dharmatalks

Today is the 15th day of the fourth month (Saga Dawa – which literally means million moons) in the Tibetan calendar. Known as the “Festival of Vaisaka” (or as it is called in the Japanese tradition, Hanamatsuri)– one of the four principal holidays in the Buddhist tradition — Saga Dawa Düchen celebrates the enlightenment and passing into parivirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni. Therefore, it is of particular import in Bodhgaya, where Sakyamuni awakened at the age of 35, and in Kusinagara, where he left this mortal coil to enter his Nirvikalpa samādhi,, when he was 80.

The Sanskrit word “parinirvana” is used to describe the final passing from the samasaric cycle of death and rebirth, ending the experience of suffering. Mahasamadhi is another expression for the state in which the realised person reaches the highest attainment, as ego-consciousness, the concept of a soul, dualistic perceptions and all other concepts are released into full and complete Realisation/Enlightenment/Oneness. This state of “no turning back” awareness is called Nirvikalpa samādhi.

According to the tradition and mythos, as Buddha Sakyamuni was about to pass from the samsaric experience, he is said to have told his disciples, “It is in the nature of all things that take form to dissolve again. Strive with your whole being to attain perfection.”

The landscape around Mt. Kailash, where legend tells us Lord Siva Mahadev resides and takes repose, explodes in colourful prayer flags during the festival of Saga Dawa Düchen. Around the world, practitioners take time to observe the day in ways that are meaningful to them, and which reinforce the importance in their lives of the Triple Gem – The Buddha, his Teachings (the Dharma) and the fellowship of practitioners (the Sangha). Our monks bring offerings of incense, flowers and other contributions from the community and lay them at the feet of their Teacher. These offerings of flowers, candles, joss sticks and money are representative of the impermanence of all phenomena, since the flowers will die, the candles and incense burn up, and the money will be spent.

It is a day on which birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known as a ‘symbolic act to liberation’; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will.

Symbolically, an image of the Buddha is placed in a small bowl, filled with water, and each member of the ladrang and temple come up, and pour water over the image, representing the cleansing of our karma, and our commitment to the Noble Eightfold Path and Five Precepts of Mindfulness (monks also renew their vow to live according to the Fourteen Monastic Precepts of the Contemplative Order of Compassion.

Alleviating the Suffering of Others

On Saga Dawa Düchen, it is auspicious to do whatever you can to alleviate the suffering of someone who is ill, hungry or poor. Many devout practitioners will make offerings to someone they know is facing a difficult time, and will use this opportunity to bring joy into someone’s life.

A Time to Remember the Oppressed

This is also a time of remembrance of those who suffered, because they refused to deny the Dharma path. In 1963, the wicked South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, a Catholic and younger brother of the vitriolic Archbishop Ngo Dinh Thuc, banned the flying of the Buddhist flag. When Buddhists refused to comply and responded with flag-waving and demonstrations, Diem’s forces opened fire on the crowd, killing nine, sparking a six month-long Buddhist crisis, a period of civil disobedience against religious discrimination. Sadly, the conflict resulted in much violence, including the arrest and assassination of Diem, following a coup by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam on November 1, 1963 – a month that would also end in the assassination of arguably one of the most beloved of American presidents, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

On Saga Dawa Düchen, whatever activities we undertake are said to be multiplied by the millions. Therefore we encourage everyone to be kind and do what you can to alleviate suffering, strengthen your path, and enhance your awareness and spiritual practice.

OM AMI DEVA HRIH

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Thangka representation of the Sacred Lineage of the Lam Rim Chenmo

Over the past year, many students have asked me if I would consider bringing the teaching of the Lam Rim Chenmo, which is the foundational teaching for our monastic students, and make those accessible to the lay members of the community.

We researched several options to do this in a way that was both responsible and provided the level of interaction between the student and teacher, and discovered a particular set of software solutions that would accommodate our needs. But in order to finance the project, we had hoped that we could rely on 30 students to be willing to commit to $10/week for the classes, which would defray the cost of operations for the entire 46 weeks of the course. The course would involve a weekly video dharma talk, supported by blog articles and a virtual classroom/webinar, in which we could then meet to discuss the materials.

