Next Visit to USA 2010

[Dharmavidya]

We are beginning to think about an outline for our next visit to N America which is likely to be in Jan-Feb 2010. It might look something like this....

UK -> (? Nova Scotia) Jan 1-5
-> Ontario [Jan 5-10 ish]
-> Vancouver [Jan 10-17 ish]
-> Hawaii [Jan 18-25 ish] (Honolulu + Big Island)
-> California [end of Jan]
-> (? Arizona or New Mexico) -> Texas and/or Brasil -> New England -> UK [mid Feb]

These dates are all just pulled out of the air at this stage, but you have to start somewhere.

We are open to invitations to additional places or specific venues within any of those already listed. We need to collect a list of people interested in being local organisers but we do not yet need to tie down specific events in each place.

If you are interested in helping out join this discussion or communicate with me direct
[e-mail]

[Avery]

I am working for the chaplain's office at Carleton College, a position I will continue through next year. I cannot make any promises, but the office is always looking for weekly worship services of any faith, so if you are interested in adding Minnesota to your list of stops please contact me privately and I will consult the chaplain.

[Ben Ross]

I hope people come out to New England. Here in Northampton MA there's a Shin sangha that was started by the Reverend Unno (who has since moved away), and there's still a core group of about 15 people who attend these meetings. Northampton is a meeting place for many faiths and seems like fertile ground for Pure Land Buddhism. There's a large Insight Meditation community out here, as well as a large Vipassana community, and I also work at a place called Windhorse, which is a therapeutic community focusing on the treatment of extreme mental states, which bases its approach partly on the teachings of Shambhala Buddhism. I would imagine clinicians and clients at Windhorse would love to hear about other approaches to Buddhism and therapeutic practice, though I would hope also to organize something more directed at the larger community. So these are some thoughts. I would be happy to organize something, and excited for the chance to meet teachers from the Amida Trust!

[Amaya]

We can try for a retreat or something formal next time 'round in Texas.
NAB

[Dharmavidya]

If you are thinking about organising events, to give some idea of the sort of thing we might do, here are sone of the things we have done on this tour:
# Days (or longer) of Pureland practice
# Workshops for therapy / social work professionals (these can carry continuing education credit if you have somebody who knows the system in your state) - some titles we have done this time or previously: 'Therapy for therapists', 'Guilt', 'The First Five Minutes', Buddhist Psychology Skills', 'The Client's Story', 'Other Centered Therapy', 'Loss and Change' etc.
# Workshops on Socially Engaged Buddhism
# Workshops on creativity, writing, poetry.
# Talks on Buddhism for colleges or the public
# Bookshop and library talks
# Local radion & TV interviews
# Participation in inter-faith events
# Team building and consultancy for organization staff groups

and so on. There are many ways of presenting the material to different audiences. We like to have some Dharma practice as a centre piece for those who are interested, but we appreciate that the visit has to break even financially so we are willing to do other events that might generate income and that may also expose a wider section of the public to the teachings. In fact, we often have found that people who have no background in Buddhism can be just as open to the Pureland approach as people who do.

It is also a good idea to think about what you would like to see happen in your area in the medium or longer term. If you have the idea of starting an Amida-shu group then this might influence some of the events that you set up. A visit from a visiting teacher can be a good way to get started.

Also, it is ideal if you can get a little team together. While there needs to be one key person in each area, do try to delegate specific activities. Thus, for instance, in Vancouver this time, there was one organiser, Yaya, but one of the events was organised by Buddhist Peace Fellowship. At the end of our Vancouver visit there was a business meeting and it seems as though next year the overall organizing will be done by a different person with several people organizing specific events.Teamwork is always good if it can be achieved, but for a first visit it may not always be possible.

[Lisa McCann]

I know that Colorado is somewhat out of the way, given your tenative itinerary, but I would happily attend an event in New Mexico if the time of year (and the weather) work out.

My husband and I are trying to arrange travel for ourselves in July to London. We would love to meet folks from the group if anyone is available--would also be interested in participating in any service projects taking place at that time.

Lisa

[Konchog AlTorres]

Greetings ~
I am located in Virginia Beach, VA (USA) and would be pleased and honored to have the opportunity to "MAKE THINGS HAPPEN" in my area. I have some networking skills with the local Buddhist Community and have access to 2 venues - The Heritage Center (http://www.heritagestore.com/center.html) and
The Fellowship of Inner Light (http://www.fellowshipoftheinnerlight.com/)

I read the posting here "Amida-shu Definitions" and feel that the information provided would be perfect as a basic starting point locally to gauge interest. If there develops sufficient interest locally a regular meeting could germinate
I am open to any guidance and suggestions to move forward on 2010 and offer myself to help lay the groundwork on the process
Alberto Torres

[Dharmavidya]

Dear Alberto, Thank you for your offer. Do see what you can do locally. We would be happy to visit your part of the world. Interestingly there are several indicators to suggest that we might be spending more time on the East Coast in our 2010 visit than we have done in previous years. We have never been to Virginia or N Carolina, but why not? It would be super to meet people in your area.

Warm wishes
Dharmavidya

[Gregory White]

David, Psychology at JFK in SF Bay area not interested in sponsoring / housing a conference, but Holistic Studies may be, am trying to get more contact with them.

greg

[Dharmavidya]

Thanks, Greg. Clark is following up a lead too.

[Amaya]

The Jade Buddha English group is now planning its activities already for next year, and have asked about something for the group during the first of the year. Also I will work on a book store lecture during your time here in Texas. Do let me know about the kind of time frame you are looking at in this particular leg of the visit.
Namo Amida Bu,
Amaya