enormous difference. Sharing Dhamma with good friends is the whole of the holy life, it's the only way to continue developing clarity. Am enormously impressed with the candid honesty of these intro posts: there's no hope of development on this path without it.

Being dyslexic and thus not very scholastic, hope to benefit from developing familiarity with the usage of scriptural terminology in its various contexts.
:namaste:
Peterdac
Last edited by peterdac on Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:51 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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rowboat
Posts: 700
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:31 am
Location: Brentwood Bay

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by rowboat »

Welcome to DhammaWheel, Peterdac!

:anjali:
Rain soddens what is covered up,
It does not sodden what is open.
Therefore uncover what is covered
That the rain will not sodden it.
Ud 5.5
jagodage
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:11 am

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by jagodage »

I am a newly join member.I really enjoyed reading threads.These help me to rectify my Dhamma path.

My name is Siripala Jagodage. I lives in Kadawtha,In Sri Lanka.I am born to a Buddhist parents.Hence I was Buddhist by tradition.The real Buddhism I understand through by reading books and investigation .The books I read were by Francis Story,Ajahan Cha,Ajahan Brahamawanso, S R Goenka jee,Joshp Goldstein,Ekhart Tolle, Depa Matha,Bhante H Gunarathne,Bhante Nauyne Ariyadhamma only to mention few.I offer my sincere gratitude to all of them in opening my Dhamma eyes.

Now I am 67 years old.I started my serious Dhamma study about 20 yrs back.I now fathom the Maha Metta,Karuna,Muditha and Uppeka the Great Loard Gutama Buddha had on humble creatures like us.It is unequal.It is because of Maha Karuna of Sumeda at Great Buddha Deepankara that we were able to tread the path of Nirwana.

I believe that using prevailing Dhamma we can achieve at least the 1sT step of the path within this life time.I wish that all Dhamma wheelers strive for this goal, if not for 2,3 or Final Goal.

May all be Happy.

Jagoda

http://dhammawheel.com/images/smilies/anjali.gif
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martinfrank
Posts: 272
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:55 am
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by martinfrank »

jagodage wrote:I am a newly join member.I really enjoyed reading threads.These help me to rectify my Dhamma path.

My name is Siripala Jagodage. I lives in Kadawtha,In Sri Lanka.I am born to a Buddhist parents.Hence I was Buddhist by tradition.The real Buddhism I understand through by reading books and investigation .The books I read were by Francis Story,Ajahan Cha,Ajahan Brahamawanso, S R Goenka jee,Joshp Goldstein,Ekhart Tolle, Depa Matha,Bhante H Gunarathne,Bhante Nauyne Ariyadhamma only to mention few.I offer my sincere gratitude to all of them in opening my Dhamma eyes.

Now I am 67 years old.I started my serious Dhamma study about 20 yrs back.I now fathom the Maha Metta,Karuna,Muditha and Uppeka the Great Loard Gutama Buddha had on humble creatures like us.It is unequal.It is because of Maha Karuna of Sumeda at Great Buddha Deepankara that we were able to tread the path of Nirwana.

I believe that using prevailing Dhamma we can achieve at least the 1sT step of the path within this life time.I wish that all Dhamma wheelers strive for this goal, if not for 2,3 or Final Goal.

May all be Happy.

Jagoda

http://dhammawheel.com/images/smilies/anjali.gif
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel Sri Jagoda!

I am 63 years old and understand how you feel. The good thing about being old is that we have the meditation objects "old age", "sickness" and "death" present. When we are young, we believe that we will do great things in the future. Now, that we are old we understand that we have to act now or it will be to late (for this life).

May you and all beings be happy!

Martin
The Noble Eightfold Path: Proposed to all, imposed on none.
jagodage
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:11 am

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by jagodage »

Thanks for comments.It is part and parcel of Bawa.Hence no worry.Since I started Dhamma investigation about 20yrs ago present is present.

Wish the blessing of Triple Gems
makotodhamma
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by makotodhamma »

Hello,

I just became 28, from japan and I have been interested in buddhism for a long time. since when I was a little I was exposed to buddhism because of my family but I got interested from my own reasons. I was seeking philosophy in life and learned about different thoughts. Buddhism is philosophy more than religion. I learn from the bible sometimes because whatever they teach, if i agree to it and i think it can be added to my philosophy in life to make my life easier, i take it.

when i try to practice Buddhism way in life I notice many things don't really match real life. what it teaches me I should do, if i do it in real life, it seems to cause loss/harm in my life. I cannot keep giving things without intent of getting things in return.. in real life there are things you have to have, like money. and you can't keep giving offer to people. there seems to be collision with what they teach and real life.

also, not to get angry, and be patient and such. I think in asian countries, maybe it's more taken root in people's lives. but in European countries and in North/south america, maybe it's really hard. in those countries people speak up a lot and don't hold back their feelings. sorry if anyone gets offended, it's my mere generalization/assumption.

