This month (November 2004) we talk to Anson.

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

I began to be interested towards the end of last summer, but in the beginning I wasn't interested in Buddhism as much as learning how to meditate.  That quickly changed when I read Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's books.

What made you come to this Buddhist Center?

I had been looking for information on the internet about how to meditate and all I found where web sites about Buddhist meditation.  I wasn't sure what to think about that, and then one night I was watching T.V. and the movie Little Buddha came on.  I was instantly drawn to it.  Soon after I went to the library and picked up books on Buddhism and meditation.  The reason I came to this Buddhist center was because I wanted to be taught in person how to meditate, so I looked for local centers on the internet and I found this website.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

I wasn't apprehensive about coming at all, in fact my dad worried a lot more than I did.  I had no expectations, but was very pleased.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

I thought it was amazing that there where such wise skillful teachers here and that everyone was so very kind.  I was also happy to see that the teachers where not all Tibetan monks, but where lay men and women who we can all easily connect with.

What do you like best about coming here? 

It is a place where I feel safe to come and share my experience with friends and to learn more Dharma.  It is also a good place to go and take refuge, knowing that all the other people there have the same spiritual goals.

How would you explain the benefits of meditation to someone new?

I think it is often hard to explain to newcomers that meditation is acquainting ones mind with virtue and that it doesn't always have to be done in a formal meditation room.  Especially when we start out we want to control our most rampant delusions like anger and attachment.  Our formal meditation helps with this, but it is also important to be constantly thinking about loving others in our daily life.  When we are thinking like this we are meditating and we are subject to peace of mind and good healthy relationships.  When we experience a moment of anger we need to learn to sit down and follow the breath until our mind calms down and then think about cherishing the person who caused us anger. This is the meditation that will help us most.

How has what you have learned here made a difference in your everyday work and home life?

Being able to go to work and school and really love all the people around you brings positive results almost immediately.  It is amazing how many miserable people there are in this world. It is even more amazing how being kind to them can change their mindset and make them happy.  I have found personally that my dad can't stay mad at me for anything, because even if he yells at me I try to respond with a happy mind free from anger and retaliation.  This has helped my family life a lot.

What do you feel that Buddhism can offer to the world today?

Buddhism can offer a new sense of morality that has seemingly left this world.  The morality taught in Buddhism isn't a set of laws laid down by some being that will punish us if not kept; they are actions that can be seen to lead to negative minds and suffering.  By observing moral discipline we become more happy and peaceful, if everyone practiced dharma then we all would be happy and no problems would arise between us.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

My favorite quote is a verse taught by Buddha that sums up the whole path
  "Learn to do good,
  Cease to do evil,
  Control the mind,
  Cherish others."

What is your favorite Dharma movie?

I haven't seen too many Dharma movies so I would have to say Little Buddha.

What is your favorite book by Geshe Kelsang?

My favorite book is Meaningful to Behold, mainly because this is what we are studying on TTP and I have never studied a book so extensively and therefore never gotten so much meaning out of it.

With which historical Kadampa Buddhist practitioner do you most identify, and why?

I think I identify with Geshe Jayulwa more than any other practitioner, because he had such strong reliance on his spiritual guide that he never had time to meditate. One day while cleaning his Guru's room he attained a single-pointed concentration on emptiness.  Although I do not have such a strong Guru devotion, that is something that we should strive for.

What aspect of the Bodhisattva's way of life most inspires you?

Bodhisattvas are so loving and compassionate with the wish to help anyone they can.  They constantly bestow blessings to anyone with an open mind, this is what inspires me.

What's the first thing you're going to do when you become a Buddha? 

I will emanate in the form of a teacher in all religions and give perfect teachings according to their tradition so that they too can experience true happiness and freedom from suffering.