by Kirby Lindsay
The North Seattle Herald-Outlook originally published this column on November 3, 2004.
Lately, Fremont has lost places of worship. Our Lutheran Church closed due to lack of attendance and our Baptist Church converted to “Community.”
We’ve never been heavily churched (unless you prayed at the altar of Budweiser) but these losses cut deep in maintaining a sense of unity.
Luckily, the Nalandabodhi community found its way into our small circle, and has renovated our old Presbyterian Church into a Buddhist Temple.
Nalanda West may not fulfill old school, conventional visions of a church, but then, since when does anyone in Fremont worry about old school or conventions?
Building A ‘Community’
Church means “community” and Nalanda West creates community within its campus.
Laurie Ross, one of the co-directors, wants everyone to know that they welcome everyone and will accommodate any interest in learning about Buddhism and enlightenment. They offer classes and presentations to beginners or daily practitioners.
“If [a class is] not listed, please ask. We have a lot of expertise and we’re happy to meet their needs,” Laurie told me, many times.
Marty Marvet, another member of the Board, showed great patience with my many ignorant questions. “Nalanda,” he explained, was one of the greatest universities ever created. Located in India, it started just after the time of the Buddha, about 500 B.C.E.
The school, and the name, convey a tradition of education and scholarly pursuit. Buddhism, he clarified, is a science of the mind and begins with study.
Naladabodhi, the community that will use the temple, began in 1999, usually gathering in the U-district. When they decided to construct a temple they “wanted an urban setting,” Marty said.
While the Pacific Northwest has a long tradition of Buddhists, we do not have many temples and the Board saw people coming from all over, “we thought there is a real need.”
With the temple at 3902 Woodland Park Avenue North, it’ll offer easy access from both Aurora Avenue/Hwy 99 and Interstate 5.
Buddhism Study In The U.S.
Greenwood has the only other temple I know of, and it represents Sakaya – one of the four lineages, or traditions, of Buddhism.
Acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars of his generation in the Kagyu and Nyingma schools, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche will direct study at Nalanda West in the Tibetan traditions.
The Acharya Tashi Wangchuck, invited by Rinpoche, came to Seattle to continue his studies and help guide others to enlightenment here.
The Acharya (a title meaning ‘professor’ or ‘master’) came originally from Bhutan, but studied in India at the Rumtek Monastery along with the Rinpoche.
I asked him how the Buddhist faith here contrasts with India. It surprised me when he answered that study of Buddhism may come easier here than where practitioners can live a fully Buddhist lifestyle.
Acharya explained that being fundamentally educated people, we understand more quickly.
In India people don’t have the experience of study, especially in poor communities, he said.
Here, instead, we have life outside the temple to consider.
Marty explained that classes will often emphasize practical applications and contain an awareness of the business environment. Classes instruct on healing and psychology, as well as meditation and dharma.
‘Community’ Space
The official temple inauguration begins Thursday, November 4th, followed by several days of classes and visits by esteemed instructors and dignitaries from around the world. For more details, call 206/525-6925 or check out www.nalandawest.org (or www.nalandabodhi.org.)
Beyond classes, the temple has opened its doors in a more general way. Within the charming brick building of their shrine and primary meditation space, they also have a gathering room and full catering kitchen, with space for up to 250 people.
Laurie hopes people consider the space for weddings, of any denomination, and events.
As we walked around campus, I saw the parking lot and housing plus the future location of the library and instruction rooms, and a community at work together. Work made hard by an imminent deadline, and harmonious in focus on their common goal.
Within Nalanda West exists a strong community. Without, stands Fremont. I hope, together, we enlighten and enliven one another for centuries to come.
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.