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longfist2003
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject: Introduction- Shaolin Longfist |
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Hello to everyone at the Buffalo Zen Center, my name is Donald, I'm a resident of West Seneca and was shocked to discover a Zen Center in my "backyard".
I studied Zen in Kyoto, Japan academically and through meditation when I was "young". Continued my study of Buddhism through Shaolin Temple in NY City, where I was involved more with Chinese Chan/ Mahayana Buddhism. I continued studying Buddhism and Buddhist culture in Taiwan from 1998 to 2002 and now, in WNY, I'm affiliated with a Ngakphang group that uses Qigong and Kungfu with Tantric Buddhism as a spiritual path.
I have a weekly sparring group where I pursue combining my practice/ understanding of Buddhism with applied Kungfu. I've blogged this subject a lot and would like to know if this is a subject I can explore with the BZC.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the Buffalo Zen Center.
Best wishes - Donald
My portfolios:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tec_comix
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dj_graphicdesign
About the Ngakphang tradition:
http://arobuddhism.org/encyclopaedia/shared/text/n/ngakphang_tradition_ar_eng.php
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Anonymous
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:01 am Post subject: Welcome! |
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Welcome Donald!
I am a martial artist as well - karate originally, but aikido now. I also spent some time studying Pa Gua, Chi Kung, and Hsing I. Martial arts are what led me to Zen, so I guess my path was in reverse of your own. 
You approach of applied Kung Fu sounds very interesting.
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longfist2003
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Tercenya,
I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, 2 jobs and finishing a semester at ECC on top of Daddy Duty with my son has had me whipped.
I want to drop by the Zen Center and meet with you some time, learn more about the center of course and learn more about you and your Martial Arts. When I lived in Japan, this is where I first learned about the relationship of Zen to Martial Arts and why I even considered going into it as a form of Buddhist study. Of all the Japanese arts, Aikido is the most attractive to me. One of our sparring partners is an active Xing Yi stylist with a good foundation in Tai Chi, he's from Beijing. Might be interesting to compare notes.
I don't really have a fixed affiliation with any school, Buddhist or Martial Art, I'm more into making positive Karmic relations between all schools to promote the Dharma. What is the expression, "There are many roads to the top of the mountain."
To that end, I'd love to introduce you to the Ngakpa I learn Kungfu from now. He is giving Dharma Talks at the Buffalo Wellness Center off Elmwood. You can see a poster I designed for him at this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dj_graphicdesign/2470434081/
When is a good time for an informal visit?
Best Wishes - Donald
donald jackson 06 at gmail.com
[/url]
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Anonymous
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Introduction |
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| I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, 2 jobs and finishing a semester at ECC on top of Daddy Duty with my son has had me whipped. |
That is quite alright. I know about being busy! I have two teens, am in the middle of exams for my 230 students and just finished a psychology class in addition to my studies at the center.
| Quote: |
| I want to drop by the Zen Center and meet with you some time, learn more about the center of course and learn more about you and your Martial Arts. |
I am always up for chats with other martial artists. The best time to catch me at the center would be on a Sunday morning. Public practice starts at 0930, but you would be welcome to drop by a little earlier or stay later to chat some. (It ends at 1130 and we have tea and cookies afterwards).
| Quote: |
| When I lived in Japan, this is where I first learned about the relationship of Zen to Martial Arts and why I even considered going into it as a form of Buddhist study. Of all the Japanese arts, Aikido is the most attractive to me. |
Yes, of the Japanese arts, Aikido is the most internal and, as such, is intriguing to those who study Chinese internal arts. I initially learned about Zen from karate, but began my Buddhist studies with the Tibetan tradition as there were no Zen groups in Buffalo at the time. As it turns out, it was quite a blessing. The Tibetans are extremely open-hearted and I met some highly realized lamas in the process. The interesting thing is that they kept telling me that my practice needed to be shamatha (which basically is Zen sitting meditation), rather than the tantric practices popular in the Tibetan tradition. Now, four years later, I find myself practicing at a Zen center.
| Quote: |
| One of our sparring partners is an active Xing Yi stylist with a good foundation in Tai Chi, he's from Beijing. Might be interesting to compare notes. |
Yes, it may well be interesting to compare notes. I found Xing Yi was much more external than the other Chinese arts. As such, it was an excellent transition from karate for me.
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| I don't really have a fixed affiliation with any school, Buddhist or Martial Art, I'm more into making positive Karmic relations between all schools to promote the Dharma. What is the expression, "There are many roads to the top of the mountain." |
I love that quote!
Many paths lead from
The foot of the mountain,
But at the peak
We all gaze at the
Single bright moon.
- Ikkyu (1394-1481)
He sounds like an interesting guy. I think I came across his name when looking for martial arts classes in the area a couple of years ago. You should bring him along when you visit!
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longfist2003
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Tercenya,
Sounds great, I'll ask my friend/teacher to join me, it's Saturday now so maybe next Saturday we can swing by.
I look forward to learning more about the Zen Center and hopefully supporting your future growth in WNY.
Best Wishes - DJ
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Anonymous
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds great, I'll ask my friend/teacher to join me, it's Saturday now so maybe next Saturday we can swing by. |
Actually, the public practice is on Sunday, not Saturday.
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| I look forward to learning more about the Zen Center and hopefully supporting your future growth in WNY. |
We look forward to meeting you!
Stacey
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longfist2003
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Stacy,
Sorry, SUNDAY ( not Saturday ).
I've talked with Tony and we will be able to drop by at 11:30 ( Tea Time ). I'll be bringing a small gift from my stay in Taiwan.
We are both looking forward to meeting you and anyone attending the Sunday meditation.
I've got the map to the location, I guess we'll just come in the front door unless there is somewhere you'd like us to meet.
Thanks, Donald
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Anonymous
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| Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject: visiting |
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| longfist2003 wrote: |
Stacy,
Sorry, SUNDAY ( not Saturday ).
I've talked with Tony and we will be able to drop by at 11:30 ( Tea Time ). I'll be bringing a small gift from my stay in Taiwan.
We are both looking forward to meeting you and anyone attending the Sunday meditation.
I've got the map to the location, I guess we'll just come in the front door unless there is somewhere you'd like us to meet.
Thanks, Donald |
Just come on in, remove your shoes, walk up the stairs and have a seat in the sitting room on the right hand side just through the glass doors. If we are not already downstairs by this time, we will not be too long behind you!
See you Sunday.
Stacey
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