The Lam Rim is an elaboration by Je Tsongkhapa on the Indian sage, Atiśa  Dipankara Shrijnana’s, teaching, Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. Even as a monk, Dipamkara Srijnana yearned for the fastest and most direct means of attaining perfect enlightenment. It is said that during a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, he received a vision of two emanations of the Bodhisattva Tara, who explained that the most important practice for realisation of enlightenment was "the practice of bodhichitta, supported by loving kindness and great compassion." Atiśa dedicated himself, from that point forward, to refining his understanding and practice of bodhichitta.

For many years, Tibetan Buddhist were suppressed and persecuted by an unrighteous king. But when Lama Yeshe Yod became king, his devotion to the Dharma and desire for Tibetan Buddhism to be resuscitated, led to his sending a monk to plead with Atiśa to come to Tibetan and teach. It was there in Ngari, that Atiśa wrote A Lamp to the Path of Enlightenment, which came to be known as the Lam Rim in Tibetan.

When Je Tsongkhapa set out to further elaborate on the great teaching, he gave us The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim Chenmo in Tibetan). It was based on these teachings, transmitted from Je Tsongkhapa, whose teachings were received by Lama Je Phabongkhapa, and transmitted to his disciple Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche to Lama Thupten Yeshe. Lama Yeshe transmitted the teachings to one of my upa-gurus (teachers along the path), Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, by whose grace and compassion I received the teaching. Therefore, there is nothing brilliant or insightful that I can personally bring to the teaching, because I do not possess the remarkable attainments of these great masters. I can, however, share what was taught to me with those willing to listen.

Je Rinpoche (Lama Tsongkhapa) wrote: "If you train in Lam Rim, you will be training in the complete body of the path, which includes all the vital points of sutra and mantra. As a result, your attainment of a precious human life will have been worthwhile and you will be able to extend the Lord Buddha’s precious teaching within the minds of both yourself and of others."

The Lam Rim Deepens Your Understanding and Wisdom

I believe there is great cause to share this comprehensive and powerful teaching with members of the Lay Community (Spiritus Project) and other interested students, because the wisdom and simplicity of the teaching will organically reveal itself in three stages, depending on the level of commitment and intentionality of the students themselves.

The first level of wisdom acquired comes from what we call the “stage of hearing” – which organically arises as you read or listen to the teachings. This level seems superficial at first, but is actually a foundational principal. Because of the importance of this stage, whenever we give a teaching, we are sure to explain the lineage of transmission of that teaching – not because we have some superstitious or sectarian notions that one lineage is better than another, but because we are responsible for demonstrating that whatever we teach is based on the teachings of the Buddha and transmitted in unbroken succession to ensure accuracy.

The second stage of wisdom arises from becoming more familiar with the materials and teaching, by contemplating them deeply and testing them against reasoning, logic and science. This deeper understanding will yield itself to a level of certainty and a sense of “having known this before”.

Finally, the stage of “acquired wisdom” comes from no longer intellectually contemplating or thinking about the teachings, but rather experiencing the truth of these teachings in the deeply meditative state.

Lam Rim Provides Support for all Three Kinds of Motivation

The starting point of the teaching is a division of Buddhist practitioners into beings of “three scopes” or motivations, based upon the motivation of their spiritual pursuit. Disregarded in this division are individuals whose motives revolve around benefits in their current life. Striving for a favourable rebirth is implicitly the minimum requirement for an activity or practice to be classified as spiritual.

Atiśa wrote in "Lamp of the Path" (verse 2) that one should understand that there are three kind of persons:

1. persons of modest scope;
2. persons of medium scope;
3. persons of highest scope.

Persons of modest motive search for happiness within samsara; their motive is to achieve higher rebirth. Buddhists traditionally consider that this domain includes followers of most non-Buddhist religions who strive for a rebirth in a “heavenly realm”.

