Taking Refuge in the One Vehicle

[Redfaery]

So...I have decided, after a long time of struggle, to commit to Buddhism. If I can corner one of the Sangha members at the center tomorrow, I'm going to see what he (or she! It might be a nun. That would be nice) has to tell me about the process. Certainly "think on it" since I'm sure my protestations of "maaaaan....I've been thinking about this for a loooong time" won't really work. I'm hoping it goes well and he or she will listen without dismissing me as some crazy wannabe. Obviously, getting good information would also help.

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

[Castus]

So...I have decided, after a long time of struggle, to commit to Buddhism. If I can corner one of the Sangha members at the center tomorrow, I'm going to see what he (or she! It might be a nun. That would be nice) has to tell me about the process. Certainly "think on it" since I'm sure my protestations of "maaaaan....I've been thinking about this for a loooong time" won't really work. I'm hoping it goes well and he or she will listen without dismissing me as some crazy wannabe. Obviously, getting good information would also help.

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

 
Congratulations! I took refuge in 2009, and I still remember it vividly. I'm very happy for you.

[Redfaery]

Congratulations! I took refuge in 2009, and I still remember it vividly. I'm very happy for you.

 
Aww....Vietnamese Pure Land, right? (I read through the old threads muwahaha)

It'll probably be Gelug Tibetan Buddhism for me. I really would love to take Refuge in Japan with Tendai, but that's just not feasible. I doubt I'd be able to walk into a temple there and just convince a monk to do it to me, a random westerner. Any way, the Lotus Sutra teaches that all Vehicles are One Vehicle; Tendai sangha members often study Tibetan Buddhism. So I'll be in good company.

Can't wait for tomorrow!

[Castus]

Aww....Vietnamese Pure Land, right? (I read through the old threads muwahaha)

It'll probably be Gelug Tibetan Buddhism for me. I really would love to take Refuge in Japan with Tendai, but that's just not feasible. I doubt I'd be able to walk into a temple there and just convince a monk to do it to me, a random westerner. Any way, the Lotus Sutra teaches that all Vehicles are One Vehicle; Tendai sangha members often study Tibetan Buddhism. So I'll be in good company.

Can't wait for tomorrow!

 
Yup! Ooo Vajrayana, nice! I've always loved Tibetan Buddhism, and it has a big presence in the 'States. There's a lovely Tibetan monastery a few hours away from here; iirc the rinpoche is an American. Not sure how many temples/monasteries there are in the Carolinas though...

[Lana288]

So...I have decided, after a long time of struggle, to commit to Buddhism. If I can corner one of the Sangha members at the center tomorrow, I'm going to see what he (or she! It might be a nun. That would be nice) has to tell me about the process. Certainly "think on it" since I'm sure my protestations of "maaaaan....I've been thinking about this for a loooong time" won't really work. I'm hoping it goes well and he or she will listen without dismissing me as some crazy wannabe. Obviously, getting good information would also help.

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

 
Good luck finding a sympathetic monk (or nun)! I'll send some positive vibes your way.

[Sophia C]

So...I have decided, after a long time of struggle, to commit to Buddhism. If I can corner one of the Sangha members at the center tomorrow, I'm going to see what he (or she! It might be a nun. That would be nice) has to tell me about the process. Certainly "think on it" since I'm sure my protestations of "maaaaan....I've been thinking about this for a loooong time" won't really work. I'm hoping it goes well and he or she will listen without dismissing me as some crazy wannabe. Obviously, getting good information would also help.

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

 
Good luck! It sounds very exciting. Are you willing to have a candle lit for you to other deities? I feel like Dovinia, as the Mother of the Tribe, might be up for helping you

[Redfaery]

Good luck! It sounds very exciting. Are you willing to have a candle lit for you to other deities? I feel like Dovinia, as the Mother of the Tribe, might be up for helping you

I'd love it. I need all the help I can. I'm currently carless.

[Queen of Wands]

I'd love it. I need all the help I can. I'm currently carless.

 
Good luck cornering a monk or nun tomorrow!

[Sophia C]

I'd love it. I need all the help I can. I'm currently carless.

 
No problem - it shall be done. Hope it goes well tomorrow!

[Gaudior]

So...I have decided, after a long time of struggle, to commit to Buddhism. If I can corner one of the Sangha members at the center tomorrow, I'm going to see what he (or she! It might be a nun. That would be nice) has to tell me about the process. Certainly "think on it" since I'm sure my protestations of "maaaaan....I've been thinking about this for a loooong time" won't really work. I'm hoping it goes well and he or she will listen without dismissing me as some crazy wannabe. Obviously, getting good information would also help.

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

 

Praying May your steps be guided ^_^

[Jack]

I'd love it. I need all the help I can. I'm currently carless.

I will definitely pray to Kuan Yin for you tonight.

[Kasmira]

I really would love to take Refuge in Japan with Tendai, but that's just not feasible.

 
By the way, there are at least two Tendai temples in the USA - one in upstate New York (at which I took refuge four years ago) and another in California. More info can be found at http://www.tendai.org/ and http://www.caltendai.org/ respectively (of note, I believe that the CA monastery may be all male but know very little about it).

The NY temple, at least, has several sangha members who are based a long way from the temple itself. They run short residential retreats for spring and fall O Higan as well as a longer gyo each summer (specifically for those interested in a non-lay role in the community) which are often attended by Sangha members who live too far away to attend regular services. If you have any questions about the temple or process of taking refuge there, I'd be happy to try to answer them if I can.

Best of luck in this next step on your path!

[HarpingHawke]

So....thoughts, prayers. Anything. I need luck to corner a monk tomorrow!

 
You'll be in my thoughts. Good luck!

[Redfaery]

By the way, there are at least two Tendai temples in the USA - one in upstate New York (at which I took refuge four years ago) and another in California. More info can be found at http://www.tendai.org/ and http://www.caltendai.org/ respectively (of note, I believe that the CA monastery may be all male but know very little about it).

The NY temple, at least, has several sangha members who are based a long way from the temple itself. They run short residential retreats for spring and fall O Higan as well as a longer gyo each summer (specifically for those interested in a non-lay role in the community) which are often attended by Sangha members who live too far away to attend regular services. If you have any questions about the temple or process of taking refuge there, I'd be happy to try to answer them if I can.

Best of luck in this next step on your path!

Thank you. I am aware that there are Tendai temples in the US, but I am not near any of them. It's not so much as that I am holding out for Tendai, as that I'm holding out for Tendai in Japan.

[Redfaery]

I'd love it. I need all the help I can. I'm currently carless.

 
Ooookay. The 11L bus doesn't run on Sundays, and that's the only bus that would take me even remotely close. It looks like I'm going to have to wait until I get my car back.

*fingers crossed for next week*