Something to consider with our sangha.

Another interesting article from buddhistgeeks.com
This could relate to issues within our own sangha-in-the-works.

http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2011/01/children-and-buddhism-an-undesirable-match/

article: Are you choosing to die already?

Just an article that I read today on buddhistgeeks.com, an interesting website that is trying to bridge modernity and Buddhist values...

Are You Choosing to Die Already?

17. Nov, 2010 by Nathan Thompson

I’m in my mid-thirties—old enough to have some experience under my belt, but still pretty young in the grand scheme. And yet, when I look around at many of my fellow late Gen Xers, I can already see it—the choosing to die syndrome. This is not the living and dying in each moment that we all experience, nor is it about a physical death. No, this is about something else entirely.

The Choosing to Die Syndrome

What is it? It’s the slow accumulation of decisions towards a fixed identity and away from the fresh aliveness of your life. It’s giving in to the prevailing views of what life is about, and the building up of habits and defenses that maintain those views. It’s the murder of curiosity, and the killing off of exploration. It’s the embracing of certain certainties in order to soothe to pain of living in an ever changing world.

Even Buddhists do it – Gasp!

The longer I practice Zen, the more I have developed a faith in its ability—somehow—to be totally transformational. It’s not about becoming a different person, but is about the fact that when you’re completely you, it’s a very different experience from living out of habits, fixed views, and emotional states.

I’ve gotten the sense, though, that a lot of us convert types—and maybe a lot of Buddhists of all stripes—don’t really have much faith in such a transformation. In fact, many maybe aren’t even thinking about it. Buddhism is mostly a way to be calmer, or a little more present, or accepting, or whatever positive quality you want to fill in the blank with. There’s nothing wrong with any of those qualities mind you, but when I chant the Bodhisattva Vows, for example, it doesn’t make any sense to hope for being “a little better”—whatever that is. No, those vows aren’t about improvement at all—they are about transformation.

Are You Transforming or Killing Yourself Slowly?

The word “transform” means to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc. If you are like me, you often attach the word to major changes in a form, like in a building project or melting down metals and then reshaping them. It’s easy to get fixed on form, just ask any longtime meditation student who can’t sit in full or half lotus anymore. However, in the context of Buddhist practice, transforming doesn’t really look like anything at all. It’s not something you can explain well. You can point to appearances, but what exactly is going on, it’s kind of hard to say.

I have a retired friend who has, in certain ways, transformed over the past few years. After years of defensive efforts to maintain her “self,” she’s dropping that off, and risking being out in the world as she is. While many women her age have decided that their lives are basically over, and are content to sit in a chair and watch TV, my friend joined an online dating service, found a new partner, and spent much of the last six months traveling, trying out new things, and loving life. She has renegotiated relationships with her family by being more open and honest with them. And she left a church community where she liked the people, but didn’t feel connected to in a deeply spiritual way. If you ask her how this all happened, she’d probably point to her meditation and yoga practices immediately. But I think it’s something more than doing the forms. It’s an again and again and again process of choosing not to kill yourself off, which happens within forms, but also fully bleeds into one life.

Killing Yourself Off is Society Approved

My friend’s life is an anomaly amongst her age group. Major changes often do happen for elder folks, but it’s usually not coming from conscious decisions and openness to not knowing. It’s usually about illness, loss of a spouse, or money issues that press the person into a different life.

It’s more likely to find the kind of conscious decisions and openness to not knowing amongst younger people, who haven’t yet killed off most of who they truly are. But you know, I think the pressure and desire to fit in makes a lot of us “decide” to accept certain stories about how to live as the only way, even when human history and current reality suggests otherwise. Take employment. How long have people been working for hourly wages at companies and other organizations? Two, three hundred years maybe. And yet, if you asked a hundred Americans what it meant to work, ninety of them would probably describe some variation of a salaried job. Even people who are entrepreneurial gravitate towards time segments and money payments based on time. Which goes to show you how fixated most of us are on a certain view of time, and how we believe it functions in our lives.

The point here isn’t to denigrate salaries jobs, or the conventional view of time, but to suggest that when a person has attached to these things as “common sense truths,” they have killed off part of life.

