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Expert: - 11/1/2008


Question
I have been interested in BUddhist philosophy for some time. I love the Dalia Lama's teachings. I have also attended several SGI meetings and have been chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo on a (somewhat) regular basis. However, I don't know if I am ready to enshrine the Gohonzon and join SGI as a member. The belief in kosen-renfu is a good one, but I feel resistant to the aspect of spreading the belief as part of a community. I realize that BUddhists do not practice solely for themselves, but having been raised in a Catholic family, I have trouble with following a lot of presrribed rules (chant and recite every morning; attend study meetings, etc.) Does this mean I am missing something about Buddhist pactice?  

Answer
Hi again,
Well it does sound as if, leaving aside whether SGI is a good thing or a bad thing, as if it might not suit you. In Tibetan practice there are people who do lots (and lots!) of regular practice, but this is largely left to individual choice and to what an individual has been given to do by her teacher.
Do you have access to a good Tibetan Buddhist centre? Where exactly do you live?
All the best
Alex W

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

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I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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