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28 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

contexts. Depending on the listener’s stage, different shared facts. There’s no Catholic or Buddhist anger,
approaches can be used, while staying focused on or love right? Even animals experience them. They’re
the Buddha’s goal: ultimate freedom. As the listener’s nature.” As people continue to practice, even beliefs
interest grows, deeper and more detailed aspects of begin to shift. Our task is to provide information and
the teaching can be explored, especially once they let wisdom do the rest. Being born in the same culture
have experienced the benefits of the practice and can helps—even if I look different in robes—they feel I’m
see beyond religious labels. While lineages contain not an outsider, and that brings openness and trust. The
and support the transmission of the Dhamma, the deeper challenge lies in the culture around generosity.
focus should remain in the Buddha’s applied wisdom, It’s little known that Buddhist monks receive no
skillfulness and compassion that transcend traditions. salary, unlike Catholic clergy. Many assume support
It is not the lineage that liberates, but the wisdom and comes from abroad, what some amusingly have called,
tools leading to detachment. The word ‘strict’ often “The Buddhist Vatican.” Here, giving is often seen as
implies rigidity. The tree of the Dhamma cannot flower a leftover handout, not as a joyful, wholesome act.
on dry soil. Flexibility allows us to go much further. This is aggravated by tighter economies, as many live
This doesn’t mean we compromise the integrity of the paycheck to paycheck. All this shapes how people relate
teachings, the monastic code, the training or respect for to supporting monks and monasteries. In the long term,
tradition. It means to adapt and flow keeping the core this could risk the continuity of the Dhamma here.
teachings as our foundation. This is where joy (Pīti), The plan is to keep providing the personal and social
an essential instruction from the Buddha, comes and benefits of a local monastery, and inform the dynamic
shines. Being both a Jhāna and Enlightenment factor, and role of the lay and monastic communities, one
joy is not a luxury, but an essential aspect of the path providing material nourishment and the other spiritual.
that keeps the mind’s soil soft and moist. Two things Now that the monastery is almost 90% complete, and
can motivate us—pressure or inspiration. I deeply the teaching and interest in the Dhamma is growing, I
believe in inspiration, especially when it’s rooted in believe the Dhamma tree has been planted. But for it to
experiencing the Dhamma’s benefits. Once someone grow, the soil must nourish it. Only generosity will let
sees this, growth will never stop. the roots take hold. Our hopes rest in that.

As Buddhism is relatively new in Mexico, what are What type of resources could Buddhists in Asia or
the challenges you face in introducing a religion in more established places like the US and Europe
that seems very alien to the local Catholic religious where Buddhism has existed much longer can
culture? And how do you aim to overcome it in the support you in Mexico? I am sure we can assist in
short and long term? some ways.

Surprisingly, the challenges we face have not been As mentioned before, the main challenge we face is
ideological or doctrinal, but practical. Resistance finding support so the monastery can continue forward.
has been minimal. I’ve been invited to teach at the While we are in the final phase of construction and
Franciscan Priest’s University for some years. Once a any help is welcome, the main need now is to find a
Dhamma talk was even held inside a chapel beneath way to cover the monastery’s ongoing expenses such
images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Priests and the as electricity, internet, etc. This will provide the peace
catholic community attend the talks and agree with of mind and freedom needed to dedicate —without
what is shared. What has helped is making clear worries or distractions—to the Dhamma, the teaching
from the beginning that I do not come to challenge and service to the different communities. To address
beliefs, but to explore our shared human experience— this, a dear Dhamma friend suggested a simple and
this body, this mind, this happiness or sorrow, and hopeful idea: to invite 50 people to offer $20 USD
especially, the tools to choose between them. I often monthly through PayPal, reaching in this way the
say, “You can believe what you wish, let’s focus on the needed stability. While we continue cultivating local