Since learning about Kelsang Gyatso and what the NKT is doing I am finding

[Maraya1969]

that I don't want to go to the NKT center by me, (I've been away for a couple weeks and the last time before that it was a conflict also.)

I have friends there. I have not met the new resident monk or nun but I know that one of the teachers understands why it is upsetting to me that no Dalai Lama pictures are allowed and how I feel the protesters are wrong in their actions. The other one knows too but she says the propaganda that the Gyatso spreads. She is very nice though and I like her and everyone there.

But the thought occurred to me about the money I give them and whether or not I am supporting something that is harmful to many people.

I have tried to communicate with these people who are actively trying to bring His holiness The Dalai Lama down and they are obviously completely brainwashed.

But the teachings they give on nights when anyone can come are always very good and I love meditating with people around and feeling the increased energy.

Just wanted to share that.

[rug]

1. I've been to this one a few times.

It's only a half mile away.

I has heard something abot its dispute with the Dalai Lama but not very much.

[Maraya1969]

4. Just be careful if you are in a center that is called, "The New Kadampa" Buddhist

center. They are all over the place now and in one respect that is great because it gives many Buddhists a place to go who do not live in big cities or just can't get to another type of center.

Just please do not buy into this idea that these Dorje Shugden worshipers spread about HH The Dalai Lama lying and other things. It is not true and the people that are trying to "correct" the situation by following The Dalai Lama around and protesting everywhere he goes are brainwashed and are mistaken. Many are Nuns and Monks of the NKT.

I did find a couple other small groups that I am going to look into.

[vlyons]

2. You must be strong and do not get in the middle of this dispute.

No one is going to bring the Dalai Lama "down." Whether or not you do Dorje Shugden practices is not important. All deities, all gods, are concepts created in the mind. They are symbols that we generate with the aspiration that we c an one day embody their characteristics. But they are not real beings. I am Buddhist in both the Gelugpa and Kagyu traditions. I previously was involved with other spiritual traditions that were centered around what turned out to be false gurus, and it embittered me towards spirituality until my refuge lama set me straight. He did not want to hear a single word of complaint about my experiences with false gurus. He said that if I spent so much time with them, then I should have learned SOMETHING!!! And I should be grateful for that. And indeed I am. I learned 2 major things. First, that god lives inside you as you. That is, your concept of deity is just that, a concept that is totally unique to you. No one else can have exactly your concept, because no one else has exactly your mind, perceptions, and experiences.

2ndly, I learned never ever to put anyone on a pedestal -- not even the Dalai Lama. There's only one thing that you can do after you put someone on a pedestal, and that is to knock them off, because they are human, and they make mistakes. So be confident in the dharma, it's bigger, deeper than any one teacher. The characteristics that Dorje Shugden symbolizes are shared by many other yiddams (deities). So it really doesn't matter which symbolic deity you pick, or none at all. What's important is the practice of mindfulness and compassion. If you find that you get value from going to that center, then keep going. If you have the opportunity to go do a different center and learn what those teachers have to teach, then do so. Keep an open mind, take it all in, and be confident that your inner wisdom mind can sort out what to use and what to drop. My 2 cents.

[Maraya1969]

3. I love your two cents! Thank you so much.

[mmonk]

5. +1