This month (April 2004) we talk to Liz Elliott.

Liz is a Specialist with the Exceptional Student Education Department, Sarasota County Schools. She is a founder member of Kancha Center in Sarasota, having attended the very first teachings given in 1997.

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

I was initially attracted to the imagery back in the 1970's and as a result began reading books about Buddhism. I was trying to understand some experiences that I had and was especially interested in Tibetan Buddhism.

What made you come to this Buddhist Center?

I saw the ad for "Buddhist meditation classes" in the newspaper and came to Kadam Nick's first class at the Unitarian Church in Sarasota. That was five or six years ago.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

I wasn't apprehensive; I expected to learn Buddhist meditation. I had no idea what I was diving into and the impact that it would have on my life.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

Who are all these people and why are they here?

What do you like best about coming here?

The incredible Teachers and the wonderful Sangha.

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

Meditation will help you develop a way of lassoing your wild horse mind so that it can take you where you want to go.

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

I look for opportunities to put compassion into action. I have a little note on my phone at work that says "generate, dedicate." This means generate compassion for the person on the other end of the phone line and dedicate the merit to the enlightenment of myself and all beings.

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

Practicing Buddhism means changing your mind; changing your mind changes your world.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

I love the imagery that come to mind when I read the following quote from Shantideva:

"... It is for these reasons that Buddha, the Blessed One, said
That is is extremely difficult to obtain a precious human life;
Just as it is rare for a turtle to insert its neck
Into a yoke adrift on a vast ocean. ."

What is your favorite Dharma movie?

The Matrix, of course, and an old 70s film, The Valley Obscured by Clouds.

What is you favorite book by Geshe Kelsang?

Usually the one that I am currently studying, but I have a special fondness for Universal Compassion, the first book that we studied with Kadam Nick. I remember the prayers which are so familiar and comforting now, as sounding odd and the descriptions peculiar -"like a mountain of fresh white curd."

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

Lam Chung--most definitely! Lam Chung studied one verse for three months and never mastered it. Like Lam Chung, I sometimes become depressed and cry because I can't memorize the verses I am studying. However, Lam Chung, with Buddha's help, kept trying and eventually realized emptiness as he swept dust and repeated two words of Dharma that Buddha had taught him. I keep trying too!

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

Manifesting constant spontaneous compassion.

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

Help facilitate the enlightenment of all sentient beings---ASAP!