Form Can Be Deceptive

I have met people who, on the surface, seem to be living very conventional lives—jobs, houses, children, etc.—but who have a very fluid sense of what life is all about. At the same time, I have met people who are very radical looking on the outside—piercings, tattoos, open sexual relationships with multiple partners, unusual work—but who have very fixed views about their lives and the world around them. I have also met people who sit tons and tons of zazen, and are almost impeccable with Zen rituals, and yet are really miserable when it comes to maintaining the relationship in their lives. So, forms are tricky. It’s easy to think, for example, that doing meditation practice is going to radically change you. But that’s just another story.

If you are a Buddhist practitioner, or interested in Buddhism and reading this article, what’s your deepest intention? Is it really just to feel better, or be a little kinder, or more helpful, or is that just a story you’ve chosen to protect yourself with? Are you inspired by Buddhist practice to transform your life completely, or is it just a better tasting, more holistic add on than going out and buying a new TV?

I have no idea if the kind of transformation you see in the stories of the enlightened masters will occur in my life, but I figure why the hell not aspire to awaken fully anyway. The times I have been most depressed and miserable in my life have been the times I have chosen to either kill my largest dreams, or cling to them fiercely and defiantly.

You can have the most expansive vision possible about everything without making it into something you must defend and force into existence. You can make choices that might lead you to transform, or you can do things that are pretty certain to kill off your life. It’s your call.

“What are you going to do with your one precious life?”

Tsok-day in...PA?

All the trees in PA have no leaves. I like our woods and our property and wonder what spirits are already here. It seems sure, in any case, that they haven't heard or experienced the Dharma in this lifetime. So I like to take the chance to hang prayer flags or do smoke offerings whenever I can. Recently I have been putting some incomplete statuettes of Buddhas in sheltered places in the forest--rocky cliffs and old trees--and hoping they are meeting wide-eyed does, deer, and squirrels, and planting good seeds in their minds for future lifetimes.

I recently was in Davidson and was able to do Tsok with Khenpo Chorpel, Hun, Brian, and Valerie, and felt confident enough to try it on my own. My family was curious--I went shopping for goodies with my mom--but I felt most comfortable just doing it slowly and carefully on my own. It all seemed to work out in the end, and I felt very pleased with my beautiful shrine.

I'm grateful that the ritual has been performed now in this part of the world, and it reminds me of how important the Dharma is to places that before have been without it. I came away with the wish that Buddhism might grow deeper where it has taken root, and that it might arrive swiftly where it has not.

Tsok-day today!

Tsok-day again! Remember to think, speak and act in an "empty-divine" manner. Offer all that you see, hear, smell, touch, taste and think as divine substances "delightful to the senses," to the enlightened-deities. It is also most beneficial to see the root-guru as the embodiment of all deities.

Gone Public

This blog is now "public" - so, no need to log in to read anymore!

Progress....

From the "Timeline" post a month or so ago, this is what I hoped then we will accomplish for October:

OCTOBER
1. Begin scouting out potential spaces & putting the word out there that Urban Dharma is looking for space. This process will take a while since it's not quite like looking for an apartment to rent and move in.
2. Complete promotional website. This means completing a) Mission statement (defines the organization's purpose and primary objectives, defines the key measure or measures of the organization’s success, mostly written for the leadership team and "stockholders"), b) Vision statement (communicates both the purpose and values of the organization, gives direction about how we are expected to behave and inspires us to give our best. Shared with "customers," it shapes their understanding of why Urban Dharma is needed, is where they want to be), c) Profiles of Who's Who (who's involved and why and how perhaps the reader see him or herself as part of Urban Dharma, d) Sample of Weekly Program offered, e) How to Get Involved (articulating what kind of financial, professional, help Urban Dharma needs).

We have done - sort of - both. Most pressing right now is to try to get 2. completed so that on November 7 we can direct people to the website, show people the website. The November 7 event is a very important event - in a way, that is when we have to decide as a group if we are going to be serious about Urban Dharma. 

A Sketch: Joseph Nabholz

I grew up in Pennsylvania with two brothers and a sister, wise parents, and lots of land. In our own order, we were home schooled, fed vegetables, and sent out into the world. I then received an English degree from Warren Wilson College in 2008, and more recently, I taught ESL in Taiwan for two years, where I also studied Mandarin and ate as much food as possible.

