Hello everyone. First thing is first - this is an open learning experience. Meaning, although I'm considered the 'instructor,' I am sure we can all learn from each other. You know the saying, "The teacher is the taught," - I feel that applies here especially. So, what brings you here? What interests you about Buddhism? This thread is meant for us to get acquainted, so introduce yourself!

I'm a Junior at Fordham University, NYC. I have been studying and practicing Buddhism for about four years now, diving heavily into authors such as Alan Watts, Ken Wilber, Karen Armstrong, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Bruce lee, Wei Wu Wei, Lama Surya Das, Ramana Maharshi, and so many more. As far as my personal practice, I have been steadily working with Zen and more recently Dzogchen, a Tibetan form of Buddhism. I'll do my best to share with you what I've learned, and what I'm learning. If you have any suggestions for this class you're encourage to put them out here for us.

As far as teaching this class goes . . . I'll be posting a series of threads which will describe the essentials of Buddhism. There will be no homework (Phew), but plenty of material to explore. I'll also put up a Resources page - just full of links, videos, essays and books for everyone to make use of.

Well, as a Quaker (Religious Society Of Friends) I'm always looking for wisdom from all walks of life and different religions to enhance my own beliefs. Buddhism is something I haven't explored too much, but I believe it would help me to view things with a different outlook. I'm really excited for this class!

My name is Maryanne (you can call me MA). I'm a taoist-buddhist, but I never feel I know enough about what "buddhism" means to really say I am one. So I hope this helps.

My name is Malia. The reason Buddhism interests me is because I endured a tough childhood and found my escape through the zen lifestyle. The more I can learn about it, the better harmony I will feel within myself.

Hello everyone, I think this class is going to be fun! I am not a practicing buddhist, but I want to get a better understanding of the mindset. I haven't been studying it very long, so there are many intrinsic aspects that I can't really grasp. I am trying meditation and finding that it is something that I needed and really enjoy.

Im interested in this class because lately I've been doing a lot of searching for the answers of life and Buddhism makes the most sense to me so far but I dont know too much about it yet.

I got interested in Buddhism in JR.High in history class~probably about the same time I became interested in vegetarianism (my history teacher was vegetarian).

I own a few different books on this subject:
Buddhism for Dummies
Awakening the Buddha Within
Letting Go of the Person You Used To Be

I'm Julie, call me whatever. I live in Montana in the bitterroot mountains, I've always been quite transfixed on meditation... Just lately I've been going alittle deeper into the spiritual side of buddhism and found it something quite interesting to me. The more knowledge I have about it the better :)

I got interested in Buddhism in JR.High in history class~probably about the same time I became interested in vegetarianism (my history teacher was vegetarian).

I own a few different books on this subject:
Buddhism for Dummies
Awakening the Buddha Within
Letting Go of the Person You Used To BeAwesome books! Awakening the Buddha Within, by Lama Surya Das I presume? That's actually one author of many that will be mentioned in this class.

yes, that the one.
I have also gotten a few of Thich Nhat Hanh's books from the library when I was in Kentucky and just ordered some today online...along with a book that I don't think I have seen before called "One Breath at a Time:Buddhism and the 12 steps"

Hey every one. wassup?

the reason i want to take this class is pure curiosity. but all i know is that i really want to know more about this.

Hey all.. Just joined this class as well..

I'm not a buddhist, or even religious, but I've always been interrested by buddhism, and have read a little about it here and there.

It's really interresting, and I want to learn more.. :)

Hi guys! I'm Rafael. You may call me that or Raf, Raffy, or Musikero. More and more I find myself drawn to Buddhism, particularly to Zen. My fiancee's a Japanese Buddhist while I am legally Roman Catholic; although I've been toying with the notion of "officially converting" for quite some time now.

My name is Amanda. I am interested in learning about many different religions, particularly those that focus on meditation and the search for inner peace rather than going to sit in a pew once a week just because it is expected of you. Honestly, I don't know much about Buddhism, but that is what this class is for, right?

Well I guess its a little late in the game to jump in but....my name is Zach. I'm Jewish, but I've always had an interest in Buddhism. I believe pretty strongly in Judaism, but from what I understand a lot of Buddhist beliefs make sense too.

i like the idea of buddhism very much

i like nothingness very much

i would like to read more and ask the odd question

but my main problem is forcing myself to sit still

all of my meditational moments of success have been while walking

[hard to do in winter in eastern montana]

so hints on indoor meditation will be most appreciated

hi iam jesse and a freshman in highschool so i am pretty young and just starting to get involved in buddhism
so if there is anything that you would like to especially refer to me as a complete beginner i would be glad to accept it
thankyou

I'm a freshman too...it has its ups and downs.

Hi im Jon im a vegitarian and i want to learn about more religions like buddhism.

hey zach were in NJ do you live i live in central jersey

oh and im jewish too

Really, thats awesome


I live in Toms River, its about an hour or so north of Atlantic City.

hahah well that makes three Jewish kids deeply interested in learning on the subject...whats up my heeb hippies?! i always tell people i'm a JAH- jewish american hebrew , instead of the Jewish American Princess that a lot of girls like to claim they are...anyway, about why I'm here. I am always interested in mind expansion, learning new beliefs and ways to think. I agree with a lot of the Hindu and Buddhist believes, they don't seem that foreign to me because in a way I feel like I was reading the believes I have already formed on my own about life and death. I was looking around the archive, has this been updated recently? Ok, well looking forward to learning about this interesting and unique lifestyle...thanks for putting up all of this information for free, its wonderful!!! peace and love, love and peace

I go by Toast and live in the crack-cocaine ridden streets, where I was raised and where I have grown alot of frustrations. The only thing I have found to ease and relieve me of my anxiety is cannabis, yet knowing meditation is another wonderful possibility, I've had no background in it, or anything surrounding it.
The only prior knowledge of Buddhism I acquired is of Karma and Reincarnation. I look forward to learning every aspect of meditation and Buddhism as I can, to help me clear my mind.