I’m a householder

Raised a Christian, I converted to Buddhism about 5 years ago. I took refuge (vows) with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and hence I practice Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), Geluk (Gelugpa) lineage.

Over the years, my practice has floated between meditation, study, and ritual. The balance changes over time.

I’m a traditionalist. I love the rituals, they’re comforting, and studying sutras, I’m a nerd.I turn prayer wheels at a local monastery whenever I can. I travel regularly to attend teachings and other events with the Dalai Lama.

I’m a lone householder. I don’t belong to a sangha though I’ve been known to sit with the Seattle Dharma Punx. I’ve taken refuge, Boddhisatva vows, attended a long life ceremony for HHDL, and various other initiations & rituals. No Kalachakra yet but I’m looking forward to Solitary Yamantaka Initiation this April.

I call people like me ABC’s, American Buddhist Converts. We grew up on corn flakes and Saturday morning cartoons like everyone else but somewhere along the way, we heard the Dharma. I wear Levi’s not yoga pants. I love microbrews but I hate getting drunk which covers the intent of that precept if you ask me. There’s a difference between ambient and New Age and only the former is allowed in my house. I may drive a Smart Car not a Prius or Subaru.

The one outward sign, should we meet, is my tattoo. On my left forearm is a tattoo, Om mani padme hum, a mantra that evokes the Buddha of Compassion. That and my license plate: “3JEWELS”, as in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The first people to notice my license plate was a Tibetan family. They pointed and grinned. Someone else asked if I was a jeweler, “You know, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.” My answer confused him as much as his question did me.