What kind of Buddhism is this? We call it Buddhist training for modern life. It is the essence of Tibetan and Indian Buddhist thought, made accessible and relevant for modern life.
What is Juniper's long term vision? The real fruition of our work will be an authentic lineage able to sustain and perpetuate a modern tradition for training the mind. This will include a thriving community of teachers, students and colleagues and, one day, a beautiful campus where all this can happen.
Will you offer the training in person or online? Both. Initially, it is fine to explore these methods on one’s own. Ultimately, however, a relationship with a teacher or guide who serves as a catalyst for progress becomes important.
How can I start the training? Some introductory meditations are available in our Awakening the Mind. We will soon launch a series of talks on Buddhist training for modern life. For more information, please join our e-mail list or check back on our Web site.
How is Juniper different from a dharma center? Many dharma centers attempt to emulate the way Buddhist training is practiced in their source culture, such as in Tibet or Japan. Juniper’s goal is to offer the essence of these practices in a modern way, to reflect the customs and profile of modern life. In our work Heirs to Insight we describe the principles we follow to accomplish this: integrate science, integrate modern education, train gradually, provide equal opportunity, and cultivate modern teacher relationships.
Where are you located? Juniper’s founders live in the San Francisco Bay Area, from Redwood City to Palo Alto to Santa Cruz. Our headquarters are in Redwood City, California, where we also have a beautiful meditation hall. Our work is available worldwide through our Web site and speaking engagements.
Is this a religion? Not really. Buddhist training does not involve a god, savior, worship, or fixed canon, which one typically associates with a religion. It is more of a methodology and approach to life, a means of inner expansion and gaining the most from experience.
Is it still Buddhist training if you examine the validity of Buddhist ideas? Buddhist methods train us to question the limits of all concepts, including Buddhist ones. For example, one of Buddhist thought’s most famous principles, said to date all the way back to the time of the Buddha, is about testing the validity of ideas for oneself and not just accepting what someone else says. To us, remaining true to this principle is central to Buddhist thought.