Persons of medium motive are searching for their own ultimate peace and abandonment of attachments to worldly pleasures. This includes the paths of pratyekabuddhas and śravakabuddhas, which seek personal liberation alone – the traditional goal of the Hinayana (Primary Vehicle) practice.

Based on insight into the cause of their own suffering, persons of highest motive seek, by all means availbale, to alleviate the suffering of all beings. This is the Mahayana (Higher Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) paths of the samyaksambuddhas.

Practical Considerations

We had previously hoped that we would have been able to acquire the new ladrang and dharma centre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, so that we could offer the course locally, and just video record it, making it available at no cost to those who are interested. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented our getting the property, and so we are now waiting until we have thirty students willing to commit to $10/week for the course.

While I had hoped to be able to offer these courses at no cost, I also recognise the importance of every student taking responsibility for their formation and spiritual practice. We continue to seek a single benefactor to provide us with the $3800 needed to set up the Lojong Institute in a new location, so that we can apply for grant monies and make the course available worldwide at no cost. Until then, we will have to wait until our students express an interest in the course, and a willingness to contribute $10/week to cover our expenses.

Outline for the Course Itself

Below is a rough sketch of the material that will be covered, presented in outline form:

• Introduction to the authenticity of the lineage from which this teaching is transmitted.
• Introduction to the Lam Rim Chenmo as a respected masterpiece of spiritual training.
• Explanation of the way in which the instructions are to be received and given
• The way students are to be guided through the subjects
• Reliance upon a guru or lama as a spiritual guide
• The way to train your mind to correctly rely on a spiritual guide
• Encouragement to take the essence of this precious human birth and use it for attainment
• Encouragement to train your mind in the paths of the three scopes included within the lamrim

The path shared with persons who have the modest scope motivation (striving for a rebirth in the upper realms)

• the reality that this life will end and that you will die
• the suffering in a rebirth in the lower realms (a rebirth as hell being, hungry ghost or animal, which you want to avoid)
• (so you) take refuge in the three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
• (and adjust your behaviour of body, speech and mind according to the) law of cause and effect/ karma

which will lead you to a favourable rebirth within cyclic existence in the higher realms of existence.

The path shared with persons who have the medium scope motivation (striving for liberation of cyclic existence)

The truth of suffering (in cyclic existence in general, including the favourable rebirths)

• The truth of the causes of suffering (the afflictive emotions, especially ignorance)
• The truth of cessation (there is a state that is free of suffering and its origins)
• The truth of paths (the way to attain this state free of suffering and its causes by practising ethics, concentration and wisdom)

Another presentation of the middle scope subjects is the presentation of the 12 links of dependent arising.

The training in the medium scope path will lead to the development of the wish to be liberated from all un-liberated rebirths in cyclic existence through the power of afflictive emotions

The path of persons who have the high scope motivation (striving for complete Enlightenment)

• the advantages of the mind of enlightenment (the wish to become a buddha for the welfare of all sentient beings)
• the way to develop the mind of enlightenment
• the 7-point instruction in seeing all sentient beings as your mothers (from previous lives and contemplating their kindness towards you)
• the instruction on how to exchange your self-interest for others’ interest (by looking at the drawbacks of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others)
• the way to train your mind after developing the mind of enlightenment
• training in the perfection of generosity
• training in the perfection of ethics
• training in the perfection of patience
• training in the perfection of joyful effort
• training in the perfection of concentration
• training in the perfection of wisdom

Master Thich Nhat Hanh writes:

"If in our daily lives we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind." ~ from Peace is Every Step.

The study of the Lam Rim Chenmo is an opportunity to advance your spiritual practice and gain understanding and wisdom, as a means of supporting your progress toward non-suffering. It is a powerful first step toward acquiring wisdom, and cultivating compassion and generating true bodhicitta.