I hope to find answers I can agree.
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Modus.Ponens
Posts: 3853
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:38 am
Location: Gallifrey

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by Modus.Ponens »

It has been very high sometimes. I hope it gets high up there soon.
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
Lombardi4
Posts: 1551
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:53 pm

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by Lombardi4 »

Modus.Ponens wrote:It has been very high sometimes. I hope it gets high up there soon.
Thank you! :smile:
Gotami
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by Gotami »

hello... 78 years old female, born and raised in Poland. Remember first days of WWII and the next 6 years. Came to US in '60. Earning living as a Mental Health Counselor specializing in trauma treatment, relationships. Reading and loom weaving are my hobbies as well as sources of nurturing and pleasure. Have a history of over 15 years serving in Hospice as a volunteer, social worker, presently Buddhist chaplain.
Living in a very small, isolated very conservative Christian, ranching and logging community in Oregon, US. Very much missing Buddhist community, and it will be such a gift to be part of Dhamma Wheel.
Became introduced to Buddhism in late 70s, and while reading up on everything related to Buddhism I could find, I found myself coming back to Theravada tradition. Attended three 10 days Vipassana silent retreats several years apart, and, in spite of having read much, still struggling with establishing a regular sitting practice.
Looking forward to listening and learning...
with metta
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rowboat
Posts: 700
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:31 am
Location: Brentwood Bay

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by rowboat »

Hi, Gotami. Welcome to DhammaWheel!

:anjali:
Rain soddens what is covered up,
It does not sodden what is open.
Therefore uncover what is covered
That the rain will not sodden it.
Ud 5.5
clightwalker
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:05 pm

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by clightwalker »

Hello: I am a 56 year old Canadian. I am a student of PhraDhammongolayarn Luangphor Viriyang Sirantharo, Lord Abbot Wat Dhammamongkol in Bangkok Thailand. He has many meditation centres around the world and is building more. I began my studies with him in 2008 and am an Assistant Instructor at the Willpower Institute Calgary Meditation Centre. I am slowly learning more about the Buddha, Sangka and the Dhamma and how to live a happy stable life. My family moved around when I was a child and I have lived in quite a few Canadian cities as well as spending 4 years in Germany. I first learned of meditation during Junior High school classes in the 1970's. It is the meditation that has brought me to Buddhism.
Digity
Posts: 1445
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:13 am

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by Digity »

As a child I was very inquisitive and could at times be painfully shy and other times extremely outgoing. During my early years of life I was able to fit in at school by being the "funny guy". By junior high and high school I was feeling very disconnected and different from everyone around me. I didn't fit into any groups in school and when I was in high school I started obsessing about philosophy and the purpose of life. I was an odd teenage, more so than most, because I struggled with terrible social anxiety. Just being in a room with another person was a times hard to bear, because the idea of them even looking at me made me panic. Although I had many friends when I was younger by the time I was in high school and struggling with my anxiety my circle of friends had seriously dwindled to next to nothing.

At this point I buried my head into school work and video games. My high school years sucked, but this was also the time when my inquisition into the meaning of life really started to take force. I remember sitting in a philosophy class and the teacher telling us about all the different philosophies around the world. When he got to India and spoke about the mind and defilements I remember it really resonating with me. I thought to myself "Maybe that's the answer. Maybe it's the mind." I didn't even know about Buddhism at this point, but my thinking was inclined in that direction anyway.

After all the crappyness of junior high and high school passed I moved onto university. Things got better, but I was still having massive issues with anxiety. My mom was rather worried about my mental state. I did well in school, because I studied like crazy. Although, I started to loosen up a bit after that. I was rather lost and in pain during these years too. I tried marijuana in hopes that it would ease my anxiety and would go out drinking too. Around the beginning or middle of university I discovered Buddhism for the first time. My brother bought the book Buddhism: Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen and I decided to read it one day. From the moment I read it I was hooked. I became obsessed after this point with Buddhism. Although, all I did was read about it. The thought of meditating never occurred to me. I was only interested in study. This went on for years. I would sometimes have piles of homework to do, but instead I would be reading books on Buddhism.

I finally did make some new friends in university. Regrettably, I started to develop a douchebaggy personality around this time. I think I was just a very insecure and resentful person, because I felt I missed out on so much of life due to my anxiety and had very few meaningful personal relationships. I was not always very nice to these friends and besides them I had very few other people in my life. There were others in the group too that had less than ideal personalities (I guess birds of a feather flock together).

Over the years I did well in school, but developed a socially awkward and obnoxious attitude. Frankly, I didn't know what I was doing and my anxiety made me awkward in a lot of social situations. I finally tried some therapy in university and it did help a bit with the anxiety. I was also doing a bunch of self-help and was slowly seeing some positive results.

Despite all my studying of the Buddhism I didn't live up to it at all. I would love to discuss it with anyone, but in the back of my head I realized I was all about the talk. As years passed, I mostly continued to study Buddhism and that's it. After a while I looked at my life, relationships and so on and realized how disconnected they were with what the Buddha was teaching. So, over time I finally gave in and realized I had to stop doing things my way and had to try and start living up to the teachings. I first started off with Right Speech, because I was brutal in this area. Over time I learned to stop being such an asshole with the way I talked to people and my relationships got better. At this point I knew I had to continue with the teachings. As time passed by I even dove into meditation and took up the precepts. Since then I've been trying to deepen my practice more and more. It's been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, even to this day, but I've always felt like this practice was my calling in life so I always come back to it no matter what life seems to throw at me.

