[Dolma]

If you are interested in Buddhism, you are lucky that you live in the New York area. There are lots of different temples and practice groups to choose from in all traditions. I practice in the Nyingmapa (Tibetan) tradition and could recommend several lamas in the city who welcome Westerners to their teachings, which are always translated into English. Tibetans are generally very pleased when ‘injees’ show a genuine interest in Buddhism and Tibetan culture. There are also lots of Zen temples in New York City and a few Theravada temples (Thai, Sri Lankan), mostly in Queens. In Flushing, where I live, there are lots of Chinese and Korean temples as well, though instruction is not in English.

You might go to Beliefnet.com and take a look at the discussion forums, or read about the tradition that interests you. You might also pick up the book Buddhist Guide to New York by Jeff Wilson.

User Detail :  

Name : Dolma, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Partial visual impairment, Race : Mixed Hawaiian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 34, City : Flushing, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Librarian, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Dolma]

I have worn ‘ethnic’ clothing ever since high school, so it has become my trademark. Traditional Asian, African and Polynesian clothing tends to be better made and more flattering to shorter and fuller-figured women than tailored Western clothing. I find Western clothing very boring, and I usually wear salwar kameez (tunic/pants/scarf), which are inexpensive, practical and very flattering to Western women. I live in an area with a large Indian population, so it’s not such an unusual sight. Once in a while someone might laugh, but overall people compliment me.

You might mix ethnic pieces with Western stuff; in the winter I like to wear Tibetan shirts and vests with jeans, or a haori jacket over a blouse and skirt. If anyone says I am stealing from other cultures, I would ask, Why is it OK for a native Indian to wear Tommy gear but not OK for a ‘white’ to wear salwar kameez? Assimilation can go both ways.

User Detail :  

Name : Dolma, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Partial visual impairment, Race : Mixed Hawaiian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 34, City : Flushing, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Librarian, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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