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Serious inquiry.
16 years ago
General
(Crossposted from my LJ)
I have to get up the testicular fortitude to ask this at some point; might as well do it now.
So the first part of my LJ post yesterday (That most of you haven't seen; I really should remove this line... >_> ) was referring to a specific opportunity that has presented itself. Thing is, I need assistance in getting there.
A bit of background - a sort of schism has occurred recently within the Gelug tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has insisted that a particular protector deity is no longer to be invoked. This practice has been an active part of Gelug teachings for at least the past 300 years, so naturally there are a lot of people who don't agree with this; however, at the same time, the Dalai Lama does exercise supreme executive power over that sort of thing. As such, a group of monks have gathered in the town of Mundgod, India and founded a monastic university in direct violation of this decree; however, currently they seek people to assist in teaching English and computer skills.
I personally am not of the Gelug sect, but have a few ties to them; it was one of these ties here in the States, sympathetic to the cause I can only assume, who brought this need to my attention. Being of the opinion that education needs no religious boundaries and that one learns more about their own faith through immersion in others, I am quite inclined to take them up on this offer. This is especially true as they will be providing food and shelter during the stay, which must last at least four months. Most folks cannot make that kind of a commitment; I however, being jobless and potentially homeless by the time they're looking to recruit, would be perfectly capable of making this commitment.
Of course, this all boils down to one specific problem - initial cost. Because the monastery is just starting up, they have no means of transporting potential tutors. Because of my current situation, I have no means of transporting myself. This is where the testicular fortitude comes in.
Total for a one-way flight to Goa is roughly $720 USD; round-trip through Bangalore, assuming I leave in early April, is about $1050 USD (this includes taxes on a flight from Albuquerque). Considering that the current cost of tuition at Tech, coupled with my debt, would cost me about $4000 USD to be able to be hired on as a student again, this is quite cheap. This is why I feel much fewer qualms about asking for donations.
That's correct: I'm requesting a collective sponsorship to get me to this monastery.
The way I intend to do things is this: If you wish to donate to this cause, let me know. If, by the time I need to book a ticket (probably late September / early October), I have obtained a job, I will pay every penny back as soon as possible and not go; truly, as unfortunate as it is, a job is a much better option for me in the long run and there's no way anyone would let me take that much time off immediately. If you have a specific request of me, tell me and I will do everything in my power to make it happen. In the end, I don't want this to be a free ride; even if you ask for nothing in return, I intend to return the funds as soon as I am humanly capable. This money will be kept separate from everything else of mine so I will not be tempted to spend it before the time has come.
I have a donate button; I wonder if HTML will work? EDIT: Nope.
I have to get up the testicular fortitude to ask this at some point; might as well do it now.
So the first part of my LJ post yesterday (That most of you haven't seen; I really should remove this line... >_> ) was referring to a specific opportunity that has presented itself. Thing is, I need assistance in getting there.
A bit of background - a sort of schism has occurred recently within the Gelug tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has insisted that a particular protector deity is no longer to be invoked. This practice has been an active part of Gelug teachings for at least the past 300 years, so naturally there are a lot of people who don't agree with this; however, at the same time, the Dalai Lama does exercise supreme executive power over that sort of thing. As such, a group of monks have gathered in the town of Mundgod, India and founded a monastic university in direct violation of this decree; however, currently they seek people to assist in teaching English and computer skills.
I personally am not of the Gelug sect, but have a few ties to them; it was one of these ties here in the States, sympathetic to the cause I can only assume, who brought this need to my attention. Being of the opinion that education needs no religious boundaries and that one learns more about their own faith through immersion in others, I am quite inclined to take them up on this offer. This is especially true as they will be providing food and shelter during the stay, which must last at least four months. Most folks cannot make that kind of a commitment; I however, being jobless and potentially homeless by the time they're looking to recruit, would be perfectly capable of making this commitment.
Of course, this all boils down to one specific problem - initial cost. Because the monastery is just starting up, they have no means of transporting potential tutors. Because of my current situation, I have no means of transporting myself. This is where the testicular fortitude comes in.
Total for a one-way flight to Goa is roughly $720 USD; round-trip through Bangalore, assuming I leave in early April, is about $1050 USD (this includes taxes on a flight from Albuquerque). Considering that the current cost of tuition at Tech, coupled with my debt, would cost me about $4000 USD to be able to be hired on as a student again, this is quite cheap. This is why I feel much fewer qualms about asking for donations.
That's correct: I'm requesting a collective sponsorship to get me to this monastery.
The way I intend to do things is this: If you wish to donate to this cause, let me know. If, by the time I need to book a ticket (probably late September / early October), I have obtained a job, I will pay every penny back as soon as possible and not go; truly, as unfortunate as it is, a job is a much better option for me in the long run and there's no way anyone would let me take that much time off immediately. If you have a specific request of me, tell me and I will do everything in my power to make it happen. In the end, I don't want this to be a free ride; even if you ask for nothing in return, I intend to return the funds as soon as I am humanly capable. This money will be kept separate from everything else of mine so I will not be tempted to spend it before the time has come.
I have a donate button; I wonder if HTML will work? EDIT: Nope.
fyi_dragon