Library cancels Buddhism program

By TOM MORTON
Star-Tribune staff writer

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:02 PM MST

The Natrona County Public Library canceled a program by a Buddhist monk scheduled for Saturday because it crossed the line between imparting information and preaching, the library's community relations director said Tuesday.

"It has an intent to proselytize, but we can't do that in a county building," Brenda Thomson said.

The talk by Kelsang Rinzin of the Heruka Buddhist Center in Fort Collins, Colo., was set as an independent event for Saturday afternoon in the Crawford Room, and not sponsored by the library, Thomson said in a news release.

The talk initially appeared to be informational, she said.

"However, advertising released by the agency responsible for the event indicates an intention to proselytize, making the event inappropriate for presentation in this public facility, and in violation of the contract for NCPL meeting space, signed by the event's coordinator," Thomson said.

The library regretted the inconvenience this might cause people, she added.

A talk about a world view would be appropriate, but teaching meditation would not, she said in an interview.

The same standard applies to people of other faiths, Thomson said.

Likewise, the library allows groups to present forums offering a variety of political views but does not allow propaganda from one perspective, she said.

"We are pretty careful about who we allow to book rooms," Thomson said.

The library has its own policy about proselytizing in addition to the county-wide ban in county buildings, she said.

Thomson notified the Heruka Buddhist Center about the cancelation on Monday, and said its staff members were frustrated.

Calls to the Buddhist center and to the Casper person who arranged the program were not returned.

Library Director Bill Nelson said he's offered to help the center and Rinzin find another place for the program.

Reach Tom Morton at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@trib.com

source: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/02/10/news/casper/96d24306eeeae4258725755a0002b43b.txt

How You Can Support the People of Burma

Buddhist Peace Fellowship Action Alert/News

Action Alert: How You Can Support the People of Burma The news from Burma is not good, with reports of the Myanmar military troops occupying monasteries, arresting monks, and cutting off all communications to the outside, including Internet. The number of people killed varies from source to source, with the official Myanmar government report at 10, but it's probably many more. It continues to be critical for both the Myanmar and Chinese government to know that the whole world is watching this situation. Many vigils are being organized, including some generating from the BPF community. As the situation in Burma grows more urgent, your support and involvement can make a big difference to the people of Burma (Myanmar). What you can do: 1) Join or organize a vigil in your town or city. We have posted a calendar of vigils on the BPF website. There are currently events scheduled in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, and Milan (Italy). We are updating the list regularly, so please keep checking it. Check with your local BPF chapter to see if they are planning a vigil. 2) Sign a petition showing your support. * Our friends at the Buddhist Channel have initiated a global petition to garner support for the Holy Sangha. Please go to the petition online here and follow the instructions given. This page also includes address information for the Myanmar (Burmese) Embassy in a number of countries. * Sign the US Campaign for Burma's petition 3) Light a candle and place it in your window every night this week, along with a sign in support of the nonviolent protest. Click here to visit our website where you can download a sign that reads "The World is Watching -- Free Burma!"

Buddhism class starts in January

The Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara will be teaching a new class on Buddhism and Meditation for non-Buddhists starting in January 2007 to run through July 2008. The classes will be held on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Vihara, located at 3401 North 4th Street, Minneapolis.

The course is meant for anyone who doesn't know about Buddhism, and would like to learn in a friendly and non-imposing environment. Students may have different ambitions. Some are researching, others with to learn or investigate the faith and culture.

The school is now known as The Buddhist & Pali College (U.S.A), which is an affiliated college of the Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka and its sole representative in the U.S.A. (Pali means language, as in the Buddha’s original language).

It was established in January 2006 by the Venerable Witiyala Seewalie the founding Principal of the College. The Buddhist & Pali College (USA) offers a one-year Diploma in Buddhism. It also prepares students for external degree and diploma examinations of the Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka.

The course is meant for the beginner with or without any familiarity or previous exposure to Buddhism. “We don't want to convert people,” Seewali added. “But, the interesting thing about Buddhism is that we can teach to anyone who wants to learn.

The mission of the school is to achieve excellence in teaching Buddhism and the Pali language such that students aspire to the highest in virtue and knowledge of the Buddha Dhamma and to create conditions that foster and nourish Buddhism as a way of life in America.

“The Buddhist teaching is important for people to learn with the idea of practicing daily in life,” he said. “So, it is important to know that they can practice their own faith and at the same time practice the Buddhist teaching.”

The Vihara temple in Minneapolis opened on June 24, 2006 and its inaugural class of 15 Asian and mainstream community students will conclude in July 2007.

The volunteer faculty includes Rev. Seewali, who holds a B.A., Hons, MA, D. Litt. as president. The vice president is Rev.Maitipe Wimalasara Thero. Professor Ananda Guruge, will serve as Dean of Buddhist Studies and Professor K. Warnasuriya as Dean of Pali Studies.

Bhikkhuni (Nun) Satima, a Buddhist nun will serve as an assistant lecturer. The Board will be rounded out with Dr. Susantha Herath, registrar, and Ven. Bisho Kirti Majajan, will serves as an assistant instructor, treasurer and secretary.

The eventual goal will be to establish the first Buddhist and Pali College in the United States. There are such schools in Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom. They now have a library and technology center to aid students in their studies.
“This is one step to try to use our temple facilities, and in the future we have the idea of (a Pali) university.

The first three months will be basic Buddhist background and an introduction to the philosophy of meditation. Then they move on to more theory about Buddhist teaching.
The program is free and all donations greatly appreciated. For more information visit online at www.minnesotabuddhistvihara.org or call Rev. Witiyala Seewalie at 763-786-1811 or email mnbvusa@yahoo.com.

Meet the staff at the Vihara when it holds a New Year Blessing Ceremony on January 1, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.