Interview 30 years ago (1994) with this blogger Mostly, a focus on Western Dharma and Sangha

Photo shows a deep love of Nagarjuna, 2nd Century AD, teacher of Emptiness of self-existence. Section below shows small selection of Dharma books beneficial for the West out of a library at home of 1500 books.

If you wish to read part or all of the interview, then Click Here

Seventeen Questions

1. What prompted you to first go off to Asia more than 25 years ago?
2. What led you to ordain as a monk in Thailand?
3. Can you say anything about your experience in the traditional sangha?
4. Why did you disrobe?
5. What about teaching the Dharma as a layperson?
6. Each of the Western lay Dharma teachers seem to have their own particular style or per­spective on teaching the Dharma. What do you think most charac­terizes your own unique ap­proach?
7. Do you believe in a householder’s Dharma?
8. Is there any activity that you recommend outside of retreats?
9. How important is the study of traditional Buddhist texts, com­mentaries and languages?
10. It seems from your writings you have a special interest in eco­logical and environmental issues. What perspective does vipassana of­fer on such issues?
11. You are known to speak out on many issues, both religious and secular…
    Some people say you have a reputation as a gadfly, a provocateur, as Socrates characterized himself.
12. Have you used psychotherapy? Some teachers in the USA feel it is valuable.
13. In what ways does psycho­therapy need to expand?
14. You are involved in a number of philanthropic pursuits. Can you de­scribe some?
15. You have been leading retreats at IMS for about 20 years. What changes have you noticed in your students?
16. Do you have any thoughts about the future of the Dharma?
17. Anything else you would like to communicate to our readers?

Dear Readers,

Just to add. Views seem to have remained the same. Hairstyle has noticeably changed in the shift from aged 50 to 80 – like leaves fall off the trees mostly in autumn.

Love

Christopher