This is a Dhamma Talk that Bhante Kassapa Bhikkhu gave at Unity Church of Beaumont on December 3, 2007 that covers the growth of Buddhism in America and on the topic of impermanence to their Vipassana Meditation class.
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I am Bhante Kassapa,
and welcome to 'From West to East'. I am a Theravada Buddhist monk, and currently residing in
Buu Mon Buddhist Temple in Port Arthur, Texas. I am hoping that you enjoy your visit to the site.
I teach Vipassana Meditation here at the temple along with a varied mix of duties. It is my wish that
you will enjoy your stay, possibly experience a few things, and recognize the happiness that can be
found inside yourself. You may e-mail me here or at bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com. Each of us is on a journey.
We may lose our way a few times along the path but that's ok. You're here now, so breathe and peruse the images,
read the postings and feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. I hope that whatever we try to accomplish
here on'From West to East' that our first goal is to acknowledge real compassion is for all people without exception.
Secondly, we wish to to teach the message of awareness, mindfulness and charity of self to all people. Finally,
we would hope that you learn to love yourself and have peace. Wherever you go, always leave that place better,
for you having been there.
I wish you Peace.
Joshua Hudson on February 18th, 2009
Thank you Bhante for your Dhamma talk. I agree that, as with every culture it has penetrated, Buddhism must find its own identity in America and the West.
We live in a culture that stills sees Buddhism as esoteric instead of practicle. Many who see Buddhism as practicle, see it as yoga or stress relief instead of the full spiritual Dhamma.
The future of Buddhism in America is going to be nurtured by American monks, who understand that they may need to be pragmatic. Just as Tibetan Shaolin monks must eat meat to survive, it may be that American monks may have to modify issues of Bhikkhu living by accepting moderate income to survive when there is no dana culture to provide for them.
America will also need to see the Dhamma as more practicle cognative therapy and view for right living that is universal in its understanding. The Dhamma can be easily understood if it is uncloaked by Asian mystique.
Everyday I find quotes by Twain, Emmerson, Shakespeare, and Socrates that illustrate our natural understanding of the Dhamma, and yet we belie those truths with our Dukkha conditioned reality.
Namo Buddhaya, Bhante. I look forward to listening to your other talks!