I have always been interested in the arts, especially acting and writing, and I look forward to an opportunity to incorporate them with my larger plans. Otherwise, sometimes I ride a bicycle, or sketch a picture, or drink imported teas, or do any other number of things that pass the time pleasurably.

My curiosity in Buddhism really took shape in college and quickly became a strong influence for what I chose to do with my other interests. I journeyed through Tibet, Northern India, Taiwan (where, for a short time, I lived and studied in a monastery), and other parts of Southeast Asia. I experienced, for the first time, culture—not simply influenced—but rather infused with Buddhism, which was manifest in each country in its various forms and colors.

Following this broad—at moments, quite specific—familiarization with Buddhism and Buddhist culture, I’m more inspired than ever to find ways for the Dharma to arise more naturally in America.

Nonprofit Status- What We Need to Get Started

Checklist for establishing a 501(c)(3) in North Carolina


http://www.ncnonprofits.org/faq/HowToStartA501%28c%29%283%29Nonprofit.pdf



1. Establish a Board of Directors
“NC law requires only one board member, but best practices recommend that you have no fewer than five; seven or more are preferable.”
Roles and Responsibilities of board members: “selecting and reviewing the performance of the chief executive; recruiting new board members; ensuring effective organizational planning; evaluating organizational performance; providing financial oversight; and ensuring legal and ethical integrity”, etc.

2. Establish the organizations mission and purpose, short- and long-term goals identifying who the organization will serve, clarifying the driving values behind the organization, and planning for how the organization’s mission may evolve.

3. Create organizational bylaws (“It’s helpful to review those of existing non-profits and to have a lawyer review them before they’re finalized.”) (“In both membership and non-member corporations, a set of rules known as the bylaws governs the internal administration and regulation of the affairs of the corporation. The bylaws may contain any provisions not inconsistent with the law or the Articles of Incorporation. The initial bylaws must be adopted by the incorporators or board of directors. A complete set of the bylaws, however, will not be filed with the N.C. Department of the Secretary of State.”)

4. Incorporate by registering with the NC Department of the Secretary of State
(www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations)

Articles of Incorporation for NC then require:

-Corporate name: “The exact corporate name, including abbreviations, punctuation, etc. must be used consistently in all documents files”

-A statement to the effect that the organization is a “charitable or religious organization.”

-Registered office and agent: “A nonprofit corporation is required to have a registered office and a registered agent…The duty of the registered agent is to forward to the corporation at its last known address any notice, process, or demand that is served on the corporation.” A registered agent, in most cases, must be an individual who resides in North Carolina and whose business address is identical to the registered office. “The Articles of Incorporation must set forth the street address of the registered office, as well as the county in which the registered office is located, and the name of the initial registered agent. The registered office may, but need not be, the same as any of the corporation’s places of business.

-Incorporator: “the person who signs and files the Articles of Incorporation is known as the incorporator. There must be at least one incorporator. The name and address of each incorporator must be indicated”

-Members: Under NC law, a non-profit may or may not have members. If it is to have members, this must be specified in the Articles of Incorporation. If it is to have no members, this must also be specified.

-Provisions for Distribution of Assets: Must include provisions regarding distribution of corporations assets upon its dissolution and termination. A fair amount of flexibility, but do have to be consistent with NC law (consult N.C. Gen. Stat. 55A-14-03 “Plan of Dissolution”)

-Principal Office: A nonprofit corporation is required to set forth its principal office address in its Articles of Incorporation.

-Optional Provisions: Can include:

A statement of the purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized;
The names and addresses of the initial directors;
Provisions relating to management and regulation of the corporation’s affairs;
Provisions which define, limit, or regulate the powers of the corporation, its directors, and its members (or any class of members);
Provisions defining the qualifications, rights, and responsibilities of. its members; and
Provisions limiting or eliminating the personal liability of any director for monetary damages for breach of any duty as a director.

That last one about eliminating personal liability is important.



-Statutory Powers (all nonprofits in NC have these, and they don not need to be stated in the Articles of Incorporation)
Among these statutory powers are the following: to sue, and be sued; to complain and defend in the corporate name; to have and affix a corporate seal; to purchase, lease, acquire, hold, use, own, or otherwise deal in and with any real and personal property; to make contracts and incur liabilities; to elect or appoint officers; to make and alter bylaws; to lend money for corporate purposes; and to have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized.




