True Dharma International
Buddhist responses to life's challenges - birth, growth, sickness, aging, and death.
True Dharma International
TDIBM Blog
True Dharma speaks at Anglican Church
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Thursday, 22 March 2012 14:50
- Written by Frank Tedesco
Rev. Frank was asked to speak on Buddhism at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg on two consecutive Wednesday evening in March. The first evening was devoted to my personal conversion experience and the nature of Buddhism. The second evening was devoted to commentary on the film Arising Light on the life of Dr. Ambedkar. We had a very spirited discussion of caste and racial discrimination in India and the United States. The very integrated congregation had many questions about traditional Indian culture and the status of untouchables. Rev'd Robin Whitlock organized a series of presentations on interfaith concerns for this year's Lenten period.
Funeral Service for A Sudden Death
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Thursday, 22 March 2012 14:23
- Written by Frank Tedesco
Jin Bup Rev. Frank conducted a streamlined Korean Mahayana funeral service at a crematorium for a 49-year-old American man who died sudeenly in his sleep March 10.
The gentleman was not a practicing Buddhist but respected both Thai and Tibetan traditions. To acommodate his wishes, the family asked a local Vietnamese Theravada abbot and Rev. Frank Tedesco (True Dharma) to perform services at the cremation on March 19.
The deceased ashes will be kept by the family.
True Dharma Joins St. Petersburg Clergy Association
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Thursday, 09 February 2012 14:37
- Written by Frank Tedesco
Rev. Frank attended a monthly St. Petersburg Clergy Association breakfast meeting this morning. It was good to be among faith leaders concerned with interfaith harmony in the area. I will be asked to speak at different congregations in the future.
Buddhist Road Clean Up
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Friday, 27 January 2012 14:27
- Written by Frank Tedesco
A social improvement project of the True Dharma International Buddhist Mission is to rid a couple of miles of central Pinellas county roads of accumulated trash and to monitor them every three months.
Certified in Thanatology- Death Studies
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Friday, 27 January 2012 14:14
- Written by Frank Tedesco
A cloud of pensive sadness lifted from my heart for a while. I had studied for the ADEC Certification Exam in Thanatology- Death, Dying and Bereavement for months. The three hour exam ended at 6 PM Saturday. My heart lightened. While Jenny and I were watching a wonderful DVD about the life of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during WWII, we received a call that our good and generous friend Ron Edwards died at 6:20 PM. I didn't even know he was hospitalized with pneunomia. He died heartsick seven months after the death of his beloved life partner Barbara- wife, ex-wife and guardian angel thirty years his elder and forever youthful. Barbara taught A Course in Miracles for years. Their home was a second home for many seekers. Fruits and vegetables abounded there. Barbara taught me to say "I love you" to everyone, in life and on her deathbed.
Parents' Death Anniversary
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Friday, 27 January 2012 13:56
- Written by Frank Tedesco
December 6th is a special day for the Tedescos. My father Jack had been gravely ill and waited to that day to die in 1988. He was at home under hospice care in the company of my mother Ann and my sister Paula. I flew in from Seoul, Korea to my parents' home in Florida on the eve of the 5th. Dad died around 2 am the next morning December 6th, the day of their 43rd wedding anniversary. We believe Dad waited for me to arrive. On the same day, eighteen years later, our mother died at Paula's home in New Jersey. Mom and Dad lived together through thick and thin, working hard, perhaps too hard, pinching pennies, devoted to their home, children and various pets. They are buried together at the national veterans' cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. They are models of unconditional love for us.
Water Dragon Year 2012
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 16:08
- Written by Frank Tedesco
2012 The Lunar Water Dragon Year of Power and Good Luck begins midnight January 22.
Be Well In '12
- Details
- Category: TDIBM Blog
- Published on Monday, 02 January 2012 18:54
- Written by Frank Tedesco
SARVA MANGALAM
May all achieve mental, emotional and physical health in 2012
and be free from inner and outer bondage.
Live simply.