For the remainder of my life I only hope I can continue to deepen my practice. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck in finding a good teacher and I mostly continue to wander alone in my practice. In the next phase of my life I hope I can begin going on meditation retreats and hopefully start getting more serious about my meditation. Ideally, when I retire I hope I can go on month long retreats, etc.

Discovering the Buddha's teachings were the best thing that happened to me. Although I struggle to live up to much of it...I know it's the right path and I know I just need to keep coming back and applying myself again and again until I get it right.
paul3
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:15 pm

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by paul3 »

Hello ,
my name is Paul + I have had an intense interest in Buddhism in particular + other religious or spiritual texts + experiences since I was a young teenager.
I do not work at the moment as I am off sick, but I have done many years of voluntary work + have managed several charity shops .I am very into my middle age , am not married nor do I have any children .
My main reason in coming to this site is to explore more of the Buddhist philosophy + to get some feedback on some experiences I have had of the immaterial jhana states.
In particular was the experience of what was an addition to the state of infinite consciousness in wherein after having expanded into infinite consciousness , I then began to feel myself drawn in to a further dimension of an inner infinite consciousness but without losing sense of what now appeared to become the exterior infinite consciousness , so in effect I was having what might be described as a dual experience of infinite consciousness + much more. this progressed in the usual manner up to + including cessation etc.
I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience or can advise me as to what this might be.

Respectfully, Paul.
MaeCheeWannabe
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:04 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: Members Bios - please contribute yours

Post by MaeCheeWannabe »

I have been lurking and posting for a bit now so I suppose its time for me to contribute my bio/introduction.

People call me Alicia but my family at the temple call me Mae Khao Noi-little mother in white. I was the first american to take the 8 precepts, shave my head and be Mae Chee. I have only a very short time practicing and studying the Middle Way. Until about 9 months ago I really had no idea what Buddhism was.

What ultimately led me was my journey to escape addiction. I struggled for 8 years to stop using drugs and alchohol. I have serious physical disabilites and my health made it difficult to stop opiate use. After many years in a 12 step program I finally had a breakthrough. When I devoured all the literature from the 12 step fellowship I sought more on my spiritual journey. Thats is when I came across zen via Thich Nhat Hanh. It was so similar to the principles of the 12 step program I realized I was Buddhist and never knew it.

I was very excited early on to find a Theravadin temple about 3 driveways away from my house, but being new and barely educated and confused about Buddhism I was very afraid to try to go. Its a Thai/Laotian temple where most do not speak English and I was very concerned about accidentally offending someone somehow.

I was walking in faith in other areas of my life, but every time I set out to visit the temple I got scared and drove past telling myself "next time".

Then one night driving home in torrential rain after a 12 step meeting I kept remembering how fear used to be gone for me but was taking back over. I was afraid at the meeting of another addict stealing my house payment money. I was afraid of wrecking while driving home. Specifically I was afraid of hitting a deer. I prayed and tried to let go of fear again.

As soon as I did, right in front of the temple, a heard of female deer appeared on the road. I barely stopped in time to not hit them. Expecting the car to have startled them I was amazed as they just barely looked at me and single file, one by one, slowly walked across the road unafraid.

I took it as a sign that I should visit the temple regardless of my fear. The next day ... I don't know why... I brought a peacock feather to the temple. I arrived at a good time. The women were gathered and welcomed me with open arms even though I did a lot of things wrong and had to be taught like a child how to act.

The monk impressed me quite a bit as he seemed to have impossible insight to me even mysteriously knowing that my backdoor was unlocked and I needed to lock it (a mysterious intruder tried to get in that night after I locked the door on the monks advice).

He then took me to meet a nun who would end up being my teacher and like a mother to me. I gave her the peacock feather because i just felt I should. She blessed me and placed it on her altar. I finally bowed.. something as a westerner I was very adverse to doing because of the way I was raised... being taught it would send me to hell and other such silly nonsense.

My life was forever changed that day. I feel like I have experienced decades of profound change in just a few months. Last week when I became Mae Chee my temple family rejoiced with tears of joy. I am back to lay life now after living at the temple for 8 days, but I'm looking forward to the next time I can spend more time as Mae Chee. I have a daughter to take care of, but when she stays with her father I hope to go back to Mae Chee.

My life before recovery from addiction and discovering the Middle Way was very much the life of a victim. Abused as a child and an adult in some very severe ways, and having severe physical disabilities and fatal illness I was very angry, full of self pity, and really just wanted to hurry up and die. Today I cannot even recognize that person I used to be. I have a completely new life. Even when bad things happen to me now... I am for the most part happy and at ease. I am excited to see what else this adventure of life has in store for me. I hope to help others find happiness as well.
:anjali:
Mae Khao Noi
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