Comments on: Bite Me, Boulder Buddhists! ~ Bill Schwartz

By: josh

josh — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:32:46 +0000

Real buddhists don't have facebook, or twitter, or cellphones, or pride.

By: Mick Lee

Mick Lee — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:13:24 +0000

I was born and raised in a tough, working class neighborhood in Chicago. More than once, I saw people shot on my street, and once someone was shot on the sidewalk in front of our modest home. Beatings were common. I can recall being chased by a gang, knowing if they caught me I'd end up with terrible injuries at best. Running like hell through gangways, hopping fences, running through a park or alley to escape being beaten by others…I know all about it. When I became an adult and moved to the north side, specifically Rogers Park and into what I thought was a decent area, the gangbangers and drug dealers made it a tense place to live. Once you heard the gunshots at night, you knew to stay away from the windows. The authorities were of little help.
So, when I hear someone speak of how Chicago is sacred or very special, I think, ok, cool. I am glad you see it that way. I sincerely hope the city treats you well and you enjoy all it has to offer. I began my journey down the Buddhist path by occasonally attending Zen services in a couple of different spots, but I never though of Chicago as being more holy, scared or important than any other spot.
Now I live in Boulder. Yes, there's a heavy Buddhist presence here, but I don't think of it as being better, or more this than that, yadda, yadd, yadda…and for the record, I don't eat granola, wear Birkenstocks, ride a mountain bike or do any of the things that some folks assume people here do.
I took my Refuge Vows here, and am glad i did. I keep it very simple. I meditate daily, follow the Eight Fold Paths as much as I can and leave the scholarship to others. I can think of nothing more counter productive, petty and flat out dumb than to see Buddhists arguing about this and that. It sounds like people just wanting to show off what they know. As the Dalai Lama said, "Want to be a good Buddhist? Practice Kindness."
I've lived here in Boulder 10 years. The only time I returned to Chicago was for a quick trip when the White Sox made it to the World Series in '05. I have no plans to go back.
Again, for those that love Chicago, that's beautiful.
For me,leaving Chicago and moving to Boulder was the best thing I ever did for my family. It was a Fresh Start.
Blessings to all,
Mick Lee

By: Zachery Boushie

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By: Mature Dating

Mature Dating — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:16:40 +0000

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By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:23:42 +0000

When I went to Chicago, I felt the emptiness — something lacking. Boulder is where it's at!

By: Nyigmu

Nyigmu — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:07:24 +0000

IOI
I hear that the rinpoches and lamas find another hidden place in the south west to be akin to the heart of lhasa in the west. Home is where the heart is?

By: Dave444

Dave444 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:13:37 +0000

This debating is absolutely ridiculous all it is is buddhist distinguishing themselves from other buddhists and hating on each other. The comments about chicago and boulder being the most sacred to any particular form of buddhism is absolutely ridiculous. all land is equally sacred and any statement saying otherwise is coming from a seriously dualistic perspective.why dont we all stop focussing on our differences or at least embrace them. whether your a "tree hugging" buddhist or a hummer driving buddhist you are still a buddhist and realizing absolute bhodhichitta is still the core of your path. distinguishing anyone as being better or anyplace as being more sacred is merely creating a spiritual ego.

David Sheingold

By: Vajragurl

Vajragurl — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:55:59 +0000

So Bill you're really identifying yourself as a disgruntled, angry, shallow, Buddhist wannabe. What difference does it make it you "helped establish Karma Kagyu in Chicago?" Jim Jones established Jonestown. David Koresh established the Branch Davidians. Should we hold these two in ANY regard just because they played a lead role in establishing their sects?

By: In Blood: A Saga of Tibetan Buddhism in America. ~ Bill Schwartz | elephant journal

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:00:49 +0000

[...] but don’t hold your breath, my online friends, if you expect us anytime soon to allow McBuddhists access to our most profound [...]