Expert: Justin Choo - 2/4/2010

Question
Hello Justin,
I have read many of the answers that you have provided to others with great interest. It has been seven years since I have actively read about Buddhism, but now find my self going through an awakening of sorts.  It is my strong desire to follow the Buddhist Path. However, being quite new to this, I am in need of assistance. My question to you is simply:  Would you be at liberty to suggest a temple or particular teacher in my geographic location?  I live in Beaverton, Oregon in the Us.  Beaverton is a suburb to the West of Portland. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as I have wasted much of my life being closed minded (instead of following my heart and my mind).
Thank you so very much for your contributions to this site.

Answer
Hi Joshua,

Thank you for reading my answers.  Actually I refer them as "comments".  "Answers" would have a connotation of "This is it!"  "Comments" is more realistic, as it allows freedom to accept or reject.  This is the essence of the Buddha's teachings.

I am not from your area, so I would not be able to "recommend" any particular temple.  However, I can link you to this site " http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/search.php?keyword=&search=Begin+Search&type_id%5B... ".  Buddhanet is the "Mother" of all the Buddhist sites.

As for teachers, you need not have to go far to find them.  They are literally at a click of your fingers!  

1.My teacher Ven. Dhammananda has passed away, but you can have access to his site:

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/whatbelieve.pdf  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Sri_Dhammananda

2.My teacher Ven. Dhammika, an Australian residing in Singapore:
www.buddhismatoz.com

3. My teacher Bhante Kovida, a Jamaican Chinese monk, residing in Canada:
http://www.bhantekovida.com/

4. Ajahn Sumedho is the most senior Western monk, trained under the Thai forest monk tradition. He is an American and is resident in England.

http://www.amaravati.org/abmnew/index.php/about_us/getting_here/

5. Ajahn Brahmawamso:

http://www.bswa.org
This site is in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site.


Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Brahmawamso are from the same teacher, the late Ajahn Chah of Thailand:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo