News From the Director

Let's replace Fear with Generosity as an Antidote to the World Economic Crisis.

We live in times when fear is every day projected at us in the media. Fear underlies the television and radio news, current affairs bulletins and newspaper headlines and it creeps in and can dominate our conversations with our friends and in workplaces.

The current fear of World Economic Crisis has replaced Terrorism as the prominent object of fear. There is a strong argument to say that the World Economic Crisis has been created by the greed of a few, supported by the greed of many.

If we overcome greed, we can reduce fear in the world and in our minds. So let's work together to reduce greed by recognising the generosity that is acted out all around us and that lies within each of us, eager to leap out!

We can start by recognising the small acts of generosity from those close to us such as the act of a child sharing a toy or some food with another child (or adult) or the everyday care given by a partner or parent in preparing good food for a hungry family. Lets not forget the smile or kind word said by a shop assistant, a stranger on the street or a friend who supports and encourages us. And more close to home, the incredible generosity of our dharma teachers!

Acts of generosity can be passed on from one person to another in an evergrowing demonstration of kindness. We can start the wheel turning by offering generosity to someone who doesn't show generosity to us such as taking the blame when someone shows anger to us. The 8 verses of mind training encourage us to be generous by returning loving kindness and compassion if somebody is angry with us.

Buddha House exists only because of the generosity of its students. It is seen in the time that people give to help organise activities, in the money that people give to support our Sangha and our centre and in the attitudes that people display to others that they meet at the centre. The simple act of welcoming a new person, swapping names, offering a drink and taking of a person into our trust and circle of friendship begins with a spark that can lead to a bushfire of generosity and kindness.

Each week there are opportunities for people to practice generosity at Buddha House as ‘meet and greeters' at workshops and regular sessions, as assistants in the centre, as newsletter folders, fundraising and community activity organisers. Additionally people are needed as board members to govern Buddha House's policies and finances.

As community members we all benefit from those who offer flowers to the gompa and bring food for shared lunches, which reminds me that we also need people to assist equipment transport to WOMAD for Buddha's Bowl and volunteers to staff the food stall over the three days. This not only raises money, it builds our community.

Because we are a volunteer organisation, there are always opportunities for people to organise functions that bring us together so get to know each other, better supporting each other as we grow our practice in our dharma community.

The opportunities are many, but the latent generosity within each of us is greater than we can ever imagine. Thanks to the generosity of all our past and current volunteers, Buddha House is alive and well and remains completely dependent on future generosity.

Let go of fear! Offer your generous heart and mind unreservedly to the world in everything you do and, if you can make space for it in your life, offer yourself as a volunteer at Buddha Hous e . As a community of practitioners, we can together be a powerful antidote to the World Economic Crisis.

Lindsay Holmes
Buddha House Centre Director