Where I get my inspiration...

[Justin]

http://www.newbuddhist.com/forum/index.php?

OK, I know I just linked you back to the main page but honestly, this is where I come to share, be heard and relax. This little community (almost 100 strong, 4/25/2005) is my sangha. I can find/provide help/answers here, search myself for guidance, and connect with people all over the world.

Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful community, I look forward to the many conversations we will have.

:bigclap:

[Adiana]

http://www.newbuddhist.com/forum/index.php?

OK, I know I just linked you back to the main page but honestly, this is where I come to share, be heard and relax. This little community (almost 100 strong, 4/25/2005) is my sangha. I can find/provide help/answers here, search myself for guidance, and connect with people all over the world.

Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful community, I look forward to the many conversations we will have.

:bigclap:

Justin,

I also am glad I found this site; as an independent Buddhist, this is my sangha as well. There are no Nichiren Buddhist temples here in Anderson, Indiana. There is an SGI temple in Indianapolis but I was treated in a very shabby fashion by them---I was invited to meet some of them at the community center and when I showed up there was no one there! I later found out that they had to attend a funeral in Chicago! I can understand that, but would it have been that much trouble to have at least given me a phone call so that I did not waste gas going all the way to Indianapolis? Then, when I called to find out what was going on, I was made to feel that I was intruding into their little world. Whatever. Anyway, it is nice to be here and I really do feel as though I have a place to go to get questions answered.

Adiana :) :)

[Brian]

Adiana, I also had a slightly negative experience with a zen community once. There is a vietnamese Zen center that just moved in literally down the street from me (highly strange coincedence, being I live in a very industrial, blue collar area), and last fall I went over there to "welcome them to the neighborhood" as it were... I walked up and said hello to a guy who was painting the door. At the time there was no signage or anything yet, so I asked him what kind of temple this was going to be. He dismissively told me "buddha temple. not church" and then went on painting, completely ignoring me :rolleyes:

oh well, I'm sure they were defensive because they felt like outsiders. They had no idea I came in peace! :p

Justin, thanks for the kind words. What you just said completely embodies every hope and ideal I had in mind for this site when I decided to create it :)