Vegetarianism
An information article regarding the Buddhist attitude can be found at http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/07/fea10.asp.
Homosexuality
Some religions condemn gays. What is the Buddhist view of homosexuality?
The late Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda addressed this question skilfully in his book Question Time with Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda. It is available online; please go to this link, and click on questions nos. 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.
We wholehearedly endorse the Venerable's position (aside from one poorly written sentence, the first sentence answering question No. 21).
Where can I go to practice Meditation
~~~~~~~~~Residential Retreat Options~~~~~~~~~
Nearest recommended retreat center: Southern Dharma Retreat Center in the North Carolina mountains. Look for teachings by highly recommended Theravada Buddhist teachers Leigh Brasington (for experienced students, 10 nights in May 09), Rodney Smith (7 nights July/Aug 09), Bhante Y Rahula (Oct 09). Also Rev. Teijo Munnich (Zen, May 09), Phyllis Hicks & Sharon Beckman-Brindley (for learning Right Speech, 5 nights July 09), Lila Kate Wheeler (7 nights, Nov 09) and Kevin Griffin (for 12-steppers, 3 nights Nov 09): [url=http://www.southerndharma.org/index.html][/url] Teachings cost $65/pm + donations to the teacher.
Closest Vipassana retreat center offering Buddhist mindfulness meditation as taught by the celebrated teacher from Myanmar, Goenka-ji: [url=http://www.patapa.dhamma.org/index.shtml][/url] Teachings are offered on donation basis.
USA's best Theravada Buddhist monastery-based meditation center, the Bhavana Society, in West Virginia: [url=http://www.bhavanasociety.org/][/url] Teachings are offered on donation basis.
USA's best Theravada Buddhist retreat center run by laypeople on east coast: Insight Meditation Society (and related retreat centers Forest Refuge and Barre Center for Buddhist Studies), in Barre MA (near Wooster, MA): [url=http://dharma.org/][/url] Cost is on a sliding scale with minimum payment appx $75/pm + donations to the teachers & staff (work study options and generous scholarships are available).
USA's best Theravada Buddhist retreat center run by laypeople on west coast: Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA: [url=http://www.spiritrock.org/][/url] Cost is on a sliding scale with minimum cost varying by retreat appx $80 or $90/pm + donations to the teachers & staff (scholarships may be available).
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