I encourage you to consider whether this is something that might interest you, and ask that you likewise share this information with others, who might be interested in such an in-depth study of the Dharma. You may also wish to consider whether you know of a company or individual, who would be willing to underwrite the $3800 we need to relocate the ladrang to an environment that will support the development of these materials in a way that reduces or eliminates all of the other costs we would otherwise face.

As the river of time continues to flow, we face the arising and passing of causes and conditions, bringing both sorrow and joy. Our experience in the past year has been fraught with challenges and hardships, but we remain mindful that these are temporary obstacles and all phenomena are subject to change. These too shall pass.

For 30 years, I was personally fortunate enough to be able to financially underwrite all of the programs we offered, and to support the costs of maintaining six contemplative houses and dharma centres throughout the country. My recent health concerns have interfered with the income I was once able to generate for the Order, and so that ability to bear all of the financial burden is no longer something I can do.

These obstacles, however, ought not slow or degrade my commitment to provide students of the Dharma with the training, spiritual guidance and support I vowed my life to offer. I am mindful that even a casual introduction to the Dharma can enrich a person’s entire life, opening to them the possibility for awakening. With your help, we can continue offering classes far into the future. Your financial gift makes it possible for others to experience the wonder and joy you have discovered through meditation and mindfulness.

May your coming week be filled with peace and mindfulness. May your practice be consistent, and may you find opportunities in every moment to be compassionate toward others, and alleviate suffering wherever you encounter it.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Today’s press conference, in which Tiger Woods publicly apologised for the suffering he caused his loved ones, owned up to the mistakes he’s made, and expressed a sincere desire to return to wisdom and teachings of the Buddhist spiritual philosophy that is part of his heritage, was an admirable gesture.

Was it necessary or newsworthy to interrupt whatever was on TV? I don’t know, because I don’t watch TV. But here’s what I think…

I think it was insane and an invasion of privacy to make such an absurd spectacle out of this man’s private life in the first place. I don’t think that when there are hundreds of thousands of people suffering in Haiti, in Darfur, in Mongolia, in Afghanistan and Iraq – people for whom we seldom interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for news updates – that it’s newsworthy or necessary to do what we’ve seen in Tiger Woods’ case.

That said, because such a media circus was made of his affair, and because kids look up to him as a role model, I applaud both what he did today and the idea of a press conference being held. I just question whether it was necessary to interrupt regularly scheduled programming, or if the announcements and apology could have simply been broadcast on the news and subsequent “entertainment” (tabloid) television programming.

Vowing to redouble his commitment to his Buddhist practice, “bringing all obstacles to the path”, as we say, Woods pointed out that the Dharma taught him that “craving for things outside ourselves causes unhappiness and leads to a pointless search for security”. Expressing a desire to “learn restraint” and stop “following every impulse”, he went on to say that he hopes to regain a sense of balance through his spiritual practice.

I read one article questioning whether the apology would “restore people’s faith in Woods”. What? I didn’t realise people were placing their “faith” in Woods, or that who he screwed or didn’t screw really had any impact on anyone but his wife, his family and his sexual partners. I personally find nothing magical, sacred or admirable about monogamy in any way, shape or form. I’m not particularly inclined to recognise any significant importance (let alone imaginary sacramental importance) in the “institution” of marriage. And I don’t know what the situation was in the private lives of Mr. and Mrs. Tiger Woods. So the matter doesn’t concern me.

If the American public showed as much concern for real issues… like the potential loss of lives that will occur unless we do something about the proposed Ugandan death penalty for HIV+ and gay men… like making sure that vitriolic, narrow-minded, hatemongering cults like the Roman Catholic and Mormon “churches” lose their tax-exempt status permanently, for their continued political action involvement (and the extortion-like tactics those hatemongering cults bring to the world)… to putting an end to the healthcare crisis… homelessness… animal cruelty… the oppression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government… etc., then perhaps this world would become a better place.

Most importantly, I am disgusted by the intolerant and uncharitable comments being posted on Twitter, Facebook and on blogs, condemning Woods’ apology. Those familiar with the Twelve Step program (of which I am no fan, to be sure, since I believe the so-called “First Step” is patent bullshit and an unhealthy foundation on which to build recovery) know that part of the recovery process includes making amends for the “wreckage of one’s past”.