Filing the NC Articles of Incorporation – must be submitted by mail or in person to the N.C. Department of the Secretary of State, along with check, money order, or cash for the required $60 filing fee.


Tax-exempt Status

“It is crucial to keep in mind that not all nonprofit corporations are automatically tax-exempt. Before commencing its operations, the corporation must decide whether it can qualify for tax-exempt status. This may be necessary in order for the corporation to avoid paying taxes on its income and in order for donors to claim tax deductions for contributions. Whether a corporation has obtained federal tax-exempt status is a relevant factor in the state’s decision to also grant exempt status. Thus, the federal application should be made first. Often, this will have a substantial bearing on any subsequent grant of exemption by the state.”




So, first: Board of Directors, bylaws, and NC Articles of Incorporation.

Then, we have to begin Federal IRS paperwork.

It is strongly recommended that we have an accountant or CPA familiar with nonprofit tax law review our application before submission- Does anyone know one of these?

And, we will then hear back from the IRS in 3-24 months.

Time to get started now, I think.

A Sketch of Jeff

Jeff Richey

I grew up in a suburb north of Pittsburgh, PA, near where I am currently residing.

My fascination with life's "bigger" questions started at a young age. Before attending Warren Wilson College, I had mostly only guided myself through some contemporary literature on Western Esoteric traditions, and some of the more popular writers on those and related topics (a lot of Robert Anton Wilson, Terence McKenna and the like) but I hadn't the discipline or skillful guidance to apply myself more seriously to a particular path.

For a couple of years after high school I moved from Pittsburgh to southern California where I worked and lived with a couple of friends from school. I returned to Pittsburgh and delivered pizza for about a year before applying to college. I had visited Warren Wilson College once to see a friend and go to a concert in Asheville. I guess it wasn't long after that visit that I decided I had enough of the pizza delivery thing and I should continue my education. The public high school I attended did not do much to appease my drive for higher knowledge, and after looking at WWC's degree programs I thought that Religious Studies and Philosophy seemed to appeal to me most.

Dr. Lye was one of the first faculty members I talked to at WWC. During orientation week he was representing the Religious Studies faculty at an event for students to learn about the different academic programs and to meet faculty. In my first semester I enrolled in two Religious Studies courses, both with Hun, on Buddhism and Hinduism. I found both courses to be very compelling and engaging, and at times I remember feeling like a tug-of-war was occurring in me over which of the paths seemed to be calling to me most, as I was getting many signals from all angles.

In the end, the profound dharma of the Buddha seems to have prevailed, with perhaps some influence coming from the instructor's bias. But bias or not, I can't deny the multitude of ways I have been transformed by the dharma, initially by Dr. Lye's course, and in the many opportunities he and others have extended to me to continue engaging this path. As a freshmen in Dr. Lye's course, I read along and followed lectures that evoked an inner analysis of my own experience and every day I realized how much my own thoughts reflected and resonated with the Buddha's teachings. With Dr. Lye's consistent encouragement and prodding, I became involved in -be-, the Buddhist interest group co-founded by Dr. Lye and his devoted cult of students at Warren Wilson.

Among the other major influences on my thought and development from Warren Wilson, I have to acknowledge the radical critical philosophies of Prof. Mark Cobb, the enraged populist politics of Dr. Frank Kalinowski, the ludic and illuminating depth of dialog and dialectic as only Sam Scoville could inspire, and countless others who have given me sincere encouragement and inspiration.

But at the heart of it all, I have to say I can only truly take refuge in the Buddhist path. Radical politics and philosophy can be a vital form of expression and communication for realizing social justice and equality in the world, but in order to not lose sight of the boundless wisdom and compassion it will take to realize those goals, only the dharma can provide that.

It has been a joy and a real honor to continually be involved in something I have watched blossom and helped form, from the early days of -be- to what it is becoming now with Urban Dharma. I look forward to getting to know more about all of you and hearing some of your ideas for how we can spread the luminosity of the dharma to change minds and transform cities.

Tsok-day in Davidson

It's tsok-day again. This time, I stayed home in Davidson and Valerie and Brian joined me to offer Gurupūjā and Gaṇacakra.  And Valerie came with great news - she's engaged and the big day is in May! Yay! Congrats Val!

Here are some pictures from tsok-day today.