RANDY METCALF

Lama Lodu Rinpoche, a meditation master, eats an offering of rice yesterday afternoon that was given to him by a new Buddhist student group in honor of his visit to Tucson. Of the current 23 religious clubs on campus, the student group is the only one affiliated with Buddhism.

Tuesday September 11, 2001

Spiritual leader stresses importance of overcoming affliction

A new Buddhist student group honored one of its faith's spiritual leaders yesterday with a traditional welcoming ceremony.

Lama Lodu Rinpoche - whose spiritual lineage descends directly from the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist faith's spiritual leader - spoke of Buddhism crossing the barrier between Eastern and Western cultures.

"Culture means that each country does its own way, but Buddhism is spiritual, it is the enlightened mind," he said in an interview after the talk.

"No matter what culture you are, you have affliction - jealousy, anger, ego. Enlightened wisdom destroys the ego. As humans, all students are confused at times, so if you learn Buddhist ways before going out into the world, you will have a gift."

Rinpoche will give several speeches later this week that will cover similar spiritual issues, including "Overcoming One's Mental Burdens through Compassion and Loving Kindness" and "Instructions for the Profound Practices of Guru Rinpoche's Seven-Line Prayer."

Rinpoche will also lead several empowerment sessions, including "Guru Rinpoche Empowerment" and "Chenrezig Empowerment."

All interested students are welcome to attend these sessions and also to join the new student Buddhist group that is in the process of forming at the University of Arizona.

"It will be wonderful to have a Buddhist group at the university," Rinpoche said. "As students and young people, you will be going into a big world and it would be good to have Buddhist principles in your life."

Ruth Anne Coyote, who advises the student group, said it was a great honor to have Rinpoche at the UA.

"Lama Lodu is a high lama from direct lineage (of the Dalai Lama). He's very well known and a wise teacher. It's a great honor that he can come for these teachings."

The group's president, undeclared freshman Justin Kardish, said the student Buddhist group is, "a student organization whose primary purpose is to develop a thorough understanding of Buddhism and the ideal of loving compassion and kindness."

The student group is branching off the Bodhisattva Institute of Tucson. It is the collaboration of Coyote and Lama Jinpa, Western resident teacher, to bring a non-exclusive Buddhist group to campus.

Lama Jinpa is the spiritual director who will conduct weekly meditations and lessons at the UA. He has been practicing Buddhism for 30 years and has been part of the Bodhisattva Institute since April.

"I suggested that it would be a good idea to get the group started. I thought we should take the opportunity to expose students to Buddhism," Jinpa said. "College students are exposed to many different things and this is something that we would like them to experience if they are interested."

There are currently 23 religious clubs on campus, but this will be the only group affiliated with Buddhism.

"There may have been a student Buddhist group at some point, but there's hasn't been one for a while and that's why we're excited to get this one started," Coyote said.

One of the group's main focuses will be learning about Buddhist tradition.

"Through the study of Buddhist history and culture in countries where the ideal has flourished, we are able to take the philosophies and methods of training and apply them to our own culture," Kardish said.

The student Buddhist organization will welcome anyone who wants to get involved.

"The group is open to everyone, it is non-sectarian," Jinpa said. "One of my teachers always said that people of any religious faith can practice Buddhism, because it's really just a way of looking at your mind."

Meetings will take place Tuesday nights at 5:30, although the location has not yet been determined.

The Lama Rinpoche's sessions will take place at the Tucson Jr. Chamber of Commerce, 1115 E. Fort Lowell Road, and The Pavillion, 3705 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road. These sessions are open to everyone, and prices vary. More information is available by calling (520) 325-2272.