Tashi Delek! My name is Bill Schwartz, "Karma Ozer Thaye," I live in Chicago, with my wife, our cat, Demi, empty nesters, and this is my message board. I have a second message board here, "Allen Ginsberg's Beard", if you don't like this one. I'm a Tibetan Buddhist, a Karma Kagyu, the Tsurphu Labrang encampment, Dharamshala, District Kangra (H.P.) India, a follower of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. I've been practicing the dharma since I was a kid in college, in the 70's. I started out, reading Shunryu Suzuki's, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," sitting on the floor, and following my breath. I became a Tibetan Buddhist, in 1981, when I took refuge vows, with Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. I received my pointing out, from the 16th Karmapa, at his Parinirvana. He died here. I was in the right place, at the right time. It isn't a credential. I have none. My Major influence, as a dharma practitioner, is the Yogi, Scholar, Poet, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. I met him in 1985, on his first tour of the West. I've been blessed, over the years, when it comes to teachers. I'd list them, but this isn't a resume. This is for people here who don't know me, already. If you're looking for "Ryder Japhy," my pen name, for his wild, off-beat take on life, and the dharma, you can find him on my blog. This space is for people with something to say, just keep in mind, it's a religion and beliefs forum. Don't worry about not sounding Buddhist, or not having the chops to mix it up. None of that matters here. This message board, is wide open; whatever Buddhists here want to talk about. We may not agree with each other, but at least we can learn something from the experience. May we benefit sentient beings without exception. Karmapa Chenno.


keywords: buddhism, tibetan buddhism (Kagyu, karma kagyu, mahamudra; nyingma, dzogchen), zen buddhism, mahayana, vajrayana.