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Expert: Alex Wilding - 6/13/2009


Question
What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?



How has religion shaped your life?



What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?



How long have you been practicing this religion?



If there was one thing that you could change about this religion what would it be?



Are there any rituals performed in this religion?



What is the focus of this religion?



What is the foundation of this religion?



Is there a dress code for this religion?



Are there any foods that you can’t eat in this religion?  

Answer
Dar Geral,
What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
They vary according to which branch of Buddhism is concerned.

How has religion shaped your life?
It points me in a good direction.

What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
Being compassionate and kind even when that's not easy

How long have you been practicing this religion?
35 years

If there was one thing that you could change about this religion what would it be?
It would be easy

Are there any rituals performed in this religion?
Many

What is the focus of this religion?
Inner liberation

What is the foundation of this religion?
Understanding the nature of the mind

Is there a dress code for this religion?
No, though there is for monks and nuns

Are there any foods that you can’t eat in this religion?
No, although vegetarianism is seen as a good thing

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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.

Experience

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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