This month (September 2003) we talk to Dr Carole Pettijohn works as a Consultant.

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

Probably about 20 years ago... at the time it was an intellectual curiosity.
It moved from my head to my heart about four years ago.

What made you choose to come to this Buddhist Center?

I had ordered Geshe-la's books and been reading and doing breathing meditation by myself for about two years... mostly I was tired of sitting alone and wanted to find the Sangha part of Buddhism.

Were you apprehensive about coming?

Yes, I convinced a friend of mine to come with me. Even though she had no interest, she is a great friend and was there as backup.

What did you expect?

I didn't have a clue... I guess I figured there would be a bunch of folks sitting around breathing... I was just hoping not to wander into a bunch of weirdness.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable. I decided immediately that I didn't need backup.

What do you like best about coming here?

The Parbawatiya group is like family... we laugh, we learn from each other, and being there is a mini vacation to a Pure Land. It feels like coming home after a long journey.

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

Meditation allows you to stop and take stock of the state of your heart mind. We are always so wrapped up in the minutia of our daily lives that we rarely take the time to determine our state of mind and reflect on where we are and where we want to go... while Geshe-la has given us a roadmap, until we know where we are, we are unable to follow it to our destination. Meditation helps us find out where we are.

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

The teachings have made me keenly aware that my life is my practice... that just sitting every day for a period of time is not enough. That mind of trying to keep my practice in all aspects of my life makes me stop for a second before I respond and mentally choose to practice patience, or giving, or whatever is required, rather than making my usual knee-jerk reaction. The difference in the way I respond to others, and how they respond back, has been profound.

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

I think everyone needs to be able to take that second before making the choice in their responses. I look around and see too many knee-jerk reactions. there are too many reactionary minds of hate and delusion causing entirely too much suffering in the world. Buddha's teachings, if applied sincerely, are an antidote to these non-virtuous minds.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

There is no evil like anger, And no virtue like patience.

Shantideva, Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life

What is your favorite Dharma movie, and why?

I think I have two The first is Harold and Maude... Maude was this older woman who taught a very depressed and suicidal young Harold that life is precious, and we should not be so fixated on death that we forget to make the most of our time in this life. The second is A Beautiful Mind, because it shows us how powerful and destructive our delusions can be, but provides the hope and knowledge that we can overcome our delusions if we sincerely practice and train our mind.

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

Asanga, who was a great Indian Buddhist practitioner of the 5th century... He spent 12 years in a cave meditating trying to find enlightenment, but it wasn't until he left the cave and practiced great compassion by helping the dying dog (an emanation of Buddha Maitreya) that he gained enlightenment. I think that the story tells us that most of us ordinary beings really need others to be able to practice completely, and to make progress on our spiritual path. While we can gain great realizations from sitting and meditating, it is what we do and how we live during the meditation break that makes the difference in how much progress we achieve in this lifetime.

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

The complete ability to lose the self-grasping I. The Bodhisattva's focus is solely on eliminating the suffering of others. To be able to completely shut out the needs and wishes of ourselves and to always maintain a pure view of the needs of others and attempt to help them eliminate their suffering is an incredible accomplishment.

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

As analytical as I am, I'd probably try to figure out what emanation I could take that would provide the greatest benefit to those still seeking release from samsara.