Today, Tiger Woods too another important step in his recovery, and I wish him nothing but the very best, as he continues along that journey. Today we saw a young man, who was once heralded as one of the greatest professional golfers of the “new generation” prove that when it comes to integrity, humility and maturity, dude’s got game!

Tiger, you owed the public NOTHING. But you’ve used the opportunity to do the right thing, and go a step further. And that, my friend, is leadership.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Image:  Enlightenment by Christopher Clements

The Lam Rim Chen Mo (Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) is considered among the rare Tibetan masterpieces of Dharma instruction, written by Je Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug School of Buddhism.

When Buddha Sakyamuni taught, some three thousand or so years ago, he adapted his message for the individual audience, taking into consideration that person’s background, understanding and capacity for the teachings in that moment.

In the 11th century, Atiśa Dipankara Shrijnana – who was, along with Konchog Gyalpo and Marpa, one of the three major figures responsible for making the Dharma accessible in Tibet, prior to Je Tsongkhapa. Atiśa was devoted to the Bodhisattva/Buddha Tara (Jetsun Dolma), the mother of liberation. Seeing a need for a comprehensive and more carefully organised text, bringing together the body of the Buddha’s teachings, and combining them with wisdom from the oral tradition, Atiśa wrote A Lamp for the Path.

When he was invited to Tibet by Changchup Od to give a comprehensive training on the Dharma, in order to clarify errant views and what seemed to be contradictions found in various Buddhist sutras and their commentaries, Atiśa left Vikramasila monastery for Tibet, where he gave this illuminating path that would become the foundational doctrine of the Kadampa tradition, known today as the Lam Rim.

The Lam Rim contains the essence of the sutras that the Buddha Sakyamuni taught near Ragdir, India, as they were transmitted to Maitreya and Asanga, who later expounded upon the hidden-meanings in the sutras. Atiśa took these hidden meanings, and using the Abhisamaya-alamkara (Ornament of Clear Realisation, compiled by Maitreya and Asanga) created the Lam Rim. Therefore, the Lam Rim contains the essential points of all sutra and tantra teachings, in their logical order for effective practice.

Thus, for a serious student, wishing to deepen his or her spiritual practice, and develop a richer, more complete understanding of the Dharma, there is no better way that to immerse oneself in the comprehensive study of the Lam Rim, coupled with one’s daily practice.

Many Westerners attempt to jump headlong into the practice of meditation, particularly without proper instruction and support, and find their spiritual practice to be less than fulfilling, and often frustrating. Others attempt to take from here and there, and hope to be fortunate enough to “piece together” a path that works for them. This is also not very often the most productive means of realisation.

By studying the Lam Rim Chen Mo, one will develop a foundational understanding of the Dharma, in a way that more readily supports the practice of meditation and contemplation at the appropriate time in formation.

The Contemplative Order of Compassion and its Vajra Sky Institute have previously reserved this instruction for those who had been received into monastic formation only for the past eighteen years. For the first time, this forty-six week training program is now available to practitioners everywhere.

The course will be conducted through several media, including participation in a live, weekly training session and webinar, video sessions, and a special blog, in which students and faculty are able to participate in the discussion.

We must have twenty students enrolled in the program, in order to be able to proceed. The requested donation for the course is $20/week. This will make it possible to cover the costs of media development, web resources, webinars and mentoring.

At the conclusion, students completing the course will receive a diploma in Buddhist Studies from the Vajra Sky Institute, and will be entitled to participate in on-going advanced curriculum.

If you are interested in participating, please contact us at once at: dharmacharya@dharmadudeunplugged.com And feel free to help us reach our goal of 20 paying students by sharing this with those you know. (The class size will be limited to 40 students maximum.)

Practice whatever you can, so that the teachings of our lineage holders and dharma acharyas will not have been in vain, but above all, practice compassion, loving-kindness and mindfulness with every step.

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.