We are homeless too

(not sure whether the following post should be here or in "Blogs", so will post in both for now)

 

Was released 4 years ago and have not returned to prison or old way of life that led to it.  And I must thank Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha for this fact, and yes, PDN is included in these Three Gems. I have been blessed and received so much, spiritually, from the kindness of others, really, and now I have decided to do what I can to give and help others too.  So I am doing all I know how to attend and complete the  Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at Sati Center, which starts this Fall.  Being homeless these years since my release has prompted me to help the homeless, and knowing there are Buddhists on the streets too, and knowing how beneficial it would be to have some community practice and outreach for homeless Buddhists, I intend to use what I learn from Chaplaincy Training to better serve the poor.

Views: 3

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stephen Conover on April 22, 2011 at 2:52pm
re my la"st Blog post, when I said "not sure whether to post here, I meant to say in "Discussion Forum", (i.e. was not sure whether such a post should be in the Discussion Forum or as a Blog
Permalink Reply by John Douglas on April 22, 2011 at 8:47pm
John,
What you say is quite sensible to me but some of what I have experienced flies in the face of reason. Sometimes the conviction of the suffering heart is sufficient to heal the wounds. I would not dispute what you say only open up the idea that even in a desert or prison cell, when the student is ready, the teacher, whether inner or outer in form, appears. Does that not give us all a certain hope that are dealing with impossible situations?
John Douglas
Permalink Reply by John Douglas on April 22, 2011 at 8:59pm

Stephen,

You are an inspiration with your big-hearted way of living. It seems like giving others support does support the one who is giving. I wish you all the best in your aspiration to be a chaplain.

Whether that particular program and its tools does help you, you are already a chaplain in my estimation. Buddha reportedly did not have a training program steeped in details. Having compassion was enough for the practice to begin.

I have found much disappointment of my hopes and ideals, but with every disappointment came another opportunity to accept what I am given and make the best life I can from that. I am giving up waiting for the perfect moment. Forget lemons and lemonade, if I am surrounded by manure, I'll just make a rose garden!

John Douglas

Permalink Reply by Stephen Conover on April 23, 2011 at 5:09pm

Wow, John, thanks for that response.  And I especially appreciate such things, for you see, I am aging, over 58 yrs old, and yet to find a "Teacher", which all the traditions and schools I've encountered say is a MUST.  So yes, on some level, your statement that "giving others support does support the one who is giving" is true, and some motivation I must admit includes "the collection of merit", i.e. I do wish that if I die without finding a Teacher, and that means, probably, no Enlightenment for me in this life, well perhaps the collection of merit and wisdom will be sufficient for attaining the Dharmakaya.  But also, my wish to benefit others is sincere and grounded in Lam Rim (stages of the Path).

 

I am not sure if I will be able to attend Sati Center's training program this year, but I'm doing all I can to do so.  I really do wonder if being homeless I will be able to attend and complete, but I think so, I will be able to afford houseing soon, but am trying to get a vehicle first, for once I am paying monthly rent I will not be able to do so.  So I plan to save to get a vehicle which will increase my ability to get to the classes (about an hour 1/2 drive from Santa Cruz).

 

Again, I do appreciate your comments, and what this site has to offer.  It has been very difficult for me to get to evening Dharma Centers for sits, talks, etc, due to my homelessness, so having some community online like  this one helps me stay connectedm, so to speak.

 

Much Metta

 

Permalink Reply by John Douglas on April 27, 2011 at 7:09pm

Stephen and David,

You both are an inspiration. I spent a good part of my life looking for a teacher. I discovered at one point that I was looking for somebody in time and place to show me what I had always intuitively known within. If you enjoy life and feel that a way will be shown, then you hold a conviction I do also.

I could say more things, but rather than that, let me just be a finger pointing at the moon so to speak. If you find heart in my words, perhaps you too will find heart in this website of stories by ancient zen masters that practiced zen as a form of life, not an isolated practice separate from the world. If that intrigues you, these ancient stories will not let you down.

www.101zenstories.com

It is also available as pdf  under Zen Flesh, Zen bones or zen stories.

Metta,

John

Permalink Reply by Stephen Conover on April 28, 2011 at 2:29pm
Thanks for the referral to "Zen Stories", will check it out soon.  Metta
Permalink Reply by David Chuanlu Beavers (傳路牧師) on April 24, 2011 at 4:49pm

Dear Stephen,

 

First, let me applaud your desire to help others. Here in our Western culture, so many care only for their own suffering, and perhaps the suffering of those that they find pleasant, i.e. friends and family, certainly not cast-offs like homeless and convicts.

 

I too, am an ex-con and was homeless quite a bit after prison. Even now, I only have a roof because I have friends who love me and inconvenience themselves to help me. Also like you, I have a heart for those that society would rather see vanish. While I have a degree as a Christian minister, I have no formal training as a Buddhist minister. I have received only upasaka precepts: the five "lay" precepts.

 

However, I minister. I'm not the most versed in suttas and ceremonies, but I love people. I'll likely never be able to have a paid job as a Buddhist minister, but I am a Buddhist minister. As are you.

 

As John Douglas says, "you are already a chaplain in my estimation". You do the work. Putting on a robe does not make one a renunciate, any more than being conferred a title makes one a priest or minister. If a person wants to be a carpenter (or whatever) they have to do the work, not earn a certificate. Lord Buddha had no certificate, no credentials. He had wisdom. He spent fourty-five years living his compassion, trying to lead other sentient beings to that same wisdom. That is what a Buddhist minister does. If you do that, then you are.

Permalink Reply by John Douglas on April 27, 2011 at 7:09pm

Stephen and David,

You both are an inspiration. I spent a good part of my life looking for a teacher. I discovered at one point that I was looking for somebody in time and place to show me what I had always intuitively known within. If you enjoy life and feel that a way will be shown, then you hold a conviction I do also.

I could say more things, but rather than that, let me just be a finger pointing at the moon so to speak. If you find heart in my words, perhaps you too will find heart in this website of stories by ancient zen masters that practiced zen as a form of life, not an isolated practice separate from the world. If that intrigues you, these ancient stories will not let you down.

www.101zenstories.com

It is also available as pdf  under Zen Flesh, Zen bones or zen stories.

Metta,

John

Permalink Reply by David Chuanlu Beavers (傳路牧師) on April 24, 2011 at 5:01pm

Stephen,

 

I just found this: http://www.brightdawn.org/page86.html. It is a 'lay ordination' program done without a residency requirement. It has no cost other than the books used for classes. It would give you a base of knowledge and a basic "legitimization" for ministry. Sadly, many authorities require the certificate.

 

david.

Permalink Reply by Stephen Conover on April 24, 2011 at 10:49pm
Thank you David, just perused the site briefly, looks good, will certainly look into it further.

RSS

Donate!

Events