This month (October 2005) we talk to Kevin Kinnally.

Kevin retired from manufacturing having worked in purchasing and inventory control. He is the Administrative Director of Vajrapani Center, and is enrolled in TTP (Teacher Training Program).

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

In the Spring of 1963. I was 11 years old helping my older brother deliver newspapers. We always read the first section before delivering, and there was an article that got our attention. A Vietnamese monk, Thich Quan Duc, set himself on fire in Saigon in protest of the illegalization of Buddhism by President Diem of South Vietnam. The article described that he did not move a muscle nor utter a sound. I was fascinated by the idea that someone could have such incredible control to not move or make a sound while burning to death. I wanted to learn more about Buddhism, but there was nothing I could find in the library that made any sense to me, nor did anyone I was able to ask have any meaningful knowledge of it.

What made you come to this Buddhist Center?

I began studying Zen Buddhism in the mid 90s and was having a difficult time with it. I was shopping and found a flyer advertising "Buddhist Meditation Classes", so I went to see if I could learn more and perhaps would be more comfortable with this form of Buddhism.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

"Apprehensive" is a bit strong, but I was determined that if anyone was too 'pushy' I would not return. I guess I expected ties, dresses, and brief cases wanting me to join them on door to door campaigns.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

I met a very small group (6 to 8 people) that were very nice and not one was 'pushy'. Ricc was finishing the seventh verse of Eight Verses of Training the Mind, which was a very difficult class for a newcomer. However, he and my fellow classmates were having such a good time with it that I continued coming.

What do you like best about coming here? 

The peace and calmness found at the center. In a world gone mad there is indeed refuge. My fellow Sangha members are an inspiration.

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

I was asked this just last week by a gentleman. I told him that it helps me to eliminate stress in my life. While I do occasionally feel anger arise within me, I am able to recognize it and eliminate it very quickly. Stress, like anger, is a self induced delusion that I am making great progress towards eliminating from my life. The relative absence of these two delusions leaves a far greater period of time in my life for happiness.

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

I am able to do things I need to do but don't particularly enjoy and maintain a happy attitude.

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

Sanity and peace.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

From Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life:

"By depending on this boat-like human form,
We can cross the great ocean of suffering.
Since such a vessel will be hard to find again,
This is no time to sleep, you fool!"

What is your favorite Dharma movie?

What the Bleep Do We Know? I don't buy all of it (blessing water changes it's molecular structure?), but it makes you contemplate many of the teachings we study.

What is your favorite book by Geshe Kelsang?

Without a doubt Transform Your Life. Gen-la Dekyong stated that we have a view that this is a "beginner's book" and that holding that view is incorrect. I agree with her. This book has wonderful teachings on how to live dharma.

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

Lam Chung. My powers of memorization are profoundly absent.

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

Losing my self cherishing and doing everything for others. How could we not be happy then?

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

Emanate wherever I am needed to help all beings with their faith, regardless of what it might be; and to help open more NKT centers.