Question: I've never done anything Buddhist before. Can I join your community?
Answer: Of course! We don't require any prior knowledge, practice or experience of Buddhism to join the community. All we ask is that you visit a class for 3 consecutive sessions, to be able to fully "take in" whether this is for you or not.

Question: Uh, I'm broke. Can I be a part of the community even though I can't contribute financially?
Answer: Yes. As part of our goals and mission we will never turn away anyone from teaching or meditation who is financially unable to contribute. We have other ways of supporting the community, such as work study for retreats, which requires some modest amount of work (such as preparing food or assisting in cleanup). There are other ways as well, but we would prefer that you come and learn, rather than stay away because of financial constraints.

With that said, work study is not meant as a way to "discount" the retreats for those who ARE able to pay, but are trying to find "a deal". There is tremendous merit and good karma to be gained by paying your full way, and even paying more to help those who cannot contribute! Receiving Dharma teachings can be a life-altering experience that is well worth the "sacrifice" of giving up your lattes for a month.

Question: Do I have to give up all my stuff to become a Buddhist?
Answer: No, not at all. This is a common misconception about Buddhist communities in general. While you will find there are many in our community that have simplified their lives without additional material possessions, getting rid of your things will not bring you closer to enlightenment or happiness. Renunciation is much deeper than just cleaning out your closet or garage. To really understand this, you'll need to attend more classes and retreats.

Question: Is it a problem if I'm Christian/Muslim/Jewish/etc and want to check you out?
Answer: We welcome people of all faiths and denominations to our group, as part of our Rimé (non-sectarian) focus. In fact, you will find that many of the meditation techniques learned in our community are valid and applicable in any religious tradition.

Question: What does Rimé mean?
Answer: Rimé means non-sectarian. Some people interpret this to mean that we can just mix and match whatever Buddhist practices we like in any order. This is not correct. Rimé really means that you understand a single lineage and then use that knowledge to explore and respect other lineages in turn. As a non-sectarian Buddhist, you try to understand and respect all traditions--Buddhist and non-Buddhist. But the Buddha's teachings were given in a particular order, so that order needs to be honored. Following the teachings from a single lineage is one of the easiest and most productive ways to accomplish this.

Question: What kind of Buddhism is this? What is your lineage?
Answer: We are Mahayana Tibetan Buddhists. Specifically, we are part of the Karma Kagyu lineage, led by H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. However, you do not need to be Tibetan to practice this flavor of Buddhism!

Question: What is the make up of the community?
Answer: We are very diverse group of practitioners, ranging in age from teenagers.to just retired. We have families with small children in almost every community. We tend to come from middle-class backgrounds, and high(er) education, and often have questioned our own spiritual traditions we were raised under.

Question: What's all this H.H. and V.V. stuff I see on your site?
Answer: H.H. is short for "His Holiness", an honorific given to the Dalai Lama. V.V. is short for "Very Venerable", an honorific given to those monks who are considered Rinpoches (Rinpoche means "Most Precious" in Tibetan, referring to the rarity of finding a good teacher who has practiced extensively to achieve deep compassion and wisdom).

Question: What's all this Ven. and Ani stuff I see on your site?
Answer: Out of respect, we refer to monks as "Venerable" (or Ven. abbreviated), and nuns as "Ani". There is no implication that any of these titles create undue importance in the people they are associated with. It is merely a term of respect.

Buddhism is a rich subject, and there are many other questions about lineage, the Three Jewels, why there are so many Buddhist traditions, why we recite mantras, and the role of Tantric art, among countless others. Rather than try to repeat answers to these, we refer you to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition's FAQ page for some excellent answers to these questions and more!