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The language of Tibetan Buddhism might be foreign to American ears, but its concepts resonate with a growing number of people interested in a new way of looking at life.
Actually, the concepts are ancient, but they are newly accessible to people in Cincinnati thanks to the opening of Gaden Samdup Ling in 2004. The converted house at 4529 Mellwood Ave. is the Cincinnati location of the Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling monastery in Bloomington, Ind.
If Episcopalian is Catholic Lite, all the same beliefs with half the guilt, as Robin Williams jokes, then Buddhism could be considered Catholic-free. There is no word for guilt in the Tibetan language. When Buddhist monks first arrive in the United States, they have to learn what "guilt" means, according to monk Jamyang Lama.
The expectation that a believer must adopt a specific kind of behavior or dogma isn't part of Buddhist teaching. But otherwise there are many commonalities between the Eastern and Western faith traditions.
"There are similarities we share with other religions," Jamyang says. "Patience, love, generosity — we just explain them differently and it's up to each person to choose a path."
'Go help them'
Jamyang is the translator and interpreter for Kuten Lama, the teacher in residence at Gaden Samdup Ling.
His presence testifies to a growing interest in Tibetan Buddhism among Cincinnatians.
"At first we had one or two people coming to Bloomington to receive teachings every week," Jamyang says. "When five and six people started coming, it seemed more sensible for us to come to a place here (in Cincinnati)."
Meeting first in borrowed space at a local church, then at an apartment, the monks' house provides them the freedom to create the kind of welcoming atmosphere that reflects their beliefs.
"We have a relaxed approach," Jamyang says. "We provide a resource to the community. When we first come to the United States, our teachers don't tell us to go convert people. My teacher said, 'Go and help them.' It's up to the individual person to do what they want to do with their spirituality."
This openness to allowing each individual to choose his or her path is an unusual concept to most Westerners, who are raised with a set of specific behavioral directions and guiding principles for living. Buddhists believe individuals seek and find the information and guidance they need.
Many people of various faiths have found their way to the monastery. There isn't a requirement to disclose or renounce any religious convictions. Jamyang says he knows Christians and Jews who regularly attend classes, but the only reason he knows that is because they eventually volunteered the information.
Richard Farcus of Lexington makes the drive to Cincinnati every Tuesday night for Dharma Discourse, a class on the teachings of Buddha.
"I was raised Jewish and bar mitzvaed at 13, but I never followed any organized religion," Farcus says. "I'm a person who resists change. But when I found this place, so open and friendly, I was hooked."
Having recently returned from a month in India, Nepal and Tibet, Farcus and his wife, Julie, brought back stunning photographs and plenty of stories to tell. They shared their adventure June 25 at the Taste of Tibet festival.
A volunteer at the monastery, Farcus is assisting with the organization of a retreat and is committed to helping Tibetans overcome the Chinese occupation of their country.
"I keep playing the lottery in hopes of winning so that I can give most of it to the Tibetan government," he says.
'Go to the well'
During the weekend festival the monks welcomed the community to witness the installation of new prayer flags.
"They symbolize the elements of the earth: white for clouds, blue for the sky, red for fire, green for water and yellow for earth," Jamyang says. "Each flag usually has a prayer written at the top of it. So when the wind blows, it takes the energy to the region. It's good for those here and (for) peace."
The monks' commitment to openness through the sharing of traditions and beliefs is something many people respond to, according Jamyang.
"We talk about things that aren't discussed in Western culture, like death and rebirth," he says. "All life is so driven by materialism, looking pretty, having a good job. Many people find it comforting and shocking to learn about impermanence."
BodhiPath.com defines impermanence as referring to the transitory nature of all phenomena. This idea is shocking because it removes the possibility of certainty in life but comforting because it provides a context in which to understand and cope with the world, Jamyang says. The awareness and comprehension of this single concept serves as a transformative experience for many people, drawing them into Buddhism.
"They say they've been looking for 10, 20 years in their lives for a different kind of thinking," Jamyang says. "(Tibetan monks) have been in this country for about 80 years now, so we understand more about the Western culture and mentality and can bridge the gap between East and West."
By speaking at grade schools and high schools, presenting lectures at universities and inviting groups to the monastery, the monks are working to provide people in Cincinnati with information about Tibetan Buddhism. The labels of "religion" and "philosophy" are irrelevant to them. Recently a church group of senior citizens went to the monastery for a class focused on "the philosophy of Buddhism."
"We are helpful for people looking for a different kind of path in their life," Jamyang says. "If you're thirsty, you go to the well or the pond for water to drink. We're there for your service, to come to learn more."
"Dharma Discourse" is at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. "How to Meditate" classes meet at 7 p.m. Mondays through July. Dharma Retreat is July 8-10. For more information, call 513-542-7116 or visit www.ganden.org/locale_cinci.asp.
