This month (May 2005) we talk to France Roy.

France is a software developer in Tampa. He is also the Education Program Coordinator at Parbawatiya Center and is enrolled on the TTP (Teacher Training Program).

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

I first started reading books about Buddhism in high school and continued to do so throughout my first year of college. It wasn’t until my second year of college when I moved to Orlando that I found Kadampa Buddhist meditation classes.

What made you come to this Buddhist Center?

I had read a lot of books on different types of Buddhism and different practices, but I did not have any idea what I was actually doing. I felt that I needed a teacher who knew what they where doing and could teach me.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

I was looking forward to going to class for the first time. I did not expect it to be a Buddhist meditation class, but I was very excited when I saw Buddha sitting on the shrine.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and I thought the teacher was amazing. I was very interested in the books by Geshe Kelsang and the upcoming events in Florida.

What do you like best about coming here?

My favorite part of meditation classes is definitely being around other practitioners because I find everyone inspiring. I can meditate and learn a lot on my own but it is the interaction with others that lets me put Buddha’s teachings into practice. I also learn a lot from others because they have different perspectives on things and that helps me to see the teachings in a new light.

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

There are so many benefits to meditation. Most people want to meditate to relax or relieve stress and it is very good for that. For me though, the number one benefit is the mindfulness that comes from meditation. Looking back on my life before I learned to meditate it was like I was living with my head in the mud. Mindfulness lets me take advantage of every moment in my life and make it meaningful. Also meditation gives me lots of energy and destroys the laziness in my mind.

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

Taking Buddha’s teachings and putting them into practice has helped me solve so many of my problems. I can definitely see improvements in my general relationships with people. I have a lot more concentration and I rarely get stressed about anything.

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

I think the question should be what can’t Buddhism offer the world today. If everyone put Buddha’s teachings on loving kindness into practice there would be no problems in the world. I am a firm believer that inner peace brings outer peace and there is no other method to gain the supreme inner peace that Buddhism offers to all sincere practitioners.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

“Just as all the previous Sugatas, the Buddhas,
Generated the mind of enlightenment
And accomplished all the stages
Of the Bodhisattva training,
So will I too, for the sake of all beings,
Generate the mind of enlightenment
And accomplish all the stages
Of the Bodhisattva training.”
-Shantideva

What is your favorite Dharma movie?

I really like the movie What the Bleep Do We Know. This movie clearly explain how Quantum Physics has proven that reality is a subjective experience. Watching this movie inspired me to go out and help others by showing how we can change our world by changing our mind.

What is you favorite book by Geshe Kelsang?

My favorite books are Meaningful to Behold and Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The verses of Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life are so powerful and Meaningful to Behold so clearly explains the meaning of every verse in a way that it is easy to put it into practice.

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

I identify with Je Tsongkhapa, one because he is my spiritual guide, two because I do his practice everyday, and three because he is such an inspiring example for everyone to look up to. I hope that one day I will be able to show the great kindness that Tsongkhapa has shown to all living beings.

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

What inspires me most is the Bodhisattvas good heart towards all living being. It is so amazing how they will gladly take on the suffering of other and give others all of their happiness.

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

I am going to emanate as a Dharma Protector and provide all those wish to practice purely with everything they need. Everything I have accomplished now seems to have come almost effortlessly thanks to Dorje Shugden and I wish for all living beings to have the same care that he has shown me.